10 Days Mystic Angkor & Beautiful South

Day 1: Arrive – Siem Reap

Welcome to Cambodia!

Our driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to hotel. Time to fresh-up and relax at hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 1: Grand Circuit & Banteay Srei

After breakfast, we depart to Preah Khan Temple. It is located northeast of Angkor Thom and just west of the Jayatataka baray, with which it was associated. It was the centre of a substantial organisation, with almost 100,000 officials and servants. Next is Neak Poan, “the entwined snakes” is a small temple located on an island in the center of the now dry Jayatataka baray, a water reservoir 3,500-meter-long and 900 meter wide. Continue to Tasom offers some beautiful photo spots, especially the rear entrance where tree roots adorn the gateway.

Drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side with their struggling for daily life.

Not to be missied is Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

For the late afternoon we head back into main Angkor Park and journey to Pre Rup. We finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Angkor Highlight

After breakfast, we continue to Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. We begin to visit Bayon Temple. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. From there, we walk to Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11th century. We continue to visit Terrace of the Leper King. Along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. We continue to Ta Prohm “Tomb Raider“ fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. We journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world’s largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh

Depart for the Tonlé Sap. You will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. You will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the “village” move from place to place following water levels and current.

Travel by road from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. On route you will witness the everyday lives of Cambodians as you pass through interesting provincial towns, bucolic villages, and delightful scenery. This is no ‘freeway dash’ as you will often slow down to let cows and water buffalo wander across the road, pass horse drawn carriages, and school kids walking and cycling to/from school. You may wish to stop off in Kompong Kdei, to look at Spean Pratos – an ancient Angkorian bridge.

Not far from Phnom Penh you may choose to stop at Skoun, also known as ‘Spiderville’ due to the deep fried tarantula that is the local delicacy, are you adventurous enough to try one?

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh you will check-in to your hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh’s Past & Present

After breakfast, we meet our guide and hop on Cyclo, an original means of transport from Phnom Penh and a fun way to explore this vibrant city. First visit Wat Phnom is a Buddhist temple located in center of Phnom Penh City. It was built in 1373, and stands 27 meters above the ground. Next, we visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver, continuing visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony.

Visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture center.

We will stop at Central Market is located in the heart of the Phnom Penh. The Khmer name of the market is Phsar Thmei, which translates to “new market”. The Central Market was built in 1937 during the French colonial period, in Art Deco style, and is painted bright ochre.

We will enjoy a cruise for view sunset on the Mekong and Tonle Sap River (1 hour). Situated at the “Four Arms” where the Mekong meets the Tonle Sap River before splitting into two branches, Phnom Penh offers the ideal location to discover the mighty Mekong.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 6: Phnom Penh – Takeo – Kampot

This morning, we leave Phnom Penh and head south initially visiting Tonle Bati where you can explore the small yet picturesque Angkorian temple of Ta Prohm. On the banks of the nearby river are a line of bamboo shacks with hammocks, a great place for a relaxing drink. We get on our car to the quiet town of Takeo before continuing to Angkor Borei town, located just a few kilometer navigation from the Vietnam border. There is a small museum, which displays several reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and few artifacts dating as far back as the 4th century. After seeing this pleasant place, visit a pre-Angkorian style temple of Phnom Da and a nearby temple of Asram Maharosei. The steep path over some big rocks makes Asram Maharosei different from other temples in Cambodia.

We then continue south following the picturesque drive to Kep / Kampot. The southern coast of Cambodia, edging the border with Vietnam, once served as a glamorous seaside resort for the French in the early 1900s. Evocative of the French Riviera towns along the Mediterranean coast; the towns of Kep, Sihanoukville and Kampot have tree-lined, wide roads fringing the ocean, large statues, luxury villas, casinos and even a palace overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

Late afternoon, we walk around Kampot city and join sunset cruise along Kampot River for 1 hour.

Overnight in Kampot.

Day 7: Kampot – Sihanouk Ville – Koh Rong

After breakfast, we begin a trip to the Crab Market to sample some of the delicious fresh crab that Kep is famed for is also a must. We continue to Pepper farm and salt farm.

We then travel along the southern coast towards Sihanouk Ville, which has long been a place of relaxation for Cambodians. Arrive in Sihanouk Ville we take fast boat to Koh Rong “Paradise Island”.

Overnight Koh Rong.

Day 8 + 9: Koh Rong – Free Leisure

Enjoy a full day of sun or swimming in the warm coastal waters. This is the moment when the dream of going on vacation to an exotic land becomes reality.

Overnight Koh Rong.

Day 10: Koh Rong – Phnom Penh – Departure

We farewell island and take express boat back to Sihanouk Ville. Upon arrival at Sihanouk Ville port, meet your driver (without guide) and drive back to Phnom Penh. Arrive in Phnom Penh, transfer to airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.