On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, meet your fellow travellers over welcome drinks while your Tour Leader explains some important details and logistics of the journey ahead.

Sun & Moon Urban Hotel or similar

After breakfast, head into town and visit Central Market, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts and jewellery. Explore “the old” Phnom Penh by cyclo, a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city. Afterwards head to the Royal Palace, the residence of King Norodom Sihamoni, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer art. Then, see Wat Phnom, the birthplace of the capital.

In the afternoon, visit the Toul Sleng Museum, formerly a High School which became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime. Continue southwards outside the city to Chong Ek, where you will visit the Killing Fields Memorial to learn more about the chilling history of Cambodia.

Sun & Moon Urban Hotel or similar

Breakfast

In the morning, enjoy an overland transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, making a stop at the infamous spider and insect market in Skun as well as the stone mason village near Santuk.

Then visit Kampong Phluk floating village, an isolated community of three villages built on stilts. These scenic villages are flooded approximately between August to February, enabling row boat journeys that provide income for the local community. You will take the small boat through the flooded mangrove forests; this unique ecosystem survives on wet soil for half the year, fostering a variety of wildlife. Return by boat and vehicle to Siem Reap and the balance of the day is at leisure.

Steung Siem Reap Hotel or similar

Breakfast and lunch

Don’t forget to set you’re alarm today as we start at pre-dawn to witness the breathtaking view of the Sunrise over Angkor Wat temple. Enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant before proceeding to the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom ‘Great City’. This will include many of the finest Temples of King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1220.

At the southern gate of Angkor Thom, you will marvel at the imposing 23m (75-foot) high stone faces of Avalokiteshvara, featured in the Tomb Raider movie. These astonishing carvings inspire awe and wonder in all who view them. At the center of this citadel lies the state temple of Bayon, which we will also visit. This temple-mountain, built at the end of the 12th century, is adorned with hundreds of gigantic stone faces.

This tour also includes the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King. Later in the day you will discover the most famous temples from the 11th century: Baphuon, Phimeanakas. Later visit Ta Prohm. It is unforgettable due to the massive trees with thick roots that entangle the walls. They were left here intentionally by the archaeologists working on the site. While clearing back the forest it was decided to leave them in place to serve as a reminder of how the original discovers found it and other temples. Many of the trees have grown around and through the remains, and soar high above the temple.

Steung Siem Reap Hotel or similar

Breakfast and dinner

Start your day with a visit to the local market at Damdek before continuing your journey to Beng Mealea temple. Beng Mealea is built from perfectly-squared sandstone blocks, still partly buried under vegetation. The temple’s outstanding decoration dates back to the first half of the 12th century, featuring pediments sculpted with narrative scenes from the Ramayana.

Enjoy some lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Banteay Srei temple, a small and intimate temple noted for its different style and colour. Stop and visit the Landmine Museum, before visiting a local village to see local sugar palm production. In the evening enjoy a sumptuous Khmer Farewell Dinner in a beautiful local restaurant.

Steung Siem Reap Hotel or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

It’s time to say goodbye, but just think of all the wonderful stories you will take home. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels.

Breakfast