Cambodia Impression

Set out on a city tour to visit the Royal Place built in 1866 by King Norodom; Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles and located within the Royal Palace compound, and visit Tuol Sleng Museum, a reminder of the Khmer Rouge regime. 

The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

Continue to visit the Russian market and end the trip with a visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset.

Transferred (without guide) to Phnom Penh airport for your departure to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, meet the guide and transfer to hotel for check in. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Banteay Srei temple this morning. This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. They provide an excellent into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs. It was built in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god – Shiva. Continue on a pleasant drive through the countryside to Beng Mealea, a sprawling jungle temple constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style by King Jayavarman II in the early 12th century. It preceded and may have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat. Contrary to Angkor, few carvings or bas-reliefs are evident. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way. Accessibility has improved as elevated walkways have been set up throughout most of the temple, although to see all corners does require a sense of adventure as you will need to climb over stone blocks or walk through narrow passageways. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shady surrounds of the temple before transferring back to Siem Reap for 1.5 hours. (It is advisable to wear sturdy, walking shoes with a decent grip)

Early morning at about 5.00 am, you will be transferred to visit sunrise at Angkor Wat – After sunrise, we continue to visit Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people. 08.00 am, return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, visit Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centerpiece; the Bayon temple. As you approach, you will notice the enigmatic faces of former King Jayavarman VII looking in every direction. Your guide will take you to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King could welcome back his victorious army, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which holds detailed carvings winding along a narrow passageway that leads to the Baphuon complex. Enjoy the homemade lunch at the local house, then continue to visit Neak Pean, East Mebon temples, and end the day with Ta Prohm temple. This beautiful temple is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of the trees have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘forgotten city’ feeling.

Drive about 45-minutes to the countryside, stopping en route to visit a local village. Arrive at the quay and board a local boat for a 1.5-hour ride on the Tonle Sap Lake (Mychreay Floating Village), also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia. Find out how communities live and work on the lake; see the floating schools, markets, and police stations, among others; observe their daily lives. Drive back to Siem Reap, and visit the old market and artisans Dángkor before transferring to the airport for departure.