9-Day Cambodia Highlights with Beach Holiday

Tour Code: GRN6KX101U2C 

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Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh, Kampong Som
Land tour From: $316
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Duration

9 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

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About this tour

Embark on a captivating 9-day journey through Cambodia, exploring its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Begin in Siem Reap, home to the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat and the intricate carvings of Banteay Srei. Continue to Battambang, where you’ll discover ancient temples and experience local village life. In Phnom Penh, delve into Cambodia’s tumultuous history at the Killing Fields and Royal Palace. Finally, unwind in the coastal charm of Kampong Som, with its pristine beaches and vibrant seafood markets. This tour promises a blend of history, culture, and relaxation, offering a comprehensive glimpse into Cambodia’s diverse landscapes and traditions.

Included/Excluded

  • * All accommodations (with Twin/Double rooms) while on tour
  • * Accommodation based on twin or double sharing room
  • * All transfers and road transport in modern, air-conditioned vehicles if specified in the program
  • * Meals as mentioned in the program. B-Breakfast, Br-Brunch, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
  • * Your tour guide is a professional, fully trained employee of Vietnam Tour Packages
  • * Entrance fees if specified in the program
  • * Airfares, Cruise, Train, Sleeper bus if specified in the program.
  • * Compulsory tips for tour guide and driver
  • * Meals not mentioned in the program
  • * Single Supplement. Early check-in and late check-out. Hotel/Room upgrade
  • * Drinks, personal expenses and any services not clearly mentioned in the program
  • * Surcharge for the festive seasons
  • * Applicable Government Taxes and other service charges.
  • * The tour cost does not include POE charges and passport charges.
  • * Porterage Facility

Itinerary

<span> Day 1</span> Siem Reap Airport Pick-up

Upon arriving in Siem Reap, you'll be greeted at the airport and promptly escorted to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey.

<span> Day 2</span> Angkor Wat Temple Tour

Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby early in the morning, around 05:30, to witness the stunning sunrise at Angkor Thom (weather permitting). You’ll then explore Angkor Thom, starting at the South Gate and moving on to the Bayon Temple, where you’ll encounter the iconic 'Smile of Khmer'. As you pass through the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, you’ll gain deeper insights into Khmer civilization. Exiting through the Victory Gate, your guide will then take you to a local restaurant renowned for its specialties.

In the afternoon, you'll visit Ta Prohm, the setting for the Tomb Raider movie. Afterwards, head to Phnom Bakheng, the highest point in Siem Reap, to enjoy a breathtaking sunset.

<span> Day 3</span> Siem Reap Sightseeing with Dinner Show

Following breakfast at the hotel, you'll head north to explore Preah Khan, also known as the Sacred Sword, along with the nearby Neak Pean. Next, you'll visit Banteay Srei Temple, renowned for its exquisite and intricate carvings, often referred to as the 'jewel of Angkor Wat.'

After lunch, you’ll visit Pre Rup, an ancient site once used for royal cremation ceremonies. The towering structures at Pre Rup offer stunning views of the surrounding lush forests and are an ideal spot to watch the sunset. To conclude the day, you’ll enjoy a renowned Apsara Dinner Show in the evening.

<span> Day 4</span> Drive to Visit Battambang including Bat Cave and Killing Caves

After breakfast, you'll embark on a 3-hour drive to Battambang. On the way, you’ll have the chance to see the renowned Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel for a brief rest and lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Phnom Sampeau to explore the Killing Cave, which was once used as a prison by the Khmer Rouge regime. Afterward, you’ll visit the Battambang Bat Caves. Around 18:00, you'll witness the incredible sight of millions of bats emerging simultaneously from their cave in search of food, creating a truly remarkable spectacle.

<span> Day 5</span> Private transfer 5h to Phnom Penh via Oudong Mountain

In the morning, your guide will take you to enjoy the unique experience of riding the Bamboo Train in Battambang. Afterward, you'll embark on a 5-hour drive to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Along the way, you'll pass by the scenic Oudong Mountain and take in the beautiful natural landscapes of Cambodia. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you'll check into your hotel and relax.

<span> Day 6</span> Phnom Penh full day tour with Royal Palace

Today, your guide will take you to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung EK Killing Fields to understand the hardships endured by the people during the Khmer Rouge regime. Next, you'll explore the National Museum and the Royal Palace to gain deeper insights into Phnom Penh's history. After the tour, you'll return to your hotel.

<span> Day 7</span> Fly to Sihanoukville (Kampong Som)

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to the airport for your flight to Sihanoukville, a renowned holiday destination known for its endless white sandy beaches. Upon arrival, a local driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at your leisure.

<span> Day 8</span> Sihanoukville Independant Exploration

You’ll have the entire day to unwind at your own pace. Sihanoukville offers numerous stunning beaches, including Sokha Beach and Victory Beach. We hope you have a wonderful time soaking in the coastal beauty!

<span> Day 9</span> Sihanoukville Airport See-off

After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport based on your flight schedule. We hope you had an enjoyable trip!

