13 Days Cambodia Ancient Temples Discovery Tour

ITINERARY

Day 1: Phnom Penh | Arrive in Phnom Penh

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival in Phnom Penh capital, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 2: Phnom Penh | Relax after International Flight

Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to relax after the long international flight. Or explore around the city on your own. You may enjoy a stroll around Wat Phnom and continue North to the riverside for a nice view. There are plenty of Western restaurants and cafe along the riverside.

Accommodation: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 3: Phnom Penh | Cambodia Killing Fields

Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, transfer to the remote Choeung Ek – The Killing Fields. When you enter the gardens and site, the serenity and beauty of nature reflect the healing and reforms the nation has undergone since the time of the atrocities committed here. During the Pol Pot regime, this site was used to execute and dump the dead bodies of those who were deemed enemies of the government. It has since been converted into a national reminder for foreigners and locals alike to the need for governments to be controlled through tools of democracy and constitutions. You will be transferred back to the hotel and the afternoon is at your leisure to relax.

Accommodation: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 4: Phnom Penh | Phnom Penh Royal Palace and Colonial Heritages

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a full day tour in the city. You will visit the Wat Phnom Temple, which dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. Then continue to discover the National Museum where you will see the large collection of Khmer history, arts, and architecture. After that, you will also visit the Silver Pagoda, which has 5,000 silver tiles on the floor. You’ll finish the day with a visit to the Royal Palace, a large complex of ornate Khmer royal-styled buildings where many of the treasures and relics of Cambodia are housed and where the Khmer royal family lives.

Phnom Penh Royal Palace

After lunch, go on with the guide for a tailored itinerary through the streets of Phnom Penh to uncover the history of capital called the “Pearl of Asia”. Start at Independence Monument for a stop and then pass the Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house, which is nearby. Continue to the National Bank of Cambodia and the Phnom Penh Post Office. Visit the Old National Library. Then go past Raffles Hotel Le Royal, a historic property which shows French architecture, and the nearby Phnom Penh Railway Station. Stop at the Central Market to see a local market and perhaps bargain for some clothing or souvenir. Then visit the Old French Embassy and have the guide tell you about its history. Next, stop at the UNESCO Office, which was a historic building during colonial times. Proceed on the river road to see FCC Restaurant and continue to the Royal Palace Park. Feel free to stop for pictures along the way and to ask questions to the guide. Then return to the hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap | Flight to Siem Reap | Leisure

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Board a morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel next to the Royal Garden for check-in.

Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 6: Siem Reap | Koh Ker Pyramid and Jungle Temple | Tonle Sap Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today you’ll wake early to visit Beng Melea while the morning dew and fog still cover this Indiana Jones-esque temple. Wind through maze-like tunnels, swing on ancient tree vines and chart your own adventure while you climb through this amazing complex hidden in the jungle.

Then you’ll travel to what was once the great city of Koh Ker, which was the capital before Angkor Thom. You’ll visit many temples, ancient pools, and ruins in the vast area. Then you’ll finish with a visit to the pyramid temple of Koh Ker. After this, you’ll return to Siem Reap.

Koh Ker Pyramid

On the way back, take a trip to the largest lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap. You’ll take a boat ride to Kampong Phluk which means, Harbor of the Tusks due to its history in the elephant trade several centuries ago. You’ll also see the mangrove forests nearby. After the tour, you’ll return to your hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 7: Siem Reap | Angkor Thom Vintage | Meet Bayon Temple Expert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, the chauffeur and the 1930’s Citroen car will be ready to transfer you to explore the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Enter the stone city and explore shaded trails and ancient monuments. Take scenic jungle trails with our guide to visit much of the ancient city, saving Bayon for last. At Bayon Temple, a renown scholar will join you to share with you the epic stories she has discovered her research. Explore the ruins as she brings the carvings and stories to life, discussing both the politics of the Angkor period and the advances in human rights.

Next is the Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.

After you’ve had lunch, your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”). You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcome on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

As the sun approaches the horizon, you’ll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup. After sunset, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for the evening.

Taprohm Temple

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 8: Siem Reap | Traditional Khmer Spa Treatment | Central Market

Meals: Breakfast
Morning is at your leisure to relax.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment at Bodia Spa – an award-winning spa in Southeast Asia. Experience the traditional Khmer massage or choose another treatment of your favorite. Nearby, you can stroll to Psar Chas, the central market, where you can buy some local-made souvenirs or observe local lifestyle.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 9: Siem Reap | 1,000 Lingas and Banteay Srei Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today you’ll wake early to visit Kulen Mountain National Park(Mountain of Lychees). Explore the jungles brimming with wildlife and tropical fruit. Discover stone carvings under the streams that predate Angkor Wat. Trek to the 16th-century temple on the mountain where Buddhists and Hindus pilgrimage frequently.

For lunch, enjoy a picnic next to Kulen Waterfall where Angelina Jolie was filmed for the movie Tomb Raider. Take a swim if you like before we continue to the rice fields and countryside below the mountain.

Next, you’ll visit Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women. This smaller temple in the jungle features some of the most intricately preserved carvings of all the temples in Cambodia. Then you’ll take an ox-cart ride through the rice fields and give Palm Sugar and Palm Wine a try if you fancy. Then you’ll return to the hotel to relax at your own leisure or stop at a local souvenir market on the way back.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 10: Siem Reap | Angkor Wat Sunrise

Meals: Breakfast
Before the light of day, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world. Our guide will arrange a light picnic breakfast for you to enjoy in front of the world’s #1 Heritage Site. Then in the early hours, you’ll explore the vast temple with your guide bringing to life the stories of Angkor. In the morning, the rays of the light play through the chambers as the morning haze settles and giving the temple a mystical ambiance while there are few tourists who visit during this time of day. After your explorations, you’ll return to the hotel for some rest and leisure time.

Angkor Wat Sunrise

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 11: Siem Reap | Traditional Khmer Spa Treatment | Sunset Cocktail on Gondola Ride

Meals: Breakfast
Morning and afternoon are at your leisure. Simply relax at the hotel or have own exploration in the city.

As the sun approaches the horizon, enjoy Canape with Champagne on Gondola Boat through the moats of Angkor Thom to see the vast ruins of the Khmer Empire at its peak. Close your eyes and smell the sweet perfume of the Romdoul flowers growing wild on the shore mixed with the scent of lotus flowers bobbing in the water. Then see the Sunset at Corner Temple.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 12: Siem Reap | Leisure Day | Private Countryside Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is also at your leisure to relax.

Nearing dusk, you’ll go to a private dinner at a traditional wooden villa in the countryside surrounded by dragonfruit orchards and rice fields. Tiki torches and live traditional music will welcome you. Start with cocktails and canapes. Then enjoy an exquisite evening dinner while you chat and reflect on the fond memories you have collected over the last two weeks. Return to the hotel when you are ready.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 13: Siem Reap | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us and choosing our 13 Days Cambodia Ancient Temples Discovery Tour!

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