Cambodia 5 Nights 6 Days

After breakfast, your tour begins with a visit to The Royal Palace, the grand residence of Cambodia’s beloved King, originally built by the French in 1866. The main building on the grounds is the Throne Room, constructed in 1917 in traditional Khmer style, featuring a tiered roof and a 59-meter tower inspired by Angkor Thom’s Bayon Temple. Also within the Royal Palace compound is the stunning Silver Pagoda, named for its floor made up of more than 5,000 silver tiles, weighing nearly 6 tons. The pagoda houses a magnificent 17th-century Emerald Buddha statue and a 90 kg gold Buddha adorned with 9,584 diamonds.

Next, you will visit Wat Phnom, the city's most important temple, situated on a 27-meter-high man-made hill. The temple is named after a wealthy widow who built a small pagoda here after discovering four Buddha statues floating in the river. As you explore, you’ll learn about the legend behind this temple while enjoying the scenic views.

Understanding Cambodia’s harrowing history under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime is essential, though deeply upsetting. For those who are willing, we offer a visit to the S-21 (Tuol Sleng) prison camp for a detailed account of the atrocities that occurred there, followed by a trip to Choeung Ek, known as “The Killing Fields.” This seemingly peaceful area, located 17 kilometers from Phnom Penh, was the final destination for many. Today, it is home to a memorial stupa containing over 5,000 skulls, allowing the Khmer people to honor their ancestors who perished under Pol Pot’s regime.

Leaving behind the relics of Cambodia’s dark history, you’ll visit the bustling Russian Market to experience the daily activities of the locals. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, you will be transferred by our driver (without a guide) to the airport or bus station for your flight or express bus to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a local tour guide and transferred to downtown. Check-in at your hotel (standard check-in time is 2 PM).

In the afternoon, we'll visit Wat Bo, a highly respected pagoda founded in the 18th century, known for its unique wall paintings of the Reamker (Ramayana) from the late 19th century. We will then continue to "Les Artisans d'Angkor – Chantiers Ecole," where you'll explore the finest authentic Khmer arts and crafts. Our day will conclude with a visit to Psar Chars, also known as the “Old Market,” one of the city's lively open markets where you can find just about anything. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we will begin our exploration of Angkor Thom through its South Gate, often referred to as Big Angkor. This expansive royal city, covering 3 square kilometers and surrounded by walls and moats, was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. Our first stop is the renowned Bayon Temple, an architectural masterpiece known for its intricate construction that evolved over more than a century.

Next, we'll visit the Terrace of the Elephants, an impressive wall approximately two and a half meters high and 300 meters long, adorned with carved elephants and other intricate designs. This terrace stretches through the heart of Angkor Thom, situated in front of the majestic Baphuon temple mountain, and includes the Royal Palace Area and the Phimeanakas—a striking sandstone pyramid.

At the northern end of the Terrace of the Elephants, we'll explore the Terrace of the Leper King, a double terrace featuring deeply carved nagas, demons, and other mythological figures. Our final morning visit will be to Ta Prohm Temple, a stunning blend of human ingenuity and natural beauty, where giant trees have intertwined with the ancient structures for centuries.

In the afternoon, we'll travel overland to visit the highlights of the Grand Circuit, including:

• Preah Khan: Meaning "The Sacred Sword," this temple was also built by Jayawarman VII and is famous for its extensive cruciform corridors and delicate carvings.
• Neak Pean: A beautiful example of Khmer art, this temple was constructed by Jayavarman VII and symbolizes heaven on earth.
• Ta Som: A small, classic Bayon-style monastic complex with a relatively flat enclosure.
• East Mebon: Built in the 10th century by Rajendravarman, this temple is located on a small island in the middle of the Eastern Baray reservoir.
• Pre Rup: Another 10th-century temple constructed by Rajendravarman.

After a day rich with cultural and historical discoveries, we will return to Siem Reap for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we'll visit the Chong Kneas Floating Villages, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Here, we'll take a ride in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap, Cambodia's "Great Lake" and the largest lake in Asia. This excursion offers a glimpse into the Khmer way of life on the Tonle Sap.

In the afternoon, we'll explore the iconic Angkor Wat temple, one of the wonders of the oriental world and a masterpiece of both decorative details and architectural style. The awe-inspiring ruins stand as a testament to the remarkable achievements of Southeast Asia's greatest civilization. Angkor Wat is designed as a replica of the universe according to Hindu mythology, with Mount Meru at its center, surrounded by continents and oceans. The temple’s extraordinary bas-reliefs depict various Khmer epics and myths. Angkor Wat's five famous towers rise majestically into the sky, surrounded by numerous galleries, adorned with bas-reliefs, stone images of celestial Apsara dancers, portals, chambers, and courtyards.

We'll end the day by enjoying the sunset at Phnom Bakheng, which rises nearly 70 meters above the plain where the other temples are located, offering a magnificent view of Angkor. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure until check-out time and transfer to the airport with driver only (no guide) for the departure flight back to your sweet home.