Angkor Complex & Colonial Towns

Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel early this morning and take you to watch the world’s most beautiful sunrise over Angkor Wat from a very good location. It is certain that the guide will check weather report the day before and find you a clear day to view it while you are in Siem Reap. After, you will get back to the hotel for breakfast, or if you wish, we can also arrange a breakfast box for you to have a unique picnic experience at this majestic site.

Then, you will visit the Angkor Wat, which was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1992, and is regarded as one of the Four Wonders of the Orient. Magnificent buildings and elegant reliefs here well represent the Khmer classical architectural art. Afterwards, you will be accompanied to go sightseeing around the Angkor Thom, the former capital of the Khmer Empire (802 - 1431), where there are many relics of that period. The most famous are the Bayon Temple with 216 smiling faces carved on 54 Gothic towers, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, both of which are covered with exquisitely carved bas-reliefs.

In the afternoon, you will first visit the Tomb Raider temple of Ta Prohm, which is entirely covered by trees and looks mysterious and solemn. Then, head for the Bakheng Temple on top of a hill to overlook the full view of the Angkor Wat complex as well as to admire the stunning sunset under golden sunlight. Tonight, you will enjoy an Apsara Dance Show along with traditional Cambodian dishes at a famous restaurant.

► Apsara Dance - the National Dance of Cambodia
Apsara Dance was once the court dance with a long history. It depicts the fairy Apsara and her six maids descending to the mortal world, dancing in the garden, and jointly breeding flowers that represent the love of mankind and the homeland. The dancers who play the roles of fairies are gorgeously dressed, with graceful willow waists and elegant dancing postures, which are exactly the same as images on the bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat. It was said that this traditional dance born from religious ceremonies is basically imitating the movements of snakes, where the hands are the head of snake and the feet the tail of the snake. The key point of fairy dance is the changes of the flexible hand postures, implying the growth, germination or fruiting of plants. With these basic information, you may better understand the dance.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Traveling in Siem Reap, cycling around the countryside will be an unforgettable experience, not only for its beautiful rural scenery, but also for its authentic village experience, getting you involved with local people. This morning, you will have a biking tour escorted by the guide to the Roluos Village and Temples. The single way is around 15 kilometers (9 miles) and it takes about one hour. Around the village, you will see rural scenes of farming, gardening, ploughing or harvesting; cattle and water buffalo; and the people’s simple homes. It is a good opportunity to interact with the locals and capture great photos. You will also enjoy fresh coconut juice at a host family before continuing biking to the temples.

► Alternative: Travel to the Roluos Group by Private Car
If you are not capable of riding bicycle or think the riding distance is a bit long, we will arrange a private car driving you there, with no extra charge. Travel by car, you can also make photo stops anywhere you like in the countryside. Your enjoyment and satisfaction of the tour are always our top concern.

The Rolous Group of Temples, built in the 9th century, was the former capital of the Khmer Empire for more than 70 years, prior to the relocation to Angkor. It was the beginning of the Khmer art. Here you will enjoy a nice change of pace from the crowds of the main temples. Upon arrival, take a more leisurely visit to the three major temples of Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lolei. Bakong is the largest as well as the most important one in the Rolous, which was dedicated to the Linga and whose architectural style is similar to the Borobudur in Indonesia. Preah Ko was the first temple built here, dedicated to Shiva and the ancestors of the King. Lolei has the finest carvings of all three. Follow your guide to discover the history of early-Angkor era and admire those stunning architecture. Your half day biking tour will also end here. Our back-up vehicle will take you to continue the sightseeing in the afternoon.

After lunch, you will be driven to visit Banteay Srei, also called the Queen's Palace, which is the most exquisitely carved temple in the Angkor Imperial City, famous for its bright colors and delicate reliefs, and known as the "Jewel in Angkor Art". Then you will get back to Siem Reap. The last stop today is Preah Khan, a temple with a maze of vaulted corridors, fine carvings and lichen-clad stonework.

Transfer you back to the hotel after, or if you wish, we can also send you to the old quarter to explore markets or enjoy your own dinner. The guide is happy to offer you recommendations on restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Please check out from hotel this morning and then you will be driven to the Tonle Sap Lake for a visit to the floating village. On arrival at the dock, you will take a boat to travel through the village: see their floating houses, witness their authentic life on water, learn about their family income, get to know their children’s education, and many more. Any questions you have, the guide will lead you to find the answers.

In the afternoon, you be escorted to the airport for a 50-miniute flight to Phnom Penh. Your local guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.Relax in the hotel during the remainder of the day.

