Day 1: Phnom Penh – Arrival
Arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to your hotel for check in. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap.
Many of the tourist areas and sights are in the old central city near the river where you may notice classic old French buildings in classic colonial yellow amongst the Southeast Asian shophouses and traditional Khmer pagodas and markets.
Afternoon, start your cyclo tour with Wat Phnom temple, the founding place of the city on a small hilltop, is tied to the beginnings of Phnom Penh.The large stupa contains the remains of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1467) who moved the Khmer capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh the early 15th century. Then continue to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the same compound where you can see a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal etc. called Wat Preah Keo and a pagoda with over 5000 silver tiles cover its floors.
Your next stop is the National Museum, located just north of the Royal Palace, a housed in a graceful terracotta structure of traditional design (built from 1917 to 1920), with an inviting courtyard garden. The museum is home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture: a millennium’s worth and more of masterful Khmer design.
Late evening, Enjoy with watching to traditional dance performance by Cambodian Living Arts, one of Cambodia's most famous arts. Featuring more than Apsara dances, offering the chance to discover the diversity of Cambodian culture.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meals: no
Day 2: Phnom Penh - Battambang
After breakfast, Depart to Battambang through rural and rice paddy, Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city which known a named by UNESCO as a City of Performing Arts, a lot of ancient Khmer house, pagoda and temple, French colonial architecture buildings that dot the city and its environs.
First stop at Kampong Chhnang, a traditional pottery community with many kilns at work. After that, continue to Kompong Luong and embark a local boat for visit to local lifestyle and people living on the floating village. Continue to Battambang and transfer to the hotel for check in.
Evening time, exploring Battambang with a short and fun biking tour to view the unique history of ancient city. You’re slowly going along the Sangker Riverfront pass by early 20th century French colonial architecture building such as Sala Khet (Battambang Governor Office); Royal Residence (Royal Bungalow), Battambang National Bank, Phsanat Market building and the central shopping area is home to a mix of Chinese shopfront-style buildings, Khmer 1960s structures and the liver-spotted remains of French colonial-era buildings.etc.
Overnight in Battambang.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Battambang
Breakfast at your hotel, this morning, drive along the picturesque Sangker River to Wat Ek Phnom, one of the most visited attraction in Battambang, adapts the architecture of the 11th century and was built during the reign of King Suryavarman I. It is located at Piem Ek commune 14 kilometers from the provincial town. On the way, you may able to see and learn how the locals produce rice paper, prahoc (Cambodian fish paste), and grolan (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo). Afterwards, head to experience with sitting on the platform of Bamboo Train, a kind of transport set up by the villagers. The Bamboo Train or called Nori, well known as another way of experience of catching a glimpse of the gorgeous Battambang countryside. It was built in very basic way, just a bamboo platform on 4-wheels attached with a small motor.
Afternoon, continue to Phnom Sampeau, On the top of Sam Puoy mountain, there is a temple and three natural wells, namely Pkar Slar, Lo Khuon and Ak Sopheak. Enjoy fantastic views over the surrounding paddy fields and sugar palm trees. You will stay until almost sunset time where you can see millions of bats fly out from the cave, notice as Unseen Cambodia. Return to your hotel.
Tonight, a special visit at Battambang Circus of Phare Ponleu Selpak, The shows include a range of circus disciplines including acrobatics, juggling, aerial work, clowning, tightrope walking and aqua-balance. The shows are put on by students from the NGO arts school. (Performances available on every Monday and Thursday evening)
Overnight in Battambang.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4: Battambang - Siem Reap
Have breakfast at hotel. We take trip by private wooden boat to Siem Reap along the Sangker River and enjoy unspoiled landscapes and traditional daily-life scenes. Stop at Cheur Khmao Pagoda, “Black Wood Pagoda”, in Bak Prier floating village and cross the floating village of Prek Tuol. Picnic lunch serve on site or lunch in village. On arrival transfer to Siem Reap and check-in at hotel.
(Boat trip available between mid July to mid January, when water levels are high, otherwise travel by overland will be alternative offer).
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Siem Reap
After breakfast, experience your tour to ancient city of Angkor Thom complex, which is the last capital of Great Khmer Empire during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Photo opportunities in front of Ancient South Gate Angkor Thom, before entry the city which you will impressive with stone gate carved with four faces tower of Avalokiteshvara, with the gods or demons statues holding the naga snake along on both side of entrance. After that, continue to Bayon Temple in the center of the city temple. Its 54 Gothic towers are decorated with 216 gargantuan smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, and it is adorned with 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs incorporating more than 11,000 figures located in the heart of Angkor Thom, is the 12th century. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper king as bas-reliefs are available to visit.
After that, continue to the temples of Ta Prohm, The famous temple as “Tree in Temple” photograph opportunity, built in the mid of 12th to early of 13th centuries. a unique temple which is overgrown by jungle trees and vines. Continue to Banteay Kdei, Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.
Afternoon, visit to a famous temple of Angkor Wat, was built during the reign of king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed as earthly representation of Mt Meru, surrounded by a vast moat, Angkor Wat was dedicated to Hindu gods. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. After that, continue to enjoy the scenery from top view of Bakheng Mountain during sunset time. Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Siem Reap
Today, Option for early Sunrise over Angkor Wat temple. Watch the sun rise over the Angkor Temple to reveal the natural beauty of this area. Back to hotel for your breakfast.
Then travel to the pretty temple of Banteay Srei, “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved as constructed of pink sandstone temple in Cambodia. You will see some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs.
On the way back, you will have the chance to stop at local communities along the way, see and taste the local products such as palm sugar and to learn about the way to do it.
Afternoon, you will explore grand circuit of temple complex such as Temple of Ta som, Temple of Neak Pean etc. Start your tour with Ta Som temple, Fantastic little monastic-complex, like a miniature Ta Prohm. Very photogenic our-face towers with trees, built since 12th century. A huge tree grows from the top of the eastern gopura. It is destroying the gate but it is a photo classic. Continue with Temple of Neak Pean, a small island temple located in the middle of the last baray to be constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area. The central temple sits at the axis of a cross or lotus pattern of eight pools. Neak Pean took its modern appellation, which means ‘coiled serpents,’ from the encoiled nagas that encircled the temple. Neak Pean is most photogenic in the wet season when the pools are full. Back to hotel for rest of the day.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 7: Siem Reap
Have breakfast at hotel. Today, you will be visited to Sprawling jungle temple of Beng Mealea, covering over one square kilometer. The temple is largely overrun by vegetation and very lightly touristed, giving it an adventurous, ‘lost temple’ feel. Photographers: trees growing from the broken towers and galleries offer some of the best ‘tree in temple’ shots aside from Ta Prohm.
Afternoon, Return to Siem Reap, on the way, you will visit early-Angkor era temples of the Rolous Group temple which located 15 km east of the city. It’s about the first temple group in the 8th and 9th century and consists of three main temples: Bakong, Lolei and Preah KO. You will see how beauty of paddy rice fields and pagoda surrounding. End the evening day at the local pagoda where a special water blessing by Buddhist monks await.
Experience with an ox cart ride to Roluos Pagoda, a great and fun way to get in touch with rural Cambodia and local villager.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Siem Reap – Departure
Have breakfast at hotel. Take time on own leisure.
Transfer to airport for departure flight.