CAMBODIA HIGHLIGHTS
from $445*
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5 days / 4 nights
Ref: CH-5D |
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• Majestic Angkor Wat • Charming Phnom Penh • Cyclo Tour • Voluptuous Apsaras •
• The 'Dark' Years • Royal Walled City • 'Tomb Raider' Temple • Cruise to Floating Villages •
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Day 1: Cyclo Tour of Phnom Penh
- / L / -
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You arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport in the morning where you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel. After a short break to allow you to freshen up you will be met by your cyclo drivers for the start of your city cyclo tour. The cyclo is the old fashioned mode of transport in Phnom Penh, and as you sit there being pedalled around at a sedate pace you can feel quite regal. A form of transport which if not experienced would leave any visit to Phnom Penh incomplete. Asia Adventures books its cyclo tours through the  ‘Cyclo Centre’ which is an organisation which works with many cyclo drivers, who are often amongst the poorest of the urban poor, providing them free health care, free dental check-ups, free haircuts (in partnership with another charity training abused women), and free English lessons, as well as a savings scheme. The Centre also provides the opportunity for drivers to purchase their own cyclo rather than having to rent them. Your first stop will be the 1917 terracotta red National Museum, the museum offers a charming setting for a comprehensive collection of Khmer art. Predominantly worked in stone, the sculptures date from both the Angkorian and pre-Angkorian eras, and includes many sculptures that have been removed from their natural temple settings for safe keeping. After this you will visit the nearby Royal Palace, on the banks of the mighty Mekong river.  Inside the Palace walls you will be treated to: the Throne Hall; the Chan Chaya Pavilion used for performances of classical dance; the Napoleon III Pavilion; and the King’s residential quarters. You will then move onto the neighbouring Silver Pagoda, so named as it is claimed its floor is made up of over 4,000 silver tiles! The Silver Pagoda is also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha as it houses a glittering array of Buddhist statues, the centre piece being a magnificent 17th century emerald Buddha statue made of baccarat crystal. The walls of the pagoda are lavishly decorated with colourful frescos depicting episodes from the Khmer version of the Ramayana. Your cyclo driver will then take you to a local restaurant for lunch. Afterwards it is back in the cyclos as you are pedaled to explore the ochre-coloured, impressive, art-deco Central Market, an iconic Phnom Penh landmark and a fascinating place to wander around, be careful not to get lost! When you are all ‘haggled’ out your cyclo driver will take you to the nearby French Quarter and Wat Phnom, the inconspicuous hill after which the city is named.  Today it is topped by a small pagoda and provides a shady area to wander around, see if you can spot the life size Koprey sculpture, Cambodia’s national animal, now thought to be extinct. There is a small exhibition hall here which often has interesting displays, and to the south-east is the Cambodia Handicraft Association’s boutique which has a good range of local crafts for sale which have been produced by various local village co-operatives – worth a look if you have the time. Your cyclo driver will then return you to your hotel where you are free for the rest of the evening. |
Day 2: Phnom Penh's Dark Past
B / - / D
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This morning you will learn about the dark side of Cambodia - its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Although this can be emotionally straining it is necessary in order to try and gain an insight of  what many of the Khmer people you will see whilst you are in Cambodia have endured, and an understanding of today’s Khmer society. Initially you will visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture centre. Once you have gained an initial insight of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime you will be driven 15km from Phnom Penh to visit the 'Killing Fields' or Choeung Ek. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting. You will return to Phnom Penh for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch you will be taken to the Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung), so called as during Cambodia’s international isolation in the 1980’s Russia was one of the few countries that supplied imports, many of those Russian imports where sold from this market. Today the market is a hive of activity and an excellent place for picking up souvenirs. There are stalls selling some very good Khmer antique reproductions, other stalls piled ceiling high with wonderful colourful silks, incredibly cheap clothing stalls, and of course those stalls selling pirated CDs, DVDs, and computer software. As well as the tourist orientated stalls there are also day-to-day sections  selling fruit and vegetables, a meat and fish market, as well as a range of stalls selling spare parts for the many motorbikes you see zipping around. After spending a couple of hours haggling you may be in need of a quick snack. Located close to the Russian Market are two very good cafés which you may want to try – Jars of Clay, and Café Yejj, both of which are training facilities for under privileged young adults. After leaving the Russian Market you will be taken back to the hotel where you will have time to freshen up before being treated to a Phnom Penh farewell dinner. |
Day 3: Siem Reap ~ The Small Circuit & Angkor Thom
B / L / -
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An early start as you are transferred to Phnom Penh International Airport for the first flight of the day to Siem Reap. On arrival, 50 minutes later, at Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel. After a short break to allow you to freshen up you will visit the Angkor Conservation Area, collect your entrance pass, and continue onto the Small Circuit. This tour includes the huge pyramid of Takeo built in the 10th century, and the jungle-clad Ta Prohm, made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Tomb Raider’. This temple has been left to the destructive power of the jungle and demonstrates the awesome power of nature. It has been largely consumed by the jungle and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. You continue to visit Sras Srang, known as the King's bathing pond, situated opposite the East Gate of Banteay Kdei. Finally, this morning you take in Prasat Kravan, an elegant brick temple from the 10th century with some fine brick carvings in the interior.  After this you return to town for a local lunch. After lunch you explore the impressive Angkor Thom, this Royal city was first built in the 11th century, destroyed, and subsequently renovated by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century. Its vast walls contain many beautiful monuments. You approach this ancient city via the South Gate which is flanked by demons and gods engaged in a tug-of-war over the elixir of immortality. Once through the gate you will visit the Bayon, a temple famed for its many gigantic carved faces smiling beguilingly down at you. You will also visit other important sites in this immense walled city, including the pyramid of Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and the royal viewing stands known as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. If you have the time your guide will take you to an excellent spot for watching a mesmerising Angkor Wat sunset. This evening is free at your leisure. |
Day 4: Banteay Srei & the Grand Circuit
B / - / D
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This morning you head 30km north to visit the captivating and beautiful temple of Banteay Srei or ‘Fortress of the Women’. The journey allows you to experience the beautiful Cambodian countryside as you pass through small typical villages, just ask your guide if you wish to stop off at any of these to witness modern day village life, which in reality has not changed too much since the days of the Angkor Empire. On route you will take a short diversion to Banteay Samre, a temple which has undergone extensive restoration, and in certain aspects resembles a mini Angkor Wat, with many of its carvings in excellent condition. Banteay Srei was built in the 10th century and is an elaborately decorated temple, embellished with floral motifs and scenes from the Ramayana, and was dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes.  It is said they must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. You will return to town for lunch. After lunch you continue your Angkor encounter with a visit to the spectacular temples of the Grand Circuit. First you visit Preah Khan or ‘Sacred Sword’, one of the largest temples at Angkor with huge corridors extending in every direction. It was built by Jayavarman VII in the 12th century, this is one of the many highlights of Angkor. You continue to Neak Pean, a delicate temple set in a square pool and surrounded on all sides by fountains and ponds. Next is Ta Som and its famous strangler fig tree smothering the eastern gate. Finally, you arrive at Pre Rup, built in the 10th century, this is a pleasent spot to experience another Angkor sunset if you wish. You return to Siem Reap and enjoy dinner and a fascinating Apsara dance show at a local restaurant. |
Day 5: Angkor Wat, Floating Villages & Local Crafts
B / - / -
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You may choose to rise early today to catch the sun rising from behind Angkor Wat’s five carved towers - after being awed you return to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast it is time to further discover the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. After being initially inspired by its overall size you will explore in more detail, getting up close and personal to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas-reliefs. Believed to have been undertaken as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer Empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved of the Angkorian temples, truly one of the wonders of the world. You will return to town for lunch, after which you will call in at Artisans d’Angkor, an interesting boutique workshop where you can observe young Cambodians learning traditional Khmer handicraft techniques, such as stone & wood carving, and lacquering & gilding - a great opportunity for last minute quality souvenirs where not only will your purchase be a genuine piece of local art but you will also be supporting the next generation of Khmer craftsmen and women! You then continue towards the Tonle Sap and see Phnom Krom the large hill that looms closer, and enjoy a relaxing cruise on the on the Tonle Sap lake, the largest lake in South East Asia. The lake is of critical importance to the livelihood of many Khmers who rely upon  it increasing in size almost 10-fold during the rainy season for their livelihoods. A trip on the lake compliments a visit to the temples wonderfully as many of the temple bas-reliefs depict how life around and on the lake affected all walks of Khmer life, much as it still does today. You will see the traditional floating village of Chong Khneas and witness the residents going about their daily life - it is quite a sight seeing a whole bamboo village complete with homes, gas stations, schools, hair dressers, and even karaoke bars floating on a lake. If you are a wildlife enthusiast there is also the opportunity to spot many birds which feed on and around this huge lake. As the sun sets the captain will head out into the expanse of the lake, cut its engine, and allow you to experience the setting sun disappearing into the lake in silence – perfect…. You will then be transferred to Siem Reap / Angkor International Airport for your onward flight leaving the home of the Angkor Empire with many wonderful memories. |
| *The cost of the above tour is $445 (US dollars) per person based on 4 people travelling together and sharing 2 rooms in medium standard accommodation. |
| If there are more of less than 4 people travelling in your party, or if the above suggested itinerary does not fully meet your needs please email us as we will be happy to discuss alternative arrangements. |
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- All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in the above itinerary
- English speaking local guides
- All accommodation based on 2 sharing a room
- All entrance fees for attractions included in the above itinerary
- Private air conditioned vehicles
- Flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
- All boat trips
- Daily drinking water whilst sightseeing
- All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
(B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner)
- Services not detailed in the above itinerary
- International flights to Phnom Penh and from Siem Reap
- Cambodian Visa fees (currently $20 per person)
- International airport departure tax (currently $25 per person)
- Domestic airport departure tax (currently $6 per person)
- Expenditure of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Any payment / money transfer charges
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