Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival (-/L/-)

Phnom Penh - Airport: 12km, 35min drive

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel by our guide and driver. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you free time at leisure to recover after the long flight.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we 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 - throughout the ages. Our next destination is the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within 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 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. We will end our afternoon with the visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset.

Meals Included: Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 2: Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham – Kompong Thom (B/L/-)

Phnom Penh - Kompong Thom: 200km, ~3h55min drive

After breakfast at hotel, we drive towards Kompong Cham. En route, discover Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei Khmer temples (better known as the Killing Fields during the Khmer Rouge era) before visiting Wat Nokor, a 12th century Angkorian temple housing a contemporary and colorful pagoda. Enjoy a city orientation of Kompong Cham to discover its elegant colonial architecture. Lunch at a local restaurant in Kompong Cham. Continue towards Kompong Thom, stopping on the way at Wat Kohar Nokor, built in the 11th century during the reign of Suryavarman I, and the monastery of the nearby village. We will also visit Phum Prasat to see its pre-Angkorian tower located within the complex of the village’s pagoda. Upon arrival in Kompong Thom, check-in your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Kompong Thom

Day 3: Kompong Thom - Siem Riep (B/L/-)

Kompong Thom - Siem Riep: 197km, ~3h30min drive

After breakfast at hotel, we discover Sambor Prei Kuk, the ancient capital of Chenla (early 7th century). Originally called Ishanapura, Sambor Prei Kuk shelters the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments with more than 100 temples scattered throughout the lush forest. Have a picnic lunch on site before continuing to Siem Reap. En route, we visit traditional Cambodian villages and stop at Naga Bridge, an ancient Angkorian bridge which is still in use today.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep

Day 4: Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom: the South Gate, the Bayon with its 54 towers of enigmatic smiling faces of the compassionate Boddhisattva, the nearby temple-mountain of Baphuon, the Royal Enclosure with the Phimeanakas temple, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.  

Our afternoon is spent to discover Angkor Wat (early-mid 12th century) dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. This huge temple-mountain, built by King Suryavarman II is considered as the masterpiece of Khmer architecture and art. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Sunset at Angkor Wat.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep

Day 5: Pheah Khan - Neak Pean – Rolous Group (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we explore the monastery of Preah Khan, meaning Sacred Sword, the small island temple of Neak Pean, and then Ta Som. These three temples were built by King Jayavarman VII and illustrate the preeminence of Mahayana Buddhism during his reign. Continue to the Srah Srang holy pond, and then the scenic Ta Prohm monastery, surrounded by the jungle.

In the afternoon, we visit the Roluos Group: Preah Ko, the temple-mountain of Bakong and Lolei temple set in the middle of an old water reservoir or Baray. The Roluos Group (late 9th century) represents the remains of Hariharalaya, the first major capital of the Angkorian era Khmer empire. Return to Siem Reap. En route, stop at the “Chantiers-Ecole, Les Artisans d’Angkor”, a vocational training center which revives the traditional Cambodian techniques and styles of wood and stone carving and polychrome lacquer.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep

Day 6: Banteay Sey - Kbal Sean – Banteay Samre (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we drive through country side towards the famous temple of Bantey Srey “the Citadel of Women”. This small pink sandstone temple (late 10th century) is considered to be the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art because of its delicate carvings. We continue the road to Kulen mountain range.  

In the afternoon, we will walk through the forest (45 minutes) to Kbal Spean, the “River of a Thousand Lingas”. Here the symbol of the Hindu god Siva has been continually chiseled into the rocky riverbed. It was believed that the linga fertilized the water that irrigated the rice fields underneath. Return to Siem Reap and stop on the way to visit the marvelously restored Bantey Samre temple (mid-12th century).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep

Day 7: Siem Riep - Battambang (B/L/-)

Siem Riep - Battambang: 172km, ~2h55min drive

After breakfast, we drive 120 km towards the northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey. Before reaching Banteay Chhmar, we stop on the way to visit the village of Puok, home to the Artisans d’Angkor Silk Farm established to revive the Cambodia's beautiful silk production. Discover every step of the production. Then visit the isolated Banteay Top, a magnificent ancient temple. Arrival at Banteay Chmar in the late morning and discover the temple of Banteay Chhmar, meaning “Narrow Fortress”, dating from the late 12th to the early 13th century . It is thought to have been built by Jayarvarman II and was later rebuilt by Jayarvarman VII as a funerary temple for his sons and four generals who had been killed in a battle repelling a Cham invasion in 1177. In the afternoon, take a tour around the village to discover the daily life of Khmer people, and pass through some beautiful rice paddies before continuing the road to Battambang. We will arrive Battambang in the late afternoon.

Optional:

Boat cruise from Siem Reap to Battambang during the high water level season.
Note: From March to June / July, the water level may be too low to navigate and therefore this tour may not be operated.

After breakfast, we drive to the fishing village of Chong Kneas and board a traditional wooden riverboat for a 6 to 7-hour cruise towards Battambang. First, cross Tonle Sap Lake to reach the Sangker River and then, sailing upstream discover the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve, a migratory bird sanctuary, and see the floating villages where traditional fishing methods are still preserved. Have a picnic lunch on board. Upon arrival in Battambang transfer and check-in hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang

Day 8: Battambang (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we visit the traditional house at Phum Wat Kor then drive along the Sanker River through the charming country side until Wat Ek Phnom Temple (11th century). On the way back, we visit Wat Slaket Pagoda, and Prahok Market (Prahok is the Cambodian fermented fish paste). In the afternoon, experience a 2-hour sightseeing tour aboard a bamboo train, the old means of transportation. Enjoy the beautiful village landscapes, rice fields and then return to Battambang to visit the Provincial Museum and stroll through the town center with your guide and admire its colonial architecture and Chinese shop-houses and colorful temples.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang

Day 9: Battambang - Kompong Chhnang – Phnom Penh(B/L/-)

Battambang - Phnom Penh: 294km, ~5h5min drive

After breakfast, we drive towards Kompong Chhnang through the fertile rice fields of the western Cambodia, known as the granary of the country. En route, we take a boat trip to the floating village of Kompong Luong. Visit the pottery villages around Kompong Chhnang the “Port of the Pottery”, located at the confluence of Tonle Sap Lake and Tonle Sap River.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue driving towards Phnom Penh. En route, we will stop at the abandoned royal city of Oudong (early 17th century) and visit the temples and stupas that cover the hills. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, check-in hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 10: Phnom Penh - Departure (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, you can visit the Russian Market if time permits before our driver meet and transfer you to Phnom Penh airport for your departure flight.  End of services.

Meals Included: Breakfast