Cambodia Classic in 7 days

Start your day by delving into Cambodia's dark recent history with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The museum is housed in the former school that was used by the Khmer Rouge as its main detention and torture center, known as "S-21". From there, you will visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Once you have learned about the country's tragic past, it's time to experience modern Khmer life.

For lunch, you will visit Le Lotus Blanc, a training restaurant for the humanitarian organization Pour un Sourire d'Enfant. This organization provides education and job training to street children, who were previously scavenging at the municipal dump, and gives them the skills and hope for a brighter future. Your visit helps support these children's training by being their guests.

In the afternoon, you will visit Wat Phnom temple, the founding place of the city on a small hilltop. Then, you will continue along the riverfront to the Royal Palace. The palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. In this temple, you will see a collection of Buddhas made from gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.

Your next stop is the National Museum, built in the traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!

In the late afternoon, you will enjoy an atmospheric sunset river cruise and see how Phnom Penh's popular riverfront comes to life in the early evening. Savor the refreshing taste of coconut juice degustation onboard as you take in the beautiful views.

As you flight to Siem Reap, the anticipation of discovering Angkor’s hidden gems sets in. Your private transfer greets you upon arrival and takes you to your hotel in the city center.

Start your exploration of Angkor with a visit to the Angkor National Museum. The museum houses a vast collection of relics, texts, and multimedia displays related to the Angkorian era, providing an excellent introduction to the history and meaning of the temples.

In the evening, attend the Phare Cambodian Circus Show, a performance promoting performing arts as a means of coping with trauma, set up by refugees from the Khmer Rouge era. You’ll enjoy a delicious dinner featuring traditional Cambodian cuisine before the show starts.

As the lights dim, the performers take the stage to tell stories of modern life in Cambodia through a mesmerizing display of song, dance, and acrobatics. The show blends traditional Khmer theatre with contemporary influences, resulting in an unforgettable performance that will leave you breathless. Capture the memory with a photo with the cast after the show.

Start your day with a guided tour to watch the stunning sunrise over the massive Angkor temple complex. Afterward, head back to the hotel for a full-energy breakfast, and get ready for another day of immersing yourself in Khmer culture.

In the morning, visit the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom, starting with Ta Prohm, a ruined and mysterious temple engulfed by giant tree roots and unique shapes. This mystical ambiance draws domestic and international visitors alike to explore this ancient temple. Next, head to Banteay Kdei (the Citadel of Chambers), the Victory Gate, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon, and Bayon.

Bayon Temple is the heart of the Angkor Thom Complex, a massive temple built in the 12th century that played a crucial role in the Khmer's spiritual life. One of the most remarkable features of Bayon Temple is the nearly 200 smiling faces carved into the walls. Although some carving details have been damaged by time and climate, the soul of this ancient Khmer architecture remains.

In the afternoon, explore Angkor Wat, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The temple architecture is modeled after the great Meru Mountain in India, with the highest central tower reaching 65 meters, representing the legendary Mount Meru. The five towers correspond to the peaks of Meru. The entire structure is built from sandstone and honeycomb, and the giant blocks of stone are stacked on top of each other without any binders or reinforced concrete, adding to the temple's magic.

After a day of exploring the temples, you will be dropped off at your hotel to rest and prepare for another day of adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Picked up from your hotel, sit back and relax on the way to Kulen Mountain, one of Cambodia’s most sacred mountains, with deeply revered ancient sites and ruins on its high plateau.Admire the picturesque countryside as you pass through rice paddies, local markets, schools, villages, and Buddhist temples. Along the way, make a stop at a Palm Sugar village, where you can learn about the production of palm sugar from palm juice.

Continue to the National Park, where you can get out to stretch your legs and snap pictures of the view. Then, head out to explore the vast plateau of Phnom Kulen by following jungle trails and passing by vine-covered trees until you reach Kbal Spean, where you can marvel at a collection of unique carvings in the riverbed.

Next, continue to Preah Ang Thom, a bustling temple complex, and pay a visit to a large stone Buddha carved into the top of a rock. Take in the peaceful surroundings and the impressive architecture of this spiritual landmark. Then, indulge in a delectable lunch at a local restaurant to refuel your energy for the rest of the day.

After lunch, enjoy a refreshing swim at the Kulen Waterfall, a picturesque natural oasis in the heart of the National Park, before concluding your tour with a return transfer to your accommodation in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Starting your day with a delicious breakfast and a cup of coffee is always a great idea. Today, you have the chance to venture out of Siem Reap and explore the beauty of a lesser-known floating village on Tonle Lake. Kampong Khleang floating village, currently the largest in the area with 10,000 people, is located 55km away from Siem Reap. As you drive past rice paddies, local markets, and schools, you will turn onto a winding dirt road and stop for some hot sticky rice while observing local farmers working in their rice paddies.

Once you arrive, you will hop on a motorboat and explore Kampong Khleang, along with two other floating villages and the great lake. Life on the lake is harsh and always affected by the weather conditions. In the rainy season, the lake's surface area usually expands six times while the depth increases nine times, causing most houses to have high floors and float on the lake. In the dry season, towering stilts are revealed, resembling wooden skyscrapers.

During the boat ride, you will make several stops, including Bridge of Life, a stilted home, and a Cambodian pagoda, to learn more about local life. Your tour guide is happy to show you a small floating village known as the natural flood barrier in the area. After the boat ride, you will return to the harbor, see your driver, and head back to downtown.

Suggested Activity: Attend the Phare - The Cambodian Circus, a mesmerizing blend of traditional and modern theater, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society.

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, your private transfer meets you at your hotel and escorts you to the airport for your departure flight.

Meal: Breakfast