Day 1: Arrival - Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh City, 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.
Arrive and transfer to hotel for check in. Relax with hotel facilities at your own leisure. After, experience with cyclo tour, visit to 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.
Late evening, enjoy an atmospheric sunset river cruise with soft drink and watch the great views of colonial building over the Mekong River.
Taste dinner at Cambodian training restaurant, Romdeng, Set in a beautiful colonial building, Romdeng serves a great variety of Cambodian food ranging from almost forgotten recipes from the provinces to contemporary creative Cambodian cuisine. All profits from restaurants are reinvested into Mith Samlanh's projects for former street children and youth. Return to hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 2: Phnom Penh
This morning we attend half day cooking class including a visit to local market for your own cook. Markets in Cambodia are most interesting in the morning hours when fresh produces arrive and most Cambodians do their shopping. As you prepare every dish from scratch, a half day class will only give you time to create two dishes at Frizz Cambodian cuisine.
Afternoon, Visit to 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. Spend your time to explore the colorful markets of Phnom Penh, The Central Market is one of landmark where you can find clothes, souvenirs, jewellery.
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. Return to hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 3: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
After breakfast, say goodbye Phnom Penh before leaving to Siem Reap by domestic fly. Arrive Siem Reap International Airport, greet and welcome, transfer to hotel for check in.
After take a short rest from the flight, and then you have excursion to Kampong Phluck floating villages for boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake, where you will have the opportunity to learn about daily life of local people on the lake. You will see houses on the high stills that built within the floodplain about 16 km southeast of Siem Reap. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to a variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. On the way, you will passed by the floating houses.
(Note: Due to the boat trip is only possible from June to March. However an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas or Mechrey can be arranged instead).
Have lunch with local host at homestay in the village, a great time to have authentic local meal with local family, interact with childrens etc. during your favorite lunch.
Afternoon,explore 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.
Dinner at Embassy Restaurant, an exclusive fine dining experience unparalleled in Siem Reap and headed by executive chefs Pol & Sok; the “Kimsan Twins” introduce in food detail. Their experience has taken them to different continents and under the mentoring of Michelin starred chefs they have created one of the most unique five-star quality cuisines that can be experienced in Siem Reap. With a constantly changing menu based around seasonality.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Siem Reap
This morning discover the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine in a half-day cooking class in the Siem Reap countryside at Krobi Real village. After breakfast, begin with an introduction to the morning’s activities with a professional chef, followed by a guided trip to food market. You will learn to collect Cambodian vegetables, herbs, and other ingredients and you will have a hands-on culinary experience, creating your own local delicacies. After which you will get to eat what you have created. After lunch, then walk around the village for visit local house, some of homemade production are still available to visit such as baskets etc. Then, continue to visit Silk Farm, offers free guided tours of the process from the mulberry bushes cultivation to the production of silk fabrics and accessories. As the Silk Farm covers an area of 8 hectares, of which 5 are used for the mulberry trees plantation, you will enjoy the beautiful setting while learning about the fascinating process of silk-making.
Continue visit 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. Continue fulfill with fresh coconut juice before heading 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”.
Return to Siem Reap late morning where there’ll be time for a refreshing dip in the pool and time to rest at the hotel.
Finish the day with a relaxing at Srah Srang while watching a spectacular sunset, A majestic platform with leads to the pond. It is built of laterite with sandstone molding. Cocktails, champagne, canapés and a soft drink will be available. Return to hotel.
This evening discover a small city of Siem Reap to see the local lifestyle and colorful of markets by evening time. Perhaps hit the markets for some delicious street food or walking a long night market.
If you’re lucky you might find fried crickets that taste like potato chips, which are usually enjoyed with a cold beer, barbecued meat on skewers; Khmer Fried Chicken, green mango served with chilli and salt; ducks eggs; barbecued corn; and durian, the smelly King of all fruit. Finishing at a dessert stall where fruit shakes, fruit with sweetened condensed milk and baked puddings are the specialty.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Siem Reap - Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, it will be the option for you due based on your departure flight.
Free at own leisure for the last day where you are free to leave at any time.
Transfer to airport for your departure flight.