Cambodia in depth

THROUGH THE CAMBODIA IN DEPTH TOUR, YOU WILL DISCOVER

Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap (D)

Arrive Siem Reap, the door to the world’s largest temples of Angkor. Be meet and greeted by our guide and take a short transfer to your hotel.

Begin the story of Angkor at the Roluos Temple Group, comprising of three main temple Lolei, Bakong, and Preah Ko built from the 8th century. Lolei, Bakong, and Preah Ko nested peacefully in the green countryside of rice fields and green palms. Next, hop on an ox cart ride and wind the way through Cambodian villages to get a close touch to locals and their unique lifestyle. Reach the Roluos Buddhist pagoda and attend with the monks in the blessing ceremony. Here the monks will privately bless for your good luck, good health and safe travel – a unique travel experience!

Optional Tour: Marvel Angkor from 150m above on a helium balloon that will lift you up for an amazing view over Angkor Wat and surrounding temples in the nearby forest.

Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight at Viroth’s Restaurant, one of the best fine dining restaurants in town.

Spend the night in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Siem Reap – Angkor complex (B, L)

Transfer to discover the main Angkor sites. Today, on about 2 – 3 hour bike ride paddle leisurely through Angkor Thom which was the last capital of Khmer Empire. Enter the city via the main South Gate flanked by the Naga snakes each side and giant faces on the top.

Your journey continues further to the city’s center to visit Bayon temple which is considered as the carving masterpiece where dozens of stone towers were carved with finest bas-reliefs and 54 enigmatic faces representing for 54 Great Khmer Empire’s regions.

After a short break, discover the vibrant market of Siem Reap then have a close look at the Artisans d’Angkor, the center was established in early 1990 to provide support to Cambodian conservation of crafts and traditional arts.

Spend the rest of the afternoon to visit the 12th century Ta Prohm temple. Being covered by jungle and vines, the temple made it well known for ‘Tomb Raider temple’, and the most picturesque temples in Angkor. Wrap the day visiting two more temples of Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang or the “pool of ablutions” before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Siem Reap (B, L)

Rise up earlier than the sun to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, this will be a unique experience to see the first sun-rays over the other side of the five temple towers. Enjoy breakfast in the nearby restaurant Angkor Café before explore the temple in depth. During the visit, see various types of stone carving, over 2000 Apsara dancers and bas-reliefs decorating inside the temple. Angkor Wat today is printed on national flag of Cambodia.

Travel to visit another masterpiece of the Angkor at Banteay Srey. With the fine bas-reliefs and constructed with pink sandstone, commonly known as the “Citadel of the Women”, the temple is one of the best conserved temples in Cambodia.

Trek up the hill to visit Kbal Spean, one of Cambodia’s earliest pilgrimage sites for Hinduism. After 3 km trek, be rewarded with an excellent view on the top and the “River of 1000 Lingas” and the great collection of Hindu gods, animals scattered in the river bed.

Please note: though the trek is short but uphill and on uneven ground, we suggest this option only suitable for clients in good fitness condition.

From the temple return to Seam Reap, founded by Mr. Aki Ra who was trained to be a child soldier under the Khmer Rouge control, today he works as a minesweeper. His museum helps to promote landmine awareness and rescue center helping many landmine victims or the amputee children that Aki Ra has brought back from Phnom Penh.

Spend the night in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap – Battambang (B, L, D)

Today, take an incredible boat ride to cross Tonle Sap lake to Battambang. During the boat ride, visit many floating villages home to thousands of fish men who live the whole life floating on water with their families. Picnic lunch will be served on board.

Note: This boat trip will only be operated during the high water level period from July to December. For dry season, road transfer by car will be alternative.

In the afternoon, explore many traditional villages in Battambang to learn how local products like rice paper, fish paste and other Khmer products are produced locally.

Tonight, enjoy a special performance of Phare Ponleu Selpak. This school of arts provides education and support to the poor communities. This should not be missed when in Battambang as visiting the circus shows will enhance you with a long lasting memory of your journey through Cambodian!

(NOTE: The performance is available only on Monday & Thursday. Other days, private shows are available upon request with supplement).

Dinner will be enjoyed at Jaan Bai. Operated as a social enterprise by Cambodian Children’s Trust, the restaurant provides hospitable training for disadvantaged youths in the region. Jaan Bai restaurant was set up by Asia’s best chef, David Thompson and receive continuance support from Nahm Restaurant in Bangkok and John Fink, the owner of Australia’s best restaurant Quay in Sydney.

