The Mysterious of Cambodia

Warmly welcome at Siem Reap International Airport, meet & greet service by our guide and transfer from the airport to hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle with Russian speaking guide. Check in at the hotel.

The balance of the day free for your own times in Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide and hotel

We head further out through rural countryside to the small but beautiful temple of Banteay Srei. This temple is largely built of pink sandstone; a harder rock that can be more elaborately carved and better survives the rigors of time. This is an opportunity to capture some good photographs of the clear and detailed carvings. Not be missed is Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

This tour is about the journey as much as the destination! Cycle 15km to the east of Siem Reap where Angkor’s oldest temple site, the Roluos Group is located. Once out of the city you’ll be rewarded with the real Combodia via laidback rural areas featuring verdant rice paddies with towering sugar palms; water buffalo, traditional Khmer timber houses and friendly locals. A minivan will be on standby during the day, in case you get too tired to cycle. The Roluos temple group is the province’s oldest temple site. It was once the seat of the Hariharalaya, the first capital of the ancient Khmer Empire. Roluos’ three main features are Preah Ko, Lolei and Bakong. Bakong and Preah Ko were constructed by King Indravarman I, whereas Lolei was constructed by King Yasovarman I. All three structures however, date back to the late 9th century and represent the beginning of the classical period of Khmer civilization.

Dinner with Apsara Dance show at local restaurant.

For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Combodia, No visit to Combodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not merely dance but also meant to convey a story or message.

Inclusion:Transfer, guide, entrance fees, breakfast and hotel

After meeting our tour guide, then we drive to Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The scale is simply staggering and we are immediately overwhelmed by the audacity of Jayavarman on arrival at the city’s gates.

We begin to visit Bayon Temple. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Combodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire.

We continue to visit Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. We continue along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11th century. It has undergone a massive renovation by the French and is now once again open for viewing.

We journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor. We venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. We begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, breakfast, lunch and hotel

We will transfer to Tonle Sap Lake for taking boat trip to visit at Kampong Phluk, where we will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. On the way, we will pass floating houses and impressive flooded forests, portraying life on the water. Return back in town, we will go to visit Artisans d’Angkor. In there, we can take a tour through the workshops and watch students as they learn how to create silk fabrics and garments, stone and wood carving, lacquer ware, polychrome products, silver plating and silk paintings.

Although very similar to Ta Prohm, the vast complex of Preah Kahnis often overlooked, which is a mistake in our opinion as it is equally entrancing, yet much less crowded. One of the largest structures in the Angkor Kingdom, in its heyday Preah Kahn served as a home to 100,000 officials and servants. In similarity to Ta Prohm, nature has really taken over here and corridors warp and twist under the weight of the gigantic trees that have fused with fascinating effect to the ancient walls.

Next stop will be nearby Neak Pean, an artificial island situated in the Preah Kahn Baray which was built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. The four connecting lakes represent the four elements of nature; Water, Fire, Earth and Wind and this balance was believed to cure any illness of all who bathed in its waters.

After Neak Pean we’ll travel further east to visit the smaller Ta Somtemple, also built by King Jayavarman VII during the late 12th century, this time to honor his father and previous King of the Kingdom, Dharanindravarman II. The eastern tower is particularly beautiful thanks to nature; a fig tree believed to have sacred properties has intertwined with a stone monument.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast and hotel

After breakfast, we farewell Siem Reap and drive toward Battambang. Until recently Battambang was very much off the map for visitors as it was a Khmer Rouge stronghold. A riverside town and home to some of the best-preserved Colonial architecture in all Combodia, Battambang is now making something of a comeback, with improved tourist facilities and roads allowing visitors to explore in comfort.

We travel to Wat Kor district to visit a local village and learn about rural life in Combodia. We learn about the rice harvest, fruit farming and how the sugar palm is used.

We drive to the Bamboo Railway Station. The Bamboo Train has been set up by the villagers to facilitate the Transportation of goods and people. The train in itself is very basic – one platform on 4 wheels activated by a small motor. Sitting on the platform we travel the 8km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice paddies. On arrival, we visit a village and discover the daily life of the Combodian countryside. We visit a workshop which is specialized in wooden sculpture.

