Capital City to Angkor

Itinerary Details

DAY 1  
Phnom Penh - Airport transfer

Upon arriving Phnom Penh Airport, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and will assist you to your hotel for checking in and the rest of the day you are free at leisure.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 2   
Kep Exploration ( B + L )

This morning we set our journey to Kep and stopping at  Kampot pepper farm that considered one of the best pepper in Cambodia and the world and is a certified geographical indication product since 2010. It has a unique flavor, hot taste also has slight flavor of eucalyptus. The aromas and smell distinguishing it from other type of peppercorns. After we continue our journey to kep. Overnight in Kep

DAY 3 
Kampot - Boat Cruise to Rabbit Island and Visiting Phnom Chngok ( B + L )

This morning we start our early trip to the Rabbit Island which is locate 4.5 kms away from the shore. please, bring along your swimming gears if you wish to swim at shallow sloppy sandy beach at the island. After lunch we drive to PHnom Chngok  the pre Angkorean hill station. Upon arriving the hill station, we climb over a hundred step stair to get to an ancient brick temple located in a cave. While climbing be aware of the monkeys. The temple is made of bricks dated back to 4th 7th AD housed a natural stalagmite Linga statue. After exploring the cave we drive all the way to Kampot.
Kampot is the town that located by the coast and on the bank of Prek Teouk Chuu river. There are many colonial buildinsg around since it was once the head quarter of the French in Indochina. After a little rest and freshen up then take the sunset cruise along the Kampot River.
Overnight in Kampot.

DAY 4  
Kampot to Sihanouk Ville ( B + L )

Sihanouk Ville is the premiere white sandy beach town and warm gulf of Thailand water combine with a laid back beaches atmosphere to provide a great little tropical get away.
Today we drive to around 5 hours to get to Sihanuke ville .
Overnight in Sihanuok ville.

DAY 5  
Sihanouk Ville - Explore Ream national park ( B + L )

Today we will drive to the boat dock of Prek Teok Sap river then take the boat trip in Ream national park which occupied 21000 hectares of the coastal park including 2 islands : Koh Thmey and Koh Ses. The park is inhabited by Macaques, Sun Bears, dolphins and over 150 species of birds and other wild lives. The park is also contains rarely glimpsed species such as mouse deers and pangolins. After exploring the park, we drive back to Sihanuke ville.
Overnight in Sihanuke Ville.

DAY 6   
Venture back to Phnom Penh  ( B + L )

Today we transfer back to Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh was once considered as Pearl of Asia, One of the most elegant cities in South Eastern Asia. Despite it went through the past turbulent history, and the darkest period of the Khmer Rough Regime, the recent development brings back its beauty with a lot of brand new and modern style high rise buildings standing along with the old colonial structures. This capital is a hustling bustling city located at the confluence of the mighty Mekong River and the Tonle Sap river. Wide Boulevard and promenade with some French colonial Buildings reflecting the glorious days and add to the allure of the city.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 7  
Explore Phnom Penh by cyclo ( B + L )
Cyclo is one of the old form of transportations in this capital. The first stop will be Wat Phnom shrine which is located on the top of 27 meters-hill, the only hill in the city and Phnom Penh is the name derived from this hill. The shrine itself was first constructed in 1373 but has been reconstructed several times ( 1434, 1806, 1894, 1926 and recently.) The shrine houses many statues of Buddha and decorated with the paintings of the Buddha stories on the walls and the ceilings. There is a huge stupa just right behind the shrine housed the cremated ashes of the king who relocated the capital city from Angkor to here. There is a big clock placed on the foot of the hill and on the right side of the shrine there is another shrine for the ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese.
Continue to the palace with a short drive along the lively river front. The royal palace was constructed twice in 1400s and 1800s but most of the buildings in the compound today were reconstructed in 1900s. There are several significant buildings included the Silver pagoda which is housed thousands of artifacts made out of gold, silver, bronze and other materials. The whole floor of the pagoda is covered with 5329 silver tiles. Among those thousands artifacts, the most elegant one is the future Buddha statue made of solid gold 90kgs and decorated with 2086 diamonds and the emerald Buddha.
Next visit is the national museum which was built in 1917 and the inauguration ceremony was held on 13th April 1920. It was designed by French but constructed by Cambodian craftsmen. It was first called The Phnom Penh museum then Krong Kampucher museum, Albert Saraut museum, Archaeological museum and today is known as The National museum of Cambodia. The museum are divided into 4 galleries , East, south, west and north gallery with thousands of statues and art works are on display. East gallery is housed the statue of Hindu gods, Buddha and many other artifacts made from bronze keep in the small glass cases which the gallery also called bronze gallery. The south gallery is contained stone statues from 6th to 11th century AD. West one housed the statues from 11th to the early 13th century and the north gallery dedicated to the ethnology with some prehistoric ceramics display in the glass cabinets. In the middle of the museum there are four fish ponds with a beautiful garden.  After lunch we will move on to S-21 Genocidal museum which once was a school constructed in 1962 but converted to prison cells, tortured center and the killing field in August 1975 by the Khmer Rough. Approximately 17000 people were sent to there but only around 12 survived. Thousands of victim’s photographs remains there included infants and children. It is a grim and very confronting but crucial to see that will allow you to dig below the surface to get a much better understanding Cambodia recent history.
Last stop for today will be Russian market known as Toul tompoung by the locals and it is one of the most popular markets in town to shop in the city where you will find souvenir, clothes, scarves, jewelry, silk products, food stands, fish, vegetables etc…
Later of the day is free of leisure.
If you wish to explore more please just take a tuk tuk from the hotel or walk to the riverfront area, a pleasant French style promenade which is normally in the evening varies of activity taking place Aerobic dance and Khmer dance, exercise class, kids playing soccer, vendors. You can participate the dance if you wish.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 8   
Phnom Penh to Battambang  ( B + L )

