Cambodia in Depth – 5 nights – 6 days

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 01: ARRIVE IN PHNOM PENH

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel by our local representative.

After the short rest, you will visit the impressive, colourful Khmer-style Royal Palace Complex built in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom. Nearby is the Silver Pagoda (the emerald Buddha temple), where contain plenty of Buddha Statues decorated and made of gold, diamond, gemstone, and silver. We will stop at the Independence monument and explore the National museum; a beautiful Khmer architecture building contains more than 5000 art antiques made of bronze, wood, gold, silver, copper, sandstone, and others. We pass through the riverfront park where 4 rivers meet at a junction, including the mystical Mekong. Walk up to sacred hill Phnom Daun Penh – also the name of a pagoda and the name of the capital nowadays. Last visit Central Market, a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. Initial design and layouts are from French architect Louis Chauchon.

Meal: No meal

DAY 02: PHNOM PENH – VISIT – SIEM REAP

This morning we visit Tuol Sleng prison, now the Genocide Museum, the most secret part of the Khmer Rouge regime. It’s also called S-21 (abbreviated for Security Office 21), a Khmer Rouge’s premier security camp, specifically designed for the interrogation and extermination of anti-Angkor elements. Leave the relics of the bad history of Cambodia, we will go shopping around the Russian market, and enjoy the bustling daily activities of the locals.

Afternoon, heading to the bus station, you take the shuttle bus to Siem Reap. Welcome to Cambodia – Siem Reap, the treasures of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap. Afternoon, heading to the bus station, you take a shuttle bus to Siem Reap. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Meal: Breakfast

DAY 03: ANGKOR FULL DAY TOUR

Today you will explore the South Gate of Angkor Thom, known as Big Angkor, a 3km walled and moated royal city, and it was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. The famous Bayon Temple was an architectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century.

Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two-and-a-half-meter-tall, 300-meter-long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and a gradual slope that spans the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon, a huge temple mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace Area, and Phimeanakas – an impressive rite and sandstone pyramid. Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants, a double terrace wall with deeply carved nagas, demons, and other mythological beings.

Afternoon visit Angkor Wat temple, the founder of the temple was Suryavarman II, who reigned in Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century to dedicate to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple, combined with spaces, alleys, and ditches, is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Have funny time at bars and pubs at the Angkor night market. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Meal: Breakfast

DAY 04: ANGKOR FULL DAY TOUR

Today you will visit Small Circuit, including a visit to Ta Prohm temple, which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty! Giant trees have grown here for centuries, and Prasat Kravan was originally constructed by noblemen rather than a king. Banteay Kdei was built in sandstone, which has deteriorated quite badly. However, there remain some very beautiful lintels and pediments. Srah Srang is a royal pool that was the King’s bathing pond, where he washed with his many concubines each day.  Takeo – King Suryavarman I commissioned this temple in the 10th Century, but it was never completed, so it has no elaborate decoration like its contemporaries. It is a pyramid on 5 levels and is dedicated to Shiva. Thommanon – a small, attractive temple in very good condition, built at the same time as Angkor Wat. Chau Say Tevoda was built during the second quarter of the 12th century, opposite to Thommanon, and it was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

Afternoon overland trip to visit the highlights of the Grand Circuit, including: Preah Khan – meaning The Sacred Sword, it is famous for its immensely long cruciform corridors and delicate carvings. Neak Pean – This temple is a delicate highlight of Khmer art. Built by Jayavarman VII, this temple is the perfect representation of the heavens on earth. Ta Som was a small classic Bayon-style monastic complex consisting of a relatively flat enclosure. East Mebon was built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman; this temple was situated on a small island in the middle of the Oriental, or Eastern, Baray. Last visit Pre Rup was built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman, and view a lovely sunset there. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Meal: Breakfast

DAY 05: SIEM REAP

This morning’s visit to Wat Thmei (Killing Field) contains a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well, while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. Come back to visit the “Les Artisans d’Angkor – Chantiers Ecole“, the Finest Authentic Khmer Arts and Crafts.

Afternoon visit to the Floating Villages, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap! Take a ride in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. Here you’ll see plenty of examples of the Khmer way of life on the Tonle Sap. Then visit Wat Bo, founded in the 18th century, a highly respected pagoda that contains very unique wall paintings of the Reamker (Ramayana) that are said to be from the late 19th century, and the Local Market. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Meal: Breakfast

DAY 06: SIEM REAP

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or your next destination. On the way, if there is time, we will visit Puok, the real and original place of the Artisans d’Angkor silk, where you will see the full process of silk production, from the silk worms munching on the Mulberry leaves to spin their cocoons, which are used to make silk warp. You, of course, will see the weaving work and purchase the high-quality silk products as a beautiful Cambodia souvenir.

Note: The airport route is different from the way to Artisans d’Angkor Silk, so we cannot stop there to visit.

Meals: Breakfast