Wat Damnak Market Street, Siem Reap Cambodia
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Siem Reap is indeed a beautiful resort city located in northwestern Cambodia. It is known as the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, which was the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Angkor complex of intricate stone buildings includes the famous Angkor Wat, the main temple, and even pictured on Cambodia's flag. The Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom also features giant and mysterious faces carved into its structure.
DAY1: ARRIVE PHNOM PENH
DAY2: ROYAL PALACE – SILVER PAGODA – NATIONAL MUSEUM – S21
DAY3: PHNOM PENH - KEP
DAY4: KEP - SIHANOUKVILLE
DAY5: SIHANOUKVILLE AT LEISURE
DAY6: SIHANOUKVILLE – PHNOM PENH
DAY7: PHNOM PENH - BATTAMBANG
DAY8: BATTAMBANG EXCURSION
DAY9: BATTAMBANG – SIEM REAP
DAY10: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR COMPLEX
DAY11: SIEM REAP – BANTEAY SREI – TA PROHM and GRAND CIRCUIT
DAY12: SIEM REAP – BENG MEALEA – ARTISAN D’ANGKOR
DAY13: DEPART SIEM REAP
Detail Location |
Start from Phnom Penh the capital of Cambodia next transfer to Kep province - Sihanoukville - Kampong Chhang - Battambang and Siem Reap (Temple Province). |
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Address in Map |
DAY1: ARRIVE PHNOM PENH
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, we will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to our hotel. Phnom Penh, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, is built around four river arms formed by a sharp curve in the Mekong River near the junctions of Bassac and the Tonle Sap tributaries. This charming city has wide boulevards and a pleasant blend of oriental and colonial architecture but reminders of a troubled past are also evident. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh
DAY2: ROYAL PALACE – SILVER PAGODA
– NATIONAL MUSEUM – S21
This morning, we will visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 by the French, followed by the Silver Pagoda (also known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha). Formerly a wooden building, the Silver Pagoda was rebuilt in 1962 in concrete and marble and is floored with over 5000 silver tiles each weighing 1kg. It is famous for its 90kg solid gold Buddha made in 1907 and an emerald Buddha said to be made of baccarat crystal. We will also stop at the National Museum, located next to the Royal Palace, before an emotional visit to Tuol Sleng Museum, known as the Museum of Genocidal Crimes. This former school was used by the Khmer Rouge as a detention and torture center in the late 1970s; today the building houses paintings and photographs of the victims. Visitors can see the crude cells built in the classrooms and the torture devices used to extract confessions in Stalinesque purges of the regime. After lunch, we drive south-west of Phnom Penh to visit the emotional Killing Fields of Cheung Ek, made famous by the film of the same name. More than 17,000 civilians were killed and buried in mass graves here making this place a chilling reminder of the brutalities of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime.
Please be aware that the visits to the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields of Cheung Ek may be confronting and upsetting for some group members.
We will finish the day with a relaxing sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh
DAY3: PHNOM PENH - KEP
We head south to the colonial beach town of Kep, stopping along the way to visit Tonle Bati and Phnom Chisor to see the ancient temples and enjoy a packed picnic lunch en route. We also stopped at Kompong Trach, which was one of the last Khmer Rouge holdouts and boasts a series of limestone caves and passages that were carved into the mountain itself. We continued to Kep and transferred to our hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure. Kep served as a glamorous seaside resort for the French in the early 1900s however, during the Khmer Rouge years, most of Kep's French colonial buildings were destroyed. Many of the villas and mansions that remain today are abandoned, reminding visitors of a rich and luxurious past. Fortunately, the town is beginning to thrive with visitors again, traveling to the seaside town for its peacefulness, sunsets, and seafood - particularly the crab! Overnight stay in KEP
DAY4: KEP - SIHANOUKVILLE
This morning, we drive along the southern coast heading west through Kampot, admiring its rustic, French colonial streets and Chinese architecture. We will enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to the seaside town of Sihanoukville. The town of Sihanoukville was built as a port city in the late 1950s, however, it is a newer, more urban city than most of the provincial cities in Cambodia. Nowadays it is as much a beach town as it is a port town and caters to beach-going weekenders from Phnom Penh, as well as a steady increase of foreign visitors. Despite this, it still has a relaxed pace of life. Overnight stay in Sihanoukville
DAY5: SIHANOUKVILLE
Enjoy the full day at leisure to further explore this seaside town
Lunch with the group is included today and your guide will advise where and when to meet. However, if you decide to have lunch on your own please let your guide know; it will be at your own expense if you choose to do this. Overnight stay in Sihanoukville
DAY6: SIHANOUKVILLE – PHNOM PENH
Today we drive back to Phnom Penh, detouring through Kirirom National Park, which was once a favorite resort of the royal family and, at 700m above sea level, maintains a cooler climate than in Phnom Penh. The National Park protects stunning small waterfalls, unique and abundant birdlife, and lush, elevated pine forests. We enjoy a picnic lunch here and then continue to our hotel in Phnom Penh. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh
DAY7: PHNOM PENH - BATTAMBANG
We head north to Battambang this morning and stop en route to visit the 17th-century capital city of Cambodia, Udong. Udong was the ancient capital during the latter stages of the Khmer Empire. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside with innumerable sugar palm trees, as well as 18 ancient stupas. Next, we visit Kompong Chhnang Province to see traditional handmade pottery as well visiting the amazing floating village, Chnok True. Later we continue to Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city. Situated on the banks of the Stung Sangke River, Battambang possesses some of the grandest and best-preserved colonial architecture and scenic countryside. Upon arrival in Battambang, we say goodbye to our Phnom Penh guide and are welcomed by our Siem Reap guide. We check in to our hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay in Battambang
