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DAY 1:
ARRIVAL - PHNOM PENH
On
arrival at Po Chen Tong Airport , you are met
and transferred to hotel. The capital city of Phnom
Penh was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite
its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm. A
city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The private quarters of
the Royal
Palace are now
home to the royal family and are therefore very close to the public. At
the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most
sacred temple in the country. We also climb up a small hill to visit
the legendary Wat Phnom and enjoy a fantastic view over the surrounding
areas. O/N in Phnom Penh.
DAY
2: PHNOM PENH - TONLE BATI - PHNOM PENH (B)
The
sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh begins
with a visit to the National
Museum, which is
dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the
exhibits are from the Angkor period
from 9th to 15th century, but some date from as
early as the 4th century. We continue to one of the city’s
lively open markets, Psar Toul Tom Pong, all called the “ Russian Market”, where anything and everything is
for sales! The Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing
Fields’ of Choeung Ek are not to be missed. A visit to these sights
provides a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer
Rouge. Heading out of town we visit the Tonle Bati with Ta Prohm and Prasat Yeay Peo
Temple. O/N in Phnom Penh. (B)
DAY
3: PHNOM PENH
- KOMPONG CHAM - KOMPONG THOM (B)
The
overland expedition begins as we depart the town and pass through Cambodia’s
biggest growing rubber area to Kampong Cham. The deep contrast of lush
vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the
way. On arrival in Kampong Cham we visit the beautiful French colonial
architecture and Wat Nokhor containing the ancient temple and modern
style pagoda. The following destination of our trip is Kongpong Thom.
Along the way we make stop over at Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, two hills
whose names were translated as the 'man hill' and the 'woman hill'.
After checking into hotel we visit some nearby villages and climb 980
steps to the top of Phnom Santuk for an impressive sunset view over the
surrounding areas. O/N in Kompong Thom. (B)
DAY 4:
KOMPONG THOM - SIEM REAP (B)
An early
morning start to drive to the archeological sight of Sambor Prei Kuk , which is dotted with hundred pre-angkor styled
temples. The road conditions are very poor, but the spectacular scenery
of this ancient ruins, with a mixture of
temples and forest, makes the hardship all worthwhile. We travel by
roads to Siem Reap, passing the charming Khmer countryside. The town of
Siem Reap is our base for visiting the
world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor , which
is home for the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire dating from 802 AD
to 1350 AD. This stunning and extensive site sprawls through the dense
jungle, over an area of 60 square miles. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)
DAY
5: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES (B)
Today we
spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South
Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human
faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal
Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper
King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat.
This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th
century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this
massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with colums, libraries,
pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering
temple. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)
DAY 6: SIEM
REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES (B, D)
The
jungle covered temple
of Ta Prohm is an
incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers
which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure
giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful
forces of nature. We explore this masterpiece as well as some of
the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo,
Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit with Preah Khan,
Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup Temples, is
also visited this afternoon before we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for
a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. Dinner
and Enjoy Khmer Traditional Dance Show at local restaurant . O/N in
Siem Reap. (B)
DAY 7: SIEM
REAP – DEPARTURE (B)
After
breakfast, we embark on a short cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia’s
biggest natural water body (If time permits). The experience is
wonderful as we pass by floating village, friendly children in small
boats and fishermen at work. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap Airport
for departure. (B)
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