Discover Cambodia

Arrive at Siem Reap international airport where your local English-speaking guide will greet you with a welcome board printed with your name. Transfer to your hotel, where rooms are available anytime after 2 p.m. In the afternoon, travel about a half-hour from Siem Reap to discover one of the most ancient sites of the region – the Roluos group. Begin your visit with the impressive ninth century temple, Bakong, then visit Preah Ko and Lolei, which today houses a small monastery. This is an ideal way to begin your visit to Angkor because it allows you to understand how this marvelous Khmer city was organized. Return to your hotel at the end of the day. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Information: You’ll be making a short stop to handover your entry passes (an identity photo is required and will be taken on site free of charge).

Note: In general, wear comfortable shoes and take a hat when visiting Angkor. 

Meet your guide in the morning at your hotel, then leave to discover the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, a world heritage site featuring soaring towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs. It is one of the most remarkable monuments ever conceived by mankind, erected in the 12th century (1112-1152) in honor of Vishnu. In the afternoon, leave for Banteay Srei to see one of Khmer art’s most impressive jewels. Erected in the 10th century, the “Citadel of Women” is a small pink sandstone temple that contains some exceptionally well-preserved sculptured lintels. André Malraux made this famous at the beginning of the 20th century when in 1923 he returned some of the Apsara heads he had previously removed. On the way home, visit the ancient monastery Ta Prohm, where immense roots have taken hold in the stones. Beyond this impressive vegetation you will find some splendid sculptured Devatas and an atmosphere befitting this temple and all temples built during the reign of Jayavarman VIIl. Meals on your own. Overnight at your hotel.

In the morning, leave by tuk-tuk for the northern end of Angkor to begin the day by visiting Preah Khan temple, built by Jayavarman VII in 1191 in honor of his father, who is represented as the saviour god of Mayahan Buddhism. This monument was in fact both a city and a place for Buddhism studies. Of the same era, Neak Pean, the only island temple of Angkor, is also referred to as Nagas Entwined. It is said to symbolically represent Anavatapta, the mythical sacred lake of the Himalayas, venerated in India for its waters’ curative virtues. The large central basin is linked with four smaller ones representing the four great rivers emerging from the earth’s four cardinal points, each with its own gargoyle: a lion, a horse, an elephant and a man. Of particular interest is the superb statue of Balaha, which represents the legendary saviour of shipwrecked boats. Continuing your exploration of Angkor, we move further south to encounter the two very beautiful temples – Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, which date from the 12th century and were constructed under the reign of Suryavarman II. They feature beautiful sculptured images honouring Shiva and Vishnu. The Devatas here have an exceptional grace, especially those at Chau Say Tevoda. In the afternoon, visit the Great City of Angkor Thom, beginning at the southern gate’s famous Bayon temple built in the 12th and 13th centuries and dedicated to Buddhism. Bayon comprises 54 gigantic towers featuring 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Then visit the 350-meter-long Elephant Terrace, which was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall. Also see the raised terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century and presenting many of the city’s most admired Apsara sculptures. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Leave in the morning to visit Beng Mealea temple. Situated on the Royal Road, this temple offers a rare vision today of what the first explorers would have discovered: sanctuaries invaded and overgrown by vegetation. Less imposing than Angkor Wat, it is however its counterpart and conserves all its mystery in its isolation. Have lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Siem Reap in the afternoon. On the way home, you’ll visit the romantic Bantey Samre temple where, according to legend, a peasant became king – a king of soft cucumbers! You’ll be enthralled with the remarkable sculptures of this classic temple, created with great mastery and sensitivity, and the temple of Thommanon. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Leave in the early morning for a floating village about an hour out of Siem Reap. Missed by mass tourism, Kompong Khleang is one of the most remarkable villages because of the height of its stilt houses. You can walk in the village to meet its people and stop in a house where the family raises crocodiles. Then, by local boat and if the season allows it, cruise along canals to further part of the lake which is home to some displaced Vietnamese people. Return to Kompong Khleang and enjoy a picnic lunch at home with a village family. After lunch, travel by car to Kompong Thom. Check in the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, transfer to Kompong Cham. Up on arrival, you will visit the Han Chey temple which is located on the hill by the side of the Mekong (pre-Angkorian site). Visit the colonial district of the city and the temple Wat Nokhor (12th century) and visit the Koah Soutin village. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then continue to transfer to Phnom Penh. Arrive late in the afternoon. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Meet your guide in the morning at reception and travel south towards Phnom Chisor, 57km from Phnom Penh, the road to which includes several kilometres of mountains. Phnom Chisor dates back to the Angkorian era and sits majestically on hill reached by many hundreds of stairs. Arriving at the top, your climbing efforts will be well rewarded with a spectacular view of the plains and temples. Touring the temple, you’ll meet with the children and inhabitants of Phnom Chisor. Return to Phnom Penh and free. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, discover the city of Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, situated at the confluence of the four arms of the Mekong. Visit the National Museum, a splendid example of Khmer architecture which was officially inaugurated in 1920. Here, you’ll see a great range of sculptures dating from different periods in Cambodia’s history. Then visit the Royal Palace, built in 1866 by King Norodom and comprising different structures which group together in one area the remarkable art of the Khmer. The Silver Pagoda features major works including a massive golden Buddha encrusted with 9584 diamonds and weighing 90kgs, and a Buddha of emerald and Baccarat crystal dating to the 17th century. Continue then with a visit to the Killing Fields, Choeng Ek, 15km from Phnom Penh, the burial site for victims of Tuol Sleng. On your return to the city, experience a change of pace with a visit to the Russian Markets, known locally as Tuol Tumpoung, where you can stroll among all the stalls and vendors, trying your hand at bargaining. You’ll find here fabrics, jewels, jewellery, crockery, handicrafts… all kinds of goods. Meals on your own. Free until transfer to the international airport for your departure flight. END OF SERVICES.

Note:

• Visits to the Royal Palace, Sliver Pagoda and National Museum will be conducted by their own guide as ours are not authorised to do so.
• The Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda are sometimes closed without notice due to official ceremonies. If this happens, an alternative tour will be arranged.