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| Phnom Penh (Arrival) (-/L/D) |
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Day 1
Meet upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Lunch at local restaurant
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Visit National Museum is also called Muse des Beaux-Arts. The distinctive rust-red National Museum next to the Royal Palace was dedicated by King Sisowath in 1920. Over 5000 objects are on display including Angkorian era statu, lingas and other artifacts. Though the emphasis is on Angkorian artifacts, there is also a good collection of pieces from later periods, including a special exhibition of post-Angkorian.
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Then visit Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda are located within the same walled grounds. The Royal Palace was built in 1866 under French protectorate and King Norodom, though many of the buildings in the complex were added over the following decades. The Royal Palace is a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. In a common word, it is like a small town of royal dynasties.
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Continue to Silver Pagoda (so named for the silver tiled floor of the Vihara) was constructed at the end of the 19th century and renovated in 1962. A collection of priceless historical objects is on display in the Vihara. The Vihara serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds, the Emerald Buddha, innumerable statu and objects of
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art donated to the pagoda.
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Finally visit Wat Phnom Temple where you can enjoy views of the city. Wat Phnom is tied to the beginning of Phnom Penh. Legend has it that in 1372 Lady Penh (Yea Penh) fished a floating Koki tree out from the river. Inside the tree were four Buddha statues. She built a hill and a small temple at what is now the site of what is known as Wat Phnom. The current temple was last rebuilt in 1926.
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large stupa contains the remains of King Ponhea Yat (1405-1467) who moved the Khmer capital from Angkor to Phnom Penh in 1422.
Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel
Note: National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are open every day. However, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda may be closed without prior notice while H.M. the King is in the residence.
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| Phnom Penh (B/L/D) |
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Day 2
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Breakfast at hotel
Visit the Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pots security forces. It became the largest center for detention and torture during the brutal rule of the Khmer Rouge. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the
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extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. Detainees who died during torture were buried in mass graves in the prison ground.
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Then drive to the The Killing Fields of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek. They were often bludgeoned to death to avoid wasting precious bullets.
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Fragments of human bone and bits of cloth are scattered around the disinterred pits. Over 8,000 skulls, arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in 1988.
Lunch at local restaurant
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Visit Russian market Toul Tumpong, the Market has gained reputation for cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic music instrument. Continue to Central Market which central yellow dome sprouts four wings, chockfull of stall, this design has made a Phnom Penh Landmark.
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You can enjoy Sunset Cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers in Phnom Penh, it bursts into 4 branches: The Upper Mekong or Tonle Thom, Lower Mekong or Tonle Touch, Tonle Bassak and Tonle Sap.
Dinner and accommodation at hotel.
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| Phnom Penh-Kampot (B/L/D) |
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Day 3
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Breakfast at hotel
Morning, departure to Kampot overland En-rout stop to visit Tonle Bati is a lake and popular picnic spot; there are two Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau, both of which offer some interesting bas-reliefs in fairly good condition.
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Both temples were built under Jayavaraman VII in the late 12th century during the same period that Bayon and Angkor Tom in Siem Reap were constructed.
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Afternoon, take boat from Takmau to Phnom Da is a pre-Angkorian laterite tower (6th century) with some carvings in good condition. The temple was constructed under King Rudravarman and dedicated to Shiva. Further down the hill is the unique little temple ruin Ashram Maha Rosei, quite unlike other Khmer monuments in both design and adamant.
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The design is reminiscent of Prasat Ashram Eisay in Sambor Prey Kuk in Kompong Thom. Ashram Maha Rosei was constructed in the late 7th to early 8th century, during the pre-Angkorian Chenla period, under Bahavavarman and shows signs of non- Khmer influence. Return to Takeo and continue to Kampot then upon arrival check-in at Borei Bokor Hotel
Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.
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| Kampot / Phnom Penh (B/L/D) |
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Day 4
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Breakfast at hotel
Visit Phnom Chngouk Temple is located about 8 km east of Kampot. There is brick temple within the cave that dates back to the Funan period. The temple itself has a stalactite emerging through the roof to become the center of veneration.
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The stalagmite that accompanies this formation is the actual growth that is believed to be sacred. It has over the course of millions of year, grown into an almost prefect linga. This temple is dedicated to Shiva and provides the first example of solely Indian influence architecture. The Indian style statuary that surrounds the hill attests to this.
Return to Kompot then have lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch, continue to visit local markets and drive back to Phnom Penh through out the countryside, wonderful natural view of mountains, forest and valley along the road.
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, transfer to the hotel
Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.
