9D8N Discovering The Charm Of Cambodia

 DISCOVERING THE CHARM OF CAMBODIA
SIEMREAP - ANGKOR WAT - BANTAEY SREY - PHNOM PENH - SIHANOUKVILLE
9Days 8Nights

Morning arrival at Siemreap airport. Transfer to your hotel. Siemreap is the nearest town to the temple complex of Angkor. From the 9th to 13th century, Angkor was the heart of a rich and sophisticated civilization. You will see massive stone monuments, wide majestic causeways, imposing gateways and towers, all in a wonderful jungle setting. Morning you will visit with your prived professional guide, the “Great City” of Angkor Thom, visits include the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Afternoon dedicated to visit the most famous & magnificent Angkor Wat temple. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. With many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana Story and day-to-day life at the time of Angkor’s construction. At the end of afternoon, following the season, since the Mountain Bakend, the sunset on all the temples, with spectacular views over Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siemreap.

Today we continue exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King. The largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat is not to be missed. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Overnight in Siemreap.

Heading out of the town we drive on a newly paved road past the Preah Dark village to the intricately carved and preserved temple of Banteay Srei. After seeing this beautiful landmark, we make our way through the rugged mountain scenery to Kbal Spean, known as the River of 1000 Lingas. This place offers at first sight no particular attractions except the natural environment, but a careful looking will enable us to discover the impressive riverbed covered by many Lingas. They are carved in stone in the past to sanctify the water and thank the gods for their gifts. The next stop of our trip is the Banteay Samre Temple which is adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. Overnight in Siemreap.

An early morning transfer to the boat landing for hydrofoil journey down the Tonle Sap River to Phnom Penh. The picturesque scenery changing along the way makes for an interesting journey. Phnompenh was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm. A half day city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnompenh. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are now home to the royal family and are therefore very close to the public. At the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most sacred temple in the country. We visit both structures as well as the legendary temple of Wat Phnom which recites the history of the city’s name. Overnight in Phnompenh.

The sightseeing tour continues with the Royal University of Fine Arts, where the young Cambodians learn the ancient arts of their ancestors. A view of numerous children practicing the graceful movements of the beautiful national dances is impressive. The next stop of our trip is the National Museum, exclusively dedicated to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period from 9th to 15th centuries, but some date from as early as the 4th century. Heading out of town we visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek, which will give us a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. We have time this afternoon, exploring Psar Toul Tom Pong, also called the Russian Market”, where anything and everything is for sales. Overnight in Phnompenh.

The lovely beaches of Sihanoukville are some of the most unspoiled in all of Southeast Asia although the fast growing of tourism. There are some 10 km of beach along the mainland and dozens of small islands a short boat ride away, which make for a perfect tropical getaway, with facilities for swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. Upon leaving the town we depart for Sihanoukville. After checking into hotel, we take a short guided trip to catch a glimpse of the town and spend the remainder of the day on the turquoise water or lazing on a beach. Overnight in Sihanoukville.