Essential Cambodia Private 5 days/ 4 nights

Arrive Phnom Penh by flight. Phnom Penh – the city retains its traditional Khmer and colonial charm. French villas along tree-lined boulevards remind the visitor that the city was once considered the gem of Southeast Asia. Recent political changes have triggered an economic boom of sorts, with new hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs springing up around the city.

Visit the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold, and silver. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony, continuing visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was build since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood, and others. Visit Tuol Sleng prison (Genocide Museum) was the most secret organ 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. On 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 school kids walking and cycling to/from school.

We may choose to stop at Skoun, also known as ‘Spider vile’ due to the deep fried tarantula that is the local delicacy, are you adventurous enough to try one?

On route, we may wish to stop off in Kompong Kdei, to look at Spean Pratos – an ancient Angkorian bridge.

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

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

We begin to visit Prasat Kravan: the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls. A massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century, Banteay Kdei is surrounded by four concentric walls, the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 meters. Srah Srang: a basin opposite of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 meters with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple.

We visit Ta Prohm “Tomb Raider” fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, 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 ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

Then we move 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 is 50 meters high and is surrounded by four lower towers. Thommanon: temple which mirrors Chau Say Tevoda (just to the north), as it was built around the same time and has a similar plan. It is also dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. Chaosay Tevorda: built during the second quarter of the 12th century opposite of Thommanon, it was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

We head further out through rural countryside to the small but beautiful temple of Banteay Srei. This temple is largely built of pink sandstone, a harder rock that can be more elaborately carved and better survives the rigors of time. This is an opportunity to capture some good photographs of the clear and detailed carvings. Continue to Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

Dinner with Apsara Dance show at local restaurant.

For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, No visit to Cambodia 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 better described as “dance-drama”in that the dances are not merely dance but also meant to convey a story or message.

Meals: B, D

Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast, we begin to visit:

The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century) See the South Gate, Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru We step to see our old palace as Phimeankas temple in huge complex that was used for our king in the past time. Then Elephant terrace is platform for king and officer viewed show and people meeting. Preah Palilay was is older than Angkor Thom was nearby, deeply in forest and on path back You see monk sprinkle water to people. We continue to visiting to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

Enjoy foot massage 1hour and walking at busy pub street where you can find many bars for cool drink or shopping at Angkor Night Market.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to next destination. Say goodbye to your Cambodian guide and driver. Goodbye Cambodia!!!!

Meals: B

Accommodation: N/A