Charming Cambodia

Arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be welcomed by our local guide and driver then transferred to your hotel for check in. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap. 

Many of the tourist areas and sights are in the old central city near the river where you may notice classic old French buildings in classic colonial yellow amongst the Southeast Asian shophouses and traditional Khmer pagodas and markets. 

In the afternoon, start your tour with Wat Phnom temple, the founding place of the city on a small hilltop, is tied to the beginnings of Phnom Penh.The large stupa contains the remains of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1467) who moved the Khmer capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh the early 15th century. Then continue to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the same compound where you can see a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal etc. called Wat Preah Keo and a pagoda with over 5000 silver tiles cover its floors. Your next stop is the National Museum, located just north of the Royal Palace, a housed in a graceful terracotta structure of traditional design (built from 1917 to 1920), with an inviting courtyard garden. The museum is home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture: a millennium’s worth and more of masterful Khmer design.

Late afternoon, enjoy an atmospheric sunset river cruise with soft drink and watch the great views of colonial building over the Mekong River. 

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, This morning, you will start tour to visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, former school that was taken and convert to be prison by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture center named ‘S-21’. Then combine the tour with the colorful markets of Phnom Penh, visit the Russian Market, the best place in the city for wood and stone carvings, jewellery, clothes and Cambodian silk souvenirs. 

You will be transferred to Siem Reap by overland (duration 7 hrs) in Private transport and escort tour guide in the afternoon time. A stop break in the town of Skuon to see their most famous speciality being sold such deep-fried of insects, snake, especially spiders as favourite snack of many Cambodians. The spiders are caught in the soft ground of the surrounding countryside. Skuon well know as spiders market called by traveler who visited Cambodia now. Continue trip to Siem Reap. Arrive and transfer to hotel for check in. 

This evening, free at own leisure with hotel facilities or discover a small city of Siem Reap to see the local lifestyle and colorful of markets by evening time. Perhaps hit the markets for some delicious street food or walking a long night market. Overnight in Siem Reap. 

Today, after breakfast, experience your half day with a tour with Tuk Tuk (Cambodian Called Remork) to ancient city of Angkor thom complex, which is the last capital of Great Khmer Empire during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Photo opportunities in front of Ancient South Gate Angkor Thom, before entry the city which you will impressive with stone gate carved with four faces tower of Avalokiteshvara, with the gods or demons statues holding the naga snake along on both side of entrance. After that, continue to Bayon Temple in the center of the city temple. Its 54 Gothic towers are decorated with 216 gargantuan smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, and it is adorned with 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs incorporating more than 11,000 figures located in the heart of Angkor Thom, is the 12th century. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper king as bas-reliefs are available to visit. 

After that, continue to the temples of Ta Prohm, The famous temple as “Tree in Temple” photograph opportunity, built in the mid of 12th to early of 13th centuries. a unique temple which is overgrown by jungle trees and vines. Continue to Banteay Kdei, Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”. 

Afternoon, visit to a famous temple of Angkor Wat, was built during the reign of king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed as earthly representation of Mt Meru, surrounded by a vast moat, Angkor Wat was dedicated to Hindu gods. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. After that, continue to enjoy the scenery from top view of Bakheng Mountain during sunset time. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap. 

This morning, then you have excursion to Kampong Phluck floating villages for boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake, where you will have the opportunity to learn about daily life of local people on the lake. You will see houses on the high stills that built within the floodplain about 16 km southeast of Siem Reap. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to a variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. On the way, you will passed by the floating houses. Experience with ox-cart riding throughout the local villages, rice field, vegetable field, may sometime you can interact with children out from school back to their home.

(Note: Due to the boat trip is only possible from June to March. However an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas or Mechrey can be arranged instead).

Afternoon, if time permit, then visit Artisans d’Angkor, the Arts and craft school which established in 1992 in order to support Cambodian young poor people, and to help young people find work in their local villages by continuing the practice of traditional arts. You can find wood and stone carvings, and silk paintings are available here. Transfer to airport for your departure flight.