Grand Cambodia - 15 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, our tour guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
You can enjoy some free time to rest and refresh before taking a drive to the dock to catch a sunset cruise along the Mekong River. If the weather permits, you will see the beautiful sunset over the shimmering city.
Meals: None.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh was founded in the 14th century and for a long time has been a vital trading hub at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac. We start the day learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Choeung Ek “Killing Fields.” Our cultural tour continues as we visit the National Museum – an introduction deeper into ancient Khmer art and civilization, and the Royal Palace, home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Today we leave the bustle of the big city on a drive through Cambodia’s beautiful countryside and largest rubber producing region on our way to Kampong Cham. Let’s explore this quaint colonial town and see the Wat Nokor Pagoda – an 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine and home to a large reclining Buddha as well as many carved Buddha’s images. Continuing on our afternoon journey to Kampong Thom, we will stop along the way at Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei.
Arrive in Kampong Thom and check in at the hotel around lunchtime. Spend the late afternoon on a pleasant walking tour through some nearby villages, and climbing the 980 steps to the top of Phnom Santuk for a superb sunset view.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kampong Thom.

Spend the morning exploring the ancient temples around Kampong Thom, before continuing on our way to Siem Reap. Kampong Thom is home to Cambodia’s most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments. Here we will visit the ancient temple complex Sambor Prei Kuk, situated just north of the town. The main temples are divided into three complexes, all dedicated to Shiva. Enjoy the serene atmosphere as you wander through these 7th century brick monuments, artfully scattered around the jungle. In the afternoon we continue on our journey to Siem Reap (147km, 3hrs drive), the gateway into the legendary Angkor temples. Arrive in Siem Reap in the late afternoon.
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 is arranged by Cambodia Travel will be served at a local restaurant nearby Angkor Wat.
Your journey continues to Angkor Thom, first with its South Gate, which is famous for its majestic doors and artifacts. The next visit will be the monumental temple of Bayon, 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.
Later this afternoon, transfer back to the hotel where you will spend the rest of day on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Start the day touring more of the stunning temples in the Angkor Archeological Park before driving to Cambodia’s largest natural water reservoir, Tonle Sap Lake.
After breakfast at the hotel, travel by car 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. Your trip continues to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword): one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. 
In the afternoon, transfer to Tonle Sap. 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. 
On the way back to your hotel, we will stop to watch the sunset from the foot of Phnom Krohm Mountain. 
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

This morning, we depart from Siem Reap on the nice over 2 hour drive to visit Beng Mealea, also known as “Lotus Pond” Temple, which dated early 11th century by Suryavarman II as a Hindu Temple. Beng Mealea temple was hidden in a maze of jungle for hundreds of years and recently found and opened for visitors. Climb over large sandstone blocks to reach the inner sanctuary and eerie worship corridor is an exploration to remember.
Architecturally, Beng Mealea is noted for its innovative, in its time, construction of hallways, it was a very large temple with wide galleries foreshadowing Angkor Wat. Garudas, hold up an outer platform, finer in detail than those to be found out in the elements of the Elephant Terrace at Angkor Thom. Surprises of fallen lintels with intricate carvings lay amongst the fallen wall and roofs.
Continue over an hour drive, you will get to Koh Ker, a 10th century capital abandoned in the remote north of Cambodia for more than a thousand years. Enjoy a visit to the pyramid temple of Prasat Thom. Continue to explore the many temples at this incredible site, including the beautiful Prasat Krahom covered by jungle before heading back to Siem Reap later this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Today we travel by car to Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and have a short relaxation. In the afternoon, you will take a slow 30 minute ride on the bamboo train before visiting 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. 
Conclude your day with the drive to Phnom Bannon with its five sandstone towers on top of a hill and enjoy a magnificent view until sunset.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang.

Today we drive from Battambang to Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh. Get a taste for Cambodia’s rural life and stop en route at Kompong Chnang to visit the floating village in Kompong Luong. Arrive in Phnom Penh in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax then try out your best bargaining skills on a walk through the city’s expansive “Russian Market,” where you can find anything from motorcycle parts to valuable gems.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Have breakfast at the hotel then begin our journey southwards of Phnom Penh, we drive to the seaside resort, Kep-sur-Mer, a favorite getaway of the French in the early 1900s., making our first stop at Phnom Chisor Temple and dating back to the 11th century. Climb the 500-step path to the top of the hill to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Continue on to the quiet town of Takeo. We arrive in Kep in the evening and check in at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kep.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then board a local boat for a 30 minute sail to Rabbit Island. Spend the afternoon bathing in the warm waters and snorkeling around the surrounding rocks hiding many colorful fish. Return to Kep in the late afternoon and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kep.

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Sihanoukville, home to some of Southeast Asia most pristine white-sand beaches. With a 10km stretch of beaches and a smattering of costal islands, Sihanouk Ville is the perfect tropical, beach getaway.
En route visit Kampot’s highlights: 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.
Arrive Sihanoukville in the later afternoon, check in hotel and stay at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sihanoukville.

Enjoy an entire day free for basking in the sun or bathing in the warm coastal waters. This is the time when the dream of spending holidays in an exotic country becomes a reality.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sihanoukville.

You will have one more day free to explore this beautiful beach destination.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sihanoukville.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to Phnom Penh’s airport to catch your flight home. Goodbye & Safe Travels!
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.