Splendor of Cambodia

This tour is a great combination between the ancient capital, the religious monuments and the natural beauty of rice paddies, rural villages, mighty rivers.

10 days 9 nights

Cambodia

Classic Highlights

Attractions

Phnom Penh - Kratie

Duration

10 days 9 nights

Code

CAC8

Overview

Overview

The 10-day tour, Splendor of Cambodia, takes you on a cultural journey through the vibrant cities and stunning countryside of Cambodia. Begin in the capital, Phnom Penh, and visit its most famous sites, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Tuol Sleng Museum. Enjoy a leisurely cyclo ride along the Mekong River and escape the city to explore the rural areas of Kratie and Kampong Cham, where you can soak up the charms of these bustling towns, and witness the rare Irrawaddy dolphins at Prek Kampi.

Visit the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom and explore many attractions inside its walls. Take an ox-cart ride through the rice paddies to learn about village life, and kayak through the floating village of Mechrey. Explore the ruined temple of Beng Mealea in the jungle, climb to the top of Kulen Mountain, and discover the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine in a half-day cooking class.

This tour provides a perfect blend of cultural exploration, scenic beauty, and local experiences that will create unforgettable memories.

Highlights

Learn more about the culture & history of the capital Phnom Penh by visiting the most famous sites Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng Museum
Enjoy a leisurely Cyclo ride along the Mekong River to get fresh air
Escape the bustling city of Phnom Penh to the rural area of Kratie
Soak up the charms of Kompong Cham, a bustling town on the Mekong and gateway to historic temples, lush countryside and friendly locals
Reach Prek Kampi by a local boat to observe the rare species of dolphin Irrawaddy until sunset
Explore Siem Reap & World Heritage Site Angkor Wat. Visit the ancient capital city Angkor Thom and many attractions inside its walls
Escape from the bustling city, take 30-minute old mean vehicle ox-cart ride through the rice paddies to see the local family’s activities & take part in family lunch to know more about the village life
From Oct to Feb, get to know the Mechrey village by our special activity – Kayaking through houses, schools and even shops all sit bobbing on the water
Discover the ruined temple of Beng Mealea in the jungle.
Climb up to the top of Kulen Moutain by car, visit the River of One Thousand Lingas and take a refreshing swim of the magnificent waterfall close to it
Take part in a half-day hand on cooking class to discover the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine.

Itinerary

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Arrival in Phnom Penh, welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in or luggage drop-off. Set out on city tour. Visit to Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom; Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles and located within the Royal Palace compound. Next, we will explore one of the most popular markets in Phnom Penh, Phsar Tuol Toum Poung which all called Russian Market. Here, you will find varieties of items on sales such as clothes, electronic devices, souvenir stuffs and many more. Then we will experience a 1-hour Cyclo ride along the Mekong River to get fresh air. Cyclo is the iconic vehicle, first introduced in 1936, remains one of the best and most economical ways to see the city. Cyclo drivers, however, are among the poorest of the urban poor in Cambodia. Return to hotel for overnight.

Breakfast served at hotel. We then visit to the peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek, may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation. Back to the city for your own lunch. Afternoon, visit to
Toul Sleng was a high school prior to 1975, an interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era and today it as a genocide museum. It tells the sad story of the thousands of innocent Cambodian people who were tortured on its grounds. Walking through the narrow corridors and former classrooms of the buildings will give you an eerie feeling of being part of Cambodia’s turbulent past. The stories of the victims are documented and some torture devices are on display for visitors to learn about the suffering the people endured. Photographs were taken of each prisoner passing through the prison and hundreds of the haunting black and white photos are now on display in the museum. While this experience may be depressing, it is recommended to visit in order to truly understand the cruel methods of control the Khmer Rouge implemented over the country. Visit the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh

After breakfast, departure from Phnom Penh to Kratie province which takes about 6 hours dive through one of the biggest provinces in Cambodia, Kampong Cham. In this town we visit the local market, walking around the small French colonial building and then we cross the Mekong River by Bamboo Bridge to get into Sotin Island we can explore and witness the local culture and daily lives. Continue to Kratie through the countryside, fruit plantations and green scenery all the way, arrival check in and walk around the town of Kratie.

Off to the village of Koh Trong to observe local life of their inhabitants and farmers. Visit the market where the local people trading of vegetables, fruits, fish and so on as long as visit primary school where you will learn the system of education in Cambodia and also visit to local pagodas by interaction with Buddhist Monk. Return to the lodge for lunch and around 3pm we proceed to Prek Kampi by local boat to observe the rare species of dolphin Irrawaddy until sunset.

