Amazing Cambodia – 5 Days 4 Nights

You’ll be treated to a lovely, warm greeting at Siem Reap airport by your experienced, expert tour guide who will accompany you through your enlightening tour of the country!

Your first port of call will be the symbol of Buddhist culture, the Buddha Shrin of Preah Anchek Preah Angchorm for a burst of insight and a look into the Cambodian religious culture and history, immediately followed by a walk through the lush, flourishing old garden of King Norodom Sihanouk and an experience through the Damnak Pagoda; one of the relics of the surviving Khmer architecture. Read the stories of the Buddha’s life as well as the Hindu culture.

Your carefully selected hotel then awaits for a much needed rest before a visit to one of Siem Reap’s calls to fame. After all, this city is home to the large crocodile farm in the entire world, and you’ll be lucky enough to visit it on your first day in the beautiful city. Unwind with a shopping journey through the Old Market and a great, nutritious buffet with an Apsara Dance Show, ready for a night of restful sleep.

Get straight onto the highlights of the tour with a visit to the world’s best known heritage sites; the temple of Angkor Wat; a place of rich cultural history, a beautiful timeline of folklore, and numerous symbols of history engraved on the stone walls for all to see. But that’s not before an exciting morning accented by a soul-nourishing breakfast to the south gate of Siem Reap. Here you will find Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of elephant, and the glorious city of Ta Prohm. All of these are amazing symbols of learning and will leave you fascinated by the interesting, yet rather turbulent history of the region. And you’ll round the day off with a breathtaking view of the rice paddy and of West Baray right from the very peak of Bakheng Mountain just in time for sunset! While it may seem like the climax of your journey, there’s far more where that came from!

Today will begin, after a hearty morning meal, of course, with a visit to the majestic Golden Silk Farm where you can gain a great insight into the start of the national silk trade, and watch the process from start to finish; the source of many of Cambodia’s fabulous traditional garments. You’ll even get a chance to see and touch the finished clothes!

Once your appetite for craftsmanship is sated, you’ll be visiting the Baray Teuk Thla. Built during the 11^th century for the business of keeping agriculture in the area flourishing, just as it is today, it’s a great example of ancient technology and its adaptation into the world of today, and a fantastic opportunity to see and sample the products it helps to make for yourself, including a taste of the rich Khmer tea and coffee. You may even learn some secrets to the Cambodia cuisine, and be able to take it home to your own kitchen so you can cook up a storm at home!

And then it’s time for your trip to Phnom Penh. Your method of transport will be bus. But you won’t just be taking any old bus, you’ll be able to kick back in a seat of pure luxury during the 6 hour trek. Get yourself checked in and you’re ready for the last leg of your journey!

Once you’re all rested up and ready to go in the city of Phnom Penh, you’ll visit the Una Loam Pagoda; one of the very oldest pagodas of its time. And you’ll come face to face with a pinnacle of the fabled Khmer architecture, the Royal Palace, and all of its defensive walls and quirks. It boasts an amazing throne hall, and is situated really close to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which you will also have the luxury of visiting.

With a lunch provided by the Friend Restaurant, you’ll have some free time to spend browsing the extensive Russian market for the chance to find that souvenir of a lifetime to take home to your friends and family, and then a wander around a cornerstone in the regional history, the killing fields, known locally as Choeung Ek. It is a massive, enigmatic memorial park that has been built around the mass graves occupied by prisoners from the S-21 Prison in Phnom Penh. It’s a slice of turbulent and chilling history but still an enlightening experience. There are many dozens of graves visible from above ground, and there are many which still have not been excavated. And with this great history in the mind, you’ll spend an hour travelling the Mekong River by boat just in time for your final rest before the end of our holiday.

It’s a sad day for both you and for us, but today will be spent with your transfer back to your airport for your final journey home. It has been a really eventful stay over here in the beautiful corner of Asia, and we’re sure you’ll be back very soon! So remember, take home that cuisine and that amazing knowledge, and be sure to show the snaps to everyone you know!