Best of Cambodia

Our guide and driver meet you in Siem Reap and drive you to visit Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centerpiece, the Bayon temple. Your guide will take you to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King could welcome back his victorious army, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which holds detailed carvings winding along a narrow passageway that leads to the Baphuon complex.

Continue to drive to visit Preah Khan temple, originally a Buddhist monastery and school, this temple was dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s father. Home-make lunch at the local house (Mr. Peout and his wife, Mrs. Gin living in a small house with a peaceful atmosphere and green garden will serve you a great lunch and share their lives story during the Khmer Rouge to present).

After lunch, we continue to visit the rest of the temples in the grand circle such as Neak Pan, Ta Som, East Mebon, and Pre Rup temples. Return to Siem Reap town, and stop at one of the Khmer Traditional Massage Places to enjoy 60 minutes foot massage before dropping you off at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, our guide and the scooter/tuk-tuk driver pick you up and ride you to Phnom Krom, we ride up the hip of the mountain to view the floating village of Tonle Sap Lake and then we ride further to Krabei Riel Village to visit the daily activities of the villagers working in the vegetable gardens, rice fields, and weaving, a lot of stops for pictures and interaction with villagers. Then we get to Mr. Ron’s house and enjoy the cooking class that will be led by his wife, Mrs. Sina. Taste the food you cooked as lunch, then say goodbye to Mr. Ron’s family, and our driver ride you back to your hotel in Siem Reap for relaxation.

At 4.00, the driver ride you to Wat Damnak, which is one of the most beautiful pagodas in town with French colonial architecture. Participate in a private good luck blessing ceremony, performed by local monks that reside at the temple. Before you continue on your journey, you will receive a small keepsake from the monks to remind you of this special moment. Continue to ride around the outskirts of Siem Reap and taste some Cambodian snacks, fruits, and food that are available, and take a short walk through the night markets and pub streets in the old market area. Stop at one of the restaurants for dinner before coming back to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Depart for a full-day trip to Koh Ker and Beng Mealea both located in the beautiful rural hinterlands of Siem Reap. Travel off-the-beaten track for 2 hours before arriving at Koh Ker, the former capital of the Khmer Empire between 928 and 944 A.D. The style of the Koh Ker temple is different from any other temple in Cambodia and has more of a resemblance to the ancient pyramids of Egypt. Enjoy an authentic picnic lunch near the temple and continue to visit other ancient structures in the peaceful area.

As you head back to Siem Reap, visit the spectacular ruins of Beng Mealea, which was constructed by King Suryavarman II (1113-1150). It preceded and may have served as a prototype of sorts for Angkor Wat. Contrary to Angkor, few carvings or bas-reliefs are evident. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Early morning, we head to Phnom Krom to witness the sunrise over rice paddies and the floating village of Tonle Sap Lake. Enjoy a picnic breakfast at Phnom Krom’s summit.

Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. Our journey to Battambang, Cambodia’s second-largest city, is a 2.5-hour drive. Upon arrival, visit the Ancient Khmer Traditional House and savor lunch at a local restaurant before checking in at the hotel.

In the afternoon, explore the area with your guide, strolling through the village along the Sangker River. Continue to the remarkable hilltop pagoda of Phnom Sampeau, an imposing limestone formation with caves that hold historical relics. From the hill’s summit, take in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, where small villages dot the landscape amid endless rice paddies and swaying sugar palm trees.

Descend the hill to await the mesmerizing sight of bats emerging from the cave as night falls. Enjoy a cold beer or soft drink before returning to the hotel in Battambang.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Battambang.

We will wake up early today and drive to Bamboo Train Station. Enjoy the Bamboo Train riding through the villages and rice paddies. Next, we will visit one of the Ancient Khmer Traditional houses, and meet the house’s own with a warm greeting and he/she take you around the house. The picnic breakfast will be arranged for you in the area of their house. Return to the hotel for check-out and then drive to other villagers along the Stueng Sangke River bank, many stops to visit the daily activities of the villagers are making rice wine, banana cake, and rice paper. Lunch at the local restaurant in town, then we drive to Banteay Chhmar.

Then we will visit Banteay Chhmar Temple, which is one of Cambodia’s most important and least understood temples from the Angkorian period. It is now one of Cambodia’s top priorities for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its remoteness from Angkor Wat, in part, explains the lack of in-depth documentation and study of the temple. Return to the community and get into one of the local houses assigned by the head of the community, we will have dinner and overnight with this local family.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Overnight in Banteay Chhmar.

Today we will take the countryside tour by starting to walk through the main market of Banteay Chhmar, then ride the ox-cart through the village to learn the local lifestyle and also visit the silk center. Next, we ride on the small tractor (Koh Yorn) to visit one of the biggest manmade lakes that remained from The Khmer Rouge Regime.

Say goodbye to the community and drive to Siem Reap via the countryside road that is full of rice paddies and lotus farms, stop at Phnom Srok to have homemade lunch with the local family. After lunch, walk through the village and say hello to different families, visit one Buddhist Monastery before heading to Phnom Penh.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Today we start the tour with a visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which was a high school prior to 1975, an interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era, and today as a genocide museum. Continue to visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two of the most striking buildings in the capital and considered as some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture.

Get back to the hotel before 12.00 to check out, have lunch at the local restaurant, and continue to visit the National Museum, The National Museum of Phnom Penh is instantly recognizable, with its warm red terracotta and its gracefully curved roof topped by dozens of guardian nagas. And visit the central market before taking you back to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Sihanouk Ville. Upon arrival at Sihanouk Ville Airport, meet and transfer by the local guide to Sihanouk Ville Boat Pier, and take the boat ride for 45 minutes to Koh Rong Island.

Located near the coast of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Koh Rong is famous for its serene beauty. Often described as an ‘island paradise’ by visiting tourists, the island boasts pristine white sandy beaches, warm crystal-clear ocean waters, and a hot tropical climate.

On arrival at the island, meet the team from The Royal Sands Resort and transfer to the resort for check-in. Free at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast.
Overnight in Koh Rong Island.

Free at your own leisure. Any activities such as diving, boat trips, and hiking can be arranged on spot with the resort (on your own account).

Meals included: Breakfast.
Overnight in Koh Rong.

Spend a leisurely day in relishing the soft sands and clear waters of its idyllic beach.

Meals included: Breakfast.
Overnight in Koh Rong.

You can enjoy the benefit of free services and amenities or relax by yourself until the time of your transfer to the airport to commence your journey.