Cambodia Discovery (8 Days)

ITINERARY

Day 1:

Phnom Penh

Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival, you will be met by your tour guide and driver before being transferred to your hotel. A sightseeing tour of the city will take in the Royal Palace, the incredible solid silver-floored Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, a treasure chest of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artefacts before ending our city tour with a visit to Wat Phnom pagoda and shopping at the Russian market.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2:

Phnom Penh 

After breakfast we travel southwest of Phnom Penh to Choeung Ek. The memorial just outside Phnom Penh was an orchard and a Chinese cemetery prior to 1975. During the Khmer Rouge regime, it became one of the killing fields, the site of the brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of who first suffered through torture and deprivation in Toul Sleng Prison. Choeung Ek is now a group of mass graves and a memorial stupa containing thousands of skulls.

This evening, enjoy a boat cruise on the Mekong River and take in the local night life.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 3:

Kompong Thom 

After breakfast we leave Phnom Penh and travel to Kompong Thom province. The province is large in size with some 13,814 km2 making it the second biggest province of Cambodia. It is one of the most popular historical and cultural sites to explore due to its pre Angkorian temples. Later visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia.

Overnight in Kompong Thom.

Day 4:

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap 

Today we continue to Siem Reap to visit the Angkor Wat Temple. This architectural master piece was built in the 12th century, took 30 years to complete and represents the Khmer civilization at its grandest. Covering 81 hectares, it is one of the largest religious monuments ever built. Angkor Wat (the biggest Hindu temple in the world and one of the largest religious monuments in the world, was built between the 9th – 13th century. In the early evening climb to Bakheng Hill to enjoy the superb view as the sun sets over Angkor Wat.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5:

Terrace of the Elephants 

Today is spent further exploring the Angkor Wat complex, entering the South Gate of Angkor Thom Temple marvel at the wonders of the eerie Bayon, the terrace of Elephants and the terrace of the Leper King. Afterwards, we continue to visit Ta Prohm temple, shrouded in jungle and left just it was founded by French explorers in 1850s.

This afternoon we set out for a cruise on the beautiful Tonle Sap Lake passing a typical floating village observing the locals in their daily life .

Day 6:

Siem Reap  

Today travel to Banteay Srey, one of the most unusual temples of Angkor, Cambodia. It lies 20 km due north of the main group of temples and is built largely of red sandstone, which is covered with elaborate and intricate carvings. Later visit Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern most of which is remarkably well preserved. The Srah Srang a royal bathing Palace, located east of Banteay Kdei is our next destination. It was constructed in the mid-10th century, and modified in the 12th or 13th century, then visit the Banteay Kdei Temple, a massive Buddhist monastery from the latter part of the 12th century and is surrounded by for concentric walls. Later take in Ta Keo, an incomplete temple in the Khleang style built as the state temple of Jayavarman V. Finally we finish with Thommanon Temple, one of a pair of Hindu temples built in the end of the 11th century.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7:

Siem Reap 

After breakfast visit Beng Mealea Temple, a spectacular jungle temple around 60 Kms drive to the north east of Siem Reap. It is one of the “new” highlights of Cambodia; having only been cleared of mines at the end of 2003.

Built by Jayarvaman VII; in the style of Angkor Wat; its scale is huge. Being well over one square kilometre in area and all located within a moat. Approached by four causeways, Beng Mealea appears to be a huge pile of rubble partially hidden in the trees, it’s not until you get closer to the high walls that the ancient Khmer Architecture reveals itself. Cloaked in vegetation the temple looks as it did when French explorers first stumbled across it.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8:

Siem Reap 

Arrangements conclude after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

Phnom Penh – Cambodia’s capital City. Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum

Cruising on the Mekong – one of the world’s greatest rivers

Angkor Thom – The last capital of the Khmer Empire. The South Gate, the lost temple of Prasat Chroung and the Bayon Temple

Ta Prohm – the jungle enveloped ‘Tomb Raider’ temple

Kompong Thom – pre-Angkorian temples including the most impressive group at Sambor Prei Kuk

Siem Reap – attractive riverside town and gateway to the Angkor Temple Complex

Angkor Wat – the world’s largest religious temple

Tonle Sap Lake – Cambodia’s largest freshwater lake and Kompong Phluk floating village

INCLUDED:

Breakfast daily

Private boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake

Airport arrival and departure transfers

English speaking specialist guides at local sights

Touring and excursions as per itinerary

7 nights standard accommodation. Superior (4 star) and deluxe (5 star) properties are also available

Cruise on the Mekong River in Phnom Penh

Entrance fees to all included sights

All transfers and transportation in private A/Cvehicles

NOT INCLUDED:

International flights and visa

Tipping – an entirely personal gesture