4 Days Cambodia Classic Tour | from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Day 1: Siem Reap – Arrival By Flight [ – ]

Trade in the rapidly-developing capital for the historic streets of Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our driver will greet you with a welcome sign and transfer you to the hotel for the check-in process. Please note: The official check-in time is 2 pm. Early check-in is subject to availability and additional charges. The reminder of the day is free at leisure. (no guide and transportation at disposal) Lunch and dinner at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Siem Reap – Full Day Temple Tour By Tuk Tuk [B, L, D]

Breakfast at hotel. No trip to Cambodia is complete without exploring iconic Angkor Wat temple, and this full-day tuk-tuk tour introduces us to the main jewels in Cambodia’s temple-studded crown. From the hotel, we jump in our tuk tuk and drive to Angkor Archaeological Park and head straight to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom. It is home to several incredible spots. We start at the impressive South Gate before heading to Bayon and its 216 giant smiling faces carved into stone. Next, we visit 11th century Baphoun, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of Leper King, Phimenanakas, and the Royal Enclosure. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, we explore Ta Prohm, built in the late-12th century by King Jayavarman VII. Its mystery captures the imaginations of visitors, with parts seemingly swallowed by giant roots of the ancient trees that overshadow it. Our final stop is Angkor Wat. Standing as the world’s largest religious structure, the ancient Khmer Empire capital is home to a Hindu temple complex, baths, a library and other crumbling structures. Please note: Visitors are required to keep their knees and shoulders covered at all sacred sites. Next is Les Senteurs d’Angkor, a social and ecological business that transforms herbs and spices used traditionally into cosmetic or food products. We will find world-renowned Kampot pepper, Rattanakiri coffee and soap products enhanced with lemongrass, jasmine and mango. Dinner with Apsara Dance Performance at local restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap. After dinner, we will provide drop-off service at Pub Street, allowing you to explore and indulge in your own leisure and entertainment. During this time, you will have the freedom to navigate Pub Street without a guide and transportation at your disposal. When you are ready to return to your hotel, it will be your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements for transportation. There are various options available, including local tuk-tuks or taxi services, which can be easily hailed in the area.

Day 3: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (By Flight) [B]

OPTION 1: HIGH LEVEL OF TONLE SAP WATER: AUGUST-JANUARY*** The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in South-East Asia. This huge body of water stretches for 250 km – making it seem like an inland sea. At 8 am the driver will meet us at the hotel and set off on a 40-minute drive to Kampong Phluk, a village on the Tonle Sap Lake. A stop enroute gives us the chance to stroll around Rolous Market. At a small canal, we board a boat for the journey to Kampong Phluk where we can enjoy the scenery of wooden houses precariously perched on top of long thin poles that rise up to seven metres out of the river, depending on the tide. Life here takes place on the water. Villagers trade goods such as fruit and vegetables from their boats and we may also spot fishermen and children in their uniforms going to and from school. We then transfer onto small canoes to explore the mangroves on the lookout for waterbirds, insects and other wildlife. Back on the boat, we continue to the Tonle Sap Lake to learn about the ecosystem and its rich biosphere reserve. Please note: The Tonle Sap water levels vary and this can affect the itinerary. The high level is from August to January and the low level is from February to July. The replacement option for Tonle Sap Lake during low water levels will include Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, and a Siem Reap local food tasting at Preah Dak Village, as detailed in Option 2. OPTION 2: LOW LEVEL OF TONLE SAP WATER: FEBRUARY-JULY*** Today’s temple-hopping adventure starts at the more remote spots of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. Banteay Srei Temple: Rediscovered in the 1900s, Banteay Srei is remarkably preserved and considered to be a tribute to women due to its pink sandstone. Its small size and delicate carvings of Apsara, male and female divinities represent the skilled craftsmanship of sandstone carvings. Situated about 25 km north of Angkor, it is one of the region's oldest temples and the finest making it a firm favourite. Banteay Srei remains a sacred site for Khmer people so appropriate dress is required. Banteay Samre Temple Banteay Samre is a moderately low-rise temple built in the typical Angkor Wat style which was dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu and famed for its intricate carvings of Buddhist depictions and Hindu mythological stories. About 19 km from Siem Reap, Banteay Samre consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries which have undergone extensive restoration. Archaeologists working on this site which was overgrown with jungle took Banteay Samre apart to then reconstructed it as close to its former glory as possible. Siem Reap local food tasting at Preah Dak Village Siem Reap local food tasting at Preah Dak Village is a culinary adventure that takes you deep into the heart of Cambodian cuisine. Situated in the outskirts of Siem Reap, Preah Dak Village offers a unique and authentic experience for food enthusiasts. As you arrive at Preah Dak Village, you'll be greeted by the enticing aromas of local delicacies being prepared by passionate chefs. The village is known for its vibrant food stalls and open-air eateries, where you can witness the culinary traditions of Siem Reap come to life. As you explore the local food scene, you'll have the chance to interact with the friendly vendors and learn about the cultural significance behind each dish. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Preah Dak Village, where the locals' passion for food shines through in every bite. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply curious about Cambodian cuisine, the Siem Reap local food tasting at Preah Dak Village promises to be a delightful and enriching experience. Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary adventure that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the flavors and traditions of Siem Reap. Please note that for our clients who book and confirm services under the SIC option with a different departure flight, we will need to arrange a one-way transfer based on the earliest schedule. If a separate transfer is preferred, an additional charge will apply. Lunch at leisure. Following the lunch, you will proceed to the airport to catch your departure flight, which is situated approximately 50km from the town, which can be reached within an estimated one-hour drive, in preparation for our departure flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Techo International Airport, our guide will greet you and transfer you to the hotel for the check-in process. The rest of the day is free for your leisure. Lunch and dinner are at your own leisure. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh.

