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

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.

This afternoon, we depart on a walking and driving tour that will take you on a fascinating discovery of Cambodian architecture from both the colonial times and the late 1950s and 1960s - a culturally and politically vibrant time. During that era, an en vogue ‘New Khmer Architecture’ movement was emerging, uniquely focused on integrating international style with local traditions, materials and climate.

This evening, you can indulge in a delicious welcome dinner at one of Phnom Penh’s top addresses for authentic Khmer cuisine.

Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 2: Phnom Penh City (B/L/-)

After breakfast at hotel, we spend the morning exploring the local market and learning about Khmer cuisine. Despite its cuisine not as well-known as its neighboring countries, Cambodia has a great variety of national dishes and the guide will offer insights into the country’s culinary heritage. Cycling from hotel to the market, before walking through the aisles of different fruits, herbs and vegetables, you will be explained how they are used in Khmer cuisine. We can try some seasonal, local fruits along the way. The walking tour will last about two hours before continuing to a local restaurant which uses many of the ingredients seen at the market. Various dishes are ready cooked, and you can order “num pang” (French-style baguettes) and the tasty “nom banh chok”. This tour is ideal for foodies and lovers of local, non-touristy experiences.

In the afternoon, we visit the most remarkable sights Phnom Penh has to offer. First, head to the National Museum, which houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. More than 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony! Continue along the lively riverfront to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the 5000+ heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”, and in this temple guests will be able to view a collection of Buddha’s in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.

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

Day 3: Phnom Penh - Battambang (B/L/-)

Phnom Penh - Oudong: 39km, ~ 1h drive; Oudong – Battambang: 290km, ~4h drive

After breakfast, we travel by private vehicle along scenic back roads to Cambodia’s former capital, Oudong (transfer time: one hour), about 39km from Phnom Penh. En route we will pass rural villages, local pagodas and scenic rice paddies before reaching the main hill of Oudong. Visit a family that produces palm sugar at their house, before climbing to the top of the stupa-filled hill of Oudong for great views over the rural plains. Enjoy an early local style lunch in the picnic huts at the foot of the mountain.

Continue to Battambang. Even though Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city, the atmosphere is very laid-back, and this charming and relaxed river town is full of fine examples of French-colonial architecture.

Optional: Phare Ponleu Selpak

A special visit awaits at Phare Ponleu Selpak. A school of music, visual & performing arts,  Phare Ponleu Selpak uses the arts to provide education, support and entertainment to poor communities. This project is an example of how humanitarian aid work can turn into a display of zest for life, genuine warmth and creativity, against all odds. A visit to one of their circus shows will leave guests with a lasting memory of the wonderful Cambodian people and should not be missed when in Battambang. (Note: The circus performance is only performed regularly on Mondays & Thursdays. On other days private performances are available on request and for a supplement).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang

Day 4: Battambang (B/-/D)

Battambang’s countryside makes this pleasant town a real treat. It is situated along the Sangker River, a quiet body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province and connects the Cardamom Mountains with the Tonle Sap Lake and feeds water into the paddy fields. This results in Cambodia’s best rice, which can be found here in Battambang Province.

This morning after breakfast, you will be taken to some of the many cultural villages around Battambang to learn how the locals produce rice paper, “prahoc” (typical Cambodian fish paste), “grolan” (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo) and other Cambodian treats. You will also visit a weaving and handicraft center in another village.

Afterwards, we take a short ride on the famous Bamboo Train, an original means of transportation on the old train tracks leading to Phnom Penh – a true rollercoaster ride without loops! (Note: the train tracks from Battambang to Phnom Penh are currently being rebuilt. The long-term future of the Bamboo Train cannot be guaranteed. Should the service stop we will arrange alternative sightseeing).

In the afternoon, we explore another side of Battambang. Take a relaxing cyclo ride around the town with an audio set providing an informative guide to the history of the town. You can sit back and relax as the cyclo driver takes them on a 2.5-hour ride around the colonial streets, markets and temples. The audio set narrates short anecdotes of the city’s many highlights in English or French. At many, you can stop and walk around the points of interest before moving on the next stop. (Note: only two cyclos are available with one person per cyclo only).