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| Phnom Penh Siem Reap (B/L/D) |
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Day 5
Breakfast at hotel.
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Visit the ancient capital of Anghor Thom (12th century) the South Gate, Bayon Temple is a large Buddhist temple city built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII. The Bayon Temple is located within Angkor Thom and consists of 54 towers, each with 4 faces. The Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, then visit Ta Prohm, unlike other temples in Angkor;
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Ta Prohm is surrounded by jungle. It is one of the largest and most attractive temples in Angkor. It was built by King Jayavarman VII from the mid-12th century to the early 13th century and dedicated to Buddhism.
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Lunch at local restaurant
Afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. Angkor Wat is the centerpiece of any visit to the temple because it is the
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largest temples in world and covers an area of 200 hectares. Suryavaraman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of a massive temple-mountain dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. Angkor Wat is surrounded by moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters. The temple itself is 1 kilometer square and consists of the three levels surmounted by a central tower.
Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel
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| Siem Reap (B/L/D) |
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Day 6
Breakfast at hotel.
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Then, continue to East Mebon, is a large temple-mountain-like ruin, rising three levels and crowned by five towers. The temple was contructed in late 10th century by Rajendravarman II, dedicated to Shiva in honor Kings parents. The decoration on the lintels of the temple is superior in quality of workmanship and composition to that of Pre Rup.
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The motifs on the false doors, with small mythical figures frolicking amongst foliage, are particularly fine.
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Continue to Ta Som temple,the most distant on the grand circuit, small but classic. The execution of the Apsara carvings is better than many late 12th century works. Many of carvings show an uncommon individuality in the faces and bodies. Face towers on the gopuras. A huge tree grows from the top of the east gopura.
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Continue your visit to Banteay Samre was constructed in middle of the 12th century by the King Soryavarman II, dedicating to Visnu Brahmanism. The style of the towers and balustrades bear strong resemblance to the towers of Angkor Wat. The plan of temple is roughly square and consists of a laterite rampart with four gopuras. The central courtyard contains the main sanctuary, which has four wings and is approached by a long hall with
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libraries on each side.
Lunch at local restaurant
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Visit Preah Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII for beguiler, the romancer and the artist. It is a huge, highly exportable monastic complex, and served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1000 monks. For a short period it was also the residence of King Jayavarman VII during the reconstruction of his permanent home in Angkor.
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Preah Khan means sacred sword. In harmony with the architecturally similar Ta Prohm, which was dedicated to Jayavarman VIIs mother, Preak Khan is dedicated to his father.
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Continue to Neak Pean, a small island temple located in the middle of the last Baray (the Preah Khan Baray) to be constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area. The central temple sits at the axis of a cross lotus pattern of eight pools. Neak Pean took its modern appellation, which means coiled serpents, from the encoiled nagas that encircled the temple.
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The temple is faced by a statue of the horse, Balaha, saving drowning sailors. Though originally dedicated to Buddha, Neak Pean contains serve Hindu images; it may have served an absolution function.
Dinner at the local restaurant and accommodation at hotel
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| Siem Reap (B/L/D) |
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Day 7
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Breakfast at hotel.
Drive through typical Khmer countryside to the holy Phnom Kulen, where the 500-years long Age of Angkor began. Phnom Kulen is the mountain on which Jayavarman II initiated the royal god of Kinglinga cult in 802AD, declaring a unified and independent Khmer Empire under a single ruler.
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Soon after, he moved his capital from Kulen on Roluos where it was to remain for almost a century before moving to the Angkor area, several sites including hundreds of linga stands in the Siem Reap River. Waterfalls and active pagoda, it is a bit over 50 km each way from Siem Reap to set aside at least a half day for the trip there and back.
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Visit Banteay Srei is located 35 km from Siem Reap town. It was loosely translated to citadel of the woman, but it is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. Built at a time when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power and territory, the temple was constructed at late 10th century by a Brahmin counselor under a powerful king, Rajendravarman and also displays some of the finest
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examples of classic Khmer art. The walls are densely covered with some of the most beautiful, deep and intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple.
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En-route stop at Pre Rub, was constructed in late 10th century dedicated to Hindu gods. Architecturally and artistically superior temple-mountain. Beautifully carved false doors on upper level, as well as an excellent view of the surrounding countryside. Traditionally believed to be a funerary temple, but in fact the state temple of Rajendravarman II.
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Historically important in that it was the second temple built after the capital was returned to Angkor from Koh Ker after a period of political upheaval.
Lunch at local restuarant.
