CAMBODIA IMPRESSIVE
For decades off limits to all but the most intrepid travellers, today Southeast Asia’s Cambodia is a popular destination for all kinds of folks: from independent backpackers who roam far into the hinterland to luxury tourists who stay in style and experience Angkor Wat between massages and exquisite French meals. Tourism to Cambodia has exploded over the last two decades in two waves. The first was when security concerns were addressed, allowing easier access to Angkor and then, more recently, the second was when Cambodia’s stunning islands opened for business.
Day 1
Phnom Penh arrival
Upon arrival at Phnom Penh international airport, meet with your tour guide and driver to transfer to hotel for check in. This afternoon, discover the Phnom Penh City, visit Wat Phnom, an ancient pagoda stand up on the hill, Independence Monument commemorates the end of Cambodia’s ruled by France in 1953, Wat Unalom, the oldest Buddhist foundation in the city, probably predating the abandonment of the capital at Angkor in the 15th century. Continue your visit to the National Museum built in 1917-18 is exclusively dedicated to Khmer arts. Royal Palace built in 1866 and Silver Pagoda located within the Royal Palace compound. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 2
Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B, L)
After breakfast – Visit the famous Tuol Sleng Museum and Cheung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields, where large numbers of people were killed and buried in mass graves. We back to city and if time permit we will visit to Russian market before go for lunch and then transfer to Mekong Bus station for departure to Siem Reap (12.30pm – 18.30pm). On arrival your will be met our guide, then transfer direct to hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 3
Siem Reap –Temples (B, D)
Breakfast at hotel – Visit the Rolous group, the monuments of Rolous which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art, Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. Continue your visit to the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 4
Siem Reap –Temples (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel – Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century); See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex, cover 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 symbolizes the ocean beyond Sunset from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 5
Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Tonle Sap – Departure (B, L)
An early morning – we drive to visit the famous Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women) about 35 km from Siem Reap town, Visit to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art. Then continue your visit to Banteay Samre, build in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompany by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. We go back to Siem Reap and continue your visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia, and Les Artisan D’ Angkor. Free until transfer to Siem Reap Int’s Airport for departure. End of service!
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