Compare Highlights of Cambodia With Battambang by Insider Journeys vs Pedal To The Ancient Temples Of Cambodia In 10 Days by Realistic Asia

Days 1-2: PHNOM PENH

Accommodation: The Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel and Spa

On arrival in Phnom Penh, transfer to your hotel. Get to know your traveling companions and tour leader at welcome drinks and a tour briefing on the evening you arrive. Phnom Penh offers up an array of adventures. Discover Phnom Penh's rich French colonial past from the unique front-seat perspective of a traditional cyclo ride and explore its majestic Royal character at the Royal Palace and the ornate Silver Pagoda before visiting the National Museum. Reflect on the Khmer Rouge legacy at Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields and gain fascinating insights into Cambodia's confronting past. Visit the colorful Central Market, then enjoy a drink and appetisers aboard a relaxing sunset cruise on the Mekong River.

Day 3: KAMPONG THOM

Accommodation: Sambor Village Hotel

Gaze out at the colorful Cambodian countryside as you travel north and see traditional rural scenes of farmers driving oxen through paddy fields. Along the way, try the fresh fruit from local market sellers, or brave the local delicacy at Skuon - fried spiders. Discover a local silk farm and see traditional methods of weaving before enjoying a delicious lunch. Explore the ancient ruins of Sambour Prei Kuk, dating back to pre-Angkorian times.

Days 4-6: TONLE SAP LAKE & SIEM REAP

Accommodation: Tara Angkor Hotel

Uncover a remote section of Tonle Sap Lake on a remarkable boat trip before reaching Siem Reap, your base for exploring the incredible temples of Angkor. Rise before dawn to witness the iconic spires of Angkor Wat emerge from the surrounding darkness as the sky turns pink above - an enduring memory. Enjoy a local breakfast in an Angkor cafe and head to Angkor Thom and Bayon by tuk-tuk. Receive a water blessing from a Buddhist monk at the peaceful Tep Pranam Pagoda, and wander amongst the ruins of the atmospheric tree-covered Ta Prohm. The next day, venture to remote Boeng Mealea and Banteay Srei. Stop at a local market at Dom Deak, and visit a landmine museum and a village specializing in making palm sugar and wine. Spend the evening sharing experiences with fellow group members at a group dinner.

Days 7-10: BATTAMBANG & SIEM REAP

Accommodation: Hotel: Stung Sangke Hotel

A delightful drive to Battambang brings you to a rice paper village and a chance to visit Ek Phnom, built in the 11th century and mostly reduced to ruins today. In Battambang, see the charming French-colonial architecture and visit a pagoda where you may have an opportunity to chat with the monks. The next day, head to Phnom Sampow, stopping en route at a rural winery to sample some Cambodian wine. Then, visit Banan temple and take a fun ride on the norry or bamboo train before visiting an ancient house. Return to Siem Reap by road on day 9, stopping to visit Artisans d'Angkor silk farm. On your last day, enjoy free time until your departure transfer.

DAY 1: WELCOME TO CAMBODIA - SIEM REAP ARRIVAL

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Siem Reap. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation, where you could have a rest after the flight or head to Pub Street to explore the city at your own pace and have a delicious meal.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 2: SIEM REAP - BIKING TO THE ANCIENT TEMPLES (B)

After breakfast, we cycle to the main temple attraction for an extensive exploration of the magnificent 12th-century Angkor Wat. You will realize why this great temple is simply unsurpassed by any other monument. Continue spinning through a little unnoticed village to visit Ta Prohm, see how the jungles are covering the temple, and admire the power of nature. Upon entering via the North Gate, we proceed further to a little sandstone temple in the jungle called: Ta Nei, which is called a smaller version of Ta Prohm. Other sights en route are - Victory Gate and Ghost Gate before we return to Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 3: EXPLORE THE MAGNIFICIENT TEMPLES OF ROLUOS AND BANTEAY SREI (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel. Today we continue to explore the jungle-covered temples by visiting the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89). See Preah Ko temple, which was built in the late 9th century and dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Continue exploring the sandstone temple Bakong, the largest and the most interesting temple of the Roluos group. It has an active Buddhist monastery just north of the east entrance. Then visit Lolei, which is built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder of the first city at Angkor.

