Inside Cambodia – 7 days

Today, you'll explore the Royal Palace and the remarkable Silver Pagoda, renowned for its solid silver floor. Later in the morning, we'll briefly visit the Russian Market. In the afternoon, we'll delve into Cambodia's somber history with visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. As evening falls, unwind with a refreshing drink at a riverside café and enjoy the sunset.

The Angkor temples span 600 years (802-1432) of Khmer history, showcasing one of Asia's most illustrious empires. We start the day with a pre-dawn departure in a traditional motorized tuk-tuk, heading to Angkor Wat for a sunrise viewing. Following this, we'll delve into the vastness of the world's largest religious monument, an architectural marvel from the 12th century that took three decades to complete and epitomizes Khmer grandeur. Next, enjoy panoramic views of Angkor from a fixed cable balloon at 200 meters above ground. In the afternoon, we enter Angkor Thom through the south gate, exploring the enigmatic Bayon, the Terrace of Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. After a lunch break, we'll embark on a short cruise on the extraordinary Tonle Sap Lake, the second largest freshwater lake globally and a vital lifeline for the country.

Traveling in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, we will visit the enchanting Ta Prohm, enveloped in jungle and preserved in its original state since its discovery by French explorers in the 1850s. Later in the morning, we'll explore the neighboring Preah Khan temple, which has been recently restored by the World Monuments Fund but remains a sprawling maze of crumbling passageways and vine-covered walls. After returning to town, we’ll head to ‘Petit Baray’, a traditional Khmer-style wooden house surrounded by lovely gardens, where we'll enjoy an engaging and interactive cooking demonstration.

Today, we’ll visit three remarkable temples located outside the main Angkor complex. First, we’ll explore the 11th-century Boeng Mealea, a precursor to the renowned Angkor Wat. Though it was isolated during Cambodia's civil war, this large and relatively intact temple is now accessible but still seldom visited by tourists. After enjoying a picnic lunch at Boeng Mealea, we’ll continue to the exquisitely detailed and well-preserved Banteay Srei, often called the ‘Citadel of the Women’. Banteay Srei is revered for its intricate carvings, earning it a special place in Angkor’s heritage. In the late afternoon, we’ll visit the tranquil Banteay Samre temple before heading back to Siem Reap to mark the end of our remarkable journey.

This morning, you will be transported from your hotel to the airport for your next flight.