Afterwards, we head to Jaan Bai, which means “rice bowl” in Khmer. This is a social enterprise run by the Cambodian Children’s Trust, which is working to break the cycle of poverty in Battambang by empowering underprivileged children. This training and development restaurant is located in an original French colonial building in the heart of Battambang. Jaan Bai uses seasonal organic produce sourced from their kitchen garden, local farmers and neighboring markets to create a tasty menu showcasing the best of South East Asian cuisine with Western influences.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang

Day 5: Battambang - Siem Riep (B/L/-)

Battambang - Siem Riep: 174km, ~ 3h drive

Breakfast is served at hotel. Our day starts with a boat ride along the Stung Sangker River to the Prek Toal bird sanctuary - one of the most important breeding grounds for water birds in the region. Continue along the edge of the largest freshwater lake in Asia, Tonlé Sap - an exceptional water system which swells to almost five times its size during the rainy season. The water of the Tonlé Sap River is pushed back from the Mekong, reversing the direction of the lake’s flow in the rainy season and causing it to overflow, flooding nearby fields and forests and supporting an extraordinarily rich and diverse eco-system. The lake is also an important breeding ground for fish, providing more than half of the amount of fish consumed in Cambodia. This unique water system requires the people living of the lake to adapt to the living conditions. You will see many villages on the way where people live on stilted or entirely floating houses, before arriving at a port just a short drive from Siem Reap town. The boat trip takes 6-7 hours depending on water levels and is a slow, but beautiful journey to take. You can put your feet up, watch village and lake life and read a book as they sail from Battambang to Siem Reap.

(Note: This boat trip is only possible in the high water period from July to December as water levels are too low during the dry season and transfer times can be extremely long. From January to June alternative transfer by road.)

In mid to late afternoon, we will arrive in Siem Reap, the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor and a charming little city. The rest of the day is at leisure.

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

Day 6: Siem Riep - Rolous Group – Angkor Wat (B/L/-)

After having breakfast at hotel, we start our day by visiting Roluos Group of temples built between 877-889, situated 13km from Siemreap. They were constructed when the ancient Khmers created their first settlement in the Angkor region. There are 3 temples: Bakong is the most impressive temple, much older than Angkor Wat with beautiful carvings on its lintels that are still in good shape. Preahko temple is close to the main temple Bakong and consists of 6 elegant brick towers with exquisite decoration and statues of Nandi, Shiva's sacred bull. Lolei temple constructed in 893, is an island temple dedicated to members of the royal family and the Hindu God Shiva. 

In the afternoon, we visit 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 Rie

Day 7: Siem Riep - Banteay Srei – Angkor Thom (B/L/D)

Siem Riep - Banteay Srei: 37km, ~ 45min drive

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 then back to visit Banteay Samre temple in the Angkor Wat style. Afternoon, transfer to 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.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at the Apsara Terrace of the Raffles Hotel, including the famous Apsara Show. Located in lush gardens and surrounded by traditional boundary stones, an Apsara Show is an essential experience while in Cambodia and features traditional Cambodian dances and Khmer martial arts, accompanied by a delightful selection of pan-Asian barbecued cuisine. This distinctive Cambodian venue is very versatile and can be used for parties, barbecues and pre-dinner cocktails. (Mon/Wed/Fri throughout the year).

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

Day 8: Siem Riep - Petit Circuit – Grand Circuit (B/L/D)

Morning after breakfast, we visit to the “Small Circuit” group of temples including: Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees. This is one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects dedicated to his mother, Thommanon built at the same time with Angkor Wat and Chau Say Tevoda temple, Banteay Kdei – surrounded by four concentric walls, Srah Srang – “The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing and Ta Keo known as “ The mountain with golden peaks” dedicated to Hindu God Shiva.
The afternoon spent for visiting the “Grand Circuit” including: Pre Rup- a temple-mountain with beautiful bas reliefs and excellent views of the surrounding countryside, East Mebon- a large temple – mountain dedicated to Shiva in honor of the king’s parents, Tasom- the most distant temple of the Grand Circuit, Neak pean a small island temple originally dedicated to Buddha and the Preah Khan dedicated to Jayavarman VII's father.

As this is the last evening in Cambodia, you will enjoy dinner at the renowned Cuisine Wat Damnak. This restaurant was founded on the simple concept of using only local fresh seasonal produce to create exquisite Cambodian food. The head chef and owner, Joannès Rivière, has a reputation as one of the top chefs in Cambodia and is the author of the book, ‘Cambodian Cooking’ - one of the first cookbooks on Khmer cuisine.  (Note: closed mid-Aug to mid-Oct and Sunday/Monday weekly. Only five- or six-course menus are served and change weekly, according to the seasonal produce available. Special requirements and requested reservation time is required in advance).

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

Day 9: Siem Riep - Departure (B/-/-)

Siem Riep - Airport: 8km, 15min drive

After breakfast, time is free until our driver meet and transfer you to airport for your flight to next destination.  End of our services!

Meals Included: Breakfast