Travel through the time of charm and generous spirit of Cambodia on this journey through ancient lost capitals and modern city! On this tour, you will experience peeling back the layers of centuries- old culture and heritage through beautifully choreographed performance as well as participate in a Khmer cooking class and experience local street food tour in Cambodia. Siem Reaper’s selective guides are full of personality with a passion to share authentic local experiences.
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, we start the tour early in the morning. Arrive at Angkor Wat temple and experience the majestic beauty of Angkor Wat at sunrise—an unforgettable experience. As the sun rises, its warm light gradually illuminates the ancient temple complex and its surrounding jungle, creating a captivating atmosphere that is hard to replicate. Then take a journey through the Angkor complex with your professional historian guide and explore its many wonders as you make your way towards the central complex.
Then, we will head to the beautiful Preah Dak village, where you will get the opportunity to enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced breakfast and explore the vibrant life of its local people. You will get a unique chance to observe and learn about their customs, culture and way of life in this remote corner of the Angkor complex. After breakfast, we continue to Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple, which is found in the center of the city and famed for the enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.
Then, take a visit to the most iconic jungle temple, Ta Prohm. This is one of the most renowned temples in Cambodia and it has the advantage of having some of the smallest crowds compared to other popular temples.
Once you have experienced the wonder of the temple complexes, your guides will now take you to a nearby village to sample some of the delicious Khmer cuisine.
Today, discover the great landscape of the Tonle Sap Lake. This is a unique experience offering a great outdoor adventure into Siem Reap’s countryside by exploring a floating village of Kompong Phluk and seeing firsthand the livelihoods of the Cambodian people.
We will take you on the Siem Reap countryside in order to explore the local ways of life in Siem Reap. You will be greeted by friendly locals and get a deeper understanding of their lives and traditions. The journey will end at the Tonle Sap Lake, where you will experience the livelihoods of Cambodian people living in floating villages, offering you the opportunity to see how families adapt their lives to be able to live on the water.
We will have lunch at the local family house, where they offer delicious home-cooked food and a unique opportunity to participate in the preparation process by helping out in their traditional village kitchen. It’s always a great experience to witness firsthand how this type of food is made and to get a taste of the culture that goes along with it.
After lunch at the village, we will head back to town. You will have time to rest before going to catch an evening performance at Phar Circus, where their shows tell stories of Cambodian history through a mix of music, dance and acrobats, in addition to meeting the talented performers. This is a unique thing to do in Siem Reap that you should not miss it.
Today, we take a trip to the remote villages to explore the local culture as well as show off your cooking skills with this hands-on culinary adventure. You’ll whip up a three-course gourmet meal, get to experience local village life, and best of all, eat your culinary creations.
This cooking experience is very hands-on and teaches you a few tricks and techniques for preparing the ingredients, but everything is done by you. You’ll prepare a starter, a main, and a dessert. In the end, you will enjoy the food with the host family before being transferred back to your hotel.
Your afternoon will be yours to do with as you please; you can explore the historic city of Siem Reap to find a cozy cafe to relax in or get a massage to help soothe any soreness from the days of exploration. Whatever you decide on, you can be sure that your afternoon spent in Siem Reap will be an unforgettable experience.
In the early morning, depart from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by private vehicle. Taking approximately 6 hours, you’ll pass through provincial towns, villages, and roadside hamlets offering you an insight into life away from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. There will be the opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy a coffee in Kampong Thom and stop at Skun Village, famous for its deep-fried tarantulas if you wish to try.
Upon arrival, transfer directly to your hotel. Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient and despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a certain Colonial charm.
Your afternoon is at leisure until 16:30 when you will be met by your guide in a tuk-tuk, your transportation for the evening tour in Phnom Penh, for a memorable food-focused experience.
You will visit the attracting local diners with typical Khmer food such as Banh Chheu, chicken rice porridge, and beef skewers. Choose what you wish to eat, pull up a plastic stool alongside the locals, and soak up the atmosphere. Next up, and your final food stop for the evening, is the popular seafood stalls where you can enjoy freshly barbecued seafood before returning to your hotel.
Today, we experience the magic of Cambodia’s capital city as it comes to life! We believe the best time to explore the local markets is in the morning, and we’d love for you to join us!
Our guide will take you to the favorite local market, where you will be treated to a guided tour and your first scrumptious breakfast of the day (come hungry!). We’ll also introduce you to local snacks and educate you on the often under-represented food culture of Cambodia.
After breakfast, we’ll forage through the streets of Phnom Penh in search of the Kingdom’s finest hidden murals, and street art on a curated tour. There’s been a prominent street art scene developing in the Kingdom for the past decade, part of the country’s cultural renaissance. We’ll visit over 40 different murals around the city and our guides will help you understand the cultural significance of the murals and how they express social commentary.
In the afternoon, take a journey through the captivating city of Phnom Penh and explore the highlights of its turbulent history, from the majestic Royal Palace to the mesmerizing Silver Pagoda. Get a glimpse into Cambodia’s past at monuments such as the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields, which provide a powerful reminder of darker times.
Your tour comes to an end this morning. There are no activities on your final day and you are free to leave at any time. Your time is at leisure until your transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for your onward flight and says goodbye to your tour guide.
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