Overnight in Battambang.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, breakfast and hotel

Morning departure in a south-east direction, first stop Pursat Province, famous for its marble stone carvings, before continuing further north to Kompong Chhnang, taking the time to stop at a pottery village continue to Kompong Loung to visit the village of goldsmiths along the Tonle Sap, manufacturing souvenir center stopping, and stop at Phnom Udong, the ancient Combodian capital during the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowning site of many past kings. Consisting of a series of stupas atop a large hill, there are outstanding views across the surrounding plains below. Phnom Oudong was bombed and desecrated by the Americans and then the Khmer Rouge, but still possesses a beauty that no war has been able to steal from it.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, hotel and breakfast

Visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Combodian took their country back from French colony, continuing visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was build since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others.

This afternoon, we will learn about the dark side of Combodia – Its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Initially you visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture centre. Once you have gained an initial insight of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime you will be driven 15km from Phnom Penh to visit the 'Killing Fields'. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch and hotel

This morning you leave Phnom Penh and head south following the picturesque drive to Kompot. The southern coast of Combodia, edging the border with Vietnam, once served as a glamorous seaside resort for the French in the early 1900s. Evocative of the French Riviera towns along the Mediterranean coast; the towns of Kep, Sihanoukville and Kampot have tree-lined, wide roads fringing the ocean, large statues, luxury villas, casinos and even a palace overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

We catch a boat for the journey to the lovely and secluded Koh Tonsay or (Rabbit Island). Koh Tunsay is a natural resort located 4.5km southeast of Kep City. Koh Tunsay, with its two white sand beaches and shallow water provides an excellent location for swimming. We will spend time for swimming, sunbathing or walking around the island before returning back to mainland.

Overnight in Kampot

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, boat, breakfast, entrance fee and hotel

This morning city tours to KEP SURME. The seaside resort of KEP is on a small headland, has a 6km palm-fringed road extending along the coastline and is a popular day trip from Kompot. It was founded as a colonial retreat for the French elite in 1908. Combodian high rollers continued the tradition, flocking here to enjoy gambling and water sports. Little remains but skeletons of buildings as locals were forced to loot the villas for, materials to sell to the Vietnamese to survive the famine of 1979 and 1980.

We travel through delightful scenery of rice paddies, sugar palm trees, traditional wooden houses, and karst limestone outcrops on the way to the cave of PhnomChhngork. Inside the cave you will discover the remains of a 7th century brick temple. After this you will visit the caves of Phnom Sla’ang, if you are feeling adventurous you can scramble through this cave until you magically appear into the sunlight on the top of the hill, being rewarded with perhaps some of the most beautiful views in Combodia, with the traditional countryside stretching off into the Gulf of Thailand and its many islands. For the less adventurous you can follow a track up the outside of the hill be see the same views. During the 1960’s Kampot was world famous for its aromatic pepper you will visit a local pepper plantation. Overnight in Kampot

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, breakfast, entrance fee and hotel

We then travel by roads along the southern coast towards Sihanouk Villewithout guide, which has long been a place of relaxation for Combodians. Enjoy a pleasant day away from the crowds in Ream National Park, just 30 minutes away from Sihanouk Ville. Here, take a boat trip through the stunning mangrove forest and on to a beautiful stretch of tropical sand beach in the National Park area. Relax for a bit over here and take in the natural beauty of this place, before continuing to Sihanouk Ville.

Overnight Sihanouk Ville

Inclusion:Transfer, guide, boat trip, breakfast and hotel

After Breakfast at hotel, we transfer to port 65 to take boat to Soksan Beach Resort.

Overnight Soksan Beach Island.

Inclusion:Transfer, boat ticket, breakfast and hotel

You will have time to free at your leisure. Relaxing on the beach or enjoy the fresh seafoods here.

Overnight Soksan Beach Island

You will have time to free at your leisure. Relaxing on the beach or enjoy the fresh seafoods here.

Overnight Soksan Beach Island

You will have time to free at your leisure. Relaxing on the beach or enjoy the fresh seafoods here.

Overnight Soksan Beach Island

We farewell Soksan Beach Island and then we take boat to Sihanouk Ville and drive back to Phnom Penh without guide. Arrive in Phnom Penh, transfer to airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again. Inclusion:Transfer and breakfast