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ITINERARY BY DAY
Day 1
Phnom Penh Arrival [D]
Upon morning arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, be welcomed by the local English speaking guide and transferred to the hotel in the heart of the city. Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its turbulent history and recent development, it still retains its colonial charm....
Upon morning arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, be welcomed by the local English speaking guide and transferred to the hotel in the heart of the city. Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its turbulent history and recent development, it still retains its colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap. Wide tree-lined boulevards and many colonial-era buildings reflect the olden days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way. Option: Spa treatment Be pampered at the stylish and modern Bodia Spa and enjoy an aromatherapy oil massage. The perfect treatment after a long flight to Asia. Be greeted by a driver and be taken on a tour to the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a cyclo, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a fun way to explore this lively city. First, head to the National Museum, which was built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from prehistory to the 17th century. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony! Continue to the Royal Palace, which dates back to 1866 and was the last palace built during the French colonial period. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple you will view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze. Next, visit Wat Phnom temple, the founding place of the city, located on a small hilltop. Afterwards, head to the riverside area of Phnom Penh, a pleasant French-style promenade that is great for people viewing. In the early evening (and morning) various activities take place, including exercise classes, Khmer dancing, and plenty of snacking on local food. Participate in a Khmer dance class which is a lot of fun for all! This evening, indulge in a delicious Khmer Welcome Dinner at Malis Restaurant, one of Phnom Penh’s finest places to taste Cambodian food. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 2
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap[B,D]
This morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap (45 minutes), the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor and a charming little city. Be welcomed and accompanied by the local English-speaking guide to the hotel for check-in. After a break, begin the exploration with a visit...
This morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap (45 minutes), the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor and a charming little city. Be welcomed and accompanied by the local English-speaking guide to the hotel for check-in. After a break, begin the exploration with a visit to Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolising the Mount Meru, home of the gods. The divine residence of Vishnu, the King himself was to reside here after his death. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolises the soul of the Khmer people. After a wonderful tour at the temple, enjoy a relaxing cruise in a gondola paddle boat at the moat of Angkor Thom compound while watching a spectacular sunset at Prasat Chroung temple. Cocktails, champagne, canapés and a soft drink will be available on the boat, as the boat paddles slowly along the ancient moat.[1] Dinner this evening is at the stunning Chanrey Tree, one of the best fine dining restaurants in town, which offers traditional Khmer cuisine in a lush contemporary setting. Located on the riverside in the heart of Siem Reap, the Chanrey Tree combines the amazing taste of seasonal traditional Khmer ingredients, with a relaxed but lavish environment to provide a unique Cambodian dining experience. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 3
Siem Reap[B,D]
Rise early this morning to explore the temples of the Small Circuit by local ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai tuk tuk), and go on a journey to witness the early morning light over the legendary Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. (Note: try to arrive by 7am to beat the crowds at this extremely popular temple). Ta Prohm...
Rise early this morning to explore the temples of the Small Circuit by local ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai tuk tuk), and go on a journey to witness the early morning light over the legendary Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. (Note: try to arrive by 7am to beat the crowds at this extremely popular temple). Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Here, experience the jungle atmosphere at the eerie temple because there are not too many other tourists there. It’s a truly magical experience. Following the early morning visit, escape the crowds as the tour continues to the picturesque Srah Srang baray, an artificial lake built as an ancient public swimming pool! A multi-tiered landing platform on the west edge of the baray is adorned with naga balustrades and guardian lions, and the sparse remains of an island temple can be seen emerging from the middle of the lake at low water, during the dry season. Here, a beautiful champagne breakfast is enjoyed, overlooking the lake on a luxurious cushion and table set up, providing an incredible and serene start to any Angkorian exploration. Continue to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire, built during the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8m-high wall, drawing a perfect square. From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its multitude of towers with enigmatic faces representing the Buddha. Spend the afternoon at leisure for personal shopping at the markets or simply relax at the hotel. For more adventure, there are optional visits as follows: Option: Quad-Bike Adventure An unforgettable experience riding a quad bike especially designed for off road terrain through the beautiful countryside of Siem Reap Province. The guided tour passes local villages, where one can learn about the way of life in rural Cambodia and have the chance to meet and chat with the wonderful and friendly people. The highlight of the tour is watching sunset in the rice fields. Option: Horseback-Riding at Happy Ranch Head to the Happy Ranch outside of Siem Reap, the only western style horse ranch in Cambodia. There, get acquainted with the horse of pure Cambodian breed, a descendant of the Mongolian wild horses. Enjoy the countryside on horseback! During the 2-hour trail ride go to places far outside the tourist area, through the rice fields and local villages to the rarely visited temple of Wat Atvea. Explore the peaceful temple ruins of the Angkor era, a truly authentic experience. Option: Angkor National Museum The modern museum showcases artefacts from the Golden Era of the Khmer Empire by use of multimedia technology to picture this interesting historical period. Experience Angkor at its best on a guided visit to the Museum. Option: Hot-Air Balloon Enjoy the spectacular view from above and get an idea of the sheer size of the temple area on a tethered helium balloon 120m up in the air! See Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, the West Baray and other ruins amongst the surrounding jungle and rice paddies glimmering in the best evening light. Return to Siem Reap for dinner with a traditional Khmer dance performance at the Apsara Theatre this evening. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 4
Siem Reap [B,L,D]
This morning, take an authentic rural Cambodia tour to learn about life in Ta Brak village. Meet friendly locals and discover traditional village customs and cultures. Like most villages in Asia, Ta Brak is busiest in the morning hours. Sit down with a local family while observing the...
