Welcome to Cambodia (Bangkok-Poipet Border-Battambang)

Battambang - Upon arrival at the Khmer-Thai border (Poi Pet border), guests will be greeted by our representative at the Thai gate. They will assist travelers in crossing both Thai and Cambodian immigration to meet our main guide at the Cambodian exit gate. From there, proceed to the colonial city of Battambang.

Battambang - Relish a Khmer lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Phnom Sampov, known as ‘Ship Mountain’ due to its unique shape resembling a ship. This legendary 100-meter-high mountain, crowned by Wat Sampeou, features three natural caves adorned with Buddhist shrines and statues: Pkasla, Lakhaon, and Aksopheak. Pkasla cave is filled with uprooted stones and holds significance as Sampeou residents celebrate marriages there. Some caves were used by the Khmer Rouge as killing caves. Enjoy refreshments with fresh coconut and snacks, and around 6:00 pm, witness a million bats leaving the caves at the hill’s base, forming a dark, fluid ribbon in the sky. At the tour’s conclusion, return to the hotel.

Battambang - Notice: Revealing attire such as shorts and skirts above the knees and bare shoulders are not allowed in sacred places and temples. On religious Buddhist dates, the Top Tower (Level 3) of Angkor Wat temple is closed, and the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh will be closed in the morning of every Religious Buddhist date.

Battambang - ‘Battambang is a province in northwestern Cambodia, bordering Thailand to the west. The provincial capital, also named Battambang, means ‘lost staff’ and refers to the legend of Preah Bat Dambang Krahoung. Battambang is Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province. Like much of Cambodia, French Colonial architecture is a notable feature of the city, with some of the best-preserved examples in the country.’

Battambang

Battambang - This morning, embark on a Remork tour (TukTuk) around the village to explore local products such as rice paper—a staple in Asian cuisine, dried bananas, and rice wine, a sweet and smooth homemade liquor. Experience a norry or nori ride, an improvised rail vehicle from Cambodia. Enjoy a fun and adventurous Bamboo Train ride along a newly created railway track, where you will see beautiful rice fields and local villages. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Battambang - The final stop is at Banan temple, where the architecture of the mid-11th century and the end of the 12th century converge. The temple was initially built by King Ut Tak Yea Tit Tya Varman II (1050-1066) and completed by King Jarvarman VII (1181-1219). The temple is situated atop a mountain approximately 400 meters high. Return to your hotel for an evening of leisure.

Battambang-Siem Reap

Battambang Province - In the morning, transfer to Siem Reap City by private transport, taking approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival in Siem Reap city, proceed directly for check-in. Please note that standard check-in time is at 2:00 pm.

Siem Reap - ‘Siem Reap is located in northwest Cambodia and is the closest city to the world-famous, must-see temples of Angkor. The provincial capital, also called Siem Reap, is situated in the south of the province on the shores of Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater reserve in Southeast Asia. It’s a relaxed, charming place to stay while touring the temples and offers the best of both worlds between observing Cambodian life and enjoying modern services and entertainment. Although the temples are the main attraction in this area, there is much more to experience by exploring further in this region.’

Siem Reap

Siem Reap - At 5:00 am, head to view the sunrise at the world heritage site of Angkor Wat. Continue to explore the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple, Angkor park’s most revered temple and the largest religious monument in the world. Inside the temple, the walls are adorned with stone carvings and bas-reliefs that are absolutely breathtaking. Your guide will explain the stories from the exquisite details and provide ample time to explore the temple’s inner and outer grounds. Return to the hotel for breakfast and rest. Lunch is on your own.

Angkor Thom South Gate - In the afternoon, continue a journey through Angkor’s history. The first stop is the South Gate, with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, and see the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, built in the late 12th century. Then, proceed to Bayon temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Baphuon resembles an artificial mountain that recently reopened after years of restoration. Following this, visit the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to the popular temple of Ta Prohm, the modern name of the temple at Angkor, built in the late 12th to early 13th centuries, and famously known as the location where the Tomb Raider movie was filmed.

Apsara Dance - Enjoy a buffet dinner at a local restaurant with a performance of Apsara dance.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap - This morning, experience the art of Khmer cuisine with a hands-on cooking class. Start the day with a guided tour through the local food market, where your chef will explain Cambodian fruits, vegetables, and spices. Back at the cooking school, with the guidance of your chef, observe and practice Khmer cuisine techniques, creating your own dishes for lunch!

Tonle Sap Lake - This afternoon, set off to Tonle Sap Lake, where you will discover various aspects of the floating village activities, from crocodile farming to fishing farms, traditional medicine shops, boat shops, spirit houses, floating schools, and more. Afterwards, transfer to the 500-year-old Wat Preah Prom Rath, a modern-looking temple and monastery located in the heart of Siem Reap.

Phare, The Cambodian Circus - As a special final evening in Siem Reap, attend a show of the Cambodian Traditional Circus. More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance, and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories—historical, folk, and modern. The young circus artists will amaze you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm, and talent.