Today we depart early for Battambang stopping by Udong hill one of the former Khmer capital cities date between1618 to 1866. To get up the hill with a scenic panoramic view you’ve got to climb the 509 steps stair. Several old stupas are still exist but some other were destroyed by the recent war. The new stupa is housed the Buddha relics with several hundreds of Buddha statues in it. Be aware of the monkeys and please take off your shoes and hat before entering the shrine.
After the lunch break, then we will visit the pottery village where the local villagers have their own factories or kilns manufacturing their own clay pots, pans, stoves and many other stuffs out of clay.
After another stop for rest room then we head straight to Battambang
Battambang is the second largest city in Cambodia, the most fertile province in the country and also known as the rice bowl in Cambodia which most of our rice are produced here. The city itself was established since 11th century and today almost 80% of the town buildings are from the colonial time. Battanbang is located by the Sangke River, a quiet and small river that winds its way through.
Overnight in Battambang

DAY  9   
Explore Battambang  ( B + L )

Today we begin our tour to the bamboo train staton for experiencing the  ride . Bamboo train is being used as a form of transportation for the locals, then head to the  fish paste market and rice paper village. After lunch break with some rest We continue to Phnom Sampov hill where there are some beautiful shrines up there and also a killing cave where many thousands of people were killed by dropping into the cave alive. Phnom Sampov literally means Ship Hill due to its distinctive shape is one of the few hills standing out in this otherwise pancake alike-flat plain. You will get a panoramic view over the paddy field and sugar palm trees. Since it is home of a notorious killing cave, the cruel reminders of Cambodia in recent past dark age and peaceful shrines for monks and nuns doing meditation in present day, this serenity and very humility represented in a same place made this interesting visit. Walk back down to enjoy watching the wrinkled lip bats flying out of their cave to search for insects or rice hoppers. 

Overnight in Battambang

DAY 10   
Siem Reap the main tourist attraction  ( B + L )

Today we begin our tour by driving to Phnom Banan before transferring to Siem Reap. Phnom Banan the 11th century temple located atop the hill with 358 steep steps to reach. It was constructed by a Khmer king Udiyaditya varman 2 for the Hindu god and completed by King Jayavarman 7 which he added some Buddha images and the statues on. This beautiful sandstone and laterite temple is still in good condition. After lunch break we will make our way to Siem Reap the main tourists attraction in Cambodia.
Overnight in Siem Reap