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| Siem Reap (B/L/D) |
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Day 8
Arrive at Siem Reap airport and transfer to hotel.
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Visit Roluos Group is a collection of monuments representing the remains of Hariharalaya, the first major capital of the Angkorian era Khmer Empire; it has become a modern town of Roluos. The ancient capital was named for Hari-Hara, a synthesis of the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. Though there was an existing settlement in the area before the rise Angkor, Hariharalaya, was established as a capital city by Jayavarman II and served as
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the Khmer capital for over 70 years under for successive kings. In the Rolus Group is one of the first major temples of the empire at the nearly Khmer capital of Hariharalaya. Preah Ko derive its name from the status of bulls at the front the central towers. Many of the carvings are in very good condition providing excellent examples of the deep, vivid Preah Ko style Khmer Art.
Lunch at local restaurant.
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Afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue the temple tour. Visit Srah Srang, picturesque baray opposite the east entrance of Banteay Kdei.Originally constructed by the same architect that built Pre Rup.Remodeled in the 12th century as part of Jauavarman VIIs massive building campaign.
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The very sparse remains of an island temple can be seen in the middle of the lake during the dry season when the water is low. Srash Srang offers a pleasant, much less tourist, and sunrise alternative to Angkor Wat.
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Continue to Banteay Kdei, sprawling, largely un-restored, monastic complex in much the same style as Ta Prohm. It was originally constructed over the site of an earlier temple, and functioned as a Buddhist monastery under Jayavarman VII much like Bayon, suffered from several changes in the plans at the time of construction.
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The foundation stele of the temple has not been found so there is no record of to whom it is desiccated. The 13th century vandalism of Buddha images that is seen on many Jayavarman VII temples is quite apparent on Banteay Kdei.
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Finally, continue to Phnom Bakheng, the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area, marked the move of the capital of the Khmer empire from Roluos to Angkor in late 9th century AD. It served as Yasovarman Is state-temple at the center of his new capital city Yasodharapura. The foundation of Bakheng is carved from the existing rock edifice rather than the laterite and earth-fill of most other temples.
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Bakheng hill-top location makes it the most popular sunset location in the area, offering a view of the Tonle Sap Lake and a distant Angkor Wat in the jungle, often over crowded at sunset.
Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.
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| Siem Reap-Departure (B/L/-) |
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Day 9
Breakfast at hotel.
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For early birds special: transfer to the archeological site for sunrise from Angkor Wat. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Drive to Chong Kneas to visit the fishing village by a private boat. Cruise through the fishing villages of the Tonle Sap Lake to discover the natural splendor and old lifestyle of
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the country. The floating houses and fishing villages along its banks are main tourist attractions. The Tonle Sap Lake is one of the natural wonders of the world. The Tonle Sap Lake is one of the natural wonders of the world. Due to the cycle of annual flood water, the Great Lake serves as a main source of freshwater fish and as the foundations of the Great Angkor Empire dating from some 1000 years.
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Visit (Les Artisan dAngkor-Chantiers Ecoles), where it is famous for its traditional craft skills products are available such stone caving, wood caving, lacquering, gilding and silk processing. Then, continue to local market (if time permits).
Transfer to Siem Reap International airport for flight to the next destination.
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GSTBBD703 |
Rate is net per
person in US$ |
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Private
car/coach/private guide |
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Cat. |
Validity |
01 |
02 |
3-7 |
8-15 |
16-23+1 |
Sgl. suppl |
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A |
01/04/07 - 30/09/07 |
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01/10/07 - 31/03/08 |
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B |
01/04/07 - 30/09/07 |
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01/10/07 - 31/03/08 |
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C |
01/04/07 - 30/09/07 |
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01/10/07 - 31/03/08 |
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D |
01/04/07 - 30/09/07 |
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01/10/07 - 31/03/08 |
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E |
01/04/07 - 30/09/07 |
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01/10/07 - 31/03/08 |
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Included in the tour price:
Domestic airfare in economy class between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap according to the itinerary.
All sightseeing as detailed in the programs including entrance fees, air-conditioned cars/vans/coasters and
the services of English speaking local guides. Other guides are subject to availability at the time of the
booking and may be subject to supplements.
Hotel accommodation in twin shared room.
Meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
Service charges, room tax.
Not included in the tour price:
International airfares.
Airport international and domestic departure tax in Phnom Penh/Siem Reap.
Cambodia visa fee on arrival (1 passport photo needed).
Tours and other meals are not mentioned in the program.
Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry and tips etc.
Christmas and New Year's Eve Dinners.
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Booking Now?
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