Tour Code: HTC7X0GL2R4B
5 Days
Daily Tour
Unlimited
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Embark on an unforgettable 5-day journey through Cambodia, exploring the heart of its rich heritage and vibrant culture. Begin your adventure in Siem Reap, where you’ll marvel at the majestic Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its intricate architecture and historical significance. Cruise along the serene Tonle Sap Lake, observing traditional floating villages and their unique way of life. Conclude your tour in Phnom Penh, the bustling capital city, where you’ll uncover its fascinating history and modern charm. This tour promises an immersive experience into Cambodia’s cultural treasures and scenic landscapes.
Morning: Arrive at Siem Reap airport on your morning flight. Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the ancient city of Angkor, the once-thriving capital of the Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. This extensive and breathtaking site covers 60 square miles and is nestled within a lush jungle.
Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred directly to your hotel for check-in. Start your exploration with a visit to Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the 12th century. Marvel at the South Gate with its imposing statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple renowned for its 54 towers adorned with over 200 serene faces of Avalokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Head to the Angkor National Museum to gain insights into the rich history of the Khmer Empire. Continue your journey to the iconic Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Admire its grandeur and the world's longest continuous bas-relief, which tells stories from Hindu mythology. End your day with a visit to Bakheng Temple, where you can savor a picturesque sunset view from Bakheng Hills. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant, where you’ll also enjoy a captivating Apsara Dance Show.
Morning: Today, we head to Kbal Spean. Enjoy a 45-minute forest walk leading up to Kbal Spean, also known as the "River of a Thousand Lingas." Here, you'll explore sculptures from the 10th to 12th centuries carved into the riverbed, including the Royal Bath and a scenic waterfall. Next, visit the captivating Banteay Srei temple, renowned for its intricate carvings, well-preserved state, and charming compact size. Also, stop by Banteay Samre. A picnic lunch will be provided before we return to Siem Reap in the afternoon.
Afternoon: Experience a traditional ox cart ride through a Khmer village, where you'll take in the picturesque rice fields and lush palm trees, accompanied by fresh, invigorating air. Afterward, board a boat on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia's "Great Lake" and one of Asia's largest. Enjoy a short cruise past floating villages, which include schools, restaurants, and hospitals. Conclude the day with dinner at a local restaurant.
Morning: Explore Ta Prohm, renowned for its captivating beauty and untouched, enigmatic atmosphere since its discovery. Next, visit Neak Pean, a fountain situated in a pool that symbolizes a celestial Himalayan mountain lake. Continue to Ta Som, a compact but classic temple from the late 12th century and the most remote of the grand circuit temples. Lastly, discover Preah Khan, constructed by King Jayavarman VII. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: See the distinctive brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, then visit Srah Srang, also known as "The Royal Baths," which were historically used for ritual bathing. Proceed to Banteay Kdei, encircled by four concentric walls, and Ta Keo, built in the late 10th to early 11th century as the first temple entirely made of sandstone. In the evening, transfer to Phnom Penh via flight. Phnom Penh, once celebrated as the most beautiful city in Indochina, still retains its charm despite a tumultuous past. Enjoy a city tour to explore some of Phnom Penh's major attractions. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
Morning: Start your day at Wat Phnom, a small hill that houses a vibrant pagoda and is traditionally considered the founding site of Phnom Penh. Explore the statue of Yeay Penh (Grandmother Penh), located to the southwest of the hill. According to legend, she discovered four Buddha statues and built a hill, or "Phnom," in AD 1372 to house a shrine for these sacred relics.
Next, visit the Victory Monument, erected in 1955 to commemorate Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule in 1953. Continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison), which was originally a high school before being repurposed by Pol Pot’s regime as a detention and torture center during the Khmer Rouge era.
Afternoon: Head to the National Museum, constructed in 1917 and designed in traditional Khmer style by renowned French architect Georges Groslier and Ecole Des Arts. The museum boasts an impressive collection of Khmer sculptures spanning from the pre-Angkor period (4th century) to the post-Angkor period (14th century). Proceed to the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the former town, and visit the Silver Pagoda within its grounds. The pagoda’s name comes from its floor, which is covered with 5,000 silver tiles. After touring the Royal Palace, take a stroll along the riverfront, a popular spot for tourists, offering a unique view of the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Morning: Begin with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, located 15 km southwest of Phnom Penh. This site, known for its harrowing history, was the location of the execution of over 17,000 individuals, many of whom endured severe interrogations, torture, and deprivation at Toul Sleng Prison during Pol Pot’s regime (1975–1979).
On your return journey, stop by a handicraft shop, a spa, and a vocational training restaurant. Established in 1996 by the NGO Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE), which focuses on rescuing Cambodian children forced to scavenge for survival, especially around the Steung Mean Chey garbage dump in Phnom Penh, these sites offer a chance to support their cause. We recommend enjoying lunch at this venue.
Afternoon: Explore the Central Market (Phsar Thom Thmei), notable for its unique art-deco design that contrasts with Phnom Penh’s architecture. Here, you can find a variety of souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and silver products. Afterward, transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for your departure flight to your next destination.
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