Breakfast at hotel and today we will enjoy the driving along the Mekong River side, fruit farms, and rubber plantations. The journey will take about 6 to 7 hours driving with paved road and good condition but it provided of lot of nice scenery such as countryside, Khmer Traditional Houses, and the activities of daily lives in remote parts of Cambodia. Lunch will be provided in Kampong Thom Province (own account), after lunch we proceed to Siem Reap.

Beat the crowd early morning by 7am, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. Lunch is own account.

Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. City & Bayon Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place area and visit one more ruin in Angkor Area of Preah Khan temple, built in 12th century by King Jayavarman VII and it is the same style to Ta Prom Temple.

Morning transfer out of the Siem Reap town to a beautiful village in the countryside, you will start to walk through the village houses, witness with very nice and different activities from the locals for their daily life. Just as some examples: how the locals wash vehicles, selling gasoline in whiskey bottles or the small shops where the locals sell food on the side of small streets.

On the way, you can take some fruits from the plants, enjoy a view of this wonderful area and interact with very kindly people in the village, a 30-minute old mean vehicle ox-cart ride through the rice paddies to reach at one big local house to see how this family doing daily work such as making rice wine and handicraft works meanwhile the member of the family will offer you of fresh coconut and some manmade rice wine to taste. Lunch is served at this clean and basic hygiene village house while chatting with the family to get in-depth understanding of the village life. Hop in your van for driving onward to the next destination, a floating community, Mechrey village where you take Kayak through houses, schools and even shops all sit bobbing on the water — though not in the dry season — as locals paddle around in traditional wooden boats. (Recommended from October – February).

After breakfast at hotel, today is one of the highlight in the trip to visit one famous temple built by King Soryavarman II in the early of 12th century is hidden in the real jungle and very ruins, called Beng Melea. Return to Siem Reap town. Wat Damnak is one of the most beautiful pagodas in town with French colonial architecture reflecting its history and a large garden filled with statues. Bring candles and incense sticks to the pagoda and participate in a private good luck blessing ceremony, performed by local monks that reside at the temple. Sit on the mat while the monks chant blessings and sprinkle holy water on you – a traditional way which is believed pass on the good luck of the gods. Afterwards, a sacred thread will be tied around your wrist. This will protect you from any evil spirits or accidents. Before you continue on your journey, you will receive a small keepsake from the monks to remind you of this special moment.

Located 40km north of Angkor Wat, the Phnom Kulen mountain range provides Siem Reap with water and dominates the skyline of the flat plains surrounding it. Although the highest peak of the mountain range lies at only 487m, Phnom Kulen has much to offer visitors. The Cambodian people regard the site as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire. King Jayavarman II claimed independence from Java there in 802 A.D. Travel in the morning by car through the countryside to Phnom Kulen and start the rather steep climb up by car. On top of the mountain you will visit a modern style pagoda that offers stunning views over the Angkor area. Visit the eight meter tall statue of a reclining Buddha and wash your hands at the Linga statue to purify your mind and body. Continue to visit the River of One Thousand Lingas and the magnificent waterfall close to it. Take a refreshing swim in the stream and pool of the waterfall. If time allows, take a stroll around the area with your guide and venture off the beaten track to take in the impressive forest and scenery. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

Optional to visit Banteay Srei = USD30/pax
Continue to visit the jewel of the Khmer art, Banteay Srei temple. Its red sand-stone walls are decorated with elaborate carvings in an amazing state of preservation.

Breakfast at the hotel
Experience a hand on Cambodian Cooking Class instructed by a chef. First visit local market to choose the ingredient for the cooking class. The chef will explain the many varieties of ingredients and vegetable used in Khmer cooking. Learn to make three Cambodian dishes with instruction and demonstration by the chef and enjoy your creation following the class. Free in the afternoon for relaxation in the pool or walking around the old market. Transfer for departure.

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Trip notes

Tour includes:

Accommodation in a double or twin share room with daily breakfast
Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
Experienced English speaking guide during all tours and transfers
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Ox-Cart ride
Local private boat, Kayak
Cooking class
Water & cool towels
Government taxes & service charge

Tour excludes:

Cambodia Visa stamp fee: USD 30/ person
International airfare and departure taxes
Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
Early check in/ late check out
Domestic flights and domestic airport taxes
Gala dinner on 24th and 31st December if any
Surcharged for Peak season: USD80 per room per night from 27 Dec 2018 – 04 Jan 2019 & 04 – 09 Feb 2019
Drinks and meal not mentioned
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks … etc.
Personal travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
Gratuities/ Tipping
All other services not specified in the itinerary