Spend the night in Battambang.

Day 5: Battambang (B, L)

Spend the whole day on a discovery tour to explore the countryside of Battambang that combines walking, a boat ride and cycling to take in Battambang daily life. The tour also includes colorful market and ancient heritage temple visits, observe the monks praying in serenity.

Enjoy an unusual Bamboo Train ride in the afternoon. The “train” made by the locals to facilitate for their mean of transportation. Enjoy the ride on bamboo platform on 4-wheels activated by a small engine for the 8 km to the next station while passing through scenic countryside of rice farm and crops.

Note: the train tracks from Battambang connecting to Phnom Penh are being restored. In the future, if the bamboo train cannot be operated, other sightseeing will be alternated.

Following is Phnom Sampeau hill, home to the notorious killing caves as cruel reminders of Cambodia’s darkest past. The sadness, inhumanity and serenity represented in one place making the visit interesting one. Extend your visit till dark to see millions of bats flying out from a cave and vanish into the sky – a spectacular show of nature at night!

Return to Battambang for overnight.

Day 6: Battambang – Phnom Penh (B, L)

After breakfast, leave Battambang for the 5.30 hour land transfer to Phnom Penh.

The drive today journeying thought many local villages and spectacular scenery. Stop at a pottery village; visit a kiln to see all aspect of making traditional pottery. Then, climb up to the top of Oudong Mountain and be rewarded with magnificent views of the green fields in distance.

Also at Oudong, visit the spectacular Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Center to learn more about the school of Insight Meditation. See impressive jade statue of Buddha and some pictures depicting for the story of Buddha’s life while you are in the pagoda.

Arrive Phnom Penh in late afternoon and spend rest of the day at own leisure.

Day 7: Phnom Penh city tour (B, L, D)

This morning you will discover the capital city for the most highlight sights in a Cyclo, a traditional Phnom Penh’s means of transportation. First, take this fun ride to visit Wat Phnom which features some of the best examples of Khmer architecture and religion statues.

At the Royal Palace, date back to 1866 visit the Silver Pagoda, the place is named for the 5000 heavy silver tiles covering its floors. Inside, have close look at a Buddha statues collection in gold, bronze, silver and stone.

Your next visit is at the National Museum, the building is in Khmer’s traditional style. The Museum displays over 5000 thousand pieces of ancient artifacts of the Khmer history and culture from the 4th to the 13th centuries.

Enjoy lunch in the Sugar Palm restaurant for a delicious meal. In the afternoon, take some insight look into Champey Academy of Arts (CAA) an NGO training school with the mission of offering the youth of Phnom Penh free training in art, dancing, music in order to preserve Cambodian traditional arts.

At the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, learn about Cambodia’s recent dark history. Known as “S-21” from a former schools it was then occupied by Khmer Rouge to use as its main detention and torture center named.

Tonight, at Foreign Correspondents’ Club located on the Riverside, enjoy dinner while embrace the great views of the confluence of the three rivers Upper Mekong, Lower Mekong, Bassac.

Spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Day 8: Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville (B)

Your driver will come to provide transfer to Sihanoukville. After 4 hours, arrive and check in your hotel.

Spend the night in Sihanoukville.

Day 9: Sihanoukville (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the day at own leisure or enjoy an optional tour.

Ream National Park (Sihanoukville)

If you are a nature lover, this option is the right one for you. Covering over 210 km² area on the Gulf of Thailand, the park is home to lush jungle, green mangrove forests and coral reefs. Over 200 species of birds and many kinds of monkeys and pangolins are found in the park.

Spend the night in Sihanoukville.

Day 10: Sihanoukville (B)

After breakfast, spend your day at leisure or enjoy an optional tour.

Three Islands tour (Sihanoukville)

Embark on the island tour to snorkel or just rest and relax. The destination will include several islands like Koh Chaloh, Koh Tres and Koh Takiev, take opportunities to swim in the tropic warm water to see colorful fish and coral reefs around the islands. Return and arrive back Sihanoukville in late afternoon.

Spend the night in Sihanoukville.

Day 11: Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh – Departure (B)

Enjoy the final breakfast at the hotel and spend the last hours relax before taking a private transfer back (with driver only) to Phnom Penh.

You might be interested in our Cambodia at a glance tour, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Cambodia classic & culture travel style!