Highlights of Cambodia

Su-sa-dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia!
Met and greeted at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check in (check in time is 14.00).

This afternoon, if time permits, we will take an atmospheric sunset cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong River and watch how Phnom Penh’s popular riverfront awakens to life.  
Evening is free to explore the town at your own pace.

Summary of inclusions

Private airport transfer

sunset cruise mekong river

Hotel in phnom penh

After breakfast, start your tour today with the first visit to the National Museum that has a great collection of Khmer art with over 5000 objects are on display.
Following is the Royal Palace that contains the Royal Residence and the Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda which which is known for its floor paved by silver tiles and functions like a national repository for cultural treasures of which is a 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds.
End the morning with visit to the Wat Phnom Temple, one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh, built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Penh from whom the city got its name.

This afternoon you will spend time for a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum also called the S-21 Prison. This prison was converted from a secondary school and used by Khmer Rough during the bloody rule from 1975 to its fall in 1979. There was an estimate of 20,000 people were imprisoned, tortured, coerced to confess what so called “revolutionary reaction crimes” before being taken to be executed at the extermination camp – the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek, located 15 km south of Phnom Penh which you will visit after. The places of Toul Sleng and Choeng Ek is the reminders of Cambodia's bloody past under Pol Pot rule and may call distressing for someone but it is necessary for you to learn about the never-to-be-forgotten page in the country's history.
Back to hotel and remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Sightseeing phnom penh

Breakfast

Hotel in phnom penh

Get private transfer to the airport for morning flight to Siam Reap, the gateway to the Angkor Wonder.
The same afternoon, enjoy the first impression of Siam Reap with your visit to the Banteay Srei temple that was constructed in the late 10th century and is a masterpiece of religious architecture with its no space of pink stone left undecorated. Along the way there you will spend time to visit the local village of Preah Dak where you have chance to learn something about local life and enjoy local interaction and,, the Banteay Samre temple which is adorned with impressive bas relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu and Krishna legends.

Evening is at your leisure. 

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Internal flight

Angkor discovery

Breakfast

Hotel in siam reap

Enjoy your full day exploring the Angkor with first visit to Angkor Thom - The Great City which was built in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII. Step along the causeway that characterized by the two rows of devas and asuras pulling huge naga snakes, referring to the Hinduism myth of Churning of the Sea of Milk, into the impressive South Gate of Angkor Thom. Admire the majestic Bayon Temple that consists of 54 towers featuring multitude of Buddha’s serene and mysterious smiling faces. Wander around and discover the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and more.

In the afternoon, visit to the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm, one of the most famous sights within the Angkor Archeological park, known in the movie ‘Tomb Raider’ by Angelina Jolie. This Bayon style temple was built between late 12th and early 13th centuries during the reign of the King Jayavarman VII and originally called Rajavihara. The temple left relatively untouched since it was discovered and there are enormous fig trees embracing over parts of the temple giving the impression of natural forces claim over man-made works, making it a very photogenic site.
Your last visit today is the Angkor Wat temple , one of the most impressive religiuos monuments in the World, representing the soul of the Great Khmer Empire and its glorious history. This temples complex consists of two plans: the temple-mountain with five prominent towers featuring the 5 holy peaks of the Mount Meru which is home of gods in the Hindu mytholgy and, the galleried temple decorated by extensive bas-relief, depicting episodes from Hindu epics. This temple was built in the 12th and said to have taken more than 30 years of intensive labor. What amazing architecture constructed neary thousand years ago and remains for us to see today. The view of Angkor Wat becomes most impressive during sunset time when it looks like floating on the background of the magical twilight.

Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

angkor discovery

Breakfast

Hotel in siam reap

Leave the hotel early and take a half an hour transfer to the port at Mechrey where you embark on traditional wooden boat for a cruise to the Biosphere Reserve of Prek Toal, across the flooded forest and the great lake. On the way, your guide will explain you about the unique hydrological system, ecosystem of the lake and its flora and fauna.
Picnic breakfast will be served for you on the boat.
Discover the natural splendor of the country as well as the centuries-old lifestyle of the inhabitants of the Lake. Enjoy bird watching at the Bird Sanctuary, the largest ornithological reserve of South East Asia under the guidance of a local ranger. The Prek Toal biosphere covers 31,282 hectares and is the living area of an incredible variety of water birds, including endangered species such as such as Greater and Lesser Adjuncts, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Milky Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Grey-Headed Fish Eagle and many more.
Your guide’s knowledge of the birds and the flooded forest will give you the best opportunity to see and understand this complex natural ecosystem. 
Later, climb on a tree top platform to view bird colonies with telescope and binoculars.

(Please note that in the low water season from February to end of March, a visit to the tree top platform is not accessible, you will spend more time to enjoy the bird feeding along the main stream inside the Bird sanctuary)

Back to the village for a local lunch.
Following, visit the environmental education class and the water hyacinth handicraft workshop. Then, take a little boat rowing around to discover how the local community has adapted to their floating and ever changing environment: visit a family who live on a floating house to observe the local customs and talk with the host about the differences they face living on the water and visit some typical farms, floating school, floating gardens - a good opportunity to see the unique way of life.
Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon and remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Boat

Prek toal nature reserve explore

Breakfast

Hotel in siam reap

Breakfast is at the hotel.
Free at your leisure to explore the town and enjoy last minute sightseeing, shopping at your own pace. Check out time is 12.00.
Transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination.
Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions

Private airport transfer

Breakfast