Multiple Khmer Splendors

Day 1: Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide who will accompany you in a private car to your hotel. Today you'll have a free day, so sit back and relax after your flight, having lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, start your Phnom Penh tour, passing by the Independence Monument and the French colonial quarter. The Sunset Cruise on the Tonlé Chatomuk, crossing the upper and lower Mekong River to Tonlé Sap and Tonlé Bassac, is a fantastic way to end your first evening.   Day 2: After a hotel breakfast, visit the Throne Hall and the Silver Pagoda, located within Royal Palace gardens. Admire the emerald buddha on a tile-paved floor, while history buffs will opt to visit the National Museum, boasting thousand-year old artifacts dating back as far as the Pre-Angkor Era. After lunch, your guide will accompany you to Wat Phnom, a man-made hill, before a visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, aka S-21, a former high school which previously served as a prison. Day 3: Set off to Kampong Cham (124km, approx. 2-hour drive). On the way, stop at the picturesque crossroad town of Skun for a local culinary delicacy: deep-fried spiders!Next up is a visit to Wat Nokor Bachey Temple, crossing over the Kizuna Bridge for a Chup rubber plantation visit en route. Continue by car after lunch to Kampong Thom after a pit-stop at the Angkorian shrine, Wat Kuhear Nokor.  Arrive at your hotel in Kampong Thom  Day 4: After breakfast, stop at the Provincial Museum in Kampong Thom town.  Visit the Sambor Prey Kuk Temples nestled in the forest, where the Pre-Angkorian Capital City, Isanapura (Isarn Borei) was located. In the afternoon, journey on to Siem Reap via Naga Bridge.   Day 5: In the morning, journey back to Angkor times with a visit to the Roluos Group, Jayavarman II’s Capital City, Hariharalaya. There are three major temples to discover: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. Afterwards, stop by the Krama Yu-Yu Center to purchase superb “Khmer Krama” (pronounced Kroh-Mah), the traditional multi-purpose material which is a symbol of the Khmer people. Note: During your visit to the Angkor Wat Temples, visitors should dress modestly (no miniskirts or shorts above the knee). ​Children under 12 years old are not allowed to climb up to the main Bakan Tower, and the Central Tower will be closed during the Khmer Buddhist Day, 4 days a month according to the Lunar calendar.   Day 6: Your journey today starts in the morning with a visit to Angkor Thom (the Great Angkor City) entering through the Southern Gate lined on both sides with gods and giants. Carry on to the recently restored Baphuon and its huge Reclining Buddha, then stroll within the vicinity to Phimean Akas, the ancient Royal Palace Finally reach the Elephant Terrace and then the Leper King Terrace. Stop at the Preah Khan Temple, followed by the four-basin Nick Pean. Day 7: In the morning, visit Banteay Srey Temple, considered to be a jewel in classic Khmer arts. On your way back, stop briefly at a traditional village to see the collection of sugar palm juice and the making of palm sugar (October to April for the collecting season).  Finally stop at Prasat Kravan, the only monument in the Angkor Archaeological Park with beautiful carvings on its brick walls. In the early afternoon, board a traditional wooden boat to see the floating villages on the Great Tonlé Sap Lake, where traditional fishing takes place. Day 8: After breakfast, join the Architectural Walking Tour of Siem Reap, taking you from Old Wats and Pagodas along the river to the Old Market where colonial buildings stand as a testimony to the French presence during the protectorate. Here you'll get to discover the daily lives of the inhabitants in Siem Reap. Then, visit Cambolac, the Cambodian Lacquer Association.  Your guide will accompany you to the airport for your departure flight.