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 shrine in the country. We visit both structures as well as the legendary temple of Wat Phnom before continuing to the National Museum, dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period (9th to 15th Century), but some date from as early as the 4th Century. The Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ?Killing Fields? of Choeung Ek are not to be missed. A visit to these sights provides us a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge.
INCLUDING: Transportation in private car with driver + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights.
An interesting drive through the rich farming land to Takeo with the first stop being Phnom Chisor Temple Mountain, which dates from the 11th Century. There are 500 steps leading up to the top of the hill from where we can enjoy fabulous views over the surrounding countryside. We continuously travel south to the quiet town of Takeo before we board a boat for a short cruise to the pre-Angkorian style temple of Phnom Da and a nearby temple of Asram Maharosei. The steep path over some big rocks makes Asram Maharosei different from other temples in Cambodia. On the way back, we have a chance to visit the Tonle Bati with Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau Temple. The trip ends after arrival in Phnom Penh. (L)
INCLUDING: Transportation in private car with driver + 1 Lunch (L) + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights.
Depart from Phnom Penh. En route, visit a Cham Muslim village. Arrive at Phnom Baset. Visit the pre-Angkorian temple (8th century) and the pagoda to view the reclining Buddha. Enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding plains and rice-fields from the hilltop. Drive to Udong where a picnic lunch will be served. Then, visit the various temples and the three large stupas where the ashes of three former Kings are preserved. Next, visit the most impressive structure of the site, the "Vihara of the 18-Cubit Buddha". En route to Phnom Penh, stop to visit a silver craft village. (L)
INCLUDING: Transportation in private car with driver + 1 Lunch (L) + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights.
An early morning start to drive towards Kompong Cham. This town has plenty of interesting sights, some of which are old colonial buildings and Wat Nokhor with its ancient temple and modern style pagoda. After seeing these sights, we have time strolling around the town to discover different way of lifes. Heading out of the town, we drive across the new bridge to Chhup, Cambodia's biggest growing rubber area. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible. The trip ends after arrival in Phnom Penh. (L)
INCLUDING: Transportation in private car with driver + 1 Lunch (L) + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights.
The Shallow Tonle Sap is the largest of Southeast Asia's lakes. Numerous streams feed it and it drains by Tonle Sap River west to the Mekong River. During the wet monsoon season of June to November, the high waters of the Mekong River reverse the flow of the Tonle Sape River and increase the size of the lake from about 2, 600 to 10,400 sq km. This morning we take a short drive to the boat landing before we set off on a full day excursion exploring Tonle Sap Lake. We pass by the Chong Kneas on our way to the bustling floating village of Prek Toal. There is an exciting cruise around this village as we see the local lifestyle close up, which we will see a ?floating village? ? boats have been converted to look like houses and the ?village? move from place to place following water levels. We continue venturing into the flooded forest which is home to many species of rare water birds; discover the natural splendours of the country as well as the centuries-old lifestyle of the inhabitants of the lake and enjoy bird watching in the Bird Sanctuary. Discover the incredible variety of water birds and endangered species such as storks, pelicans and ibises. Picnic lunch provided during the tour. Return to Siem Reap port (L)
INCLUDING: Transportation in private car with driver + 1 Lunch (L) + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights + Boat trip. Note: The best time for visiting the Bird Sanctuary of Prek Tuol is from December to June. Later, as the water level rises, most of the birds scatter away.
The sightseeing tour begins with a visit to 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, the largest and most complete structure of Angkor Wat. The temple of Ta Prohm, with enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embracing themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature is an incredible sight. We explore this masterpiece as well as its surrounding temples of Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo,? before we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments.
INCLUDING: Transportation in private car with driver + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights
