Journey Through Cambodia

Arrival in Phnom Penh, welcomed by your guide and transferred to the hotel for check-in or luggage drop-off. Begin a city tour of the capital. Visit the Royal Palace, built in 1866 by King Norodom, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the Royal Palace complex and named for its floor made of more than 5,000 silver tiles. Continue to explore one of the most famous markets in Phnom Penh, Phsar Tuol Tom Poung, widely known as the Russian Market. Here you will find a wide variety of goods for sale, including clothing, handicrafts, souvenirs, electronics, and local products. Afterwards, enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride along the Mekong riverside to experience the fresh air and lively atmosphere of the city. The cyclo, first introduced in Cambodia in 1936, remains one of the most iconic and authentic ways to explore Phnom Penh. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Breakfast served at the hotel. This morning, travel to the peaceful countryside of Cheung Ek, located about 17 km from Phnom Penh. At first glance, the quiet green fields may not reveal the tragic history that took place here. Cheung Ek is widely known as the Killing Fields, a site made internationally famous by the film The Killing Fields. Today, a large memorial stupa stands in remembrance of the more than 17,000 victims who lost their lives here during the Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot. The memorial and the mass graves scattered throughout the area serve as a solemn reminder of the suffering endured by the Cambodian people. This visit offers important insight into Cambodia’s tragic past as well as the resilience and strength of its people as they rebuild their nation.

Return to Phnom Penh for lunch at your own arrangement. In the afternoon, continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Originally a high school before 1975, the site was converted by the Khmer Rouge into Security Prison 21 (S-21), one of the most notorious interrogation and detention centers during the regime. Today, it serves as a museum that documents the tragic stories of thousands of innocent Cambodians who were imprisoned and tortured here. Walking through the narrow corridors and former classrooms provides a powerful and emotional glimpse into Cambodia’s turbulent history. Photographs of prisoners and historical displays help visitors better understand the suffering endured during this dark period.

Afterwards, visit Wat Phnom, the historic temple that gave Phnom Penh its name. Situated on a small hill, the temple offers a peaceful atmosphere and pleasant views over the surrounding tree-lined avenues of the city. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart from Phnom Penh to Kratie Province, a journey of approximately six hours, passing through one of the largest provinces in Cambodia, Kampong Cham. In Kampong Cham, visit the local market and take a walk around the small French colonial buildings along the riverside. Then cross the Mekong River via the Bamboo Bridge to reach Koh Pen Island, where you can explore the countryside and observe the local culture and daily life of the villagers. Continue the drive to Kratie through scenic countryside landscapes, fruit plantations, and lush green fields along the way. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and take a short walk around the charming town of Kratie.

Off to the village of Koh Trong to observe local life of their inhabitants and farmers. Visit the market where the local people trading of vegetables, fruits, fish and so on as long as visit primary school where you will learn the system of education in Cambodia and also visit to local pagodas by interaction with Buddhist Monk. Return to the lodge for lunch and around 3pm we proceed to Prek Kampi by local boat to observe the rare species of dolphin Irrawaddy until sunset.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will enjoy a scenic drive along the Mekong River, passing fruit farms and rubber plantations. The journey takes approximately 6 to 7 hours on well-paved roads in good condition, offering many beautiful views of the Cambodian countryside, traditional Khmer houses, and daily activities in rural communities. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Kampong Thom Province (at your own expense). After lunch, continue the drive to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Beat the crowd early morning by 7am, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins.  The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. Lunch is own account.

Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. City & Bayon Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place area and visit one more ruin in Angkor Area of Preah Khan temple, built in 12th century by King Jayavarman VII and it is the same style to Ta Prom Temple.

Morning transfer out of the Siem Reap town to a beautiful village in the countryside, you will start to walk through the village houses, witness with very nice and different activities from the locals for their daily life. Just as some examples: how the locals wash vehicles, selling gasoline in whiskey bottles or the small shops where the locals sell food on the side of small streets.

On the way, you can take some fruits from the plants, enjoy a view of this wonderful area and interact with very kindly people in the village, a 30-minute old mean vehicle ox-cart ride through the rice paddies to reach at one big local house to see how this family doing daily work such as making rice wine and handicraft works meanwhile the member of the family will offer you of fresh coconut and some manmade rice wine to taste. Lunch is served at this clean and basic hygiene village house while chatting with the family to get in-depth understanding of the village life. Hop in your van for driving onward to the next destination, a floating community, Mechrey village where you take Kayak through houses, schools and even shops all sit bobbing on the water — though not in the dry season — as locals paddle around in traditional wooden boats. (Recommended from October – February).

After breakfast at hotel, today is one of the highlight in the trip to visit one famous temple built by King Soryavarman II in the early of 12th century is hidden in the real jungle and very ruins, called Beng Melea. Return to Siem Reap town. Wat Damnak is one of the most beautiful pagodas in town with French colonial architecture reflecting its history and a large garden filled with statues. Bring candles and incense sticks to the pagoda and participate in a private good luck blessing ceremony, performed by local monks that reside at the temple. Sit on the mat while the monks chant blessings and sprinkle holy water on you – a traditional way which is believed pass on the good luck of the gods. Afterwards, a sacred thread will be tied around your wrist. This will protect you from any evil spirits or accidents. Before you continue on your journey, you will receive a small keepsake from the monks to remind you of this special moment.

Located 40km north of Angkor Wat, the Phnom Kulen mountain range provides Siem Reap with water and dominates the skyline of the flat plains surrounding it. Although the highest peak of the mountain range lies at only 487m, Phnom Kulen has much to offer visitors. The Cambodian people regard the site as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire. King Jayavarman II claimed independence from Java there in 802 A.D. Travel in the morning by car through the countryside to Phnom Kulen and start the rather steep climb up by car. On top of the mountain you will visit a modern style pagoda that offers stunning views over the Angkor area. Visit the eight meter tall statue of a reclining Buddha and wash your hands at the Linga statue to purify your mind and body. Continue to visit the River of One Thousand Lingas and the magnificent waterfall close to it. Take a refreshing swim in the stream and pool of the waterfall. If time allows, take a stroll around the area with your guide and venture off the beaten track to take in the impressive forest and scenery. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

Breakfast at the hotel
Experience a hand on Cambodian Cooking Class instructed by a chef.  First visit local market to choose the ingredient for the cooking class. The chef will explain the many varieties of ingredients and vegetable used in Khmer cooking. Learn to make three Cambodian dishes with instruction and demonstration by the chef and enjoy your creation following the class. Free in the afternoon for relaxation in the pool or walking around the old market. Transfer for departure.