ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome to Siem ReapWelcome to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor temples. Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srei and the legendary Angkor Wat. Upon arrival, our driver and a tour guide will welcome you at the airport and take you to the hotel to check in.
Afterward, meet your guide at the hotel lobby for the short tour briefing followed by the orientation tour by tuk tuk- the typical local means of transportation. The tour is to highlight Siem Reap. You’ll be driven along the main bustling streets, channel, passing by Preh Prohm Roath pagoda, Wat Bo or Wat Damnak. Disembark at the PsarChass that’s a kind of Baza – Old City Market where you’ll walk around and learn the local art of how to bargain when purchasing items. Proceed further to the most exiting pub street for welcome drink before heading back to your home away from home.
Meals: N/AAccommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 2: Discover Angkor TemplesWake up early to be transferred for picking up the most beautiful, haunting and spiritual moment to visit magnificent Angkor Wat at dawn. This special activity is designed also to help you see “the Temple reflex on the water” when it’s much cooler and less crowded. Angkor Wat, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was constructed by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century and dedicated them to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction.
For your most convenience, A table with hot tea or coffee and breakfast box arranged by Travel Cambodia will be served right on site in front of Angkor Wat.
Our journey continues with visiting South Gate of Angkor Thom, with its majestic doors and artifacts. From here, ride on an elephant to monumental temple of Bayon which is the heart of Angkor Thom. Later, visit the Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and Takeo "Jewel of Crystal", which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and was erected at the end of the 10th century. Leaving Angkor Thom by the North Gate, you travel to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword), one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. You should not miss Ta Prohm Temple, which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries. You may have your lunch at local restaurant near Srah Srong on your own account but we suggest the reservation.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 3: Siem Reap - Drive to Phnom Penh
After breakfast our driver will meet you at your hotel and take you on the 5 hour drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. The journey offers an excellent opportunity to observe rural Cambodia up-close. Stop along the way and visit a market, where every assortment of street food is available, including the Khmer favorite: fried spiders! Of course feel free to try one! Once you arrive in Phnom Penh, check in hotel in the center and later take a half day city tour to see some of the major sights of Phnom Penh as National Museum and the walking tour to river bank.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh
Day 4: Mekong Islands – Biking & Boat trip
After breakfast head to the Mekong Islands, about 20km from Phnom Penh to the north by crossing Tonle Sap River and Mekong River by boat. Take a leisurely bike ride along the countryside of a Khmer community to visit the villages and meet with the local community at their farm. Return to Phnom Pehn via a 2 hour boat ride along the Mekong River. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom and the Silver Pagoda; named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles and located within the Royal Palace compound.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh
Day 5: Phnom Penh – Ta Keo – Kep
The journey southwards begins as we depart Phnom Penh and make our first stop at Phnom Chisor Temple, dating back from the 11th century. A 500 step path leads to the top of the hill from where we can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding areas. Take a drive to the quiet town of Takeo before a quick jaunt via boat to Angkor Borei town, located just a few kilometers from the Vietnam border. There is a small museum that displays several reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and few artifacts dating as far back as the 4th century. We continue our boat trip to visit a pre-Angkorian style temple of Phnom Da and a nearby temple of Asram Maharosei. The steep path over some big rocks makes Asram Maharosei different from other temples in Cambodia kingdom.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kep City
Day 6: Kep – Rabbit Island
This morning, travel through delightful scenery of rice paddies, sugar palm trees, traditional wooden houses, and karst limestone outcrops on the way to the cave of Phnom Chhnork. Inside the cave you will discover the remains of a 7th century brick temple. After this you will visit the caves of Phnom Sla’an, if you are feeling adventurous you can scramble through this cave until you magically appear into the sunlight on the top of the hill, being rewarded with perhaps some of the most beautiful views in Cambodia, with the traditional countryside stretching off into the Gulf of Thailand and its many islands. During the 1960’s Kampot was world famous for its aromatic pepper. A visit at pepper plantation will help you understand why, and you can observe the work of local community living there. Spend the afternoon on Rabbit Island before we return to the hotel in Kep.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kep City
Day 7: Kep -Phnom Penh - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Bon Voyage!
Start city: Siem Riep
