The ruins of Angkor
Siem Reap - Angkor - Kampong Thom - Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh
Duration: 10 days
Ref: CCR10J-RTKCP
DAY 1
Siem Reap - Welcome
You will be met at the airport by our private driver. Transfer and free time at your chosen hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 2
Siem Reap - Discover the famous Tonlé Sap Lake
With a qualified English-speaking guide on days 2, 3, 4, and 5 Our temple-specializing guide will greet you at the hotel reception. This morning, you'll depart by private car to discover the magnificent Tonlé Sap Lake, located 20 km from the city center. You'll take a private boat tour to see the unique and fascinating fishing villages of Kampong Pluk. On the way back, enjoy a short rowboat excursion through the flooded forest of Kompong Phluk, home to a vast mangrove forest. On the way back, you'll discover the Rolous group, which includes Prasat Preah Ko, Prasat Lolei, Prasat Bakong, and Prasat Prei Monti. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, you'll continue exploring the city of Siem Reap. A short tour of the city: discover the artisans of Angkor and the Satcha Craft Center, the main market Psar Chas, a very lively area in the evening. Restaurants, massage parlors, and Khmer craft shops are all located there. Free time and overnight stay in Siem Reap
DAY 3
Siem Reap - Phnom Kulen - Banteay Srei
Accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide, explore the sacred site of Phnom Kulen by private car, located 60 km from downtown Siem Reap. Phnom Kulen is a place rich in natural and historical wonders, and is known as the first capital of the Khmer Empire. During your trek through the heart of the jungle, marvel at the 20-meter-high waterfalls (don't forget your swimsuits!), the River of a Thousand Lingas, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, ancient temples, and unforgettable encounters with local residents. Lunch at your leisure. There are local restaurants on site. In the afternoon, continue your visit to the Banteay Srei Temple, also known as the Citadel of Women, built in the 11th century. This unique temple, made of fragile pink sandstone, features magnificent carved motifs, representing precious Khmer art and attracting the attention of André Malraux in 1923. On the way back, if time permits, you will visit Prasat Banteay Samre, which was built in the mid-12th century. It's definitely worth a visit to this slightly off-the-beaten-path monument, which displays magnificent carvings. Return and free time at the hotel! Overnight in Siem Reap
DAY 4
Siem Reap - Discover Angkor Thom
Explore the ancient capital of Angkor Thom by tuk-tuk. This morning, explore the temples of Angkor Thom, including: South Gate, Prasat Bayon, Prasat Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants, the former Royal Palace, Terrace of the Leper King, Prasat Phimeanakas, and Prasat Preah Palilay. Lunch at leisure. Depending on time and your own pace, continue your visit to Prasat Preah Khan and Prasat Neak Poan. Return to your hotel and free time. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 5
Siem Reap - Angkor Temples (Dinner Show)
Meet your guide at your hotel. In the morning, depart by private car to visit the magnificent Khmer temples on the short circuit: Prasat Kravan, Prasat Banteay Kdei, Prasat Ta Prohm, and Prasat Takéo. If time permits, you can also visit Prasat Thommanon and Prasat Chao Say Tevada. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, continue your visit to the famous Angkor Wat. Then, head to Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset. In the evening, you will attend an "Apsara" dinner show with your guide at the Amazon Angkor restaurant. Return to the hotel by car! Overnight in Siem Reap
DAY 6
Siem Reap - Kampong Thom
Without a guide Departure by road to Kampong Thom, 150 km. 60 km from Siem Reap, you will discover the famous Beng Mealea Temple, a garland of flowers. Prasat Boeng Mealea is located about 60 km from Siem Reap. It is a model of Angkor Wat, meaning it was built 30 years before Angkor Wat. A mysterious temple is overgrown by the Angkor jungle. A French film by Jean-Jaques Annead, "Two Brothers," was filmed there in 2004. The temple's architecture and decoration will amaze you, even though nature and man have left it in ruins. Lunch at your leisure. Head to Kampong Thom. On the way, stop at the Naga Bridge, also called Spean Prab Tos, built in the 12th century. Then, continue the road to discover the vast site of Sambor Prei Kuk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on the time: A visit to Sambor Prei Kuk Temple is a destination that combines history, culture, nature, and serenity. It's the perfect place for those who wish to discover the roots of the Khmer Empire while enjoying a quieter, more authentic experience, away from the crowds of major archaeological sites like Angkor. Check-in at your pre-booked hotel and free time. Overnight in Kampong Thom.
