DAY 01: PHNOM PENH (D)
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our guide and transfered to your hotel in the downtown of Phnom Penh. The bustling capital of Cambodia retains its colonial-era charm with wide tree-lined boulevards and parks and a mixture of eastern and western architectural styles.
After the flight, recover your jet lag with a rejuvenating traditional Khmer massage at Bodia Spa.
Enjoy your delicious authentic Khmer dinner at one of Phnom Penh’s top restaurants.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 02: PHNOM PENH (B, L, D)
After breakfast at hotel, take a fascinating walking tour of Phnom Penh with an expert to explore the Khmer architecture of the late 1950’s in a fine combination of local styles activities, materials and climate with international influences.
After an excellent Asian fusion cuisine for lunch, hop in a cyclo to visit the remarkable National Museum and Grand Palace for further understanding of the Kingdom's illustrious history.
Cyclo back to your hotel and freshen yourselves up in time for dinner. Dinner will be served at Le Lotus Blanc - a restaurant which teaches former street children the principles of hospitality, giving them a chance to support themselves when growing up.
After dinner, head to the Sovanna Phoum Theater and Art Gallery to see a performance of classical dance and shadow puppet theatre.
Note: Shadow puppet performances are held on Fridays and Saturdays. On other days, visit the Royal Arts School to see a traditional Apsara dance performance.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 03: PHNOM PENH - BATTAMBANG (B, D)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive for 5 hours to reach Battambang. Go through the scenic Cambodian countryside to this province, which is famous for growing the best rice in all of Cambodia. In the afternoon as you visit some of the villages of Battambang, see how rice-paper is produced, along with Cambodian specialty food including Prahoc, the fermented fish paste which lends its unique flavor to much Cambodian cuisine. You’ll also get the chance to see traditional weaving skills at a weaving and handicraft centre.
Dine this evening at the authentic Smoking Pot Restaurant.
Overnight in Batambang.
DAY 04: BATTAMBANG - SIEM REAP (B, L, D)
Embark on one of the most stunning boat trips in Cambodia, travelling from Battambang to Siem Reap by a comfortable private boat.
NOTE: This boat trip is only possible in the high water period from July to December as water levels are too low during the dry season and transfer times can be extremely long. From January to June alternative transfer by road.
This boat trip offers marvellous views of the Cambodian countryside. A packed lunch will be provided on board.
Cruise down the Stung Sangker river to the Prek Toal bird sanctuary; a breeding ground for many kinds of water birds.
After that, reach Tonle Sap lake, arrive in charming Siem Reap in the afternoon.
Arrive in Siem Reap at mid afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before visiting the Angkor National Museum, from which many of the Golden Age of the Khmer Empire are brought to real life by using multimedia technology.
This evening, enjoy an Asian-inspired French meal at Abacus restaurant in a beautiful garden setting.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 05: SIEM REAP (B, L)
Experience more about Khmer cuisine with a half day cooking course at the sugar palm. Under the guidance of a well-trained chef, visit the local market, buy traditional ingredients, and try your hand at preparing a variety of dishes which you’ll then get to try for lunch. After feasting on your creations, visit the enigmatic temples of Ta Phrom, this iconic temple is twined with incredible tree-roots as nature has slowly reclaimed it over the centuries. Originally constructed as a Mahayana Buddhist temple in the late 12th century by Jayavarman VII, it apparently took 80,000 people to look after it and has been left the same as it was found in the 19th century. Though well-known, it can still make visitors feel like an explorer of the ancient crumbling masonry and overgrowth of vines, trees and roots conveying the romance of a truly lost civilization.
Your visits will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.
After this, head to the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire - the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Enter through the South Gate carved with four giant faces and wander around this perfectly-square, ancient walled-city.
Bayon temple locates exactly in the centre of the city, a magnificent masterpiece of 12th century Khmer craftsmanship. Its 54 towers represent the 54 provinces of the Khmer empire and the temple also has amazing, detailed bas-reliefs at The Terraces of The Leper King and The Elephants. Return to Siem Reap in the afternoon.
You will have the whole evening free on your own after dinner.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 06: SIEM REAP (B, L, D)
After breakfast at hotel, further explore the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia - a marvel of nature, Tonle Sap lake, which swells to almost five-times its normal size during the rainy season and provide a huge number of fish, which in turn support numerous communities. Pass flooded forests and floating houses along the way, witness how people adapt to life on this fertile body of water.
Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from June to March, but we can arrange an overland visit to Kamphong Phluk that is an equally interesting experience, as you can walk among the stilted houses.
You have a chance to further explore the countryside this afternoon with a trip to the Western Baray (reservoir) area. Here you’ll see Cambodian daily life from water buffaloes bathing and oxen pulling carts to farmers working in their fields and children cycling to school. Visit the Angkor silk farm where you can see the whole process of silk creation, from the rearing of silkworm right through to the finished silk items.
Later, visit the magnificent Angkor Wat. Said to symbolise the soul of the Khmer people, the temple was built in the early 12th century during the reign of King Suryavaman II and some of the wars he fought are depicted in the bas-reliefs and stone carvings which cover the walls. Hindu mythology also features heavily in the designs, along with the beautiful forms of over 2,000 Apsara dancers; representations of feminine grace and beauty.
When the crowds disperse by the time the sun sets, this is a great time to be present at Angkor Wat, as the Apsaras are illuminated by the setting sun’s golden rays.
In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak. This famous restaurant serves authentic, first-rate Khmer cuisine in a tasteful setting.
DAY 07: SIEM REAP (B)
After breakfast, enjoy some time at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward departure flight.