Explore Cambodia 8 Days/7nights

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Int’s Airport, process immigration procedure (visa on arrival is available or obtain in
advance via www.evisa.gov.kh ), then get your luggage and walk straight to the Exit Gate where our
representative is waiting. After self-introduced, you’ll transfer directly to hotel in the city for check in (check in
time is 2pm). Time to fresh-up and relax at hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we depart to Preah Khan Temple. It is located northeast of Angkor Thom and just west of the
Jayatataka baray, with which it was associated. It was the center of a substantial organization, with almost
100,000 officials and servants. Next is Neak Poan, “the entwined snakes” is a small temple located on an
island in the center of the now dry Jayatataka baray, a water reservoir 3,500-meter-long and 900 meter wide.
Continue to Tasom offers some beautiful photo spots, especially the rear entrance where tree roots adorn the
gateway.
We will visit the Landmine Museum where Mr. Aki Ra, a child soldier in the Khmer Rouge, has dedicated his
life to helping those in need. Having spent most of his childhood fighting for the Khmer Rouge, Mr. Aki Ra was
trained by the United Nations to detonate land mines; His fantastic work earned him a nomination for CNN
Hero of the Year in 2010. They will stop at a local village to visit the families that are producing palm sugar.
Drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in
the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture,
and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure
bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments, and friezes. On the way back stop at
Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice
chance for you to see the local people living at the countryside with their struggling for daily life. Not to be
missed is Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which
are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

We start very early in the morning so we can capture the iconic picture of the pre-dawn facing Angkor Wat
temple. Sunrise at Angkor Wat can be a busy venue especially during the months of December, January,
February, and March.
After sunrise, we will explore the vast and rich of Angkor Wat temple, taking pictures at different angles,
playing with light and shadows, and capturing the most beautiful devatas carved in sandstone.
Next destination will be the Ta Prohm Temple, famous for its giant trees where the most impressive scenes of
the Tomb Raider movie were filmed. We will continue by veering you away from the crowd to a remote temple
in the jungle. We will also visit places out of the beaten path where you will capture unique pictures.
Next, at the Golden Hour, will be the impressive Bayon temple with its 54 towers and 216 faces overlooking
the defunct city of Angkor Thom. The final stop will be at one of gate of Angkor Thom to capture sunset over
the moat.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

We will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in Southeast
Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen’s "floating
village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the
"village" move from place-to-place following water levels and current. We go to local pagoda, where you should
change to clothes, we can get wet in as here we will experience the ceremony “Srouch Teok”, which roughly
translates into “Water blessing”. A monk will chant in ancient Pali as he splashes water over us, washing
away our sins and bad luck so we can start fresh and by being a good person can increase our good luck.
Journey through the Cambodian countryside to the colonial city of Battambang (Cambodia’s second largest
city.) Despite being (not too long ago) a stronghold of the erstwhile Khmer Rouge, the city still boasts a
beautiful countryside and some striking French colonial architecture. The former rice bowl of Cambodia,
Battambang today still holds a thriving agriculture industry with large orange and jute plantations.
Departure to Phnom Sampeu Mountain to catch the bats! As darkness falls, we will begin to see thousands
of nocturnal bats taking flight from the surrounding caves in a massive formation of dark, black clouds. Be sure
to photograph this amazing and staggering sight!
Overnight in Battamang.

After breakfast, we will have full day tours to discover Battambang. Our first stop at local village to let you see
how rice noodles are made. Then, at our next stop, we watch cigarettes being rolled. After that, we stop to
see how to make rice paper for spring rolls, and stop briefly to show you the Cambodian village lifestyle. We
continue our tour with demonstrations of the making of Cambodian cheese, and bamboo sticky rice.
Visit Wat Kor Village with a cluster of Khmer heritage houses that the village is known for. Built of now-rare
hardwoods almost a century ago and surrounded by orchard gardens, they have wide verandahs and exude
the ambience of another era.

Visit the well-preserved mountain temple of Angkor Phnom Banan. After climbing the 350 steps you will enjoy
a splendid and peaceful location with splendid views of the surrounding countryside, of small villages dotting
the endless rice fields, dotted with the characteristic sugar palm trees, excellent location to witness a wonderful
sunset.
Drive to the Bamboo Railway Station. The Bamboo Train has been set up by the villagers to facilitate the
transportation of goods and people. The train in itself is very basic – one platform on 4 wheels activated by a
small motor. Sitting on the platform we travel the 8km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice
paddies.
Today visit will be Phare Ponleu Selpak – Battambang Circus. This school is Cambodia’s leading
association for art education and a testament to its contemporary culture cannot be better presented when you
visit the Phare Ponleu Selpak campus.
Overnight in Battamang.

Depart Battambang for the overland transfer to Phnom Penh (duration 5 hours not including stops).
Starting early travel first to Kampong Chhnang, known for its traditional pottery, with many kilns at work in this
province. In a village near Kampong Chhnang, to see the different aspects of pottery making and experience
the production of traditional rice wine.
Continue to Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. The drive passes through many rural villages and
pagodas, and you will the temple mountain with its dozens of stupas from afar. Upon arrival at Oudong enjoy a
traditional Khmer lunch at a picnic hut at the foot of the hill.
Before heading to Phnom Penh stop at the spectacular Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre. Your
guide can explain more about the school of Vipassana (Insight Meditation) as you tour the center, before taking
part in a meditation class with one of the teachers.
From here, it is not far to Phnom Penh where you will reach in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel.
Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its turbulent
history and recent development, it still retains a colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city,
majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at your hotel.
Visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most
conspicuous feature and 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. Continue to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful
Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze,
silver, copper, wood, and others. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument, which was
constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony.
At noon, we’ll visit Phsar Thmey “The Central Market”, a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a
dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. The four wings of this
gigantic yellow dome are teeming with stalls that sell goods ranging from gold and silver, antique coins, money
exchange, books, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, seafood, and countless other products. Next, we
head to visit Wat Phnom “Mountain Pagoda” is a Buddhist temple that symbolizes the name of Phnom Penh,
located on the hill. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1372 to house four statues
of Buddha deposited here by the waters of the Mekong River and discovered by Lady Penh. Wat Phnom is the
most popular place for local people come to play healthy spot or praying for their good luck as well as admire
the sundown.
In late afternoon, enjoy Sunset Cruise on Mekong a to view Royal Palace over river, it bursts into 4 branches.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Pick up by driver (without guide) and transfer to Phnom Penh airport for departure to next destination. It’s
time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.