Tour Route: Siem Reap | Phnompenh
Discover the wonders of Cambodia on this 10-day relax tour, which will take you from Siem Reap and the iconic temples of Angkor to the Southern Cambodia and Kep's Beach. This trip starts at the ancient ruins of Angkor, one of the most remarkable and breathtaking landmarks in history, before immersing you in the vibrant culture of modern-day Cambodia's capital city. Take a journey through the decades and explore the captivating past and present that this unique country has to offer. Then, take time to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax in the serene atmosphere of the beach resorts for an incredible holiday experience that will provide you with a unique combination of relaxation.
Suo Sdei! Welcome to Cambodia.
Upon arrival, please look out for the Siem Reaper Travel welcome sign at the arrivals gate. We will transfer you to your hotel, where you can take your time and relax by the pool or venture out for your first exploration of this ancient city.
Your guide will meet you at 17:30 at the hotel reception for your trip briefing before your departure for Por Cuisine. There, you will get to experience a truly immersive cultural journey as you enjoy a traditional Apsara performance while savoring a delicious dinner.
The Apsara are legendary characters from the ancient Khmer tale of Ramayana, which is closely related to Hinduism. The youthful exuberance of the dancers presenting ethnic minority dance is contrasted with the formal expressions of the dancers as they perform as the Heavenly Nymphs known as Apsaras; dances also include extracts from the Reamker (the Cambodian interpretation of the Ramayana).
The performance itself lasts approximately one hour while the staff serves you a variety of Khmer- influenced dishes. From starter to dessert, the kitchen team at this local establishment has been accredited for upholding the traditional flavors of Cambodia’s diverse cuisine.
Today, you will start our sunrise tour early in the morning to enjoy the cool breeze through the quiet road on the vintag Jeep toward Angkor Wat. Your guide will lead you to Angkor Wat temple, and find the perfect spot to watch the sunrise.
We will then take an unforgettable walk through Angkor Wat and marvel at the incredibly intricate carvings on its walls, where the morning light and cool temperatures present Angkor Wat at its best. Learn about the greatest kingdoms from your historian guide before having breakfast outside of the complex.
After breakfast, we hop on the Jeep to Angkor Thom and Bayon, stopping off to marvel at the numerous massive faces of this beautiful temple, known as the “Giant Face Temple.”
Then visit Ta Prohm Temple, which is filled with crumbling towers surrounded by massive trees that are centuries old! Inspect the curious root formations on the walls and live out your Tomb Raider fantasy before having a delicious lunch near Sras Srong.
You’ll return to Siem Reap through Cambodian villages that offer a glimpse into rural life.
This morning, we travel to the intricately carved and well-preserved Banteay Srei. The detailed reliefs on this smaller sandstone structure are regarded as the finest and most skillfully crafted in Cambodia. Banteay Srei has only been accessible since the late 1990s, when the Khmer Rouge left the area.
After lunch, we’ll break from the temple trail today. We then explore the great landscape of the Tonle Sap lake. This is a unique experience offering a great outdoor adventure in Siem Reap’s countryside by exploring the floating village and seeing first hand the livelihoods of the Cambodian people. At the end of the day, we will watch the sunset on the lake with some snacks and cold beverages.
Today we depart for Phnom Penh by private vehicle, passing through provincial towns, villages, and roadside hamlets, offering an insight into life away from the cities. There’ll be an opportunity to stop at Skun Village, famous for its deep-fried tarantulas, which you can snack on if you so wish! There will also be a stop to stretch your legs and enjoy a coffee in Kampong Thom.
Continue to Phnom Penh. The city is considered one of the most beautiful in the world as it still retains a colonial charm. This capital city is a bustling town, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Lake. The city contains many colonial-era buildings that reflect the glory days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way.
Your afternoon will be leisure until set off on a sunset cruise along the Phnom Penh riverfront. Take in the sights and sip cocktails, beer, or soft drinks as you get a unique overview of Phnom Penh.
This morning, your guide will introduce you to the sights of Phnom Penh during a full-day city tour. The first stop of the day will be Choeung Ek, better known as the “Killing Fields,” where thousands of people were executed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The visits will continue with the genocide museum, “Tuol Sleng,” which is a testimony to the Cambodian genocide of that historical period.
Later, visit the magnificent Royal Palace, the waterfront, and the beautiful colonial architecture that make Phnom Penh an ideal place to relax. With its local flair, historical beauty, and culture, Phnom Penh is a unique attraction in Cambodia.
Today, we depart from the capital for the journey to the riverside town of Kampot with the optional sightseeing route. Kampot supplied most French restaurants with this vital spice for many years during colonial rule, Kampot pepper. Today, the region is well-known for its plantations of durian – a spiky, pungent fruit that has its lovers and haters! In your free time this afternoon, you might choose to stroll along the riverside and observe the French colonial architecture, or have a cup of coffee on the veranda of one of the riverside restaurants and admire the view of the Bokor Mountain Range.
In the evening, take a tour to Kampot town. Kampot is home to many beautiful buildings, each with their own history. This walking tour is a laid-back sightseeing trip around town, exploring the iconic landmarks. Go at your own pace and feel the relaxed pace of life here, on top of the stunning scenery of the Kampot River.
Today, we travel to Bokor Hill Station in the Bokor National Park. The location is a collection of French colonial buildings that have been renovated and transformed into a luxurious mountain resort.
The idea was to create a temperate escape from the heat of Phnom Penh for colonialists in the 1920s. Today, many of the buildings lie abandoned, creating an eerie but enchanting atmosphere. The views from the top of the mountain are stunning, and the ride through the lush jungle is a refreshing break from the city. You will return to the city and your afternoon will be at your own leisure.
After breakfast this morning, you will depart Kampot and travel towards the old French seaside resort of Kep. We head to the roundabout in the centre of the town where a giant durian statue sits smack in the middle and perhaps browse for goodies at the covered market.
The nearby countryside is also a delight to explore: among the fields of Kampot pepper and rice, there’s also a salt field and a limestone cave with a small seventh-century brick temple inside called Phnom Chhnork. After all the crawling, we will hang out in Kep’s crab market. It is one of our favourite things to do in Kep.
Today your time is your own to relax at the hotel or explore independently.
Optional day trips include visits to Rabbit Island. If you like the rustic beachcomber lifestyle, Rabbit Island’s 250m-long main beach is for you. This is a place you could stay at for hours or days doing little but lazing on the beach, napping, reading, sipping cocktails, eating seafood and stargazing.
Your once-in-a-lifetime tour of Cambodia concludes today with a transfer to the Phnom Penh Airport, where you will board your onward flight and begin your journey home or your next destination. We hope that you have gained an unforgettable experience from this tour and that the memories created here in Cambodia will last forever.
2 - 12 People
1 - Easy
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