DAY 11 
Siem Reap-Explore Angkor complex the Unesco world heritage site( B + L )
Early set out to explore the ancient ruin by driving through the  jungle of Angkor national park with the first stop at Ta Phrom temple also known as Tomb Raider from which the Tomb Raider was filmed there. The temple was constructed during the reign of Jayavaraman 7th and commemorated to his father in 1186 AD. Ta Phrom is the most picturesque temple with many large trees overgrown hanging its roots through the cracks and gaps of the building. This site was once the resident of over twelve thousands people included high ranking monks, official and assistants. We continue to Angkor Thom city which was the largest and the last capital city under the ruler Jayavarman 7th. The city itself is enclosed by the laterite wall 12 square kms in perimeters and surrounded by moat that would probably inhabited by crocodiles to protect the city. There are five entry gates with causeways flanked by statues of 54 gods and 54 demons holding Naga whereas the the gate itself are topped with the gigantic living Buddha faces. Keep cycling inward until you get to the leper king terrace and elephant terrace then continue to Bayon, the main temple in this city. This 12th century master piece is well-known for it grandeur towers decorated with enigmatic faces of Lokesvara and other gods. The temple once was housed a 3.6 meter tall seated Buddha statue. We then exlore Angkor Wat which the is the  8th Wonder of the world.
Enter the finest and largest temple from the causeway through the moat until you get to an edge of one of the ancient library pools which is the best spot for taking the photo of the building and  its stunning reflection on the water  before hopping into the interior of the main Temple, creeping along apart of hoary cloistered corridors then crawling up a steep stair after viewing some of the magnificent bas reliefs stretching along the galleries. And hearing your local expert deciphered the myriad of myths and stories behind it. After exploring this main structure we head back to town for our little late lunch.
The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Siem Reap

DAY 12  
Siem Reap - Banteay Srei the citadel of women ( B + L )

Set out a bit early start to get to Banteay Srei another ruin built in 967 ad Shiva temple which was rediscovered by French, Captain Marec in 1914 and the site was cleared in 1924. The first restoration work was implemented in 1931 to 1936, implied another restoration in 1952 to 1972 and the last one 2002 to 2008. Banteay Srei meant Citadel of women which is the jewel of Khmer art made from the reddish and pinkish sandstone with so many intricately carvings and reliefs made this one unique among the Khmer architecture. Some statues are on display at the national museum in Phnom Penh.
After, we move on to Beng Mealea by driving along the foot of Kulen mountain where the Khmer empire began. It was built as Hindu temple and would probably was completed by Jayavarman 7th    in late 12th century. Its primary material is sandstone where the quarry site is only several kilometers away and the building itself is largely unrestored with many trees, vines and some thick brush thriving amidst its collapsing tower, courtyards and walkways of which many of its stones lying in a huge heap.
After early dinner we enjoy the circus show which is fun and has no animal involve. It is a kind of mixed music, dancing, joggling, contortion…etc. The Circus is known as Phar Ponleou Selpak, is an NGO based in Battambang was founded in 1994 by a refugee with a mission to provide artistic straining to poor young Cambodians. This Organization also provides formal education from elementary to Senior high school for underprivileged children. Over 1000 students are empowered every year through their schools and programs such as: performing, visual and applied art leisure classes and vocational training aid children and young adults to develop their activities, communication and concentration skills and to access a sustainable artistic career whist preserving and promoting Cambodian art and culture. 
Overnight in Siem Reap

DAY 13 
Siem Reap - Stilted house village tour ( B + L )

We drive to Kampong Pluk which is located about an hour and thirty minutes away on the    Shore of the Tonle Sap lake, the largest fresh water lake in southeast Asia with it tremendously size changing depends on the season as normally it swells up to five times  during the wet season. Upon arriving the dock, We take the local comfortable boat through    the lake flood plain and the flooded forests, over the paddy field and into the villages and  Buddhist temple. Most of people there earn the living by fishing, farming and hosting tourists. Kampong Pluk is home to more than 1000 families, many of whom have been living there for generations. Visiting this community you definitely will experience the real Cambodia and gain insight into daily life of the locals. In the afternoon is free at leisure.

DAY 14 
Siem Reap ( B )
 Airport transfer 

 Note :

• Duration : 14 days
• Free cancellation a month prior the tour start
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Please provide a specific dietary requirement at the time of booking
• Tour price is base on the number of people in your booking 

Our services include :

• Touring with national escort and all admissions/entrance fees
• Local guides services at some spots
• Accommodation on twin sharing basis and meals as stated in the itinerary
• 3 to 4 star hotel accommodation
• Sightseeing tour by Boats, cyclo and A/C Vehicle
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary ( B is breakfast and L is lunch )
• Parking and toll road fees
• Local taxes
• Purified cold bottled drinking water

Our services do not include :

• Cambodian Visa and visa fee
• Personal Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Departure tax and departure transfers
• International flights, airport tax & excess baggage charges
• All optional tours and all activities during free time
• All personal expenditures: Shopping, laundry, drinks, phone calls, etc.. 
• Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Gratuities/tipping (recommended)