DAY8: BATTAMBANG EXCURSION
This morning, we will drive to the railway station and catch the bamboo train, set up by the villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods and people. The train in itself is very basic - one platform to sit on, placed on top of four wheels activated by a small motor. Our guide will provide some cushions for our comfort. We travel 8km to the next station, O’Sralao, through beautiful landscape and rice paddies. Once we arrive, we visit a village and discover the daily life of people who live in the Cambodian countryside. We visit a workshop that specializes in wooden sculpture and then continue to a non-governmental organization, ‘La Maison de Coco’. This organization implements different projects to support underprivileged people in the community, especially children and girls who are victims of abuse, domestic violence, and trafficking. From here we transfer by tuk-tuk back to Battambang to explore the city center with its beautiful houses dating from colonial times. This afternoon we drive to Phnom Bannon Hill and climb to the top to reach the 12th Century Prasat Bannon Temple and enjoy the breathtaking view over the surrounding plains. Overnight stay in Battambang
DAY9: BATTAMBANG – SIEM REAP
High water season (August to January)
After breakfast this morning we head to the local wharf to board our private speedboat to Siem Reap. We cruise down the Stung Sangke River before entering Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. During the rainy season, it can swell from 3,000 km to 7500sq km and is one of the world’s richest sources of freshwater fish. Our cruise visits floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and even a hospital. This cruise takes approximately 6-7 hours and gives us a view of the wonderful landscape and insight into the daily life found along the river. We will have a packed lunch onboard. When we disembark from our boat, we drive into Siem Reap and check in to our hotel. Siem Reap is a bustling tourist destination due to its proximity to both the ancient Khmer national capital city of Angkor as well as Tonle SapLake. Angkor Wat is one of the main attractions and is the world's largest religious monument, in addition to being the spiritual and cultural heart of Cambodia. This huge complex of palaces and temples was built on the sprawling alluvial plain to the north of Tonle Sap and will amaze all its visitors. Overnight stay in Siem Reap
DAY10: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR COMPLEX
After we have completed the formalities to get our National Park pass this morning, we begin our tour of the temples of Angkor, visiting the incredible fortified city of Angkor Thom. We will start at the South Gate, flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side, and then continue to the 12th Century Bayon. Its beautifully crafted central towers are decorated with extraordinary bas-reliefs incorporating over 11,000 figures. From here, we visit the Elephant Terrace which was used as a giant viewing platform for public ceremonies and served as a base for the King's grand audience hall and the Terrace of the Leper King. After lunch, we will visit the magnificent 12th-century Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat took 30 years to build and represents the Khmer civilization at its grandest; it is also the best-preserved temple with its fascinating decorative flourishes and extensive bas-reliefs. Overnight stay in Siem Reap
DAY11: SIEM REAP – BANTEAY SREI –
TA PROHM and GRAND CIRCUIT
This morning, we visit Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and considered by many to be the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Angkorian art. The temple is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and contains some of the finest stone carvings in the world. We also visit Banteay Samre before enjoying lunch. After lunch, we continue to Preah Khan, Neak Pean, and the fabulous Ta Prohm, undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor. Unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been left to be swallowed by the jungle. For all would-be Mouhots and closet Indiana Jones, Ta Prohm is the perfect ‘lost temple’ in the jungle, where Strangler Figs and Kapok trees have entwined themselves around the ruins. Their roots have burst apart even the thickest of walls, yet their clinging embrace prevents the walls' total collapse. In the afternoon we climb to the summit of Pre Rup to enjoy the sunset over the Cambodian rice fields. Overnight stay in Siem Reap
DAY12: SIEM REAP – BENG MEALEA – ARTISAN D’ANGKOR
Today we travel to the less visited Beng Mealea, a temple almost forgotten by the local population. Beng Mealea, which dates from the 11th Century, is just waiting to be rediscovered by the more adventurous travelers. This sprawling jungle temple, which covers over 1sq km, is largely overrun by vegetation and was constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style. However, Beng Mealea precedes and may have even served as a ‘prototype’ for Angkor Wat. We will enjoy a picnic lunch and then return to Siem Reap. Upon arrival back in town we visit the local markets and Les Artisan D'Angkor, where disadvantaged youth are taught traditional Cambodian crafts. Tonight, we enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant whilst watching the Apsara dance show. Overnight stay in Siem Reap
DAY13: DEPART SIEM REAP
After breakfast and check-out, we will be transferred to the airport for onward flight.
End Tour
Private
transfers and transportation on tour
Sightseeing with Local English-speaking guides (one guide in each city)
Entrance fees and boat fee
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/water)
Accommodation with daily breakfast
Airport Assistance Service
Cambodia visa
Other meals were not mentioned in the program
Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners
Other flights
All international airport taxes in Cambodia
Hotel early check-in / Late check out
Overweight luggage
Personal expenses
Travel Insurance
Tips & gratuities
Separate luggage truck
Other services not listed in the inclusive column