Sneak peek of a few highlights
DAY01: Arrival in Siem Reap
Welcome to the Kingdom of Cambodia! Arrival in Siem Reap and transfer by air conditioned vehicle to the hotel. Cambodia is much more than temples. Its history is both inspiring and sobering, uplifting and heartbreaking. Visit Siem Reap’s magnificent temples, abandoned centuries ago by the Khmer kingdom and now surrounded by its lush forests. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and all contact information of your guide and local offices.
18:30 – 21:30: Welcome dinner with a Cambodian Set Menu featuring a traditional Khmer Dance Performance at Por Cuisine (incl. one drink, choice of beer, soft drink, water or juice.)
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meal(s): Dinner
DAY02: Siem Reap
Wake before sunrise this morning and make the 15-minute journey with your guide by tuk tuk to Angkor Wat, a legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site. Said by some to symbolize the soul of the Khmer people, the magnificent temple was built during the reign of King Suryavaman II in the early 12th century. Historians believe that many of the fascinating bas reliefs and stone carvings immortalize many of the mighty king’s wars. Images of Apsara dancers decorate the five famous towers which replicate the universe according to Hindu mythology.
Your guide will take you to a serene viewpoint where you can experience the dramatic sunrise as the first rays of the day kiss the magnificent temple good morning. Continue with your guide to explore the Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive temples constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries and the largest Hindu structure in the world. The temple is home to hundreds of fine carvings of Apsara and Hindu mythology. Stroll around the massive hallways to discover small shrines still in use today by the local people.
Enjoy boxed breakfast (arranged by the hotel) and a coffee break at a traditional Khmer House and opportunity to interact with the local family.
Enjoy a Zipline Canopy Tour Inside Angkor Park, the only Zipline inside the UNESCO World Heritage designated Angkor Archaeological Park. Nestled in the rainforest, not far from the majestic temples of Angkor, prepare to soar on ziplines, traverse suspended sky bridges, abseil from towering trees, be amazed by the majesty and magic of the rainforest, and fly like never before. Get fitted into a helmet and harness during a safety briefing for your Flight of the Gibbon Zipline Adventure. Built to ensure both fun and safety, the 2-hour course will be a hit for children (ages 6 and up) and adults alike. Bound from platform to platform, 21 in total, to explore the rainforest canopy. Zoom along 10 cables of varying lengths and heights, then trek across four sky bridges, ascend seven staircases and scramble into a tree house.
Lunch at a local restaurant (Khmer Set Menu).This afternoon, continue to visit the picturesque Ta Prohm.
This beautiful temple is one of Angkor’s most impressive structures and is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting and exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of the trees have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘lost city’ feeling.
Enjoy the Circus Performance SEAT-A
After having performed in many countries around the world, the talented artistes from the famous Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang have now brought their exciting and energetic circus show to Siem Reap. Watch this unique show which combines traditional and modern theatre, music, dance and acrobatics. The beautifully choreographed and energetically performed show tells a story about Cambodian contemporary life in an ever changing society.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
DAY02: Siem Reap
We will explore how the Cambodian people are making Khmer rice noodles or Nom Banh Chok.
Preah Dak village is one the most beautiful villages nearby the temples. The village is popular in the entire region for its rice noodles. Enjoy a bowl of Nom Banh Chok for your traditional breakfast before we will continue to another small village where we will observe street vendors preparing palm sugar. Palm trees are very important for Khmer people as they use most of the plant including the stem, leaves, trunk, fruits and flowers. They create a palm juice with a distinct smell and flavor that is mainly for local consumption.
Later-on we will visit Banteay Srei, which is one of the most romantic temples in Angkor. Built from pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy.
The fortified city of Angkor Thom covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats; the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down from every angle.
Travel off the beaten track on a quad bike and discover villages and temples not on the usual tourist trail. After a thorough safety briefing, start up your quad bike and begin the drive through the scenic countryside, past lush rice fields, local farms and houses on stilts. Stop for photos while getting an insight into the rural way of life and the friendly locals. Navigate your way through the forest along tracks that cars and tuk-tuks cannot go.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meal(s): Breakfast
DAY04:Siem Reap
Visit the Visitor Center of APOPO
Witness how Giant African Pouched Rats are being trained to save lives! APOPO's visitor centre gives us the chance to discover the history of conflict in Cambodia and the impact of landmines on the local communities. We'll even get the opportunity to meet and see the 'hero-rats' in action.
Later, visit the Chantiers Ecoles or Artisans d’Angkor. Les Chantiers Ecoles is a vocational center that trains 650 apprentices a year including 160 in fine arts and crafts trades united in the Artisan d’Angkor production network. Wander through the different workshops like stone sculpture, woodcarving and polychrome, then have the opportunity to watch the artisans at work.
Transfer to the airport by air conditioned vehicle for your departure from Cambodia.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Things we include...
• All services as mentioned in your itinerary.
• Accommodation at the above mentioned hotel based on twin/double sharing room
• Tour guide services provided in English language.
• Ground transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicle.
• Drinking water and cold towels during sightseeing.
• Multi-lingual 24-hour customer support hotline in all destinations.
• Fully licensed and insured to international standard.
• All applicable local taxes.
Things we don’t include...
• Visa fees
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• International flights
• PCS-Test
Things you need to know...
• Additional airfare, airport taxes and fuel surcharges may apply.
• Current fuel surcharges are included, however, these are subject to change prior to tour start date.
• Additional charges may apply if changes or cancellations are made to flight tickets. We will notify you if ticket issuance deadlines are outside our standard terms and conditions.
• Breakfast box in case of very early morning departures.
• Where an extra bed is not available, a single supplement charge will be added for additional room.
• Where an extra bed is available, an ‘Extra Bed’ charge will be added.
• Infants under 2 years old are free of charge when travelling with a paying adult.
• Children under 12 years old receive a 30% discount when sharing existing bedding.
• If you have decided to travel on a local holiday or festival, certain rates may be higher. We will let you know right away if this condition applies to you.
• Accommodation is subject to availability until you have confirmed your booking and paid any relevant deposits.
• In the event your chosen hotel is not available alternatives will be offered.