DAY 7
Kampong Thom - Kampong Cham
At 8:00 a.m., head to Kampong Cham, 110 km. On the way, stop at the village of Santuk to observe the carvings of various art objects, a skill passed down from generation to generation. Turn off the main road to begin the ascent of the 809 steps. Phnom Santuk is one of the most revered mountains in Cambodia. From the summit, admire the magnificent Buddha statues and breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding area. Lunch at your leisure. Continue driving to Kampong Cham. In the afternoon, you will visit Wat Nokor Bachey, an ancient Buddhist temple of the Great Vehicle built by a great Khmer king in the 12th century. You will visit the hills of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. Phnom Srei offers an exceptional panorama of the city of Kampong Cham. End your day with a stroll across the bamboo bridge. The Bamboo Bridge of Kampong Cham is a seasonal architectural marvel that showcases the genius of the local people. It's a must-see experience for those who want to discover the creativity and lifestyle of rural Cambodian communities while enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Mekong River. Check-in and free time at your booked hotel. Overnight in Kampong Cham.
DAY 8
Direction Phnom Penh via Skun
Leave the city of Kampong Cham and head north along a track along the Mekong River. Watch the bustle of life: cultivated fields, Khmer houses on stilts... Stops are possible along the way to soak up the local atmosphere. Off the beaten track! Then visit Wat Hanchey, a colorful religious complex overlooking the Mekong. Discover an 11th-century Hindu temple and a Buddhist school. From the hilltop, enjoy a panoramic view of the plain and the river. Lunch at your leisure. Head to Phnom Penh and stop in Skun, a village renowned for its insect market. Dare to taste fried tarantulas, a unique culinary experience in Cambodia. These arachnids are also valued for their medicinal properties. Arrival in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon. Check into your booked hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 9
Phnom Penh (Lunch included)
With a French-speaking guide. Discover the capital, Phnom Penh. This morning, discover the Royal Palace, originally located in Oudong and moved to Phnom Penh in 1863. Next, visit the Silver Pagoda, famous for its more than 5,000 silver tiles and its emerald Buddha statue encrusted with 2,000 diamonds, including one of 25 carats. This statue represents the future Buddha, Maitreya, in 90 kg of gold. Continue with a stroll through the Central Market, renovated thanks to a donation from France. This magnificent Art Deco building was built by the French in the 1950s. Around noon, we invite you to lunch at a restaurant on the banks of the Mekong to refresh yourself before resuming your visits. Continue with the National Museum, formerly the Albert Sarraut Museum, where Khmer objects, statues, and works of art from all over Cambodia are exhibited. Nearby, visit the Ounalom Pagoda, built in 1443, the most important in Phnom Penh. Finish with a visit to Wat Phnom, a pagoda built on a 27-meter-high hill and renovated in 1926. At the foot of the hill, a bas-relief sculpted by Théodore Rivière honors the Franco-Siamese treaty. In the evening, enjoy a short cruise on a private boat along the quays, passing by the confluence of the Mekong River. Depending on the season, weather, and time of day, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Royal Palace and the capital. Overnight in Phnom Penh
DAY 10
Phnom Penh - Koh Dach (Silk Island) - Genocide Museum
Accompanied by your English-speaking guide, embark on a local ferry crossing the Mekong River to Silk Island, known in Khmer as Koh Dach. Immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of this traditional village where you can watch artisans weave magnificent silk fabrics, visit stilt houses, and learn about the daily lives of the locals. Lunch at your leisure. Back in Phnom Penh, explore the bustling Russian Market, a true paradise for lovers of souvenirs and local crafts. Then, delve into Cambodia's tragic history with a visit to the S-21 Genocide Museum, a former high school converted into a detention and torture center during the Khmer Rouge regime. Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. End of the trip.