LEISURE OF CAMBODIA
Moving to Cambodia can be a real adventure, whether you are going to work or you are retiring there. There is so much to do and discover in this South-East Asian country during your leisure time. In fact, various leisure activities are available in most of its cities, and even in rural regions thanks to its breathtaking landscape and the numerous historical and cultural places of interest it hosts. Hence, you are definitely not likely to get bored.
Day 1
Arrive-Siem Reap
Arrive at Siem Reap international airport, Welcome and transfer to hotel.
PM: Visit to to temples of Kravan the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls, East Mebon is a small temple built in 9th century, in the reign of king Rajendravarman, who named the temple ‘Yashodharatataka’ (the reservoir of Yashodhara). A thousand years ago, the waters of the East Baray would have lapped around the temple’s foundations, but nowadays it has completely dried up. And Pre Rup built in 10th century and is perhaps the best example of temple-mountain style structure. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 2
Siem Reap, Angkor (B) Breakfast at hotel.
AM: Visit to temples Banteay Srei (citadel of women) the 10th century temple dedicated to Shiva, built with pink sandstone, on the main interest are the tree central towers which are decorated with male and female divinities, and Banteay Samre a large, comparatively flat temple displaying distinctively Angkor Wat-Style architecture and artistry and many of the carvings are in excellent condition. PM: Visit to temples of Neak Pean built by King Jayavarman VII (ruled 1181 to 1201), it is a Buddhist temple consisting of a square pool with four smaller square pools arranged on each axis. In the center of the large central pool is a circular island encircled by two Nagas with intertwined tails, Preah Khan a temple built by King Jayavarman VII with towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting, Visit to Ta Prohm temple one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 3
Siem Reap, Angkor (B) Breakfast at hotel.
AM: Visit to South gate, temples of Bayon is the temple mountain that stands at the center of Angkor and one of the most popular of Angkor’s monument and an amazing collection of towers with smiling faces, Ba puon the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount Meru and marks the center of the city that was here before Angkor Thom, Phimean Akas near the center of what was once the royal palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means ‘Celestial Palace’, Leper King and Elephant terraces this terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies and was a base for the Kings grand audience hall. The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the retaining walls.
PM: Visit to temple Angkor Wat a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It is the world famous for its beauty and splendor. In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site. sun set view from the top of Bakheng hill. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 4
Siem Reap – Battambang (B)
Early morning transfer to Tonle Sap river. For boarding the boat to Battambong by passing the fishermen villages and Bird sanctuary (from July to January). On arrival in Battambong, transfer to hotel. Rest of day is free. Arrive Battambang in the late afternoon. Check in hotel, and walk through the town of Battambang to discover its beautiful colonial architecture. Overnight in Battambang.
Day 5
Battambang (B)
After breakfast, visit to Battambang market and car transfer to the outskirts to visit Banorn temple built in 11th century with its five sandstone towers. Enjoy a magnificent view from the top of the hill, return to the city with visit on the way to the former Khmer Rouge killing field at Phnom Sam Pov and temple of Ek Phnom, Hindu temple built in 11th century under King Suryavarman I. It consists of prasats on a platform with some carvings in pretty good condition, on the way back to the town you have chance to observe livelihood of local villager that some families produce rice paper for spring roll, Overnight in Battambang.
Day 6
Battambang – Pursat – Kampong Chnang – Phnom Penh (B)
Headed to Phnom Penh by national road #5 towards Pursat, Kampong Chnang, and Phnom Penh, Stop at Pursat the fourth biggest province in Cambodia, the town located right in the middle between Tonle Sap and cardamom mountains on the riverbank of Stung Pursat, the only attraction in town is the marble workshops near the bridge on the main street. The precious marble stone originate from the cardamoms, then they are brought here for carving in variety artifact such as Buddha status, animals…etc. Then continue to Kampong Chnang (Clay Pot Port) province is an easygoing river town saturated with colonial architecture and harbor zone with floating villages. Surrounded by picturesque Cambodian country side and only 91km from Phnom Penh, The area is famed for its skilled potters, some of whom are itinerant and can be seen hawking their wares from an ox-cart throughout Cambodia. Due to its location next to the Tonle Sap Lake Kampong Chhnang’s population is predominantly in fishery and rice plantation involved. En route we stop at the pottery village to observe the activities of villager those handmade clay pot. Continue to Phnom Penh the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 7
Phnom Penh (B) Breakfast at hotel.
AM: Visit to Royal Palace is a good example of classic Khmer architecture found in Cambodia and is the residence of his Majesty King Norodom Sihamony, Silver pagoda is a royal temple cover with more than 5000 silver tiles, its main building houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Most notable is a small 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha (the “Emerald Buddha” of Cambodia) and a near-life-size, Maitreya Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds dressed in royal regalia commissioned by King Sisowath. National museum that many of the Khmer’s most important work of arts can be found here.
PM: Visit to Wat Phnom is Phnom Penh symbol, and a distinctly historical place. It is site on an artificial hillock north of the city. Built in 1434 to commemorate a woman named Penh who reputedly discovered four scared Buddha images, Tuol Sleng a former high school was turned to a torture center and prison during Khmer Rouge that was known as S21. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 8
Phnom Penh – Departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure till transfer to airport for departure.