This morning, take an authentic rural Cambodia tour to learn about life in Ta Brak village. Meet friendly locals and discover traditional village customs and cultures. Like most villages in Asia, Ta Brak is busiest in the morning hours. Sit down with a local family while observing the activities of the village. Take an ox cart ride, a traditional countryside method of transporting people and goods. The 30 minute journey passes through the village on the way to the local market. Explore the colourful displays of vegetables, herbs and other locally-grown produce, and mingle with the shoppers who come every morning to buy the fresh ingredients. Continue on foot through the village, providing ample opportunities to stop and chat with locals and to observe their activities. Depending on the time of year, they may be planting rice, weaving thatch coverings for their roofs, harvesting vegetables, or other similar tasks. For a truly immersive experience, lend a hand and join the locals in these activities! Before leaving the village, partake in a special Buddhist tradition. Local monks will impart wishes of good luck and success in a solemn, age-old ceremony. After that, embark on an interesting boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake, and have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Tonle Sap is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season, as it is swelling to about four times it size in during the wet season. Board a local boat and visit Kampong Phluck, a village with houses on stilts that are submerged when Tonlé Sap Lake extends. On the way, pass floating houses and impressive flooded forests, portraying life on the water. Enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the local houses. (Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is generally only possible from July to February. However an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas can be arranged instead). From there, travel by private vehicle to the countryside of Siem Reap Province. First stop to visit the Golden Silk Pheach Farm, a local NGO which helps to revive the ancient Khmer know-how in silk activities and provides job opportunities to more than 100 local staff. The farm area, mulberry trees and weaving ateliers can be seen as part of the guided tour. Golden Silk products are ecologically produced from the yellow silkworm which is unique to Cambodia. Some of the silk products are months, or even years, in the making and each one is unique. This is one for the connoisseurs of high quality craftwork. After continue to see the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srei, which is best viewed in the warm afternoon light. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs. Banteay Srei is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor. As this is the last evening in Cambodia, enjoy dinner at the incredible Embassy Restaurant, an exclusive fine dining experience unparalleled in Siem Reap and headed by executive chefs Pol & Sok: the “Kimsan Twins”. Their experience has taken them to different continents and under the mentoring of Michelin starred chefs they have created one of the most unique five-star quality cuisines that can be experienced in Siem Reap. With a constantly changing menu based around seasonality, guests can savour skillfully prepared masterpieces from multiple-course set menus, paired with a selection of fine wines. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 5
Siem Reap - Departure[B]
Spend the morning exploring Siem Reap’s colourful markets with the chance to shop for souvenirs or simply observe the vibrant local scenes as people go about their everyday lives. Visit the workshop of Eric Raisina, located a few minutes’ drive out of town. After growing up in Madagascar and studying in Paris, Eric moved to Cambodia in the late...
Spend the morning exploring Siem Reap’s colourful markets with the chance to shop for souvenirs or simply observe the vibrant local scenes as people go about their everyday lives. Visit the workshop of Eric Raisina, located a few minutes’ drive out of town. After growing up in Madagascar and studying in Paris, Eric moved to Cambodia in the late 90’s where he was struck by the startling similarities with Madagascar and inspired to help revive the up market handicraft sector. He has devoted himself to developing new Cambodian silk weaving and dyeing techniques. Eric’s signature products have become a much sought after fabric in Parisian fashion houses. Tour his workshop and see the new designs being created by the skilled team. Just around the corner is another artist studio, Theam’s House. Lim Muy Theam is a Cambodian artist and designer who draws on inspiration from both Khmer and contemporary international design. For more than 10 years Theam has trained a team of artisan apprentices who work either at the studio or in their home villages. Explore the art studio and observe various works being created such as lacquerware, painting and fine sculptures. Transfer to the airport for the onward flight.
- Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room in selected hotel
- Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- English speaking local guide (for other languages a supplement applies)
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle
- Domestic air tickets
- Entrance fees for mentioned visits
- Boat trip as mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc)
- Travel insurance
- International air tickets
- Domestic air tickets
- Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above
- Tips for guides and drivers
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