8 Days The Cambodian Escapes

At 8:00am, pick you from your hotel for the day’s tour. Your first visit is the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk and see the ancient capital of Angkor Thom built in the late 12th century before we head onwards to Bayon temple which is unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. Baphuon is like an artificial mountain that recently re-opened after years of restoration. Following, you may visit the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Then continue to the popular temple of Ta Prohm which is the modern name of the temple at Angkor, built in the late 12th to early 13th centuries. However, probably more famous for being the location where they filmed the Tomb Raider movie.

At 08:30am, proceed to the tour started by Angkor National Museum, an archaeological museum dedicated the collection, preservation and presentation of Angkorian artifacts. The collections are mainly dated from Khmer Empire's Angkor period circa 9th to 14th centuries, with most of the artifacts discovered in and around the Angkor archaeological sites nearby. Then your tour guide will bring you back to the ancient time before the Angkorian period where you will visit the first Angkorian capital of Bakong, which represents the first application of the temple-mountain architectural formula on a grand scale with a picturesque moat and vegetation surrounding Bakong. Step into the pagoda for monk blessing, special Buddhist tradition whereby a local monk will impart wishes of good luck and success in a solemn, age-old ceremony.

After lunch at local restaurant, we set off to Tonle Sap Lake where you will discover different aspects of the floating village activities from crocodile farming to fishing farms, traditional medicine shops, boat shops, spirit houses, floating schools, and more. Towards Artisans D’ Angkor, a local artisan boutique which was established to support Cambodian arts and crafts. Discover how wood and stone carvings, lacquering, gilding, and silk paintings are created.

Today, you will transfer to the bus station or airport for departing to Phnom Penh City. By bus takes approximately 6 hours and by flight takes 1 hour. Upon arrival to Phnom Penh city our guide will transfer you to your hotel for check in. Please note check-in time is at 14:00.

In the afternoon, we start your tour to visit the Central Market, built in 1937 during the French colonial period. Selling gold and silver jewelry, electronic equipment, clothing, fake watches and bags, suitcases, dried and fresh food and lots of souvenirs. Next is Wat Lanka, one of the oldest pagodas in Phnom Penh. It was established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks. Then go to see Independence Monument, modelled on the central tower of Angkor Wat, Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1953. It also serves as a memorial to Cambodia’s war dead. Wreaths are laid here on national holidays.

A discovery tour of Phnom Penh. At 8:00am you will be met by your driver and guide. Gain insight into the recent dark history of Cambodia at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – a former school converted to a detention center during the Khmer Rouge. Equally as harrowing are the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. These are tough visits but important for learning about the country’s history. The rest of the day is much lighter, visiting the Russian Market, the largest in Cambodia, where everything is sold from carvings to jewelry, clothes and souvenirs. We then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant for Khmer delicacies.

In the afternoon, we visit Wat Phnom, a beautiful hilltop temple with manicured gardens, followed by the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, name for the 5,000 silver tiles that cover the pagoda’s floor, known for its collection of gold, silver, crystal and bronze Buddha statues.

In the morning, you will take a private transfer to Sihanoukville. It takes approximately 4 hours, depending on the traffic situation. Upon arrival, directly transfer to your hotel for check-in. Please note that standard check in time is at 14:00. Rest of the day is free at leisure.