Cambodia Tours

ARRIVE PHNOM PENH
Arrive Phnom Penh, transfer to The Amanjaya Pancam Hotel  and check-in to deluxe room for 3 night stay.

In the afternoon, explore the stunning Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. Enter the Throne Hall where the royal receptions are held, see the Napoleon III Pavilion made from iron, a gift from the French emperor in the 19th century and continue to the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor, each weighing 1kg. Inside are some of the country's most cherished treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats. There is also a delicate emerald Buddha made of baccarat crystal, which gives the temple its Khmer name of Wat Preah Keo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Leave the Royal Palace and continue to the nearby National Museum, home to the world's finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period. The exquisite building was completed in 1920 and features collections from the pre-Angkor, Angkor and post-Angkor periods. Focus will be made on the incredible sandstone sculpture from Angkor, as well as the intricate bronzes.

PHNOM PENH
Today, come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge. Tuol Sleng was a former high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a centre for interrogation, torture and death. Today, it is known as 'The Museum of Torture' and serves to remind visitors of the terrible atrocities that came to pass in Cambodia. 17,000 people passed through the gates of this prison and only seven lived to tell the tale. The Khmer Rouge were meticulous in their record keeping, photographing all the prisoners and many of these haunting black and white images are on display in the cells. Tuol Sleng is a profoundly moving experience and not everyone will want to visit. However, it is key to understanding the hell into which Cambodia descended and how far it has come in the years since. Later, travel out of town to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Prisoners from Tuol Sleng followed this same route to their fate. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeung Ek was turned into an extermination camp for political prisoners. The remains of 8985 people were exhumed from mass graves and are kept in a memorial stupa here. Despite the horrors of the past, it is a peaceful place to go and a tranquil spot to reflect on the tragic events that engulfed Cambodia and its people. Back to Cambodia's present and future, lunch in the capital at PSE (a French NGO supporting children from the rubbish dump) where their Lotus Blanc restaurant serves excellent international and Asian cuisine. Take a tour of the PSE facilities where both schooling and work/life skills are available to the children and youths as a way of escaping the poverty of their lives spent on the city’s main rubbish dump.

In the afternoon, meet Em Theay, known as Cambodia’s Tenth Dancer, a classical dance icon who survived the Khmer Rouge period to help reshape The Royal Ballet of Cambodia. The 80 year old is a national treasure and is amazingly sprightly, and prepared to demonstrate both her dancing and singing skills, for those that want to get close to the story of how this art form very nearly disappeared from view, only to be resurrected by Em Theay and her colleagues. This is a truly unique experience. (B,L)

PHNOM PENH
This morning, head to one of the city’s most loved restaurants at 'Friends' where former street children are taught all aspects of the hospitality industry. You can enjoy a cooking class with the students, sharing their secrets and ending the morning by eating your own creations. The afternoon is free at your leisure. (B,L)

PHNOM PENH TO SIHANOUKVILLE  via NHCC PROJECT
In the morning, leave Phnom Penh and head out along National Highway 4 towards the south coast. En route, visit the New Hope For Cambodian Children’s village to see the work undertaken by John Tucker and his team in providing a safe and caring community environment for orphaned and abandoned children living with HIV/AIDS. Pause to pay your respects to Yeay Peau, a protective spirit who looks after travellers on the road at Pich Nil Pass, where the road cuts through Bokor and Kirirom National Parks to the east and west and is lined with shrines and incense. Continue south to the popular resort of Sihanoukville, home to Cambodia's finest beaches. Check into deluxe room at the Sokha Beach Resort Hotel for 3 night stay and leave the rest of the day free to enjoy the beautiful beaches and warm waters. (B)

SIHANOUKVILLE
Today, visit two organisations who are working to provide a better future for beach and street children in the area. M'Lop Tapang works together with the children and their families to provide help in accessing education and other services, whilst the Cambodian Children’s Painting Project makes art their major focus. At their centre, the children are encouraged to express themselves in daily activities of painting, drawing and other creative outlets.
Enjoy a healthy lunch at the Starfish Bakery, where you can also learn about the Starfish Project activities, which supports underprivileged children and the disabled. (B,L)

Day 6: SIHANOUKVILLE
Day free at leisure to enjoy the beaches of Sihanoukville. (B)

SIHANOUKVILLE TO BATTAMBANG via PHNOM PENH
Depart Sihanoukville and travel north to Phnom Penh where you will have an early lunch. Leave Phnom Penh and travel west towards Battambang province, the rice bowl of Cambodia. In Kompong Chhnang province, pay a visit to the Dreamcatcher Children’s hamlet, the home of 'Who Will', who are working to provide a safe environment and schooling for children from disadvantaged families in Phnom Penh.Continue northwest through Pursat province, passing through typical Cambodian landscapes of endless ricefields dotted with sugar palms. Arrive in the historic riverside city Battambang late afternoon and check into superior room at the La Villa Hotel for a 2 night stay. (B)

BATTAMBANG
After breakfast, travel to Wat Koh district to visit a local village and learn about rural life in Cambodia. Learn about the rice harvest, fruit farming and how the sugar palm is used. After your village visit, board the bamboo train to travel back towards Battambang. These 'local trains' are bamboo platforms with wheels and they fly along the rail tracks offering great views of the surrounding countryside. After lunch in town, travel to the hilltop temple of Wat Banan. The winding road follows the Sangker River and passes by many traditional wooden homes, offering an authentic glimpse of rural Cambodia. Arriving at the temple, ascend to the summit and you will berewarded with striking views of the surrounding plains. Continue to Phnom Sampeau, a sacred mountain dotted with interesting pagodas and stupas. There is also a moving memorial to Khmer Rouge victims who were thrown into one of the many caves that pepper this holy mountain. We then return to Battambang town for the night. In the evening, head out to the home of the innovative circus performers from the Phare Ponleu Selpak. Their weekly (every Monday & Thursday evening) circus show is open to the public and they display a variety of disciplines including acrobatics, choreography, juggling, clowning, live music and much more. An after-show dinner will also be arranged. Prior to the show, guests are encouraged to visit the visual arts exhibition at their headquarters on the outskirts of the city (B)