Durations

9 - 12 days

Regional Tours

Cambodia

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Tour's Location

Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh, Kampong Som
Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s “Killing Fields” - Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s "Killing Fields" 📍 Location: 40km southwest of Chau Doc⏰ Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM💰 Entrance Fee: Free🚗 How to Get There: Take Highway 91, then Highway N1 along the Cambodia border toward Ha Tien, and turn south onto Highway 3T for the final stretch. You can hire a taxi or xe ôm (motorbike taxi) from Chau Doc, including waiting time if needed. A Tranquil Countryside with a Dark Past Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes southwest of Chau Doc, the peaceful village of Ba Chuc hides a history of unimaginable horror. In the late 1970s, as Cambodian refugees fled Pol Pot’s brutal regime, the region’s Khmer population swelled. Tragically, the Khmer Rouge pursued them into Vietnam, leaving behind a trail of massacres that still haunt this area today. The Ba Chuc Memorial: Remembering a Tragedy At the heart of the village stands a solemn memorial honoring the 3,157 victims of one of the worst massacres in Vietnamese history. Between April 18 and April 30, 1978, Khmer Rouge forces slaughtered nearly every resident, often in brutal and inhumane ways. Shockingly, only two villagers survived the bloodshed. The memorial structure, though simple in design, leaves a powerful impact. Beneath a stark concrete canopy lies an eight-sided glass enclosure, where skulls and bones of the victims are displayed, categorized by age—a chilling reminder of the innocence lost in this atrocity. Phi Lai Pagoda: A Silent Witness to Horror Many of the victims were mercilessly killed at the nearby Phi Lai Pagoda, which still bears visible bloodstains on its walls and floors. A small sign near the altar marks a tragic site where 40 villagers perished after a grenade was thrown into a tiny chamber beneath the shrine. Between the memorial and the pagoda, a small exhibition room houses harrowing black-and-white photographs taken immediately after the massacre. These images show scattered, mutilated corpses, offering an unfiltered look at the horrors inflicted upon Ba Chuc. Some pictures are extremely graphic and distressing, so visitors should be prepared before entering. Visiting Ba Chuc Today Despite its grim past, Ba Chuc remains an important historical site, attracting visitors who come to pay their respects and reflect on the devastation of war. A few cafés and food stalls nearby provide refreshments for those exploring the area. Ba Chuc stands as Vietnam’s own "Killing Fields", a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. While the site is not for the faint-hearted, it serves as a vital testament to history—one that should never be forgotten.The Hoa Hao Religion - The Hoa Hao Religion: A Unique Buddhist Sect in Vietnam 📍 Location: Hoa Hao Village, 20km east of Chau Doc👤 Founder: Huynh Phu So📜 Key Beliefs: Simplicity in worship, direct connection with the Supreme Being, ascetic lifestyle The Hoa Hao religion, a distinctive Buddhist sect, emerged in Vietnam in the late 1930s, originating from the small village of Hoa Hao, near Chau Doc. The movement was founded by Huynh Phu So, a visionary spiritual leader whose life story is deeply intertwined with the sect’s teachings. Origins and Core Beliefs Huynh Phu So, a frail child, was placed under the care of a reclusive monk, where he studied both traditional Buddhist teachings and mystical spiritual disciplines. In 1939, at the age of 20, he experienced a profound trance, during which a new form of Buddhism was revealed to him. Upon awakening, he was miraculously cured of his lifelong illness and began preaching his unique spiritual philosophy. Hoa Hao Buddhism promotes a stripped-down approach to worship, rejecting elaborate rituals, temples, and intermediaries such as monks and priests. Instead, it emphasizes direct personal communication with the Supreme Being. The faith also upholds strict moral values, discouraging alcohol, drugs, and gambling. These principles, along with Huynh Phu So’s reputed healing and prophetic abilities, quickly attracted a large following, especially among Vietnam’s rural peasant communities. Political Influence and Conflict Beyond its religious foundation, the Hoa Hao sect soon became a political force, forming a militia to support its nationalist, anti-French, and anti-Communist stance. During World War II, the Japanese occupation army supplied them with weapons, seeking to destabilize the French colonial administration. However, the French viewed the movement with deep suspicion, branding Huynh Phu So as the "Mad Monk." In 1941, he was imprisoned and later confined to a psychiatric hospital—where he astonishingly converted his doctor to Hoa Hao Buddhism. Upon his release in 1945, tensions between the Hoa Hao and the Viet Minh escalated, leading to Huynh’s assassination by Viet Minh agents in 1947. Despite fierce resistance, the sect’s influence waned over the following decades. In the 1950s, President Ngo Dinh Diem’s crackdown on dissident groups further weakened the movement, culminating in the capture and execution of Hoa Hao military leader Ba Cut in 1956. By the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Communist government had eliminated any remaining political or military presence of the sect. Hoa Hao Buddhism Today Despite its turbulent history, Hoa Hao Buddhism remains a significant spiritual tradition, with an estimated two million followers primarily residing in Chau Doc and Long Xuyen. Some devout male practitioners still wear long beards and hair tied in a bun, a traditional marker of Hoa Hao adherents. While the sect no longer engages in political activism, its legacy continues through its strong spiritual and ethical influence on local communities.
Land tourFrom: $316

Owner

Cambodia

Member Since 2024

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