Cambodia Discovery
8 days - Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kep, Sihanoukville (Kampong Som)
8 days - Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kep, Sihanoukville (Kampong Som)
Explore the different sides of Cambodia on this 8-day program. Siem Reap is gateway to the famed temples of Angkor, and has grown to be Cambodia's major tourist destination. There are hundreds of restaurants, hotels of every category, and plenty of shops and markets. All serve to make a stay in Siem Reap comfortable and pleasurable while touring the main attraction - the temples. The crown jewel is Angkor Wat, the UNESCO world heritage site that has become the symbol of Cambodia, it's image depicted on the national flag. Popular favorites and must-sees are The Bayon, with it's distinctive massive stone faces looking down at you, and Ta Prohm; looking very untouched, it is fascinating to see the giant tree roots emerging from the temple's ruins. Phnom Penh, the capital, is chaotic, energetic, and always fascinating. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras; today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles weave in and out of the traffic, vendors hawk their wares, and pedestrians go about their business. The program finishes in the coastal towns of Kep and Sihanoukville, known for their beautiful beaches and delicious seafood.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Siem Reap. Arrive at Siem Reap Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Siem Reap. Begin your exploration at Angkor Thom, the fortified "Great City" that was the final capital of the Khmer empire. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, and continue to the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper King, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeankas before continuing to the Bayon Temple. The Bayon is one of Angkor's most compelling and popular sights, with galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs, and where giant stone faces smile enigmatically down at you from every angle. We finish the day watching the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.
Day 2: Siem Reap. The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat, is the national symbol and highlight of any visit to Cambodia. It is the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. Cross the vast moat, and enter the main building, ascending through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary. Intricate stone-carvings adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Afterwards continue to Ta Prohm, built in the Bayon style it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. A most interesting and distinctive feature of Ta Prohm are the twists of tree trunks and roots that emerge from the ruins and soar upward into a lovely shaded canopy. Also visit Banteay Srei, smaller in comparison to other Angkor temples, but considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. (breakfast).
Day 3: Phnom Penh. Fly to Phnom Penh, capital city of Cambodia. Embark on an excursion to the Killing Fields of Choung Ek, located just outside the city, they provide a stark reminder of the atrocities under the Pol Pot regime. (breakfast).
Day 4: Phnom Penh. Begin your exploration of Cambodia's capital city, starting with Wat Phnom; according to legend the city began here when a woman named Penh found four buddha statues and built the temple to house them. Visit the Royal Palace, still the official residence of the King; and adjacent Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. From here proceed to the elegant National Museum which contains one of the finest collections of Khmer art and objects. Afterwards, it's time to explore the modern-day city. Visit the Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide), and afterwards pay a visit to one of Phnom Penh's two great markets, the Central Market, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, or the sprawling Russian Market with it's labyrinth of stalls selling items of all kinds. (breakfast).
Day 5: Kep. Depart by road for Kep, a former colonial seaside resort near the border of Vietnam. En route visit the cave complex of Phnom Chhnork, it's main cave houses the ruins of a brick temple dating back to the 7th century. The limestone mountains in the area are riddled with cave formations, many of which are revered as sacred shrines. In the evening perhaps dine on a meal of the fresh and delicious seafood that Kep is well known for. (breakfast).
Day 6: Sihanoukville. From Kep drive to Sihanoukville, Cambodia's most popular seaside resort town, though still relatively laid-back. After the quicker pace of touring Phnom Penh and the Angkor temples, many visitors here enjoy simply relaxing and discovering a quieter side of Cambodia. Daytime activities center around the beach, such as swimming, sunbathing, scuba or snorkeling; and in the evening enjoying the nightlife in one of the beach restaurants or bars. (breakfast).
Day 7: Sihanoukville. Today is free to enjoy the day in Sihanoukville. (breakfast).
Day 8: Sihanoukville/Phnom Penh. Return to Phnom Penh. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (7).
Cost per person, double occupancy from $1,670.
Day 1: Siem Reap. Arrive at Siem Reap Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Siem Reap. Begin your exploration at Angkor Thom, the fortified "Great City" that was the final capital of the Khmer empire. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, and continue to the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper King, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeankas before continuing to the Bayon Temple. The Bayon is one of Angkor's most compelling and popular sights, with galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs, and where giant stone faces smile enigmatically down at you from every angle. We finish the day watching the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.
Day 2: Siem Reap. The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat, is the national symbol and highlight of any visit to Cambodia. It is the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. Cross the vast moat, and enter the main building, ascending through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary. Intricate stone-carvings adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Afterwards continue to Ta Prohm, built in the Bayon style it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. A most interesting and distinctive feature of Ta Prohm are the twists of tree trunks and roots that emerge from the ruins and soar upward into a lovely shaded canopy. Also visit Banteay Srei, smaller in comparison to other Angkor temples, but considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. (breakfast).
Day 3: Phnom Penh. Fly to Phnom Penh, capital city of Cambodia. Embark on an excursion to the Killing Fields of Choung Ek, located just outside the city, they provide a stark reminder of the atrocities under the Pol Pot regime. (breakfast).
Day 4: Phnom Penh. Begin your exploration of Cambodia's capital city, starting with Wat Phnom; according to legend the city began here when a woman named Penh found four buddha statues and built the temple to house them. Visit the Royal Palace, still the official residence of the King; and adjacent Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. From here proceed to the elegant National Museum which contains one of the finest collections of Khmer art and objects. Afterwards, it's time to explore the modern-day city. Visit the Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide), and afterwards pay a visit to one of Phnom Penh's two great markets, the Central Market, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, or the sprawling Russian Market with it's labyrinth of stalls selling items of all kinds. (breakfast).
Day 5: Kep. Depart by road for Kep, a former colonial seaside resort near the border of Vietnam. En route visit the cave complex of Phnom Chhnork, it's main cave houses the ruins of a brick temple dating back to the 7th century. The limestone mountains in the area are riddled with cave formations, many of which are revered as sacred shrines. In the evening perhaps dine on a meal of the fresh and delicious seafood that Kep is well known for. (breakfast).
Day 6: Sihanoukville. From Kep drive to Sihanoukville, Cambodia's most popular seaside resort town, though still relatively laid-back. After the quicker pace of touring Phnom Penh and the Angkor temples, many visitors here enjoy simply relaxing and discovering a quieter side of Cambodia. Daytime activities center around the beach, such as swimming, sunbathing, scuba or snorkeling; and in the evening enjoying the nightlife in one of the beach restaurants or bars. (breakfast).
Day 7: Sihanoukville. Today is free to enjoy the day in Sihanoukville. (breakfast).
Day 8: Sihanoukville/Phnom Penh. Return to Phnom Penh. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (7).
Cost per person, double occupancy from $1,670.
Our deluxe Cambodia tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
