CAMBODIA 18 DAYS 17 NIGHTS
After breakfast, visit the National Museum, built in 1917. It is an exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces are housed here including both Angkorian and pre-Angkorian. Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh's namesake, from here you can enjoy views over the tree lined avenues of the city.
Afternoon after lunch, visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town; and the Silver Pagoda located within the grounds of the Royal Palace (its floor is made up of 5000 silver tiles). Visit Independence Monument and the Notorious Tuol Sleng Museum (Genocide Museum). Previously, this museum was a secondary school. It became a detention and torture center for thousand of Cambodian people during the Pol Pot regime and known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). Nowadays, the Tuol Sleng Museum retains a lot of evidence of the deaths’ of people. City sightseeing, dinner and over night stay at the hotel.
Morning journey after breakfast to visit Cheung Ek. Then back for lunch in the city before beginning a boat trip along lower Mekong river to visit the cotton weaving village of Kien Svay. Enjoy a walk along the river bank and witness the peaceful life of the countryside people.
Return to Phnom Penh to visit Wat Thanh, where many beautiful art and craft pieces are made by victims of land mines. Dinner and overnight stay in Phnom Penh.
Depart Phnom Penh after breakfast for Kompong Cham. Stopping in Skuon to taste Cambodia’s more exotic culinary delights, like the deep-fried spider. Arriving at the Mekong hotel for check in. The remainder of the day is at your free leisure to explore the small town of Kampong and/or take a leisurely walk along the Mekong river.
After breakfast at the hotel visit Banteay Prey Nokor, commonly called the “Historical Site of LuongPreahSdechKorn,” which is located in northern Phnom Penh, in Banteay Prey Nokor Village, DaunTei commune, Kampong Cham Province. Phnom Han Chey, also known as "Chey Kiri Mountain," is located in the eastern part of Kampong Cham province. Phnom Han Chey boasts a tranquil scenic village, a pagoda, and an ancient temple. Continue to NokorBachey temple, Prey NorKorKnong-Krao temple and Koh Pen, bamboo bridge.
Breakfast is at hotel. before driving to Chhup, the biggest rubber plantation in the country, established during the French colonial time by the French tire maker Michelin. Continue to Snuol where you will have lunch at local restaurant. Drive on to Kratie town and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Breakfast at the hotel. A 9 km loop around the islands provides opportunities to leisurely cycle by local bicycle through traditional Khmer villages, fruit orchards and rice fields while observing the daily rituals and routines of traditional village life. Participate in environmental activities by planting a tree at the tree planting site. Take a ferry ride back to Kratie and have lunch at a local restaurant in town. After lunch take a horse cart for 2 hours to fully explore Kratie town. Starting your visit at the bustling Rokakandal Market and buy some Krolan, sticky rice mixed with coconut and beans and cooked in bamboo tubes, Kratie’s renowned snack. Continue on to the old Rokakandal temple, originally built in the late 18th century. Look for the traditional decorations on the wooden pillars inside, the old timber monks’ residence opposite a beautiful old stone carving on the river of the Wat. On the way back to Kratie town, see the domesticated Sambar Deer in the grounds of the French styled Governor’s office on the riverfront. Along the banks of the mighty Mekong River you will see many small fishing boats plying their trade as well as a number of floating villages. As the sun begins to set you can join the locals and sit out near the river with a refreshing fruit shake whilst savoring the atmosphere. Cross the river by ferry. Dinner and accommodation at SalaKohTrong Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel before an early morning departure overland to SteungTreng, a small colonial-style town. Along the way, visit WatPhomSambok to see the Buddhist monasteries and enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding countryside from the hilltop. Travel further north through picturesque countryside stopping at the best riverside vantage points to view the rare freshwater Irrawaddy River Dolphins (Opt to visit on the first day of the arrival into Kratie town as this is best to visit in the afternoon). Arrive at the hotel in SteungTreng for check in and the remainder of the day is free.
Breakfast at the hotel then a morning visit to Stung Treng, located just 50 km south of Laos, on the banks of the San River, just off the Mekong. It is a very quiet provincial city, showing the authentic and remote “face” of Cambodia. Start cycling at WatThormRaingSey to begin a Wat to Wat journey. Cycle along the Mekong River, stopping at Wat’s to observe the people at the bustling market. A famous cuisine found at the market is Nhem (pickled fish in banana leaf). Continue East along the riverbank under the newly constructed Sekong Bridge and visit more Wat’s along the way. Arrive at the Mekong Blue Center and visit this local silk weaving center including the dyeing center, sericulture farm, and sericulture training center. Enjoy a lunch at The Mekong Blue Café. Visit the small village of ThalaBarivat on the other side of the Mekong River, crossing the river by ferry. Visit the temples of PrasatPreahSrey and Pram BeiLueng. Dinner at a charity-run restaurant Tonle Tourism Training Centre. Accommodation at Gold River Hotel (2-star, best available).
Breakfast at hotel, before meeting for the drive to Siem Reap. Arrive at the hotel for check in and the remainder of the day is free.
Morning: Meet your Tour guide and driver at 08:00 AM in the lobby of the Hotel. Excursion to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, both sides of the south gate bridge have a demon and a god statue, who are holding the King Cobra called Naga Vasuki. Then traveling to Bayon to explore this important temple with its many captivating giant stone faces. It has 54 towers in total and each tower has four faces. It is at the center of Angkor Thom. Walking out of the north entrance towards Baphoun. You will then find yourself at the Elephant Terrace. This used to be the audience hall for the king. Then further on to Ta Prohm (made famous by the Tomb Raider movie) with its exciting interplay of stonework, nature , big trees and roots that cover the top of the temple. Lunch break
After lunch, it's time to visit Angkor Wat, admiring this architectural wonder and the excellent bas-reliefs. It is worth walking a little between the outer laterite wall and the inside of the moat for a tranquil scene of rural life. Then climb up Bakheng mountain for a beautiful sunset. Back to for dinner and overnight stay.
Morning: Meet your tour guide at hotel lobby and drive to Kbal Spean, which is located 50 km from Siem Reap. It takes about 1h to reach the site and you will take a moderately easy 45-minute uphill walk through the woods. Kbal Spean means literally “the head of the river”. This is known as "the rivers of 1000 lingas" made up of unique Lingas carved into the riverbed just below the surface. It is believed that the lingas spiritually fertilized the waters that fed the Eastern Baray and irrigated the rice fields. Lunch is at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Proceed to the BanteaySrei temple (10th century) regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. The tenth century temple of BanteaySrei is renowned for its intricate decorations carved in the pinkish sandstone that cover the walls like tapestry. BanteaySrei is a new name. Its meaning in Khmer is "Citadel of Woman". Then visit BanteaySamre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor thanks to its restoration using the method of “anastylosis”. The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. Back to hotel and transfer to have dinner.
After breakfast, you will be transferred by a private bus to Sihanoukville. You will stop along the way for lunch at a local restaurant.
On arrival in Sihanoukville, take a rest after long trip. Overnight at hotel.
After Breakfast,you will be transferred to the Airport for departure. If you are extending your stay in Phnom Penh or travelling further you will need to organise accommodation and transport at your expense.
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