There's magic and mystery around charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell over visitors. Cambodia is both an ancient and a modern worlds which collide to create an incredible adventure.
An Empire of Temples
Contemporary Cambodia is the successor state to the mighty Khmer empire, which, during the Angkorian period, ruled much of what is now Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The remains of this empire can be seen at the fabled temples of Angkor, monuments unrivalled in scale and grandeur in Southeast Asia. The traveller’s first glimpse of Angkor Wat, the ultimate expression of Khmer genius, is sublime and is matched by only a few select spots on earth, such as Machu Picchu or Petra.
Day 1: Arrival Phnom PenhOn arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, meet and transfer direct to hotel. Remain of the day is free to recover from jetlag. Overnight-stay in Phnom Penh.
Situated at the confluence of three great rivers - known as the 'Chaktomuk' (four faces) or 'Quatre Bras' (four arms) of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers, a mixture of Cambodian hospitality, Asian exotica and Indochinese charm await the visitor to Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is a city of more than 2 million people, the capital of Cambodia and the country's commercial, economic and political hub. It is also comparatively new travel destination. An adventure destination just a decade ago, the city is now a center of diverse economic and urban development and is quickly morphing an air of edgy chic with bistros and boutique hotels lining the riverfront, smart little silk boutiques and galleries dotting the side streets, a budding arts scene and a heady dusk-to-dawn nightlife. Phnom Penh, Cambodia. As the capital city Phnom Penh is fairly young, only rising to the role in 1866, but is still steeped in history and offers several cultural and historical sites. The city was under French colonial control from 1863-1953, flourished in independence in the 1960s, besieged and then evacuated under the Khmer Rouge in the late 70s, repopulated in the 80s, revitalized in the 90s and now undergoing rapid change and development.
Day 2: Phnom Penh – City Tours (B)
After breakfast, start your visit to the Independence Monument commemorates, the end of Cambodia's ruled by France in 1953, Wat Phnom, the ancient pagoda stand up on the hill, Wat Unalom, the oldest Buddhist foundation in the city, probably predating the abandonment of the capital at Angkor in the 15th century. Royal Palace built in 1866 and Silver Pagoda located within the Royal Palace compound. Afternoon, continue to the famous Tuol Sleng Museum and Cheung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields, where large numbers of people were killed and buried in mass graves. Overnight-stay in Phnom Penh.
Day 3: Phnom Penh - Battambang (B)
After breakfast, share Mekong Bus to Battambang city located at 291km in the north-west of Phnom Penh. Pick up on arrival and transfer to have lunch before check in at hotel. This afternoon, we drive to have fun with bamboo train to discover beautiful country side and much more and then head to Phnom Sampov to see millions of bat scat away for food in the evening. Overnight-stay in Battambang.
Day 4: Battambang - Discovery (B)
After breakfast, spend your morning by Tuk Tuk to discover “Traditional Livelihood” to see how local people run their small business producing such as Rice Paper Making, Dried Banana, Rice Wine, Khmer Noodle, Fish paste making, Fresh Local Fruits, Bamboo Rice Cake and so on. Back to hotel for relax. Afternoon, enjoy cycling tour along Sangke River to visit pagoda, villages and Wat Ek Phnom. Overnight-stay in Battambang.
Day 5: Battambang – Siem Reap (B)
06:30am - transfer to the pier where you will share a public slow boat to Siem Reap. The trip will takes about 6 hours or more depending on the season and how high the water level is. The boat will go through Sangke and Tonle Sap Lake passing by many small fishing villages, allowing you to get a sense of life on Cambodia’s riverside. Enjoy view from the boat as much as you could before arrival SiemReap. You will pick up on and transfer to check in at hotel. Remain of the day is free and overnight stay in Siem Reap.
About Siem Reap
Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap Town serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and the legendary Angkor Wat whose artistic and archaeological significance and visual impact put it in a class with the Pyramids, Machu Pichu and the Taj Mahal. Unlike many other world class monuments, the ruins of Angkor are as yet unspoiled by over-development. This will not be true in a couple of years. Though the major temples are relatively well touristed these days, it is still possible get away from the crowds, to explore the area and discover Angkor. Their are many opportunities to experience traditional Cambodia: ‘Apsara’ dance performances, craft shops and silk farms, road tours through rice-paddy countryside, boat trips on the great Tonle Sap Lake to fishing villages and bird sanctuary, and much more.
Day 6: Angkor Temples (B)
After breakfast, we drive to visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, it is time to visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor, Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Overnight-stay in Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is unrivaled. Its mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. Angkor Wat is located about six kilometers (four miles) north of Siem Reap, south of Angkor Thom. Entry and exit to Angkor Wat can only be access from its west gate. Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC). Estimated construction time of the temple is 30 years by King Suryavarman II, dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu), replica of Angkor Thom style of art.
Day 7: Tonle Sap Lake – Free day (B)
After breakfast, we drive to Chhong Khneas village near Phnom Krom, the floating village located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia’s biggest natural water body and, one of the largest in Asia. The experience is wonderful as we pass by floating village, friendly children in small boats and fishermen. Continue to visit "Les Artisans D`Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles", this center works with young artisans; the team creates, produce and market a unique collection of ornamental sculpture, lacquer, silk weaving and silk painting. The company promotes fair and sustainable development in order to provide benefits to rural communities. Free or explore yourself at noon. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 8: Siem Reap – Departure (B)
Free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight to the next destination.
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