Cambodia Highlights- 8 days

Phnom Penh became Cambodia's capital from the 1440s, succeeding Angkor. Today, it is a vibrant city featuring many French colonial buildings and a wealth of attractions. With a local guide, we'll explore the National Museum, home to an impressive collection of intricately preserved carvings and lintels from Angkor, as well as the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the poignant Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, once a high school that was repurposed by the Khmer Rouge as a primary center for torture and interrogation, and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where the memorial stupa, a glass tower filled with human skulls, serves as a stark reminder of the horrors inflicted during Pol Pot’s regime. We will then return to the city.

Today is a free day for you to further explore the city or its surroundings. You have the option to embark on half-day excursions to nearby attractions such as Silk Island, Chiso Mountain, or the deserted Royal City of Oudong. These excursions can be combined, and your tour leader will provide additional details.

Silk Island, or Koh Dach, is accessible via a brief ferry ride along the Mekong River. Here, you can observe traditional craftsmanship as most of the island’s residents engage in producing handmade silk goods. It’s an excellent chance to immerse yourself in local customs and interact with the community.

Chiso Mountain, located approximately 62 km south of Phnom Penh in Sia village, stands 380 meters high and is crowned with the ruins of an 11th-century Khmer Brahmanic temple. The summit offers panoramic views of the lush paddy fields below.

Oudong, situated about an hour north of the capital, provides the opportunity to explore its historic temples and stupas, adding a touch of cultural heritage to your day.

We begin our day with an early drive to Siem Reap, making a stop for lunch along the route. In the afternoon, we head to Tonle Sap Lake for a relaxing boat ride. On our private charter, we will explore the intriguing floating village of Chong Kneas, where you'll observe stilt houses, floating markets, and a variety of boats.

Our itinerary for the next three days might be adjusted slightly by our local guide to enhance your experience, such as avoiding crowds or aligning with sunset timings. Angkor, once a thriving series of cities established by the Khmer kings between the 9th and 13th centuries, boasted a population of 750,000 at its peak. The Angkor complex covers approximately 155 square kilometers and is adorned with stunning carved stone temples, intricate sculptures, and impressive bas-reliefs.

We will explore the Rolous group, among the earliest temples in the region. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Banteay Srei, known for its small size but exceptional carvings. The day will conclude with a visit to East Mebon and Pre Rup temple, where we will enjoy the sunset.

Our exploration continues with a visit to the temples constructed by King Jayavarman VII, widely regarded as Angkor's most significant ruler. At the end of the 12th century, he established the fortified city of Angkor Thom, enclosed by a square wall and marked by five grand gates adorned with stone elephant trunks. The moat once housed crocodiles, and each gate was guarded by colossal statues of 54 different deities. Within this city lies one of Angkor’s true masterpieces, The Bayon. While it may not appear as grand from afar as Angkor Wat, The Bayon captivates with its labyrinthine corridors, gothic towers, and enchanting central temples.

We will also explore The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, as well as the Baphuon and Phimeanakas temples, and nearby sites like Preah Khan. Please note that starting January 1, 2020, the third tier of the Bayon Temple, the central highlight of Angkor Thom, will be closed for extensive restoration until 2022. Consequently, while you will only be able to view the iconic stone faces from a distance, the two lower tiers will still be open, allowing you to admire the impressive bas-reliefs and intricate carvings.

On our final day, we explore the second capital of Angkor, visiting the temples of Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei, and Takeo. A standout experience for many is the visit to the evocative Ta Prohm Temple, famously featured in the film Tomb Raider, where the jungle has overtaken the ruins. We reserve the most iconic and awe-inspiring sight, Angkor Wat, for the end of our journey, spending our time there until sunset on the final evening of our adventure.

Our trip concludes after breakfast at the hotel in Siem Reap. There are no scheduled activities for the day, so you’re free to leave at your convenience. For those with later flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel. To take advantage of a complimentary airport transfer, make sure your departure is from Siem Reap International Airport (REP), just 20 minutes away. If time permits, you might explore the old market for some final shopping or relax with afternoon tea at The Foreign Correspondent's Club.