Highlights of Cambodia

DAY 1: Phnom Penh Arrival

Su-sa-dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital of Cambodia!

Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to your hotel for check-in (check-in time is 14:00).

If time allows this afternoon, we’ll embark on a scenic sunset cruise along the Tonle Sap and Mekong River, where you can witness the lively transformation of Phnom Penh’s bustling riverfront.

The evening is yours to explore the city at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

• Private airport transfer
• Sunset cruise Mekong river
• Hotel in Phnom Penh

DAY 2: Phnom Penh Sightseeing

After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the National Museum, home to an impressive collection of Khmer art, featuring over 5,000 artifacts on display. Next, explore the Royal Palace, which includes the Royal Residence and the Throne Hall, along with the famous Silver Pagoda. The Silver Pagoda is renowned for its silver-tiled floor and serves as a national repository for cultural treasures, including a 90-kilogram golden Buddha adorned with 2,086 diamonds. Conclude your morning with a visit to Wat Phnom, a significant pagoda in Phnom Penh, built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Penh, from whom the city derives its name.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21 Prison. This former secondary school was transformed into a prison by the Khmer Rouge during their brutal regime from 1975 to 1979. An estimated 20,000 people were imprisoned, tortured, and forced to confess to “revolutionary reaction crimes” before being sent to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, located 15 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, where they were executed. You will visit Choeung Ek after Tuol Sleng. Both sites serve as poignant reminders of Cambodia’s dark history under Pol Pot’s rule. While these visits can be distressing, they are essential for understanding this tragic chapter in the country’s past.

Return to the hotel, with the rest of the day free for leisure.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Sightseeing Phnom Penh
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Phnom Penh

DAY 3: Siem Reap & the Angkor

Take a private transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to the wonders of Angkor.

In the afternoon, experience your first impression of Siem Reap with a visit to the Banteay Srei temple. Built in the late 10th century, this temple is a masterpiece of religious architecture, with every inch of its pink sandstone intricately carved. On the way, you’ll stop at the local village of Preah Dak, where you can learn about local life and engage with the community. You’ll also visit the Banteay Samre temple, adorned with remarkable bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the legends of Vishnu and Krishna.

The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Internal flight
• Angkor discovery
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Siem Reap

DAY 4: Angkor further explore

Spend a full day immersing yourself in the wonders of Angkor, starting with a visit to Angkor Thom, the Great City, built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. Walk along the causeway lined with two rows of devas and asuras pulling giant naga snakes, symbolizing the Hindu myth of the Churning of the Sea of Milk, as you approach the grand South Gate of Angkor Thom. Marvel at the majestic Bayon Temple, with its 54 towers adorned with numerous serene and mysterious faces of Buddha. Continue exploring the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and other notable sites.

In the afternoon, visit the jungle-clad Ta Prohm temple, one of the most iconic sites within the Angkor Archaeological Park, made famous by the movie ‘Tomb Raider’ featuring Angelina Jolie. Built in the late 12th to early 13th centuries during King Jayavarman VII’s reign, and originally named Rajavihara, this Bayon-style temple has been left relatively untouched since its discovery. The enormous fig trees that envelop parts of the temple create a striking scene of nature reclaiming human creations, making it a highly photogenic site.

End your day with a visit to the magnificent Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive religious monuments, embodying the soul of the Great Khmer Empire and its glorious history. This temple complex features a temple-mountain design with five prominent towers representing the five peaks of Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hindu mythology. The galleried temple is adorned with extensive bas-reliefs depicting episodes from Hindu epics. Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat is said to have taken over 30 years of intensive labor to complete. The temple’s grandeur is especially breathtaking at sunset, when it appears to float against the backdrop of the magical twilight.

The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Angkor discovery
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Siem Reap

DAY 5: L Prek Toal Nature Reserve

Depart the hotel early for a short transfer to the Mechrey port, where you’ll board a traditional wooden boat for a cruise to the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve, navigating through the flooded forest and across the vast lake. Along the way, your guide will share insights about the lake’s unique hydrological system, its ecosystem, and the diverse flora and fauna.

Enjoy a picnic breakfast on board as you take in the natural beauty and centuries-old way of life of the lake’s inhabitants. Your journey includes bird watching at the Bird Sanctuary, the largest ornithological reserve in Southeast Asia, guided by a local ranger. The Prek Toal biosphere spans 31,282 hectares and is home to a remarkable variety of water birds, including endangered species such as the Greater and Lesser Adjutants, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Milky Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, and many more. Your guide’s deep knowledge of the birds and the flooded forest will provide you with the best chance to observe and understand this intricate natural ecosystem.

Later, climb a treetop platform to view bird colonies through telescopes and binoculars.

(Note: During the low water season from February to the end of March, the treetop platform is inaccessible. Instead, you’ll spend more time observing bird feeding along the main stream within the Bird Sanctuary.)

Return to the village for a local lunch. Afterwards, visit the environmental education class and the water hyacinth handicraft workshop. Take a small rowing boat to explore how the local community has adapted to their floating and ever-changing environment. Visit a family living in a floating house to observe their way of life, and engage in conversation with the host about the challenges of living on water. You’ll also visit typical floating farms, a floating school, and floating gardens—an excellent opportunity to witness this unique lifestyle.

Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon, with the rest of the day free for leisure.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Boat
• Prek Toal nature reserve explore
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Siem Reap

DAY 6: Siem Reap Departure