Cambodia Uncovered - 8 Days

Welcome 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 and the legendary Angkor Wat. Upon arrival, you will be met by our local guide and driven to the hotel to check in.

Orientation walking around the hotel area followed by the Phare Show at Cambodia Circus Centre to expect the unexpected. More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent. This show should be the perfect introduction about Cambodian culture and history.

Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, you will visit Angkor Thom, starting with its South Gate which is best known for the majestic doors and artifacts. Your next visit will be the Bayon, a bizarre structure of several architectural changes reflecting a switch from Hinduism (the foundations) to Buddhism (the superstructure), the Elephant and Leper King Terraces followed by a visit to Ta Prohm Temple, which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore Angkor Wat – the largest, and for most people, the most impressive temple in the Angkor Complex. Later of the day, hiking to Phnom Bakheng to enjoy the sunset, and casting the surrounding temple-dotted jungle in golden radiance.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

The unique Angkor Temples are truly impressive. However, Cambodia has more to offer. It is worth taking a closer look at the city of Siem Reap, its surrounding area and its people.

Following the breakfast, drive straight to Kam Pem village. Walk through this lovely village to see rural Khmer life. Experience an ox cart ride and try to make palm leave before a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to see floating villages and get a taste of life ruled by monsoonal rains and water-based agriculture. One of the most productive bodies of fresh water in the world, Tonle Sap was classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997.

Later, our guide takes you to Silk Farm. You will be guided to see the process from the mulberry bushes cultivation to the production of silk fabrics and accessories. During your visit, our local guide will give you more details on the mulberry trees, silkworm farming, cocoon unwinding, preparation of the silk threads, ikat technique (tie-dyeing of the threads) and silk weaving. We are sure that you will be impressed by the dexterity of our artisans with silk threads.

The Angkor Silk Farm also features a large showroom where you can buy high-quality silk products that were made in the workshops you just visited. Back to your hotel in the afternoon, free at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Today we travel by car to Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city. On arrival in the afternoon, check in to your hotel then enjoy a walking tour through the city’s bustling boulevards lined with quaint French colonial buildings.  Next we will visit some of Battambang’s signature hilltop temples as well as the infamous cave, Phnom Sampov – an important religious site known throughout all Cambodia.

During the Khmer Rouge period the mountain was used as a place to kill “enemies” of the regime and in what are known as the “killing caves” there is a memorial to these victims. Every evening at nightfall thousands of bats make their way out of caves in the hillside to feed before returning at dawn. 
Take a slow 30 minute ride on the bamboo train before returning to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang.

Have breakfast at your hotel, the driver and guide will transfer you to Phnom Penh via Kompong Chhnang. Along the way, you will stop at a pottery village and the floating village of Kompong Loung renowned for silversmith.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, check in to the hotel and free at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Have breakfast at your hotel, the driver and guide will transfer you to Phnom Penh via Kompong Chhnang. Along the way, you will stop at a pottery village and the floating village of Kompong Loung renowned for silversmith.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, check in to the hotel and free at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh still holds an undeniable charm with its wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions.

After having breakfast at your hotel, you will join us on a full day city tour, visiting the capital’s main attractions. Start with a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Choeung Ek “Killing Fields” to learn about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent, bloody part of history.

In the afternoon, you will visit National Museum, an excellent introduction into ancient Khmer art and civilization, and the Royal Palace, home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda. Later, take the leisure walk to Phnom Penh’s historic riverfront area where stands lots of restaurants, art galleries and silk shops, or perhaps visit the distinctive Central Market where you can buy jewelry, curios, clothes and souvenirs.
Return to the hotel afterward and spend the rest of evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

After having breakfast at hotel, enjoy your free time until the transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure flight home.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.