Experience the real Cambodia in just 7 days. The highlights of national capital of Phnom Penh and the nature of island give you a best idea ever for nowadays Cambodia people. Back to the long history of Khmer people with all magical Angkor temples and later on with the best culinary in each day during the trip.
- Duration: 7 days
- Date: Daily
- Start/End: Phnom Penh/Siem Reap
- Tour type: Landscape, Nature, Culture and History
- Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
- Active level: Regular itinerary; Moderate walking
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival Phnom Penh
Day 2: Phnom Penh – Koh Dach Mekong Island
Day 3: Phnom Penh – Fly to Siem Reap
Day 4: Treasure Hunting in Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat
Day 5: Pink Temple – Land Mine Museum & Cambodia Circus
Day 6: Exploring Floating village
Day 7: Departure Siem Reap
Day 1: Arrival Phnom Penh
Up on arrival, we are greeted by local tour guide and driver who will take us to the hotel after that. On the way, tour guide will deliver a very interesting briefing about the history of Cambodia, its culture, people as well as lifestyle.
Later today, we will start explore the Capital city of Cambodia by visiting the Royal National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. In the complex we will know all about of history of the Royal Palace as well as the Silver Pagoda with a solid Buddha encruisted with 9,584 diamonds weighing 90kg and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha.
End of the day, we enjoy a cyclo tour along the Mekong River front passing Wat Phnom and Phsar Chass. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Town View Khan Don Pneh 3***
Day 2: Phnom Penh – Koh Dach Mekong Island (B)
After breakfast, we take the local transportation known as the Moto Remork or Tuk Tuk to Koh Dach Island where we will have our local's eye view of life on the river. Later, we stroll around the village, stop at a community craft workshop and relax at the thatched roof of a water bungalow on a hammock. Besides fishing and farming, the local people guard many arcane skills in arts and crafts, put to excellent use in their high-quality products sold in the local market.
In the afternoon, we are back to the hasher times of Cambodian history while ruled by the Khmer Rouge (1975 – 1979) with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum which used as an interrogation center before sending the victims to the Killing Fields about 15km south of Phnom Penh. After that, we visit Killing Fields and last stop at the Russian market where we will have a short visit or shopping. There are many things such as souvenirs, curios and silks… Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast at hotel
Day 3: Phnom Penh – Fly to Siem Reap (B)
After breakfast this morning, we have a short transfer back to Phnom Penh airport for our short domestic flight to Siem Reap. Welcome up on arrival by another local tour guide and driver, we transfer to hotel while receiving an interesting briefing about the history of Angkor, its culture, people and lifestyle.
Later we head to the Angkor Archeological Park to see the South Gate of Angkor Thom to see all huge causeway, moats, guardian gods, and head of the snake "Sheisha"… Then we will walk along the wall of Angkor Thom to Prasat Chrung, the best corner to view the setting sun and lastly take a Royal boat journey along the ancient moat. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation: Claremont Angkor Boutique 3***, 1,5 km to the Night market
Day 4: Siem Reap – Treasure Hunting in Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat (B, L)
After breakfast, we begin the magical day at the mystical Ta Prohm temple where ancient stones and massive tree roots engulf the ruins. These trees and stones provide a stunning temple experience while also enjoying with sound of birds and nature; this is a wonderful place to start the temple tour. The exploration will take approximately one hour, walking through this jungle temple. After weaving our way through the beautiful Ta Prohm we journey into the ancient city of Angkor Thom.
In the Angkor Thom, we will explore the treasures of this ancient walled city and visit to the mystical Bayon temple adorned with its smiling faces. The journey through the jungle to the famous Bayon which stands in the middle of the city of Angkor Thom, is now everyone's favorite site, surrounded by hundreds of smiling faces engraved on the pieces of gigantic sand stone; the temple is definitely one of the most stunning and mysterious. We head further into the temple complex and visit Baphoun, a hill top pyramid-temple, consecrated to the God Shiva that just opened to the public recently after renovation. We also visit the Elephant and leper king terraces, the royal enclosure temple of Phimean Akas and the serene Preah Pithu groups of smaller temples. We will enjoy a walk along the ancient walls of this city and relax with a hot Cambodian style picnic lunch in a shaded area or alternatively we will have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we head to the jewel of the Khmer Empire and visit the amazing Angkor Wat. The amazing temples of Angkor were constructed to express the wealth and power of the Khmer Empire at the time. Many stone inscriptions describing the foundations of the temple have been found but Khmers left no word to tell how this great empire collapsed. Come and dig out some secrets of Angkor with our experienced guide, reveal the stories and legends behind the sandstone carved bas-reliefs, gables and lintels. Stroll around this massive monument to admire the Khmer architectural masterpiece and engineering.
Later today, we will enjoy sunset time and stunning sightseeing of Tonle Sap Lake, Western Baray, Angkor Wat and dense jungle of Angkor Thom at the top of mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Set menu Lunch
Day 5: Pink Temple – Land Mine Museum & Cambodia Circus (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we head of with tour guide to the Mountain at Phnom Kulen National Park which was used as the ancient capital city in AD802 under the reign of King Jayavarman II, the King gave birth to present day Cambodia. There are 56 Angkorian temples of bricks and volcanic stones but most of them are in poor condition here. We will see the Thousand Linga River, an enormous reclining Buddha, constructed in the 16th century. Before having our picnic lunch on the riverbank, we are relax or do swimming at the waterfall.
In the afternoon, we descend from the mountaintop and head to see the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, which stands alonge in the jungle. This is a favorite sites of many visitors. The special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, and the intricate, high quality carvings in the solid sandstone. The unanimous opinion amongst French archaeologists who worked at Angkor is that Banteay Srei is a 'precious gem' and a 'jewel in Khmer art'.
Later today, we visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum where we can learn about the period of civil war in Cambodia which was only ended as recently in 1998.
Tonight we will be amazed by the spectacle of the Phare Cambodia Circus; a troupe of young Cambodians offering a spectacular and exciting blend of traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed as a story about Cambodian life and society. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Set menu Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Exploring Floating village (B, D)
This morning, we travel to eastern part of Siem Reap to visit the Kompong Phluk or Kompong Khleang floating village in Tonle Sap Lake area. Here, we will know about the daily life of local people during the dry season and the wet season. We also stop at local houses to touch with the local families, discovery the culture of nowadays Khmer people…
In the afternoon, we enjoy a horse trail ride through the countryside and villages, riding for about 2 hours around Siem Reap. This is a different way to take us through the scenic rice fields and villages as well as suitable for both beginners and advance riders to have fun.
Tonight, our sumptuous dinner will be accompanied by a Classical Apsara Dance performance depicting scenes from Khmer Mythology. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Set menu Dinner
Day 7: Departure Siem Reap (B)
Today our awaiting vehicle will take us back to the airport for our departure flight to home. Trip ends.
