Cambodia Highlights

Over View

This short twin-centre adventure focusses on the iconic highlights of Cambodia. We spend three full days exploring the vast complex of the Temples of Angkor and discover the charming river-side capital of Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh – Learn about Cambodia’s dark history of the Khmer Rouge in its French colonial capital
Siem Reap – The gateway to exploring the incredible UNESCO-listed Angkor temples
Tonle Sap Lake – See stilt houses when cruising amongst the floating villages of Tonle Sap

Itinerary

Day 1 Join tour in Phnom Penh

Arrive in Cambodia’s lively capital of Phnom Penh. Rooted in history and myth dating back to the 14th century with the divine discovery by Grandmother Penh , the city is a treasure trove of historical architecture. From grand monuments to glittering temples and French Colonial buildings, each construction reflects the city’s rich history and character. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Phnom Penh at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you’ll need to arrive into Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), which is 45 minutes from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information by note left at the front desk. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to visit the Central Market, which runs all day every day, in an Art Deco building built in 1935. Here you will find a vast array of items for sale from food stalls to souvenirs, and everyday home items. This dark-yellow building is located in the heart of the city and within a 15 minute walking distance from the hotel.

Day 2 Discover the sights of Phnom Penh; free afternoon

Phnom Penh took over from Angkor as Cambodia’s capital city in the 1440s. It is now a lively city with many French colonial buildings and plenty to see. Accompanied by a local guide we visit the National Museum, a treasure trove of beautifully preserved carvings and lintels rescued from Angkor; the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda as well as the temple of Wat Phnom. This afternoon we visit the emotive Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly a high school that became the Khmer Rouge’s main torture and interrogation centre; and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek – the memorial stupa is a glass tower filled with human skulls – a gruesome reminder of the scale of Pol Pot’s atrocities before returning back in the city.

Day 3 Free day in Phnom Penh; optional visit to Silk Island

Today is free allowing you the opportunity to explore the city or its surrounds further. Optional excursions close to the city include a trip to Silk Island, Chiso Mountain or the abandoned Royal City of Oudong. Each of these excursions are half a day in duration and may be combined, your tour leader will discuss in more detail. Silk Island or Koh Dach is reached by a short ferry journey along the Mekong where the majority of villagers on the island earn a living through producing handicrafts. It is a great opportunity to learn more about traditional ways of life and interact with locals as you learn about the island’s iconic silk weaving. Chiso Mountain (380m), located in Sia village about 62 km south of Phnom Penh, is topped by the ruins of an 11th century Khmer Brahmanic Temple with fine views of the surrounding paddy fields. Oudong is about an hour north of the capital and offers the opportunity to explore attractive historic temples and stupas.

Day 4 Drive to Siem Reap; cruise on Tonle Sap Lake

This morning we make an early start for our drive to Siem Reap, stopping somewhere for lunch on the way. Later in the day we journey to nearby Tonle Sap Lake where we board our charter boat for a leisurely cruise through the fascinating floating village of Chong Kneas, where we see stilt houses, floating markets and an array of boats.

Day 5 From Siem Reap, explore Angkor temples with sunset

Our exact programme over the next three days may change slightly at our local guide’s discretion (to avoid crowds, coincide with sunsets, etc.). Angkor was actually a series of cities, built between the 9th and the 13th centuries by the Khmer kings, with a population of 750,000 in its heyday. The Angkor complex is spread out over some 155 square kilometres, scattered with magnificent carved stone temples, elegant sculptures and incredible bas reliefs. We visit the Rolous group, which are some of the earliest temples. In the afternoon we visit the temples of Banteay Srei, a small but beautiful temples with exquisite carvings. We end the day at East Mebon, with a visit to Pre Rup temple for sunset.

Day 6 From Siem Reap, explore Angkor Thom

We continue our exploration with a visit to the temples of King Jayavarman Vll, reputedly Angkor’s greatest king. The fortified city of Angkor Thom, which he built at the end of the 12th century is enclosed by a square wall with five monumental gates decorated with stone elephant trunks. Originally, crocodiles inhabited the moat and huge statues of 54 different gods protected each gate. The city contains another of Angkor’s true gems – The Bayon. Although not as impressive as Angkor Wat from a distance, The Bayon is nevertheless incredible for its maze of corridors, gothic style towers and magical central temples. We’ll explore The Terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King, the Baphuon and Phimeanakas, and some of the surrounding temples such as Preah Khan. Please note that from the 1st January 2020 the third tier of the Bayon Temple – the striking centrepiece of the ancient city of Angkor Thom – will be closed until 2022 for extensive restoration. As a result, it will only be possible to view the large stone faces from a distance and it will not be possible to get up close. However, the two lower tiers will remain open and accessible, so it will be possible to view the impressive bas-reliefs and intricate stone carvings around the temple.

Day 7 From Siem Reap, explore Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat

On our final day we make a visit to the 2nd Angkor capital that includes the temples of Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei and Takeo. A highlight for many is a visit to the atmospheric temple of Ta Prohm, where the film Tomb Raider was filmed, lying half consumed by the jungle. We leave the best known and most breathtaking of all the sights, Angkor Wat, to the end – where we stay until the sun sets on the last night of our adventure.

Day 8 Tour ends in Siem Reap

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Siem Reap. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Siem Reap at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which is 20 minutes from the hotel. If you have time you may choose to browse the old market for some last minute bargains, or enjoy afternoon tea at The Foreign Correspondent’s Club.