Cambodia Explorer 9 days/ 8 nights

Transfer from Phnom Penh International Airport to the hotel (rooms may not be ready until the afternoon).
 
At leisure (free time) no A/C car, driver and guide. Lunch at local restaurant. Drive to Killing Fields of Choeung Ek (16 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. They were often bludgeoned to death to avoid wasting precious bullets. Fragments of human bone and bits of cloth are scattered around the disinterred pits. Over 8,000 skulls, arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in 1988, then return to Phnom Penh. Time at leisure at Central Market, the return to the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Meals: L, D

Accommodation: Hotel

Breakfast at hotel. Phnom Penh city tour: Visit the Victory Monument and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art-notably sculptures-from throughout the ages. Visit the Royal Palace, built by the French in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of the floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha, encrusted and weighing 90 kilograms and small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. End your afternoon with a visit to Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of the city during sunset. Founded 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. Lunch at local restaurant  At leisure (free time) no A/C car, driver and guide Dinner is not included overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: Hotel

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, start to visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Time at leisure at the Russian market (Psar Tuol Tumpong). Lunch at local restaurant . In the afternoon, visit the Independence monument and Wat Langka, one of Phnom Penh’s five original wats (pagodas), founded in 1422. First established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Langkan monks, the Wat was named in honor of these meetings. Wat Langka was used as a storehouse by the Khmer Rouge, so it is escaped total destruction. Now fully renovated, this temple still plays an important place in Cambodian Buddhism. Visit Phnom Penh city tour by cyclo to discover its beautiful colonial architecture. Get an idea of Phnom Penh’s architecture fusion from colonial to modern post-independence- by relaxing in a cyclo as you are transported through Phnom Penh’s central districts. A time travel through the architectural periods. Enjoy a joint Sunset Cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight hotel in Phnom Penh.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: Hotel

Breakfast at hotel. Depart Phnom Penh for Battambang by overland transfer (290 km, 4-5 hours drive), arrive in Battambang, the second largest city in Cambodia, located on a rich and fertile plain which provides much of the rice and other important crops for the country. The Sangke River cuts through the town center, which is filled with colonial and shop house architecture. Lunch at local restaurant

After lunch, drive along the picturesque Sangke River to Wat Slaket pagoda, the residence of the provincial Buddhist patriarch. Visit a Khmer Ancient House and make a stop to see the production of rice paper used for making spring rolls, and continue to Phnom Banon, with its five sandstone towers on top of a hill and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding plains until sunset. Check-in at the hotel Dinner at local restaurant. Over at hotel in Battambong

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: Hotel

Breakfast at hotel Transfer to visit Wat Ek Phnom. Visit a market where Prahoc, the Cambodian fish paste, is made. Then continue to Siem Reap via Sisophon by overland. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, make a stop at Preah Net Preah to see the village of stone carving. Continue to Siem Reap town and transfer to hotel. Dinner at local restaurant . overing at hotel in Siem reap

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: Hotel

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit the Rolous Group, the monument of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the king to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on the islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder of the first city at Angkor. Lunch at local restaurant

In the afternoon, continue your temple tour by seeing the unique interior brick sculptures Prasat Kravan, the Srah Srang reservoir (known as “The Royal Baths” was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the mountain-temple of Pre Rup until sunset. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: Hotel

Breakfast at hotel In the morning, visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), Baphuon recently re-opened after years of restoration), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, visit the most famous of all the temples on plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat, the temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodia flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks – the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Sunset at Pre Rub. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: Hotel

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit Senteurs D’Angkor and experience the authentic scents and tastes of Cambodia through a range of traditional handmade products that help create jobs and incomes for impoverished rural communities. Delicatessen delights include spices, traditional teas, highland coffees and local rice liquors. There are also medical balms and natural massage oils as well as perfumed candles and incense. Visit Wat Inkosei built on the site of an ancient temple, which still remains and continue to Wat Bo pagoda to view its well-preserved paintings. You will also observe monks making the various moldings, which adorn the pagodas, then spend time at leisure at a local market.  Lunch at local restaurant

In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Visit “Les Artisans D’Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles” this center is working with young artisans; the temple creates, produce and market a unique collection of ornamental sculpture, lacquer ware, silk weaving and silk painting. The company promotes fair, sustainable development in order to provide benefits to the rural communities. Dinner at local restaurant.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: Hotel

Breakfast at hotel Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination.

Meals: B

Accommodation: N/A