Highlights of Cambodia 8 Days

Breakfast will be served at your hotel. Kich off on our tour today, we will pay a visit to Angkor Wat Temple, which is the largest and most venerable religious work in the Angkor Archaeological Site. 

Angkor temple complex was erected in the 12th century under the ruling time of King Suryavarman II. It is considered as a symbol of Cambodia, which is not only one of the seven wonders of the world recognized by UNESCO, but also the greatest legacy of the Khmer people.

Angkor Wat is located about 6 km to the north of Siem Reap which was intentionally built to worship Vishnu (Hinduism) but then converted to a Buddhist temple. The entire architectural complex consists of outstanding bas - reliefs  and ancient sculptures.

Our next attraction is Banteay Srei located quite far from the center of Angkor complex. The whole temple is a stunning rock art with delicate and intricate embossments. It was constructed primarily from red sandstone with the elaborate decorative sculptures on the walls, which are still visible today. Every piece of wall, every sculpture at Banteay Srey contributes to describe a unique and ancient story.

Afterwards, we will set foot in the ancient monastery of Ta Prohm. You will be immersed in the majestic natural scenery as well as the monumental architecture. Ta Prohm Temple was ignored for a long time and hidden several mysterious stories.

You will find it really exciting to explore the unique structure and splendid stone carvings of the temple.

Meals at your expense. Stay overnight at the hotel.
 

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Today, we will start at Preah Khan Temple, one of the largest complexes in Angkor. Although it was devastated and ruined by the time, a great number of carvings and decorations of the Buddha status still exist. The temple was restored carefully to keep the intact beauty, so you will find it really ancient and impressive.

Neak Pean Island is the only island temple of Angkor with the simple and gentle beauty imbued in the classical ambiance. Coming here, your curiosity will be satisfied with many thrilling legends as well as the ancient architecture. The combination between the unique work of Cambodia and the beautiful scenery evokes a great feeling for the visitors.

The next stops in our Classic Journey are Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda. Although both temples are quite small, they own the tremendously beauty in Angkor. The most prominent feature of the temple is not from the architecture, but from the stunning statues of Shiva and Vishnu.

In the afternoon, we will move to Angkor Thom. Besides the majestic Angkor Wat temple, Angkor Thom is also a mysterious attraction that attracts a great number of tourists visiting Cambodia on a yearly basis. It is not only known as the magnificent capital of the Angkor Empire but the most beautiful, long -  standing and the pride of the citizens here. 

The National Temple of Jayavarman and the Bayon Temple are sited in the Angkor Thom central with many other relics around the Victory Square.

You will have a great chance to observe numerous  ancient sculptures as well as to know more about the cultural and spiritual value of Cambodia. 

Meals at your expense. Stay overnight at the hotel.
 

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast

This morning, we will depart to the west of Siem Reap to Kompong Khleang - a typical floating village. Here, you can not only experience the Cambodian lifestyle on the river, but also feast the eyes on the breaktaking view of the floodplains and the vast paddy fields.

Spend time walking around the village encountering the regional culture and talking to the locals. Then, take a boat trip through the canals to a large lake where Vietnamese people live in the dry season. Turn back to the village and have a picnic lunch in a indigenous house.

In the afternoon, we will move to another fascinating place - Lotus farm where you can explore many interesting things about  lotus, especially the lotus silk - the world's most eco-friendly fabric with excellent quality. You will have an opportunity to see firsthand the details of the entire fabrication process, from the extraction of fibers in the stem of the lotus, to the weaving of the fabric.

Our last point today is Smok Village where is famous for the palm leaf products. Smok is a Cambodian traditional palm leaf box used widely among locals. It can be a souvenir box, lunch box or flute box, etc. 

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast will be served at the hotel before we continue travel to Sisophon in Banteay Meanchey province through the vast paddy fields and the Cambodian traditional houses. Moreover, a stop at a silk farm will offer you a chance to know the whole process of  silk weaving in the traditional way from raising silkworms to weaving the silk and dyeing it. Then, we make a next stop to observe the stone sculptors and their outstanding work. 

Upon your arrival at the hotel in Battambang, check in and have a short break at your hotel before we start our excursion in the charming town of Battambang. 

Hop on a tuk tuk for a ride to the river’s banks observing the elegant colonial French-houses. Up next, we pay a visit to the local museum and a beautiful wooden pagoda before setting foot in an 11th century temple, Wat EK Phnom. Along the way, you can join hands in making rice pancakes and talk with the locals about their daily life. Back to hotel in the late afternoon. Meals at your expense. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Note: Battambang is not a well-developed tourist spot. Its restaurants, hotels and general service are only at local standard.

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Then, we will have a scenic drive back to Phnom Penh. En route, enjoy the stunning scenery with vast paddy fields, large sugar palms and many traditional wooden stilt houses. Afterwards, we will hop on a traditional boat at Kompong Luong, where you can expose to the local lifestyle of the people living in the floating villages. Next, we pay a short visit to Kampong Chhnang to continue the trip with Asia Private Travels.

Lunch at an indigenous restaurant. We arrive in Phnom Penh pretty late in the afternoon. Check in your hotel. Dinner at your own expense.
 

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Today, we will have an exciting tour regarding the history of Cambodia. Pay a visit to the Royal Palace, which is a symbol of Phnom Penh Capital. It was erected in 1866 by King Norodom, including distinct and separate structures grouped in one enclosure that created a significant collection of Khmer art. Here, you’ll also be captivated by the Silver Pagoda, which is home to a 90kg - golden Buddha encrusted with 9584 diamonds as well as a 17th-century Buddha image decorated with emeralds and Baccarat crystal.

After that, continue to move to the south of the city where to witness another stage of Cambodian history - the regime of the Khmer Rouge. Firstly, we visit Tuol Sleng, known as the genocide museum, which was once a secondary school and then turned into a detention centre. Thousands of prisoners were tortured and killed here. 

Next, we proceed to the Killing Fields, Choeung Ek - the burial site of the victims of Tuol Sleng. 

On our way back to the city, if time permits, we will visit the Russian Markets (or Toul Tum Poung). You’ll find many kinds of goods here ranging from fabrics, jewels, jewellery, crockery to handicraft, etc.

Meals at your expense. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Notes:
+ You will have an on - site guide at Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Our guide is not allowed to work here.
+ The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are sometimes closed for special ceremonies. We will switch the sightseeing tour to another well - known spot.
+ Russian Market is closed on the country’s holidays.

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast

It’s time to capture some last photos to preserve memories and moments in Phnom Penh city. Purchase some great souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. 

Meals at your expense. 

Tour with Asia Private Travels ends!

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast