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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On your first morning in charming Phnom Penh you will be treated to a fun cyclo tour, a traditional mode of transport. Your first stop will be the terracotta red National Museum which offers a charming setting for a comprehensive collection of Khmer artifacts. 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, 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! 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. 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. Initially you 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'. 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 which you will be taken to the Russian Market, 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. Afterwards 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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This morning you fly to Siem Reap where initially you will explore the Small Circuit. This tour includes the huge pyramid of Takeo, and the jungle-clad Ta Prohm, made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Tomb Raider’. You continue to visit Sras Srang, known as the King's bathing pond, and Banteay Kdei, before exploring Prasat Kravan, an elegant brick temple. After lunch you explore the impressive Royal City of Angkor Thom, where you will find 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. The 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, on-route you will visit Banteay Samre. Banteay Srei is an elaborately decorated temple, embellished with floral motifs and scenes from the Ramayana, all carved from pink sandstone. It is said the carvings must have been done by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. After lunch you continue your Angkor encounter with a visit to the spectacular temples of the Grand Circuit, beginning with Preah Khan or ‘Sacred Sword’, one of the largest temples at Angkor. You continue to Neak Pean surrounded by fountains and ponds. Next is Ta Som and its famous strangler fig tree. Finally, you arrive at Pre Rup, a pleasent spot to experience another Angkor sunset if you wish. This evening you will 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 lunch you will head south to the Tonle Sap lake. On the way 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. After leaving you will see Phnom Krom the large hill looming closer, and enjoy a relaxing cruise on the on the Tonle Sap lake, the largest lake in South East Asia. 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. As you are on the lake you will have the opportunity to watch a beautiful sunset - perfect... |
| *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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