6 Day Siem Reap & Phnom Penh

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap (-/-/-)
  Majestic. Enchanting. Unforgettable. There are simply not enough superlatives to describe Siem Reap. Get a glimpse of the city’s charm and see its most iconic sites with a knowledgeable local guide. Stare in awe at towering ancient ruins and experience the beauty of Cambodian culture. After landing on Siem Reap International airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check in. Siem Reap is the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor and a charming riverside town. Take a rest from your flight at the hotel or discover Siem Reap on a stroll through its beautiful pagodas and the colorful market on your own. Overnight stay at hotel in Siem Reap.
• Day 2: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat (B/-/-)
  Start your day with a tour to the temples of the Small Circuit. The most famous among these is Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Your visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”. Later today, visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom by ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai ‘tuk tuk’). Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake. From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 52 towers with enigmatic faces looking out towards the provinces of the vast and great Khmer Empire. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate relief carvings. During sunset time, Angkor Wat is less visited, and the Apsaras will shine in the most beautiful light. Overnight stay at hotel in Siem Reap.
• Day 3: Siem Reap – Kbal Spean - Banteay Srei - Siem Reap (B/-/-)
  Tour starts at 07:30. Head north through pastoral countryside to visit Kbal Spean, one of the earliest Hindu pilgrimage sites in Cambodia. A short 3 km trek up the hill through dense jungle will reward you with excellent views over the plains and the Kulen hills. At the top, be surprised about the “River of 1000 Lingas” with some remarkable stone carvings of Hindu gods, animals and other symbols in the river bed. During the raining season, you can enjoy a refreshing bath in the waterfall, which is extremely popular with the local families. (Note: Please note the trek is fairly easy going but as the walk is uphill and on uneven ground it is really only suitable for clients with a good level of fitness and not suitable for clients with mobility problems.) Then, visit the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), the first nature conservation project established in Cambodia. A knowledgeable staff member will explain about the threats to Cambodia’s wildlife and the efforts of ACCB to protect the environment and promote wildlife conservation through education. As you stroll around the compound’s forested grounds, you will see various endangered species, including a squeaky otter, various primates including hooting gibbons, various reptiles such as miniature tortoises, and a beekeeping project, all of which are on site. This afternoon, experience the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srey. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best-preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs. Banteay Srey is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor. Continue on to the APOPO visitor center for an exclusive tour of this fascinating and life-saving organization. Spend up to an hour learning about the devastating impact of explosives that lie buried in the Cambodian countryside and get first-hand experience about this creative solution to the problem. In a simulated minefield built for training purposes, help guide the rats as they sniff their way along the ground in search of explosive material. Visit the room where the rats live and pose for a photo with the furry rodents and their handlers. Watch an informative video and take the opportunity to learn more about landmines, Cambodia, APOPO, and the HeroRATs through a Q&A session. Every guided tour is led by a mine action professional with real-life experience of humanitarian demining. (Note: The last tour to visit to APOPO center is at 1630) After a day in the fantastic outskirts of town, the tour concludes with a drive back to Siem Reap. Overnight stay at hotel in Siem Reap.
• Day 4: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake (Kompong Khleang floating village) - flight to Phnom Penh (B/-/-)
  Escape from Siem Reap to see the beauty of the countryside. Drive to the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, approximately 52 km from the city (approx. 1 hr drive), and climb aboard a wooden motorboat to explore its waters and mangrove forests. This unique lake swells and contracts dramatically in rhythm with the monsoon season, meaning most of the houses are built on stilts or floating pontoons. Cruise through the Kompong Khleang floating village and see this unique way of living. For an even deeper understanding of life on the Tonle Sap, head to a local family house to see the inside of a typical house and watch the boats pass by while enjoying a tea. (Note: during the months Apr-Sep the water level may be too low for a visit by boat. However, the village can be visited by car. It is fascinating to walk around and see how the stilted houses are exposed from the lake when water levels are low!) After the tour visit, transfer to Siem Reap Angkor for a short flight to Phnom Penh. After landing, meet your driver and get transferred to your hotel for check in. At leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Phnom Penh.
• Day 5: Phnom Penh City tour (B/-/-)
  Catch a glimpse of Phnom Penh’s rich heritage. Step back in time with a visit to the resplendent Royal Palace and be amazed at its Silver Pagoda. Delve deeper into Cambodia’s past at the informative National Museum and see the vibrancy of modern city life. Take a closer look at Cambodia’s turbulent past with a poignant visit to the Khmer Rouge’s most notorious sites. Hear the stories of prisoners held at S-21 Prison and learn of the tragedies that occurred at the Killing Fields. Understand how the atrocities of that era still affect modern Cambodia. Today’s tour will begin at 08:30. Learn all about the history and culture of the capital on this guided day tour of Phnom Penh. Start with a visit to the Royal Palace, located in the center of town. The palace was built in 1866 at the end of the French colonial era. Walk through the sprawling compound and learn about the Kingdom’s Royal Family and the role they place in modern Cambodia. Visit the Palace’s Silver Pagoda and admire the 5,000 silver tiles that line the floors. There is also an impressive collection of Buddha images housed in the pagoda. Continue to the National Museum. The museum is housed in a traditional Khmer-style building and surrounded by lush, tropical gardens. Wander through the hallways, stopping to examine the impressive collections of ancient Khmer artefacts. There are nearly 5,000 items on display dating back to the 4th century. The final stop is at Wat Phnom. The hilltop temple is located on the site where the city was originally established many years ago. From this vantage point, enjoy sweeping views of Phnom Penh and see the mix of old, colonial buildings and gleaming modern structures. In the afternoon, continue to explore the tragic recent history of Cambodia with a guided Khmer Rouge tour to two of the country’s most notorious sites. Start with a visit to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. This rural compound was used as an execution site and burial ground for some of the millions killed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Learn about the atrocities and brutal killings that occurred at this site. Continue on to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21. Originally built as a school, the compound was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture center. Take a sobering tour of the site, learning about the prison’s history and hear the stories of the people held within its walls. Before the day comes to a close if time permitted, stop at the Russian Market. This bustling bazaar earned its name in the 1980s as the expat Russian population often shopped here. These days the market is filled with everything from souvenirs to local handicrafts, silver jeweler to electronic goods. Overnight stay at hotel in Phnom Penh. * Please note: All visitors to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum are required to wear modest clothing: no short pants or short skirts (knees must be covered) and no sleeveless shirts (shoulders must be covered). See-through clothing will also not be allowed.
• Day 6: Phnom Penh – Departure flight (B/-/-)
  You are at leisure until transfer to Phnom Penh International airport for your onward flight. Tour ends. Thank you for your choosing us and wish to see you again soon in our next tours.

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