Highlights of Cambodia
6 days - Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
6 days - Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
This 6-day program features the highlights of any visit to Cambodia. 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. 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. In fact, the entire Angkor area is a world heritage site, with important and magnificent Khmer temples to explore. 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.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Phnom Penh. Arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Phnom Penh.
Day 2: Phnom Penh. Begin your exploration of Cambodia's capital city. Visit the Royal Palace, still the official residence of the King; and adjacent Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, it houses many national treasures. 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. 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. In the afternoon learn more about Cambodia's recent and tragic history with visits to the Tuol Sleng Musem (Museum of Genocide) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, located just outside the city. They are disturbing reminders of the terrible atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. (breakfast).
Day 3: Siem Reap. Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the temples of Angkor. 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. Also visit Preah Khan, built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. We finish the day watching the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. (breakfast).
Day 4: 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 Banteay Samre, a mid-12th century Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. Finish the day at Banteay Srei, smaller in comparison to other Angkor temples, but considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. (breakfast).
Day 5: Siem Reap. Continue your exploration of Angkor's most beautiful and important temples. Visits include Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei, Sras Srang, among others. Also see 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. Later embark on an excursion to Kampong Kleang, one of the largest of the Tonle Sap lake communities. From here board a boat to explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake. (breakfast).
Day 6: Depart Siem Reap. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (5).
Cost per person, double occupancy from $1,250.
Day 1: Phnom Penh. Arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Phnom Penh.
Day 2: Phnom Penh. Begin your exploration of Cambodia's capital city. Visit the Royal Palace, still the official residence of the King; and adjacent Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, it houses many national treasures. 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. 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. In the afternoon learn more about Cambodia's recent and tragic history with visits to the Tuol Sleng Musem (Museum of Genocide) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, located just outside the city. They are disturbing reminders of the terrible atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. (breakfast).
Day 3: Siem Reap. Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the temples of Angkor. 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. Also visit Preah Khan, built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. We finish the day watching the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. (breakfast).
Day 4: 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 Banteay Samre, a mid-12th century Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. Finish the day at Banteay Srei, smaller in comparison to other Angkor temples, but considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. (breakfast).
Day 5: Siem Reap. Continue your exploration of Angkor's most beautiful and important temples. Visits include Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei, Sras Srang, among others. Also see 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. Later embark on an excursion to Kampong Kleang, one of the largest of the Tonle Sap lake communities. From here board a boat to explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake. (breakfast).
Day 6: Depart Siem Reap. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (5).
Cost per person, double occupancy from $1,250.
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.