Siem Reap

Banteay Srei - Your day of past and present begins with an 8:30 am pick-up at your hotel. The first half of the day explores two highlight temples, Banteay Samre and Banteay Srei. Banteay Samre, built under Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century, is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style. Follow Banteay Samre with Banteay Srei, one of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. Built largely of red sandstone, this gem of a temple boasts a pink color and some of the most exquisite depictions. When it’s time for a temple break, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Preah Khan - This afternoon begins at Preah Khan, “The Sacred Sword,” an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares, built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. It is one of the group of temple complexes situated on a small ‘Baray’. Preah Khan is the site of the World Monuments Fund ‘prime’ Asian project, a painstaking renovation while maintaining its mysterious allure and superb original structure. Then visit Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool. The last stop is The Pre Rup Temple, a late 10th-century building, built by Khmer king Rajendravarman II. It is revered for the boldness of its architectural design. You can view a beautiful sunset if the weather is favorable.

Siem Reap-Kampong Cham

Siem Reap Province - After breakfast, transfer to Kampong Cham city. Along the way, stop at Spean Praptos, also known as Kampong Kdei Bridge. It was once the longest cobbled stone-arch bridge in the world, with more than twenty narrow arches spanning 285 ft (87m). The bridge was built in the 12th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It is one of the few Khmer empire-era bridges to have survived to the modern day. Then, drive straight to Kampong Cham city, crossing the Chamka Leu area, which resembles a large forest with silk farms and rubber tree plantations.

Kampong Cham - After lunch at a local restaurant, take an excursion tour to Phnom Pros Srei, translating to Man Hill and Woman Hill, respectively. The common legend about these hills is that two teams (one of men and one of women) competed to build the tallest mountain before sunrise. The last stop is to visit the Nokor Bachey Temple, the first long building of Kampong Cham, measuring 421 meters by 371 meters, made of laterite stones.

Kampong Cham-Kratie

Kampong Cham - After breakfast, our tour guide will transfer you to Kratie City, home to a group of rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins.

Kratie - Upon arrival in Kratie city, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking a ferry to Throng Island. Depending on the season, you might be able to try local fruits along the way in the local village. Upon arrival at the village, your guide and the local villagers will introduce you to village life and customs. Between August and March, when rice is typically harvested, you may see farmers busy at work in their fields and may even join them for some hands-on experience in plowing and harvesting. This late afternoon, take a boat ride to see wild dolphins swimming along the river before transferring to your hotel.

Kratie-Phnom Penh

Kratie - This morning, take a private transfer to Phnom Penh city. The journey will take approximately 4 hours, depending on traffic. Head directly to your hotel for check-in.

Phnom Penh - After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, take a Cyclo to visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, named for the 5,000 silver tiles that cover the pagoda’s floor, known for its collection of gold, silver, crystal, and bronze Buddha statues. Afterwards, visit Wat Phnom, a beautiful hilltop temple with manicured gardens. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh - At 8:00 am, proceed to the Independence Monument, modeled on the central tower of Angkor Wat. The Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1953. It also serves as a memorial to Cambodia’s war dead, with wreaths laid here on national holidays. Continue to Wat Lanka, one of the oldest pagodas in Phnom Penh, established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks. Then visit Boeung Keng Kang Market, a popular market among young Cambodians looking for fashion items at affordable prices. You can also find many stalls selling vintage clothes, shoes, and bags from other parts of Asia. Continue to the Russian Market (so-called because a large number of Russian expats shopped here in the 1980s). It is a great experience and the best place in the city for wood and stone carvings, jewelry, clothes, and Cambodian silk souvenirs.

Phnom Penh - While the authenticity of the ‘labeled’ products cannot be guaranteed, it is great fun. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant for Khmer delicacies. In the afternoon, gain insight into Cambodia’s recent dark history at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum—a former school converted into a detention center during the Khmer Rouge. Equally harrowing are the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. These are tough visits but important for learning about the country’s history. Return to the hotel and end the day.

Phnom Penh-Kampot

Phnom Penh - This morning at 8:00 am, take a private transfer to Kampot city. The journey takes approximately 4 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Head directly to your hotel for check-in.

Kampot - In the afternoon, visit the pepper production. Currently, top chefs around the world have rediscovered the uniqueness of Kampot Pepper. Visiting a pepper farm is high on many people’s lists. Next, explore the caves located east of Kampot, housing an old, pre-Angkorian shrine in a mountain called ‘Phnom Chhnork’.

Kampot-Sihanoukville

Phnom Penh - Today, take a private transfer, accompanied by your guide, to Sihanoukville city. It takes approximately 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions. The rest of the day is free for leisure.

Sihanoukville - ‘’Sihanoukville’s white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand waters, combined with a laid-back, beachy atmosphere, provide a great tropical getaway. Sihanoukville is a perfect place to unwind by the beach, enjoy fresh seafood, take a snorkeling or scuba trip, and generally slow down, relax, and chill out.’’

Sihanoukville

Preah Sihanouk - Today is free for leisure.

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville - Today is free for leisure.

Sihanoukville-Departure

Sihanoukville - Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel. Take a walk or pick up some last-minute souvenirs before checking out at midday. Your driver will meet you to assist with luggage and take you to Sihanoukville Airport for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you back soon!

• Meet and greet service at airport with welcome itinerary and signage
• Admissions as per itinerary, parking fees, and cold drink water on tour
• Lunch included
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide

• Insurance, Visa authorization letter and visa stamp fee
• International & domestic air ticket, airport taxes and visa fee
• Other personal expenses, gratuity for guide and driver,

• Please kindly note: some places in the temples may be not friendly for the wheelchair.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.