Or, you may take a tuk-tuk at around USD 2 for about 10 minutes to the Central Market to spend the rest time of your day. This market is the distribution center of small commodities in Phnom Penh. There are more than 2,000 shops selling all kinds of crafts, souvenirs, jewelries, fruits, flowers, vegetables, electronic products and daily necessities. Even if you don’t buy anything here, you can also experience the local market life.

► Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: By Flight or Private Car?
Some agencies like to arrange the road transfer for this leg of journey, but we don’t suggest. Why? First, it takes about 6 hours driving time on the bumpy road, less comfortable, while, flight only takes 50 minutes and both airports are not far from hotels. Second, for security reason, driving on country roads can be unpredictable and different from urban roads. Third, road transfer by private car does not save since you also need to afford the expense for the return way of the driver.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you will explore Phnom Penh, the capital as well as the largest city in Cambodia. The first stop is the Royal Palace, which was built as a royal residence for the King of Cambodia and now is still a living place for royal families. Among all buildings open to public, the Throne Hall, which are used to hold royal and religious ceremonies, and the Silver Pagoda with many national treasures including Buddha statues made of gold and precious stones, are the most splendid parts. Visitors wearing slippers, short skirts, shorts, and sleeveless clothes are not allowed to enter the palace. Skirts and pants that cover knees are good.

Next, you will visit the National Museum, where the historic relics of the Khmer Empire are on display, and then the Temple of Wat Phnom, which was built in 1373 to house the statues of Buddha found in the floating river of Mekong. People now come here praying for good luck, fortune, health, success in exam or business.

Have you ever heard the Khmer Rouge, also called Red Khmers? It was a brutal regime that ruled Cambodia for four years from 1975 to 1979. The massacre and various atrocities of that period have left deep wounds on Cambodians. This afternoon, you will have a chance to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where the so-called Security Prison 21 (S-21) once operated, and the Killing Fields of Choeung EK. Don’t be afraid by this. Cambodia government did lots of work, making it a more memorial site than horrible scenes. If lucky enough, you may also meet with a survivor who is usually at site and listen to his story.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

It usually takes around 3.5 hours to drive from Phnom Penh to Kep directly, while, today we will make some stops along the way for you to see more. After about 1.5 hours’ driving, we will come to the first stop, Phnom Chisor Temple, which is one of the four important temples that the King Suryavarman I ordered to construct in the 11th century to map out his Angkorian world. Located on top of a 133-meter-high solitary hill, this temple is very beautiful in its ruinous state and boasts superb views of the countryside. There are great photo opportunities here. We will arrive at around 10 am and visit this site before the heat sets in.

Continue to drive and stop at the Angkor Borei Town in Takeo Province, which was the capital city of ancient Hindu Kingdom of Funan and regarded as "the Cradle of Khmer Civilization." Here, you will visit the pre-Angkorian temples of Phnom Da and Ashram Maha Rosei, which are important archeological sites in Cambodia.

When arriving at Kep, you will check into a beach resort to rest and relax. Our well-chosen luxury Samanea Beach Resort has spacious rooms, gorgeous garden, and its private beach area. It is a great choice for your stay. Our comfortable Veranda Kep Resort locates within the gardens of Kep National Park, offering stay in a unique wooden and stone bungalow on a hilltop, from where you will enjoy magical sunrise and sunset over the sea. It is also within walking distance to the shoreline.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you will be driven for about 30 minutes to Kampot, a charming and old colonial riverside town. First, we will drive you through this town to see the rustic French colonial buildings. Then, we will arrange for you a visit to a beautiful pepper farm, where you will see how the peppers are grown and produced. The owner of the farm will show your around and introduce in more details. Kampot peppers are considered the finest in the world. Today you get to find its secret. Around noon, you will enjoy a tasty lunch cooked with different kinds of fresh peppers in the farm. Authentic home-cooked dishes, endless lush green environment, and friendly host and farmers, all these bring you a delightful experience.

Return to Kep after lunch and enjoy your own leisure time in the resort. Late in the afternoon, you may go explore the local Crab Market to taste the best fresh carbs and other seafoods. From Samanea Beach Resort, you may take a stroll along the beach for around 30 minutes to get there. From Veranda Natural Resort, 15 minutes’ walking is needed.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Take your entire belongings to check out from hotel this morning. According to your homeward flight schedule, your guide and driver will transfer you for around 3.5 hours from Kep to Phnom Penh International Airport. We hope you have enjoyed a relaxing vacation with us. Thank you!

Meals: Breakfast