Classic Cambodia

Arrive Phnom Penh. Meet and greet at airport and transfer to your hotel.

Today we visit the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom. This palace is one of impressive, colourful, Khmer-style. Close to the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), where you will see many Buddha Statues displayed that are decorated and made of diamond, emerald, gold and silver. You will then proceed to the Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after the Cambodian’s took their country back from the French, before continuing to the National Museum, a distinctive red building with beautiful Khmer architecture was built in 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper and wood. Next we visit Tuol Sleng prison (Genocide Museum) the Khmer Rouge regime’s biggest secret also known as S-21 which stands for "Security Office 21" and was Angkor’s premier security institution, specifically designed for the interrogation and extermination of anti Angkor elements. We pass through the River Front park and continue to the sacred sites of Wat Phnom before walking along the Mekong River bank to see the lovely Phnom Penh city at night.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival transfer to hotel accommodation. Afterward we visit the Angkor National Museum where you will use state of art multimedia technology to take you back in time to the ancient Khmer civilization. The museum exhibits artefacts that are set into 8 galleries in the chorological order with the exclusive gallery of 1000 Buddha statues showing how the Buddhist religion is spiritually linked to the ancient Khmer civilization.
We continue to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, as well as Prasat Kravan – With its unique brick sculptures, Srah Srang – The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing, Banteay Kdei – Surrounded by four concentric walls Thommanon and Chaosay Tevorda temple.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Today we will cycle (approx 45mins) to the cities world heritage area. On the way we will cycle through the jungle and pass local villages & shops.
You will visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), see the South Gate, Bayon Temple - unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
The afternoon tour starts with a visit to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendour. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a romantic sun set view form Bakheng hill.

Meals included:

Breakfast

After breakfast we continue our Siem Reap sightseeing with a visit to Banteay Srei: nearly everyone's favourite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carving; Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer; visit Eastern Mebon used to be in the middle the waters of the large Oriental Baray that is presently filled with rice-fields; Neak Poan was supposed to be a symbol of the Universe; Preah Khan built in 1191 according to the tradition on a spot where the king fought a crucial battle against the Cham.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Morning tour to Roulos Group, Preah Ko, Bakon, Lolei and Prasat Prei Monti.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Morning visit Tonle Sap and a local village including fishing boat trip. Afternoon transfer to Siem Reap airport for flight to Phnom Penh.

Meals included:

Breakfast

In the morning, we take a boat along the Mekong River to visit Koh Dach, also known as ‘Silk Island’. We can see the weaving techniques first-hand and experience the realities of village life. The silk they weave is sold to buyers from Phnom Penh and beyond, so buying direct from the weavers here is much cheaper.
Continue to visit Choeung Ek museum, between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek.
This afternoon we will go shopping at Toul Tompong Market (called Russian Market), so-named because of the prevalence of items from the Eastern Bloc in past times, the Russian Market today is a treasure trove for tourists.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Morning departure for the beach-side town of Kep. Free afternoon. Overnight Kep.

Extras and options:

Alternative accommodation options in Kampot and Sihanoukville available. Kep is very interesting and beautiful and quiet, but the beach isn’t great at all. If they want a lovely beach, we’ll suggest Sihanoukville, if they want an interesting busier town, perhaps Kampot.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Morning tour of Kampot. Free afternoon.

Meals included:

Breakfast

This is a free day in Kep to relax and do some sunbathing or go on a optional boat trip to Rabbit Island.

Extras and options:

Boat trip to Rabbit island, explore the villas and surrounding hills

Meals included:

Breakfast

Free morning before afternoon transfer back to Phnom Penh.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Free time until transfer to airport for departure.

Meals included:

Breakfast