Siem Reap to Phnom Penh 10 Days

Welcome to Siem Reap, a unique, charming city for both local and international tourists who enjoy visiting the surrounding temples, the national parks plus newer, man-made tourist attractions. Siem Reap now offers many job opportunities for the younger generation, especially in the building, hospitality and banking industries. These days’ students do not need to go to Phnom Penh to obtain university degrees as Siem Reap has universities and tertiary education facilities.  Siem Reap offers excellent dining options along with entertainment and many festivals. This busy tourist city is the second largest in Cambodia after the capital Phnom Penh. Many westerners come to Siem Reap to relax and for business. Nowadays, you will see many modern western style buildings, especially around the Pub Street and Old Market areas.  If you have time, feel free to walk and explore the city.  Our tour leader will meet you in your hotel reception area at 18:00 the evening before your touring begins.

This morning, meet our guide to commence your Angkor Wat tour. If you decide to see sunrise at Angkor Wat we’ll leave your hotel reception at 04:30. If without sunrise, departure time from your hotel reception is 08:00. The lost city of Angkor captured the imagination of Europe’s archaeologists and was discovered in 1861.  However, prior to 1861 there were some villages already surrounding the Angkor Wat complex. Cambodia was colonialized by the French from 1863 – 1953. After the Khmer empire, Cambodia suffered from various civil wars when many of its population perished.  Enjoy the natural beauty as you travel to the temples.

• PRASAT ANGKOR WAT One of the largest world monuments and famous World Heritage listed site
• SOUTH GATE OF ANGKOR THOM The main entrance gate with faces caved in sandstone
• PRASAT BAYON The largest city in the Khmer Empire with beautiful smiling faces
• BAYON GROUP Some small temples such as Baphoun, King’s Terrace and Leper King
• PRASAT TA PROHM Made famous by the movie “Tomb Raider”, covered by the jungle.

What’s included:

• Temples Pass
• Angkor Tour-Small Circuit Tour
• Driver and Guide
• Cold water and towel

Accommodation:

3nights at D’skill Angkor Hotel Boutique

Optional Excursions:

Floating Village-20USD per person Private Boat

Keulen Mountain (ticket) – 20 USD per person

National Museum – 12USD per person

Meals:

2 Breakfasts

Leisure day to explore on your own.  Let us know what you would like to do and we can assist with arrangements.

Optional Excursions:

• Cambodian Landmine Museum – 5USD per person
• Floating Village – 20USD per person private boat
• Keulen Mountain (ticket) – 20 USD per person
• Cambodian Cooking Class – 29USD per person
• Kulen Elephants forest – 80USD per person
• National Museum – 12USD per person
• Angkor Eye Wheel – 12USD

This morning, leave Siem Reap to Battambang.  Battambang is in the northwest region of Cambodia, 165kms one way, 4hrs 30mins drive from Siem Reap.  The King has a residence in Battambang near Steung (river) Sangke.  Within the city is a large local market, Buddhist Pagodas, the Provincial museum and also Ek Phnom, the oldest pagoda in the area, with sandstone carvings.  Depending on traffic and arrival time in Battambang, there will be time for a city orientation tour and if you are interested, we can visit the local market.

PHUM PRAHOK (FISH PASTE). This is on the way to Wat Ek Phnom so we can make a short visit to one community where fish paste or Prahok is made. Prahok is much-loved by the Khmer people and they look forward to the beginning of the dry season, while harvesting the rice, when Prahok is most plentiful.  It is usually cooked for lunch or dinner and shared with relatives when they eat together.  It’s probably a bit smelly for you and if you’ve never eaten it before, you’ll probably think the taste is disgusting.  But for almost all Khmer people the taste is delicious, especially when eaten with salad greens, cucumbers, French beans, banana flower and much more. You can experience the daily lifestyle of local people and compare the differences with your home country. Depending on time, we can also visit the Sticky Rice and Rice Paper makers.

BAMBOO TRAIN is located 12kms outside Battambang.  The train consists of a bamboo platform on railway tracks, powered by a small motor and driven by a lorry driver. These days you may have a woman lorry driver which is a sign of how the culture in Cambodia is changing.  Your train journey travels through scenic countryside, rice fields, and is great for wonderful photos.

What’s included:

• City Orientation
• Fish Paste Village
• Bamboo Train

Accommodation:

2 nights at King Fy hotel or Similar

Optional Excursion:

Bat Cave

Wine Tasting

Meal:

2 Breakfasts

Today we will depart Battambang to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, situated on the mighty Mekong River. Phnom Penh is a busy city and the main political center. It is home to many factories, industries, cultural centers, educational establishments and health care services. Phnom Penh is an historical city in Indochina, much like Vientiane and Hanoi and was colonized by the French from 1863-1953. During this time Phnom Penh was the largest city in South East Asia.  After the French departed, from 1953-1974 Cambodia was one of the countries in South East Asia which quickly developed its own educational program, along with commercial and manufacturing industries. But later on, Cambodia was troubled with civil wars and the “Khmer Rouge or Red Khmer” destroyed the economy and many people perished. In 1991 the Cambodia Paris Peace Agreement was signed, bringing stability for Cambodia which is now rebuilding and a developing country.

This morning visit the Genocide Museum, Killing Field, Toul Sleng Prison (S21) which are extremely sad places, but historically interesting. During the Khmer Rouge regime, the whole population was moved from the capital to the countryside, where so many were killed or died from starvation, hard work and disease.  After these visits, let your guide know where you want to be dropped off for exploring on your own.  In the evening, if you would like to do a boat party on the Mekong River, you can discuss with your tour leader to arrange at a good price.

What’s included:

Entrance Fees:

Genocide Museum

Killing Field

Toul Sleng Prison S21

Tour Guide and Driver

Optional Excursions:

Royal Palace 10USD

Wat Phnom 3USD

National Museum 10USD

The Silver Pagoda 3USD

Accommodation:

2 Nights Pacific Phnom Penh Hotel or Similar

Meals:

2 Breakfasts

This morning, travel to popular Kampot town, which has a happy mix of western and local people. Kampot is 136 kms south of Phnom Penh.  Kampot was originally colonized by the French.  The city still has some French architecture and the old bridge. Kampot is famous for Kampot Pepper which is highly regarded by chefs and cooks around the world. As well, while in beautiful Kampot, you will see the salt flats, farms producing sugar cane, coconut and durian plantations. A popular evening event is to take a long boat ride on the river to see the fireflies lighting up the trees along the river banks.  It’s a very unique, natural experience as the fireflies put on their show.  You can also relax at the hotel after your busy day.

This morning we will visit the pepper plantation and salt farm.  The rest of the day is free to enjoy your own excursions.  Travel into the countryside, where photo opportunities are many. See water buffaloes, local villages, the old railway station.  Another alternative is a tour to Bokor Mountain National Park. If you don’t want to trek to the top of the mountain, it is possible to go by car or motor bike.  Once at the top you will feel like you are in the sky.

What’s included:

Salt and Pepper Fields

Optional Excursions:

Bokor Mountain

Kep Beach

Kayaking

Fireflies

Accommodation

2 Nights-Bamboo Bungalow or Similar

Meal

2 Basic Breakfasts

Today we return to Phnom Penh where your tour ends.  Arrival time will probably be mid-afternoon.  If booking onward flights, please ensure they are late night departures.  We recommend you have an extra night in Phnom Penh to be sure. If you want to extend your stay in Kampot, please let the guide know.

NOT INCLUDED

Accommodation

Meals

Onward transfer