Then stop to visit the well-preserved temple of Banteay Srei with beautiful carvings. Along the way, we make a stopover at the Preah Dark village to visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishnu as well as Krishna legends.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 4: VISIT FLOATING VILLAGES OF TONLE SAP LAKE (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel. Today you will visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometres south of Siem Reap. Take a trip in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, and see how people live right above the water. Spend the afternoon by visiting the "Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor", which provides training to young Cambodians to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and wood sculpting.

Then take a drive to the Pouk district about 15 Km from town, to visit the silk farm, a fascinating farm/workshop where you can see the entire silk creation process, including growing the food for the silk worms, breeding the worms, silk extraction, and refinement, traditional dyeing, pattern creation and looming. Retail silk in a souvenir shop. On the way back, visit the Western Baray (Baray Occidental) measuring 8 km by 2.3 km which provided water for the intensive cultivation of lands around Angkor.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 5: SIEM REAP - TRAVEL TO BATTAMBANG (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your trip to Battambang. Upon arrival in Battambang town and check-in at your hotel, we will drive along the picturesque Sangker River to Wat Slaket Pagoda, the former residence of the provincial Buddhist patriarch. Continue your exploration by visiting Ek Phnom Temple, which is an 11th-century Angkorian-era ruin built as a Hindu temple under Suryavarman I. The temple consists of prasats on a platform with carvings in pretty good condition and a modern pagoda that sits next to the ruin.

The river road you take to drive to Ek Phnom from Battambang passes through small villages and rice paddies. After temple exploration, you will visit a market where Prahoc, the Cambodian fish paste is made, and steam-sticky rice is cooked in bamboo. Return to town for a short walk to the local market.

Overnight at the hotel in Battambang.

DAY 6: BATTAMBANG EXPLORATION (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel. Today we will drive to the village of Ksach Puoy on the banks of the Sangker River. It is home to many well-preserved traditional Khmer wooden stilted homes. This area also grows a variety of tropical fruits and, after the rainy season, farmers plant all kinds of vegetables along the fertile river banks. Here you will learn about traditional agriculture and taste juicy oranges, sweet pineapples, and many other fruits. Not far from Ksach Puoy is Cambodia’s first vineyard - Prasat Phnom Banan Vineyard - you can pop in if you like, learn about producing wine in the tropics, and enjoy a spot of wine tasting! After a few kilometres further, you will arrive at the well-preserved 11th-century mountaintop Angkorian temple of Phnom Banan. After climbing the 350+ steps, you will be treated to a wonderfully peaceful setting with superb views across the surrounding countryside.

Observe the small villages dotting the endless rice paddies and sugar palm trees. In the afternoon, visit the Muslim village and learn about their vocations, traditions, and everyday life. Have a talk with a Buddhist monk and learn about Buddhism and monastic life as well. Wrap your day with a scenic Bamboo train ride experience in the countryside of Oudombong village with the local people.

Overnight at the hotel in Battambang.

DAY 7: BATTAMBANG - DRIVE TO PHNOM PENH (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and start your day by visiting Phnom Sampov, which is a national resort. On the top of Phnom Sampov mountain, there are temples and three natural wells, named Pkar Slar, Lo Khoun, and Ak So Pheak. Have leisure time at the resort, then return to the town. If time permits, we also will explore the French colonial town, where you could see many French architectures. Then your private guide and driver will take you to Phnom Penh.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 8: PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR (B)

Today you will visit Royal Palace, a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. It is like a small town of royal dynasties. Then explore an incredible solid silver-floored Silver Pagoda. It has 5000 silver tiles on the floor and exposes the biggest golden Buddha statue in Cambodia. Then continue to Raung Damrei Museum and National Museum, with over 5000 objects on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas, and other artefacts. Spend the rest of the time at the Russian Market, a great place to hunt for souvenirs, curios, and silks.

Finally, visit Wat Phnom Temple, one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. It was built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 9: PHNOM PENH - COOKING CLASS (B/D)

Have free time in the morning to relax or explore the city at your own pace. In the afternoon, you will learn more about Cambodian gastronomy, which is rich and varied, with tastes and flavours from neighbouring countries. Have hands-on experience in cooking local dishes with the help of the chef. Later enjoy the meals you cooked for an early dinner.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 10: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE - PHNOM PENH DEPARTURE (B)

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home.

Trip Ends.