Angkor and Phnom Penh

Upon your arrival at Siem Reap international airport, your private driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for check-in. We will give you all the information about your tour and answer any questions you may have. According to your arrival time, you can start exploring the city of Siem Reap. Your driver will be happy to help you and give you suggestions for the visits. You can explore the old market, enjoy the walk along the Siem Reap river or visit the night market. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Enjoy your breakfast in the morning before your driver meets you and take you to discover one of the world's most important heritage sites: the Angkor temples. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you for a day tour of so called "Small circle". The city used to be the capital of Khmer Empire and was the biggest metropolis of that time with more than 800,000 inhabitants. Your first stop will take you to the biggest and most famous temple of all: Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat (‘Wat’ means temple in Khmer) is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu. You will then visit Angkor Thom (literally “Big Angkor”, or “Big City”), famous for it's 4 giant stone heads. Then you will reach one of the most mysterious sites of the Angkor site: Bayon - with 148 giant Buddha faces made of stone, facing the four main directions. Next you will discover the temple of Baphuon, which was one of the biggest temples of the Angkor site. Baphuon’s main attraction is the 60 meters long lying Buddha. Next to the temple, you will discover the temple of Phimeanakas, (known in English as “celestial palace”). It is a 10th century Hindu temple which was covered by a golden roof. You will also discover the Elephants terrace. Then you will finish the tour by exploring Ta Phrom - one of the most iconic temples of Angkor. The famous Hollywood movie ‘Tomb Raider’ gave the temple its fame. As soon as you enter the site you will be amazed by the unique atmosphere of the Angkorian temples half covered by giant trees and vegetation. Then return to Siem Reap to your hotel and relax after this fantastic day of sightseeing. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Today you will continue exploring the ancient capital city of the Khmer empire. After your breakfast, your driver will meet you at your hotel and take you for the ‘Big Circle’ tour. First you will discover the lost city of Preah Khan which used to be a monastery and a Buddhist university at the same time. You will then continue to travel back through time and discover the site of Neak Pean. Built in 12th century, Neak Pean features a sanctuary set in the middle of a small lake. This lake was made to be a replica of sacred Anavatapta lake located in the Tibetan Himalayas. You will pass along Ta Som, a temple literally swallowed by the nature, before reaching East Mebon. Only the main temple remained from this former city, surrounded by a water tank. As you continue your tour, you will explore the site of Banteay Kdei and see 4 giant stone Buddha faces at the entrance. This architectural journey will end with the discovery of Srah Srang (a pool built in 10th century) and Prasat Kravan (a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu). Your driver will then take you back to your hotel for a short rest. In the evening you can explore the night market of Siem Reap located right across the river in the city center. The center of Siem Reap is a lively area and can be best explored by foot. Overnight in Siem Reap.

This morning, your driver will take you to explore sites of the greater Angkor area. You will go on a journey through the Cambodian countryside and get to know the daily life of the Khmer farmers. You will visit Banteay Samre. This 12th century temple is also called ‘mini Angkor Wat’ and is definitely a hidden treasure. Then your driver will take you to the famous site of Banteay Srei, made of pink sandstones. The carvings in the temple are extremely precise and well made which has created the popular belief that it must had been done by women (“Srei” means “woman” in Cambodian). Then your journey will take you through Roluos, which consists of three interesting sites: Lolei, Preah Ko and Bakong - all built in the 9th century, before the Angkorian area. In the afternoon, your driver will drive you back to Siem Reap. You can then decide if you prefer to relax at your hotel or to explore the city center. You can visit the Old Market at the riverside and walk along the vibrant Pub Street. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Today your driver will transfer you by road to Kampong Thom. The journey will take you through the Cambodian countryside crossing the provinces of Siem Reap and Kampong Thom. You will visit Kampong Kdei, where you will see the 8th century Naga bridge. The province of Kampong Thom is full of wide forests which were sadly filled with landmines remained from the war. Then you will arrive to Kampong Thom for lunch. The city is located along the Stueng Saen river and connected with the Tonle Sap lake (the beating heart of Cambodia). It used to be a very powerful capital in Southeast Asia during the Funan period. Today it is a peaceful and typical Cambodian town. In the afternoon you will visit the temples of Sambor Prey Kuk (30 minutes’ drive from the city). This UNESCO site dates from the pre-Angkorian period, established as a capital city by king Isanavarman I in the 7th century. It also suffered from war, when the US secret bombing in 1970’s left craters near the temples and many landmines in the area (the site is cleared from 2008). After the visit, you will return to Kampong Thom. Overnight in Kampong Thom.

Today your driver will drive you towards Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. On the way you will stop at Skun where you will have the chance to discover a typical Cambodian snack: fried spiders. It is one of the locals’ favorites, but if you’d prefer to taste some other delicacies such as the fried insects (or not), your guide will be glad to help you choose. Then continue your trip and reach Chroy Changvar and after crossing the Tonle Sap river, you will arrive in Phnom Penh. After your check-in at your hotel, enjoy your lunch at riverside restaurant or in the hotel. In the afternoon your driver will take you to the south of the city. You will visit Choeung Ek. This place shows another part of Cambodian history, as it was the Genocide center of the Killing Fields. The mass killings and burials took place here as part of Pol Pot’s ideological plans. 2 million Cambodians were killed between 1975 and 1979. The Audio-guides will provide better understanding of this part of Cambodian history. If you prefer, you can visit the National Museum that focuses on Angkorian history. Your driver will be glad to take you there. The rest of the evening will be free at your leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After your breakfast, your driver will meet you and take you for a tour of the capital city of Cambodia. You will first visit the famous Royal Palace, close to the Phnom Penh riverside. Since the current King of Cambodia still lives in the Palace, only half of the buildings can be visited and you will visit the beautiful Silver Pagoda and the Throne Hall. After the Palace visit, enjoy the walk along the Tonle Sap river. The river crosses path with the Mekong river just in front of the Royal Palace. Your driver will then take you to visit the Central Market, the most famous market in Phnom Penh.  For lunch time, your driver will be happy to recommend a safe restaurant or if you are adventurous, you can choose to taste some delicious street food. In the early afternoon, your driver will take you to the S21 museum in Tuol Sleng which used to be a school turned into one of the prisons and pre-extermination units during the Khmer Rouge regime. Walking through the museum will give you a better understanding of one of the darkest happenings in human history during second half of the 1970s. Your driver will then take you to the Olympic Stadium for a truly authentic local experience. Hundreds of locals gather here around 5PM to practice their daily aerobic. If you feel like, you can join the crowd as everybody is welcome (you can simply give a very small tip to the dancing teacher). Your driver will then take you to the night market along the river (if the market is open) to discover the variety of street food offered by Cambodian markets (such as fried tarantulas…) - or to the nearby FCC (the Foreign Correspondents' Club) where you can have a drink while enjoy watching the sunset over the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

In the morning enjoy the breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, your driver will be happy to suggest and take you for the visits according to your wish. You might want to do some shopping before you leave (such as Kampot Pepper, artefacts or other souvenirs). The Russian Market will be a good choice if you look for souvenirs from Cambodia and a tour at Orussey Market would take you off the tourist path. Your driver will then drive you to Phnom Penh International airport for your departure flight.