Day 4: Phnom Penh – Departure By Flight [B]

Discover Phnom Penh’s rich heritage and culture with this exhilarating half-day city tour car. From our hotel, we will set off on our adventure that takes in the vibrant capital’s top attractions. This includes the Royal Palace and adjacent Silver Pagoda. Home to Cambodia’s official royal residence, the grounds of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are sprinkled with regal structures, intimate temples and murals that paint a picture of the country’s past. The Silver Pagoda is an ornate structure also known as Wat Preah Keo, or ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’. Its floor is covered with five tonnes of silver spread across over 5,000 tiles. The staircase leading to the pagoda is made of Italian marble, with the temple home to a life-sized gold Buddha with 2,086 diamonds. We then head to the north of the Royal Palace grounds to visit the National Museum. Built in a Khmer style between 1917 and 1920 by a French architect, this terracotta building has a welcoming courtyard and the most important artefacts and sculptures from the Angkor era and before. This includes an eight-armed statue of the god of Vishnu found at Phnom Da and a giant pair of wrestling monkey from the Angkor collection. Other exhibits include a wooden barge, and bronze and pottery from the Funan and Chenla, Indravarman and Angkor periods. We continue to Wat Phnom, a lady called Penh found this temple which led to the capital being given the name Phnom Penh translating to 'The hill of the lady Penh' after this tale. Situated in the middle of Cambodia's capital on a manmade, and the city's only hill, some twenty-seven metres high is Wat Phnom. Frequented by locals seeking luck in their personal and work lives, according to legend the original pagoda was built in 1373 to house four Buddha statues said to have been deposited by the waters of the Mekong. Please note: Visitors are required to keep their knees and shoulders covered at the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Please note that for our clients who book and confirm services under the SIC option with a different departure flight, we will need to arrange a one-way transfer based on the earliest schedule. If a separate transfer is preferred, an additional charge will apply. Lunch at leisure. Following the lunch, you will proceed to Techo International airport to catch your departure flight, which is situated approximately 30km from the town, which can be reached within an estimated 45 minutes (depending on traffic condition), in preparation for our departure flight to the next destination. We highly recommend scheduling a late afternoon flight to ensure that all services are completed before departing for your next destination.