Colors of Cambodia - 7 Days

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant and bustling capital city. Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh’s wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions hold an undeniable charm. Upon arrival, tour guide and driver of Travel Cambodia will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in.

Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Spend the day on a tour of Cambodia’s vibrant capital city. Start by learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent, bloody history on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Choeung Ek “Killing Fields”.

Lunch at a downtown restaurant, then continue the afternoon exploration with a cyclo ride down Sihanouk Boulevard to visit the National Museum and the Royal Palace – home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda. End of day, visit the Central Market before return to hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast our driver will meet you at your hotel and take you on the 5 hour drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. 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! Once you arrive in Siem Reap, check-in to your hotel.

In the afternoon, meet your guide and head out of town and embark on a short cruise along Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a “floating village” – boats have been converted to look like houses and the “village” move from place to place following water levels.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Wake 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 nearby Angkor Wat.

Our journey continues with visiting South Gate of Angkor Thom, with its majestic doors and artifacts. Then visit 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.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Discover the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine in a half-day cooking class. Begin with a the walk and talk along local market where you will learn about Cambodian vegetables, herbs, and other ingredients before returning to the classroom for a hands-on culinary experience.

After dining on your creations, Travel Cambodia arrange the visit to some of the oldest temples in the Angkor complex. An hour drive out of town to the ancient capital of King Indravarman I (877-889), now referred to as the Rolous Group and known as the birthplace of classical Khmer art and architecture.
On the way back to Siem Reap, visit the Little Angels Orphanage and Khmer Art Center where you will learn about Khmer art of leather carving and shadow puppet. You will have chance to watch the shadow puppet performed by the children here if they are available.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then set off to the tranquil countryside around Kulen Mountain, the Khmer Empire’s capital in the early 9th century. Here we will visit countless ancient temples, the River of 1000 Lingas, a reclining Buddha and cascading waterfall.

After lunch drive to Banteay Srei, regarded as the women’s citadel and home to Angkor’s finest stone carvings. Banteay Srei temple is located about 37km north of Siem Reap and is the most remote of the temples in the Angkor World Heritage Site. It was designed by Yajnavaraha, a court official of King Rajendravarman [944-968AD] and the principal Brahmanist instructor of King Jayavarman V.

In the evening, enjoy the farewell dinner and Apsara dance performance at local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, you will be free until your transfer to the airport for departure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.