Introducing Cambodia

Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh, where you are picked up by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Later we visit the spectacular Royal Palace complex, including Wat Preah Keo Morokat with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, decorated with a floor made up of 5,000 silver tiles, the National Museum which houses the world’s finest collection of sculptures from the Angkor period, Wat Phnom, the city’s landmark, and the notorious Toul Sleng Genocide Museum.

Day 2: We leave early today to explore some of the places of interest on our way to Siem Reap. The first stop is Udong, once Cambodia’s capital. There are a number of stupas on the top of nearby Phnom Udong, where former kings and queens are buried. We enjoy the magnificent views over the plains below as our guide provides us with information about the historical and cultural significance of this sacred hill, before we continue to Kompong Thom, where we climb the sacred hill of Phnom Santuk. There are over 800 steps to the top which is dotted with a number of pagodas, shrines and reclining Buddhas and enjoy once again the stunning view over the plains below. Back at the bottom of the hill we visit Santuk Silk Farm and learn more about silk production in Cambodia, from silkworm breeding to weaving fine garments. After lunch in Kompong Thom town we continue to Siem Reap, where we arrive in the early evening.

Day 3: Today we start our exploration of the temples of Angkor. We begin with a visit to the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom which also houses the Bayon with its mysterious four-faced towers, the royal palace and the terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. In the afternoon we explore Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building and national symbol of Cambodia. With its perfect layout and unsurpassed bas-reliefs that depict tales from Hindu mythology, Angkor Wat is considered the masterpiece of Khmer architecture. After lunch we visit the Ta Prohm which has been left to the forces of nature by archaeologists as it was rediscovered, many parts of its structure being embraced by the roots of gigantic trees, giving the ruin a special atmosphere, as well other structures on the Small and Grand Circuit. In the evening we witness the scenic sunset over one of the temples.

Day 4: Early in the morning we head to the temple mountain of Pre Rup, before driving further north to Banteay Srei. Compared to other structures, this Hindu temple almost seems petite, but is magnificently decorated with countless elaborate carvings which are the finest found in Cambodia. The name translates as “Citadel of the Women”, due to its intricate decoration. On the way back to Siem Reap we make a detour to the less frequently visited Banteay Samre. Built by King King Suryavarman II, the same king who built Angkor Wat, the structure with its high temple tower has undergone extensive restoration. In the afternoon we visit Neak Pean, a small island temple situated in the middle of an artificial pool, which translates as “intertwined serpents” due the coiled serpents encircling the base of the structure. We then continue on to Preah Khan or “sacred sword”, a huge monastic complex which features elaborate carvings.

Day 5: In the morning we visit the jungle temple of Beng Mealea. Built in the 12th century, but undiscovered for centuries after the demise of the Khmer empire, this temple has only recently made accessible and has not yet been restored. With its special atmosphere the structure is popular among photographers. After lunch we visit a floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake. This village is entirely built on stilts, some as high as 10 metres. We take time to look around the village and meet some of its inhabitants. As the water level of the Tonle Sap lake rises during the wet season, the entire area is submerged in water and we take boat to explore the community, whereas during the dry season we stroll through the forest of stilts supporting the entire village. Towards the evening we return to Siem Reap.

Day 6: Time free at leisure until your check out and transfer or the beginning of your onward programme.