This wonderful overland journey takes you right around the country, presenting an excellent combination of the mysteries of Cambodia's ancient Khmer civilization and some unspoiled beaches of Sihanouville. Additional highlight of the trip is French colonial outpost of Battambang and a cruise across Tonle Sap Lake towards Siem Reap. You are surely captivated by the charm and grandeur of the Angkor Temple complex.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival - Phnom Penh
On arrival at Po Chen Tong Airport , you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh lies near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. This riverside town still maintains considerable charm despite its recent turbulent history. An afternoon 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 climb up a small hill to visit the legendary Wat Phnom and catch a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. O/N in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh - Tonle Bati - Phnom Penh
Today we continue seeing this delightful town with the National Museum. This mansion is exclusively dedicated 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. The next stop is one of the city's lively open markets, Psar Toul Tom Pong, all called the "Russian Market". We enjoy a walk around this bustling trading center and see plenty of local handicrafts and artifacts. The painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge still can be seen at the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek. We visit these infamous sites before heading south to explore the complex of Tonle Bati with Ta Prohm and Prasat Yeay Peo Temples. O/N in Phnom Penh. (B)

Day 3: Phnom Penh - Phnom Chisor - Kampot
The journey southwards begins as we depart Phnom Penh and drive past the scenic countryside. The first stop is Phnom Chisor Temple dating back from the 11th century. We climb a 500 step path leading up to the hill top to enjoy fabulous views over the surrounding countryside. Afterwards we set off on a short drive to the quiet town of Takeo and board a boat to Angkor Borei, located just a few kilometer navigation from the Vietnam border. There is a small museum in town, which displays several reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and few artifacts dating as far back as the 4th century. We continue our boat trip to visit a pre-Angkorian style temple of Phnom Da and a nearby temple of Asram Maharosei. The temple structure with steep path over some big rocks makes Asram Maharosei different from the remainders in Cambodia. O/N in Kampot. (B)

Day 4: Kampot - Bokor National Park - Sihanoukville
An early morning start to drive uphill to Bokor National Park. This hill retreat at an elevation of over 1,000 meters was founded by French administrators in the early years of the last century when the heat on plain became unbearable. There are some remains of the French colonial period and many small waterfalls. The road conditions are very poor, but view from the top of the mountain is all worthwhile. We then travel by roads along the southern coast towards Sihanoukville. These lovely beaches are some of the most unspoiled in all of Southeast Asia despite the fast growing of tourism. There are some 10 km of pristine beach stretching the mainland and dozens of small islands just a short boat ride away. They make for a perfect tropical getaway, with facilities for swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. The remainder of day is free for your well earned rest on beach or simply lazing on a beach. O/N in Sihanoukville. (B)

Day 5: Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh
The beach vacation gives you a wonderful time in Sihanoukville. You can soak up the sun and sea as much as you want by lazing on the white sandy beach or swimming in the blue clear water. There are also possibilities to rent a boat to explore some nearby coastal islands or visit a national park, which is well known for the mangrove forest and the eco-system. These optional activities are not included, however our guide will be on hand to advise you with valuable information. By mid afternoon we depart Sihanoukville for Phnom Penh and pass through the spectacular rural landscape. The ideal way to spend your last evening in Phnom Penh is to relax in a café by the riverfront. O/N in Phnom Penh. (B)

Day 6: Phnom Penh - Battambang
The second largest city in Cambodia is Battambang which is located on both the highway and railroad linking Phnom Penh with Thailand. Apart from the scenic countryside, this lovely town has a vibrant market place and many Angkorian as well as post Angkorian sites, some of which are Wat Ek and Wat Toul Bassaet. Today we make our way for 5 hours through the scenic countryside to Battambang Town. On arrival, we enjoy a walk around this colonial styled town and visit some outlaying hilltop temples as well as the infamous cave, which used as execution field under the Khmer Rouge rule. There are also some opportunities to catch a drive along tiny winding tracks into some small villages where tourists hardly ever venture. O/N in Battambang. (B)

Day 7: Battambang - Tonle Sap Lake - Siem Reap - Angkor Temples
Upon leaving Battambang Town we set off on scenic trip crossing Tonle Sap Lake to Siem Reap. No express boat so we travel by local boat navigating along a large river system and small canals before arriving on Tonle Sap Lake. The journey is long, but very interesting since we pass by floating villages, friendly children on small boats and fishermen at work. Once reaching Siem Reap pier you are greeted b our guide and transferred to hotel. This tranquil town is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. We drive towards the archeological area and visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, 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 architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)

Day 8: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples
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 the well known Ta Prohm and some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. They almost belong to the small circuit according to the archaeologists division. Upon leaving this area we visit various famous temples of the grand circuit such as Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup. We round off our exciting day with a walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. O/N in Siem Reap.(B)

Day 9: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples - Bantaey Srey
Today we drive beyond the Angkor Complex through the Preah Dark village to the intricately carved and well preserved Banteay Srei Temple. We stroll around this beautiful landmark which was designed to leave no space undecorated. The roads begin to deteriorate but it is still fascinating to drive past the rolling mountain scenery towards Kbal Spean. This interesting site locally named the river of 1000 Lingars, has been largely reclaimed by the jungle; however it invovles a walk to catch a view over its riverbed carvings. The next stop is Banteay Samre which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and Krishna legends. Today we also have a chance to explore the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)

Day 10: Siem Reap - Departure
The sightseeing tour also includes Les Chantiers Ecole, a handicraft center located in the center of Siem Reap. This art school was founded in 1992 and aims to revive the ancient art of Khmer workmanship as it gives young people the opportunity to learn the art of stone and wood carving, silk weaving methods and polychromic technique. If time permits we pay a visit to this school and the market in town. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure. (B)

INCLUSIONS: Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver + Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner + Accommodation: twin sharing room at mentioned hotel or similar one + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights + Boat trip on Tonle sap Lake

EXCLUSIONS: Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in/ out of Cambodia, any optional additional tours or activities during free time, surcharge for peak season, local holiday days and gala dinner

TRIP NOTES

-CAMBODIA IS A DEVELOPPING COUNTRY WHOSE INFRASTRUCTURE MAY DIFFER FROM WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR HOME LAND. THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE POOR AND THE ACCOMMODATION IS VERY SIMPLE IN REMOTE AREAS.

-THE ITINERARY IS CORRECTED AT THE TIME OF VIEWING. OCCASIONALLY, THE PROGRAMME CHANGES AS WE MAKE IMPROVEMENT STEMING FROM OUR PAST TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS AND OUR OWN RESEARCH OR DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL. THIS INCLUDES FESTIVAL, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WEATHER AND FLIGHT DELAY,.. THAT MAY EFFECT THE ITINERARY.

-THE TRIP INCLUDES SOME MEALS AS MENTIONED AT THE ITINERARY HOWEVER OUR GUIDE WILL BE ON HAND TO ADVISE YOU AS FAR THE AVAILABLE RESTAURANTS WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY LOCAL FOOD AT YOUR OWN BUDGET. THE MEAL COST IS ALL DEPENDING ON YOUR CHOICE OF EATING PLACE. THE PACKAGE TOUR WITH FULL BOARD MEAL IS ARRANGED UPON REQUEST .

-THE DRESS STANDARDS ARE CONSERVATIVE THROUGHOUT ASIA. LOOSE , LIGHTWEIGHT, LONG CLOTHING ARE ALL RESPECTFUL COOL IN ASIAN HOT CLIMATE. IN ADDITION TO YOUR ITEMS OF PERSONAL CLOTHING, WE SUGGEST YOU TO BRING TRAINER OR SNEAKER SHOES, TORCH/FLASH LIGHT, HAT, RAIN COAT FOR WET SEASON, SUN CREAM, SUNGLASSES, DAYPACK, TOILETRIES AND SMALL TOWER, INSECT REPELLENT.

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