BATTAMBANG TO BANTEAY CHHMAR FOR TEMPLE SAFARI
After breakfast , depart Battambang and travel north towards the trading town of Svay Sisophon. Then travel to the incredible jungle temple of Banteay Chhmar, famous for its signature faces of Jayavarman VII. On arrival, see the magnificent carvings of Lokesvara with 32 arms, nicknamed lok sam-pee (Mr 32) by Khmers, as well as the beautiful Hall of Dancers, similar to the famous Preah Khan. You will be able to see up close the renovation work being undertaken at the temple by The Global Heritage Fund that is piecing together wall bas-reliefs that have been the target of looters over the years. After clambering about among this sleeping giant, continue to explore the outer complex, including the outer gate of Ta Prohm, like a smaller cousin of the impressive Angkor Thom gates and protected by a moat and the jungle-clad face-tower of Samnang Tasok.  Spend the night in a luxury tent close to the temple of Banteay Chhmar. (B,L,D)

BANTEAY CHHMAR TO SIEM REAP
After enjoying the sunrise at Banteay Chhmar, you will have some free time to explore more remote outer gates and temples around the main complex. Continue south to the enigmatic temple of Banteay Top. Here, the central tower has collapsed, only to be rebuilt and resembles a precarious tower of building blocks. Then journey south to the provincial capital of Svay Sisophon before continuing west to Siem Reap to the rural district of Puok, home to the Artisans d'Angkor silk weaving project. Visit a working silk farm where it is possible to learn about all aspects of the production process. Then transfer to The Hanumanalaya Boutique Residence Hotel to check-in to a deluxe room for a 4 night stay in Siem Reap. (B,L)

SIEM REAP
Today, travel back in time to one of the earliest capitals in the Angkor area, Hariharilaya, now known as Roluos. Begin with a visit to the brick temple of Lolei, originally set on an island in the centre of the Indratataka baray (reservoir). Continue to Preah Ko (sacred cow), named in honour of Shiva’s mount, Nandin. Originally coated in stucco and painted, there is still some of the ancient plaster visible on the rear towers. Finally, encounter Bakong, the earliest of the temple mountains, which later became the signature of Khmer kings. It is a giant pyramid, its cardinal points marked by giant elephants. Return to Siem Reap to visit the Prolung Khmer (‘Soul of Cambodia’) workshop which provides disadvantaged women with the necessary skills to weave fashionable woven goods like karmas. There is also a ceramics workshop and we can try our hand at a pottery class if time allows. In the afternoon, travel to the mighty temple of Preah Khan or 'Sacred Sword', built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Sister temple to Ta Prohm, the cruciform corridors here are impressive and there are some wonderful carvings adorning the walls, including the spectacular hall of dancers. Then continue on to the elegant curves of Neak Poan. This petite temple is the ultimate ornamental fountain, its series of elaborate spouts including the heads of lions and elephants. Finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside. (B)

SIEM REAP
Rise early to travel to Ta Prohm in the dawn light. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones. After soaking up the unique atmosphere of Ta Prohm, continue to the giant pyramid of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area. Built at the end of the 10th century, it was never completed. This morning we also visit the remains of an old Angkorian bridge which once spanned the Siem Reap river. There is also the option to visit the smaller temples of Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon for avid temple enthusiasts.  For lunch, head to the Sala Bai hotel and restaurant school which trains disadvantaged young people in all aspects of the hospitality industry. After lunch, head to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back to Siem Reap, visit the Angkor Butterfly Farm, home to thousands of butterflies, as well as the Cambodia Landmine Museum, to learn more about the scourge of landmines and the shadow they cast over rural communities in Cambodia with a visit to this flagship museum promoting mine awareness and education. Later, visit the 12th century temple of Banteay Samre. Built by King Suryavarman II, the genius behind Angkor Wat, this temple has been extensively restored. (B,L)

SIEM REAP TO PHNOM PENH
Rising at the crack of dawn, journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor.  Stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet, beginning at the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. As you leave, call into the display office of the German Apsara Conservation Project (GACP) which is dedicated to preserving the apsaras and other bas-reliefs on the walls of Angkor Wat. Directly opposite the entrance to Angkor Wat is the Angkor Café where you can enjoy  lunch and also marvel at the superb handicrafts of the Artisans d’Angkor artists.  In the afternoon, we visit the immense walled city of Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. The scale is simply staggering and we are immediately overwhelmed by the audacity of Jayavarman on arrival at the city’s gates. Begin your visit at the Terrace of the Leper King, continue along the Terrace of Elephant and visit the Baphuon, one of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the 11th century. It has undergone a massive renovation by the French and is now once again open for viewing. Our climax is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. Unravel the mysteries of the temple’s bas-reliefs, with their intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and their snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period. Then transfer to the airport for flight to Phnom Penh for overnight stay. (B)

PHNOM PENH
Taking a break from the temples, travel out to the mighty Tonle Sap Lake to visit the floating village of Chong Kneas. Nestled under the hill of Phnom Krom, this floating community moves location with the waters of the lake. Everything floats on water in this living fishing community and if interested, you can also make a stop at the Gecko Environment Centre to learn more about the lake. Returning to Siem Reap, you can enjoy an optional massage with the Seeing Hands cooperative who employ masseurs that are blind and visually impaired or consider a yoga session with a local yoga practitioner before transferring to the airport for your departure flight. (B)