Essential Cambodia Group 5 days/ 4 nights

Arrive in Phnom Penh by flight.

Phnom Penh retains its traditional Khmer and colonial charm. French villas along tree-lined boulevards remind visitors that the city was once considered the gem of Southeast Asia. Recent political changes have triggered a degree of economic growth, with new hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs springing up around the city.

Visit the Royal Palace compound, built in 1866 by the predecessors of King Norodom. It is one of the city's most prominent landmarks and an impressive complex of colorful Khmer-style palaces. Nearby is the Silver Pagoda (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which houses numerous Buddha statues decorated with diamonds, emeralds, gold, and silver.

Continue to the Independence Monument, constructed in 1954 after Cambodia regained its independence from French colonial rule. Then visit the National Museum, a distinctive red building featuring beautiful Khmer architecture. Built in 1917, the museum contains more than 5,000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood, and other materials.

Visit Tuol Sleng Prison (Genocide Museum), which served as one of the most secretive institutions of the Khmer Rouge regime. S-21 stands for "Security Office 21."

Stay overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals: D

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Today, we travel by road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. En route, we will witness the everyday lives of Cambodians as we pass through interesting provincial towns, bucolic villages, and delightful scenery. This is no “freeway dash,” as we will often slow down to let cows and water buffalo wander across the road, pass horse-drawn carriages, and see schoolchildren walking and cycling to and from school.

We may choose to stop at Skoun, also known as “Spider Ville” due to its deep-fried tarantulas, a local delicacy. Are you adventurous enough to try one?

En route, we may also stop in Kompong Kdei to see Spean Pratos, an ancient Angkorian bridge.

Before arriving in Siem Reap, we discover Kampong Khleang, the largest floating village near Siem Reap, which receives relatively few tourists. Depending on the season, the experience will never be the same. During the dry season, from January to July, you can walk between the stilts on which the houses are built, rising up to 10 meters into the air. In the wet season, when the lake reaches its peak level, the water rises to within one or two meters of the floors of the buildings. A local family will take you on a boat tour to discover the splendor of these houses before continuing to Siem Reap.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

We begin our visit with Prasat Kravan, a group of five brick towers built for Hindu worship in 921. They are notable for the bas-reliefs carved into the bricks on the interior walls.

Banteay Kdei is a massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century. It is surrounded by four concentric walls, with the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 meters.

Srah Srang is a basin opposite Banteay Kdei, measuring 800 by 400 meters. In the middle is a tiny island where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple.

We visit Ta Prohm, famous for its appearance in “Tomb Raider.” Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, serving as a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was when “discovered” by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the temple features tentacle-like tree roots that are slowly strangling the surviving stones. Here, man first conquered nature to create, and nature later conquered man to destroy.

We then move on to Ta Keo, built by Jayavarman V, who ruled from 968 to 1001. It was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated to Shiva. The summit of the central tower stands 50 meters high and is surrounded by four lower towers.

Thommanon mirrors Chau Say Tevoda, located just to the north, as both temples were built around the same time and share a similar plan. Thommanon is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

Chau Say Tevoda, built during the second quarter of the 12th century opposite Thommanon, was also dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

We head further into the rural countryside to visit the small but beautiful temple of Banteay Srei. This temple is largely built of pink sandstone, a harder rock that allows for more elaborate carvings and better withstands the rigors of time. This is an opportunity to capture some beautiful photographs of the clear and detailed carvings.

Continue to Banteay Samre, where the rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, among the most accomplished examples of Angkorian art.

Enjoy dinner with an Apsara Dance show at a local restaurant.

For travelers seeking the cultural highlights of Cambodia, no visit to the country is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as “Apsara Dance” after one of the most popular classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance is better described as “dance-drama,” as the performances are not merely dances but also convey stories or messages.

Meals: B, D

Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast, we begin our visit to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century).

See the South Gate and Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara.

Visit Baphuon Temple, located just north of Bayon, a pyramidal representation of the mythical Mount Meru.

We continue to Phimeanakas Temple, located within a huge complex that served as a royal palace in the past. Next, visit the Elephant Terrace, a platform where the king and officials watched shows and held meetings.

Preah Palilay, an older temple located near Angkor Thom, lies deep in the forest along the return path. Here, you may see monks sprinkling water on people.

We continue to visit the famous temple of Angkor Wat. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, Angkor Wat is renowned for its beauty and splendor. It features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, running along the outer gallery walls and narrating stories from Hindu mythology.

Enjoy a one-hour foot massage, followed by a walk along the bustling Pub Street, where you can find many bars serving cool drinks, or go shopping at Angkor Night Market.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel

Transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your departure to the next destination. Say goodbye to your Cambodian guide and driver.

Goodbye, Cambodia!

Meals: B

Accommodation: