Phnom Penh Trip Overview
This is an extensively exploring trip which is beyond your expectation in Cambodia. This trip is providing you more details of history, culture, civilization and daily lives of Cambodian people regarding to each place. Dark era of Khmer Rough history will be elaborated by tour guide when you go to visit Toul Sleng and Killing Field. Royal family life and Franch colonization regime are mentioned in Royal Palace and National Museum.
Standard living of local people in the countryside at homestay is a kind of Once A Life Time for you. You will also get much information on temples from Pre-Angkorian to Angkorian Period at Sambo Preykuk Group. Furthermore; Siem Reap is a home of Khmer Empire from 9th century to 14th century. There are a lot of large structures standing and waiting for all travelers from every corner of the world.
Additional Info
* Duration: 7 days
* Starts: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
* Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Cambodia
This is an extensively exploring trip which is beyond your expectation in Cambodia. This trip is providing you more details of history, culture, civilization and daily lives of Cambodian people regarding to each place. Dark era of Khmer Rough history will be elaborated by tour guide when you go to visit Toul Sleng and Killing Field. Royal family life and Franch colonization regime are mentioned in Royal Palace and National Museum.
Standard living of local people in the countryside at homestay is a kind of Once A Life Time for you. You will also get much information on temples from Pre-Angkorian to Angkorian Period at Sambo Preykuk Group. Furthermore; Siem Reap is a home of Khmer Empire from 9th century to 14th century. There are a lot of large structures standing and waiting for all travelers from every corner of the world.
Itinerary
Day 1: National Museum, Royal Palace and Wat Phnom
Stop At: National Museum, 13th St. Between 178th and 184th Sts., Phnom Penh Cambodia
National Museum is home to the world’s finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period. The exquisite building was completed between 1917 and 1920 and features a lush courtyard garden surrounded by collections from the pre-Angkor, Angkor and post-Angkor periods. We concentrate on the incredible sandstone sculpture from Angkor, as well as the intricate bronzes.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Royal Palace, Sothearos between Street 240 & 184, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. We begin amid the beautiful royal gardens, landscaped with tropical plants and studded with gleaming spires. We enter the Throne Hall where the royal receptions are held and the Cambodian king’s coronation took place. We then pass the Napoleon III Pavilion made from iron, a gift from the French emperor in the 19thcentury.We continue to the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor, each weighing 1kg. Inside are some of the country’s most cherished treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Wat Phnom, Street 96 Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Wat Phnom, a symbol of the city. Located on one of the few hills in this pancake-flat capital, the first pagoda was originally built in 1373 to house Buddha statues discovered in the Mekong by a woman named Penh. This gives us the modern name of the city, Phnom Penh or Hill of Penh. Cambodians come to the shrine to pray for luck in love and life, employment and exams, so there it is always a bustling place.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Toul Sleng, Killing Field and Central Market
Stop At: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Corner of Street 113 & St 350 History Museum, Phnom Penh 12304 Cambodia
Tuol Sleng was a former high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a centre for interrogation, torture and death. Today it is a museum of torture and serves to remind visitors of the terrible atrocities that came to pass in Cambodia. 17,000 people passed through the gates of this prison and only seven lived to tell the tale. Experience and not everyone will want to visit. However, it is key to understanding the hell into which Cambodia descended and how far it has come in the years since.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, Roluos Village, Sangkat Cheung Aek, Phnom Penh Cambodia
We then travel out of town to the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek. Prisoners from Tuol Sleng followed this same route to their fate. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeng Ek was turned into an extermination camp for political prisoners. The remains of 8985 people were exhumed from mass graves and are kept in a memorial stupa here. Despite the horrors of the past, it is a peaceful place to go and a tranquil spot to reflect on the tragic events that engulfed Cambodia and its people.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Central Market, Calmette St. 53, Phnom Penh 55555 Cambodia
We travel to the impressive Central Market, one of the city landmarks. Originally completed by the French in 1937, this striking structure is known as PsarThmei in Khmer or New Market. The huge dome is wonderfully ventilated, a testament to the design, and this market is loaded with anything and everything available in Cambodia. Buy with caution, as this market has a reputation for overcharging or ‘shaving your head’ as Cambodians like to call it.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Phnom Penh-Homestay Kompung Thom
Stop At: Sambor Prei Kuk, Road 219 Cambodia
After breakfast at hotel, we leave Phnom Penh to Kompong Thom province. This province is very large in size with some 13,814 km2 making it the second biggest province of Cambodia. It is known as the historical and cultural site to explore with the presence of the pre-Angkorian temples. On the way, we will have few stops for toilet, a spider market and big market in the town. You will see a lot of bugs and birds on sales. Depending on arrival time, we may check in homestay first or directly to visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia. It is known as the historical and cultural site to explore with the presence of the pre-Angkorian temples. Overnight in Homestay
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Sambo Preykuk Temples, Kampong Thom Cambodia
Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia. It is known as the historical and cultural site to explore with the presence of the pre-Angkorian temples.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Insanapura Homestay- Eco-based community tourism.
Day 4: Home Stay to Siem Reap
Stop At: Spean Praptos, Kampong Kdei Cambodia
• After breakfast at hotel, we will continue our trip to Siem Reap spending around 03 hours and upon arrival check in hotel to store luggage. On the way, we will stop to visit Kampung Kdey Bridge, Bamboo Sticky Rice and Khmer Noodle. On arrival in Siem Reap, we take a short city tour to pub street, old market and night market. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Siem Reap-Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Taprohm Temples
Stop At: Angkor Wat, Sangkat Nokor Thum, Siem Reap Cambodia
The architectural master piece was built in the 12th century, took 30 years to complete and represents the Khmer civilization at its grandest. Covering 81 hectares, it is one of the largest religious monuments ever built. Angkor Wat (the biggest Hindu temple in the world and the one of the largest religious monument in the world, built in between the 9th – 13th century, its general view are five ancients towers’ figure that embroidered or printed to the Kingdom of Cambodia’s Flag now.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap 17259 Cambodia
Rising eight meters high, the laterite wall measures 3x3km and guards many treasures inside, protected by a moat still flooded today. You will enter the ancient city through its South Gate. In the very centre lies the temple of Bayon – silent witnesses of time, the 216 enigmatic faces gaze over the horizon and one can only wonder what they have seen throughout the ages. Your guide will point out the best angles for photography here and give explanation of the many intricate carvings on the walls of the galleries. You will then continue to Baphuon with its long causeway and an impressive giant Reclining Buddha, a jigsaw puzzle only put back together in 2011 following a 37 year-long disruption caused by the war. Phimeanakas is hiding in the shaded jungle and offers a decent over-the-tree-tops view to those who conquer the steep steps to the top. Continuing along the Esplanade of the Royal Palace more commonly known as the Terrace of the Elephants you will wind up your exploration in the shaded area of the picturesque Preah Palilay.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 21000 Cambodia
Ta Prohm, gained its 21st Century fame from the movie Tomb Raider featuring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Today, with Lara long gone, this temple is on the itinerary of most visitors and rightfully so. Many corners of Ta Prohm showcase an intricate relationship between the roots of Spung tree (Tetrameles Nudiflora) and ancient stones covered in moss. Truly a photographer’s paradise, don’t miss the opportunity to capture your own explorer’s moments.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 6: Banteay Srey, Banteay Samre, Preh Khan and Sunset at Pre Rup temple
Stop At: Banteay Srei, Siem Reap Cambodia
Banteay Srei well known for its beautiful delicate carvings in warm pink sandstone. This late 10th century structure is fairly compact and very different from other Angkorian temples.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Banteay Samre, Banteay Srei Angkor, Siem Reap Cambodia
Banteay Samre – a larger temple which is often overlooked by tourists and looks gorgeous in late afternoon light.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Neak Pean, Angkor Wat Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17252 Cambodia
Neak Pean offers a different view altogether. Located in the centre of the Northern Baray, this temple is essentially an island and most impressive to view in the wet season. The long raised wooden causeway leading to the temple is surrounded by water and submerged tree trunks lend the scene a ghostly appearance.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Preah Khan, Angkor Wat Angkor Archaelogical Park, Siem Reap 17252 Cambodia
Travel to Preah Khan; another temple with spectacular trees and roots taking over the ancient man made structures which would give Ta Prohm run for its money any day! Explore the delicate carvings and don’t miss the only two-storey construction in Angkor; standing on high columns this is a unique phenomenon in Khmer architecture. Your knowledgeable guide will help you navigate through the temple grounds before continuing further.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Pre Rup, National Road #6 Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17252 Cambodia
Sunset at Pre Rup temple which was built in 967 AD dedicated to Shiva. This temple was built of bricks.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 7: Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Rolous Group, Floating Village and Handicraft Center
Stop At: Angkor Wat, Sangkat Nokor Thum, Siem Reap Cambodia
The silhouette of the largest religious monument ever built slowly emerges in front of you as darkness gives way to the first rays of dawn…. This is a truly spectacular sight and well worth the early start today! You may wish to assume the classic viewing position by the lotus pond and see Angkor Wat and its reflection or find yourself a different vantage point to appreciate and photograph this mesmerising temple. After that, come back to hotel for breakfast.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Roluos Temples, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap Cambodia
After breakfast, we go to visit the late 9th century Hindu temples Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko form what is collectively known as the Rolous group located 15km west of Siem Reap, away from the main Angkor Archaeological Park. Explore the early capital of Angkor and let your guide show you the most attractive sites in this location, the most impressive being the pyramid-like Bakong surrounded by moat still containing water today.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kompong Phluk, On the Tonle Sap, Siem Reap Cambodia
Kompong Phluk, an authentic stilted village on the edge of the great Tonle Sap Lake. Here, the Khmer, Vietnamese and Cham people live in harmony with the rising and falling water levels of the lake. Fun fact: most households here own boats as well as motorbikes as their road becomes a water channel during the monsoon. The biggest attraction in this neighbourhood is the eerie Flooded Forest accessible by boat during the wet season.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Artisans Angkor, Stung Thmey Street, Siem Reap 17259 Cambodia
To lighten up the mood a little we suggest a visit to the Artisans d’Angkor workshop where skilled artists produce gorgeous pieces of lacquer, stone carvings and silver plating and seeing them at work shows the positive direction of the path Cambodia finds itself on today. If you don’t find your souvenirs and gifts here then perhaps the Old Market will have what you are looking for. Browse and use your bartering skills to bring home your memories of Siem Reap.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
