Cambodia Culture & Beach Break 10 days

Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival (L)

Upon arrival at the airport and after clearing immigration and customs, Our tour guide is waiting you and transfer to the hotel.

Founded in the mid-14th century by the Khmers as a monastery, Phnom Penh replaced Angkor Thom, a city at the Angkor temples, a century later as the country’s capital. The city has long been a vital trading hub at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac. Perhaps the city’s most auspicious history was actually when it lay vacant; following an eviction order from Pol Pot, the city was deserted in a period of hours, and almost all of Phnom Penh’s residents moved to the countryside in 1975, not to return until 1979 under the authority of Vietnamese troops.

Afterwards, start to visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue to visit the Victory Monument, and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art – notably sculptures – from throughout the ages.

End of the day with a visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of the city during sunset.

For your information & convenience: Khmer Surin Restaurant is a beautifully decorated restaurant with many exotic plants to add to the marvel of its decoration, its interior is done with brick walls and fake Angkor-style columns which gives it the “nouveau Khmer” semblance. The restaurant provides a cool and relaxed atmosphere and is a perfect place for enjoying romantic meals. Here, you will be served the best of delicious Khmer and Thai dishes. (If interested, we will help to reserve a nice table & dinner is your own expense).

The palace was constructed after King Norodom relocated the royal capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh in the mid-19th century.

Day 2: Phnom Penh (B/L)

After breakfast, drive to visit the notorious Killing Fields ” ChoeungEk” 15km southwest of Phnom Penh. This one is the site of brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of whom first suffered through interrogations, torture and deprivation in ToulSleng Prison during Pol Pot regime (from 1975–1979). Then return to city centre to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, continue to visit TuolSleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). This prison was a high school, and used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.You’ll have a chance to meet with one of the few survivors kept there by the Khmer Rouge with interaction about his time of imprisonment.

Then we will visit and have a chance to shop at one of the city’s lively open markets, PsarToul Tom Pong; all called the “Russian Market” where anything and everything is for sales. Late afternoon, enjoy a significant sunset cruise on the mystic Mekong River with an ice-chest of red/white wine, snacks and fruits to be served on board by guide and waiter.

For your information & convenience: Malis Restaurantis suggested to enjoy dinner tonight. Artfully prepared contemporary and traditional Khmer cuisine from the kitchen of the renowned Cambodian chef LuuMeng, served in stylish, elegant surroundings of Angkorian-inspired pools, gardens and architecture. (If interested, we will help to reserve a nice table & dinner is your own expense). 

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B/L)

After breakfast, pick up and drive to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, meet up with the guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in (Your room might not be available this early in the morning!)

The ruins of the ancient city of Angkor, capital of the Khmer kingdom from 802 until 1295 AD, are among the world’s great marvels. The “City of Kings,” Angkor boasts some of the largest religious monuments ever constructed. It is a vast and mysterious complex of great laterite and sandstone blocks. Unknown to the world until French naturalist Henri Mouhot literally stumbled onto it in 1861, the area of Angkor existed for centuries only as a myth — a wondrous city (or cities, to be precise), its exact location in the Cambodian jungle unknown. After Mahout in 1861, archaeologists flocked here, only to be foiled by years of conflict that left the temples in the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Many temples were damaged and pillaged. Tourists were the subsequent invaders, from the late 1990’s. Fortunately we can still find those quiet moments in communion with this amazing man-made wonder despite the influx of visitors.

Then start to visit the Angkor National Museum www.angkornationalmuseum.com known as the grand entrance to a world-class heritage that reveals the glory of Angkor Civilization. This museum enhances the cultural heritage of the Golden

Era of Khmer Kingdom through amassed collection of invaluable artifacts and through state of the art multimedia technology exhibition for a full picturesque legendary story. Here a special lecture on Khmer civilization and archeology will be conducted by Mr. Chamreoun co-executive Director of Museum and a famous archeologist. Enjoy late lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue to explore the intricately carved remains of Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive temple sites. The temple still displays hundreds of fine carvings of Apsara and scenes from Hindu mythology. The Khmer constructed the temple between the 9th and 13th Centuries. Strolling around the massive hallways, you will find many small shrines still in use by the Cambodians.

At the end of the day, you will be taken by TukTuk, a small open-sided taxi common in Cambodia, to cruise around the suburb of Siem Reap town and for a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey.

For your information & convenience: FCC Angkor Restaurant and Bar is set in the tranquil Old French quarter, amongst mature trees alongside the Siem Reap River. FCC Angkor offers an extensive menu of moderately price international, fusion and locally-inspired contemporary fare. The restaurant has full bar, wine selection, cocktail menu, comfortable, airy, open first floor seating as well as pond-side patio seating overlooking the Siem Reap River. (If interested, AA will help to reserve a nice table & dinner is your own expense).

 Day 4: Siem Reap (B/L)

After breakfast, enjoy an elephant ride from the south gate of Angkor Thom and all the way to Bayon and circle around the Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara).

Continue by car exploring the walled city of Angkor Thom, the royal city itself, covering four square miles and located in the complex’s geographic centre. Its 50-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a former time which now seems so remote. We then go on to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, King’s Terrace and Royal Palace area.

Then drive to Preah Khan Temple. Built by King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Ongoing restorations at Preah Khan are intended to maintain and indeed its present condition. We will also see NeakPean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake, the temple of Ta Som, as well as the unique brick sculptures of PrasatKravan. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, enjoy a 15-min balloon ride for the panoramic view of the fringe of Angkor Wat temple area, with its rectangular moat clearly visible. The sophistication and extent of the architecture and civilization of the Angkor Kings can be truly appreciated from the air and admire the magnificent birdeye view of Angkor Wat.

In the afternoon, drive about 45 minutes into the countryside near Siem Reap, stopping en route to visit a local village, arriving at a boat quay for a 1½ hour ride on Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia, where we will see many communities on floating houses and boats, including schools, markets, police stations, children playing and swimming, and fresh water aquariums with different fish species displayed – a wonderful example of floating village life and enjoy cocktails.After the boat ride, we moor at the foot of Phnom Krom to at sunset over the Tonle Sap before heading back to Siem Reap.

For your information & convenience: L’Escale des Arts et des sens, a trendy restaurant presents New Asian Cuisine which the menu was created by world renowned French chef Didier Corlou who use the savors from the four corners of Asia and strives to maintain the authenticity and quality of the ingredients it uses. Come and enjoy specialties solely created to nourish not only the body but also the soul! (If interested, AA will help to reserve a nice table & dinner is your own expense).

The Temple Of Angkor Wat

Day 5: Siem Reap (B/L)

Optional for early risers: In the morning you may wish to wake up early and set out for Angkor Wat, in front of the water lily pond, enjoying the temple’s reflection and the sunrise over the complex. Then, back to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, enjoy a 35 km drive to the rural outskirts of Siem Reap and visit Banteay Srei, the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture. This is a small temple complex but with carvings which are impressive. Then visit BanteaySamre, one of the most complete sites at Angkor, due to restoration using the method of “anastylosis”. The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of BanteaySamre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, have a short walk along the road in front of the King’s Residence to see the Main Shrine, where the local people usually worship, with its statue of YeayTeap, PreahAngChek and PreahAngChorm. Buying jasmine and lotus flowers to worship is very important for the Cambodians. We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market”, where anything and everything is for sale! Then continue to Wat Bo,a large, highly respected pagoda,founded in the 18th Century. Like the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, the vihear of Wat Bo contains unique wall paintings of the Reamker that are said to be late 19th Century. Look for the daily-life market scenes such as an opium smoking Chinese merchant, the colonial era French officer at the market and the French soldiers attending a traditional dance performance. Also of interest is the large collection of Buddha statues located behind the main Buddha. Then drive back to your hotel for your refreshment.

For your information & convenience: Abacus Garden Restaurant and Bar boasts a luminous air-conditioned dining room that accommodates up to fifty diners, an alfresco terrace that seats an additional sixty guests and a secluded private dining room for groups of up to fourteen. The restaurant has become one of SiemReap’s landmark eating and drinking spots. Professional and knowledgeable wait staffs serve modern European and Asian cuisine cooked with the finest local and imported produce. (If interested, AA will help to reserve a nice table & dinner is your own expense).

 Day 6: Siem Reap – Sihanoukville – Song Saa Private Island (B/L)

After breakfast, pick up and drive to the airport for your flight to Sihanoukville. Welcome to Song Saa Private Island. Song Saa Private Island lies secluded in this magnificent seascape, just 35 minutes by boat from the port of Sihanoukville. As Cambodia’s first luxury private island resort, we are committed to maintaining the natural assets that make this location so unique.

Day 7 – Day 9: Free on beach (B)

You are free to make for a pleasant and relaxing base from which to explore the surrounding hills, seas and all that lies in between.

Songsa Private Island

Day 10: Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh – Departure (B/)

Breakfast at the hotel – Transfer to Phnom Penh overland with your driver for your flight Departure