Number of days: 9Ds/8Ns
Key locations: Phnom Penh, Battambang, and Siem Reap.
Summary
Explore Cambodia with a comprehensive 9-day tour beginning in Phnom Penh, where you’ll visit landmarks like the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Experience local culture through a tuk-tuk tour of Mekong Island and a visit to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Travel to Battambang to see French colonial architecture, ancient temples, and enjoy a sunset view from Phnom Sampov. In Siem Reap, discover the grandeur of Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple, and explore Banteay Srey and Banteay Samre. Experience local life with visits to silk farms, traditional villages, and enjoy cultural performances including the Apsara Show and Phare Circus. The tour concludes with free time and a farewell dinner before departing.
Highlights
- Phnom Penh – The capital city, known for its historical and cultural landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
- Battambang – Renowned for its French colonial architecture and local attractions such as ancient temples, Phnom Sampov, and the bamboo train.
- Siem Reap – Famous for its proximity to Angkor Wat and other Angkorian temples, as well as local cultural experiences like the Apsara Show and Phare Circus.
Arrival Phnom Penh, after formalization of immigration you’ll meet with guide and driver then transfer to your hotel check in follow by free time. In the evening transfer to local restaurant for welcome dinner.
In the morning, embark on the tour of city highlights and our guide will show all the key highlights including the fascinating Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, and Wat Phnom.
Phnom Penh, also known as the “Pearl of Asia”, serves as the capital and largest city of Cambodia. It has held this prestigious position since the time of the French protectorate over Cambodia. Over the years, Phnom Penh has evolved into the nation’s primary city, playing pivotal roles in economics, industry, and culture. Situated on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, it continues to captivate visitors with its unique blend of tradition and modernity.
In the afternoon, start by visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S21 Prison. This museum stands as a memorial site for the S-21 interrogation and detention center during the Khmer Rouge regime. Originally a school, it was tragically transformed into a prison where thousands of Cambodians were imprisoned, tortured, and killed during the Cambodian genocide 123. Afterward, explore the vibrant Central Market, a historic and cultural hub in Phnom Penh. Built in 1937, this bright yellow art deco landmark features a 26-meter-high central dome and four arch-roofed arms branching out diagonally across the block 4.”
In the morning, set off from hotel by Tuk Tuk tour and begin your discovery of Mekong Island, which is known as silk island, its famous of Silk Weaving. you’ll also taking a local ferry to cross Mighty Mekong.
Today after breakfast, depart by private transfer to Battambang 290Km distance approximately 4hours drive. Battambang city is famous for its French colonial architecture, fertile soil and rubies and garnets mined in this province. After lunch, you’ll begin your tour by visiting an ancient house, Phnom Banan, an 11th century temple built by King Jarvarman VII. Located on top of a 400m hill, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. The mountain site, Phnom Sampov, the killing cave, and end day watch sunset observing thousands of bate leaving the caves for hunting foods. Transfer back to town and evening enjoy dinner at Jaan Bai Restaurant, it’s a social enterprise restaurant initiative of Cambodian Children’s Trust, providing employment for Cambodian youth.
In the morning, spend half day morning exploring local market at Phsar Nat the biggest market in the heart of the city center and after that embark the bamboo train experience, or nori, is essentially a bamboo flatbed on wheels, which is powered by a small motorcycle or tractor engine operate on a railway. Phsar Prahok, a famous Khmer fermented fish paste, as well as visit local family making rice papers, and banana chips.
In the morning, the day begins at the South Gate of Angkor Thom to explore the centerpiece of this ancient city, Bayon. The Bayon encloses 54 towers decorated with more than 200 enigmatic, smiling stone faces. This morning tour you’ll visit Elephant terrace, the terrace of leper kings as well as Ta Prohm temple.
Lunch break at local restaurants at Srah Srang. In the afternoon the tour visits the famous Angkor Wat – the best preserved of all the Angkor temples. Ending day enjoy dinner with APSARA show.
After breakfast, the tour heads to the exquisite Banteay Srey, “Citadel of the Woman”, home to some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art, followed by a tour of Banteay Samre as well as on the way back stop at Apopo visitor Centre is a must in Siem Reap. our guide, explained and demonstrated the live-saving work Apopo does with the HeroRATS. The rest of the day is free to
After breakfast, set off from your hotel transfer to approximately 35km outside of Siem Reap. Embark on a beautiful village tour with the journey passing through villages, serene rice paddies, a colorful pagoda, vegetable garden, and fish farm. Begin with a visit to a family that makes bamboo sticky rice called “Kralan,” a delicious Camodian delicacy. Whilst at the village, we will witness many activites such as blacksmithing, which helps the community create and maintain tools for farming as well as other traditional practices, such as craft weaving.
Next, we enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by a women’s association, set in a lovely location next to a lake, and surrounded by paddy fields.
After lunch, we will continue to Wat Lorm Proleung, an ancient pagoda. Here, you will be welcomed by a group of local musicians performing a traditional Chhai Yam dance, followed by a traditional monk blessing, to bring back home lifelong memories.
After that, heading to Kampong Khleang, a village built on stilts on Tonle Sap Lake. Home to approximately 10,000 people, Kampong Khleang’s residents’ main income comes from fishing. Depending on the time and season you visit Kampong Khleang, you will see a very different landscape, as the lake is tidal. Evening transfer for a farewell dinner at Chanrey Tree restaurant.
Free time until transfer to airport for departure flight home.