18 DAYS / 17 NIGHTS
ITINERARY
Day 1: Siem Reap Arrival
Upon meeting your group from flight you will be greeted by
our representative and escorted to hotel for check-in. Break after long flight
journey.
Day2: Siem Reap – Isanapura ( known as Sambor Prey
Kuk Temple
Breakfast in the hotel
Early morning departure from Siem Reap by land to Sambor
village about 25 Kilometers from provincial town in Kompong Thom province. In
the 7th century the site of Sambor Prey Kuk was called Içanapura,
the capital of Chenla.
Many temples were built in Sambor Prey Kuk during the reign
of King Isanavarman I. Break for lunch in local restaurant before continuing to
explore the site. Overnight stay in homestay at Sambor village. Meeting
and discussion with local people
Day 3: Isanapura-Mahendraparvata ( Khown as Phnom Kulen
)
Breakfast at Sambor village
After breakfast we will start our excursion in the Kulen Mountain Kulen Mountain , originally called Mount Mahendraparvata
This mountain plateau served as the capital of the first
Khmer Empire for more than half a century before it was relocated south to
Hariharalaya, known today as Roluos. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay (Camping)
near the Thousand Linggas river.
Day 4: Mahendraparvata – Hariharalaya ( Kown as Roluos )
Breakfast in the camping.
After breakfast we explore the Thousand Linggas river,
relax besides a natural waterfall to swim where it is possible and take a
break for picnic lunch.
Afternoon, visit the Roluos group of temples, on the way
back to Siem Reap. Roluos is the site of an ancient center of Khmer
civilization. Known as Hariharalaya, located about 12 Km from Siem Reap Town Kulen Mountain
in AD 802 inaugurating what was later known as the Angkor
period, soon afterward he moved the capital back to Roluos perhaps in order to
get access to a better source of food or for defense purpose.
Siem Reap: free leisure and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 5: Siem Reap – Phnom Bahkeng – Siem Reap
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning we will explore Phnom Bakheng
Temple
Commonly referred to as the Temple-Mountain or Mount Meru
Back to Siem Reap for lunch. Afternoon: visit to Old
Market area and Artisans d’Angkor. Enjoy dinner at local restaurant and
overnight stay in hotel.
Day 6: Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: shopping for food at local market, cooking class.
Lunch.
Afternoon: leisure.
Evening: Sbeik Thom sperformance.
Day 7: Siem Reap - Koh Ker - Banteay Srei Temple
Breakfast in the hotel
Early morning we travel on a dirt road from Siem Reap
to remote Koh Ker temple about 120 km from Siem Reap. It was once an ancient
capital of Cambodia .
It was built by King Jayavarman IV in 10th century. Koh Ker temple
is 35 meters high and its design resembles a seven-step stupa. The temple faces
west towards Angkor city. It was built to
worship Treypuvaneservara (the god of happiness). Lunch at Koh Ker temple.
Afternoon, visit of Banteay Srei temple (XI century) on the
way back to Siem Reap. Dinner and overnight stay in Siem Reap.
Day 8: Siem Reap – Beng Mealea - Angkor Wat
Breakfast in the hotel.
Early morning departure to Beng Mealea (XII century) an Indiana
Jones style temple surrounded by the forest. Then continue to Angkor Wat
which is located about 7 Kilometers north of Siem Reap. The temple was built in
the early XII century during the reign of king Suryaverman II. It is
unrivaled for its beauty and state of preservation. It is the expression of
Khmer art at its highest point of development. Some believe that Angkor Wat was
designed by Divakarapandita, the chief adviser and minister of the king, and
was dedicated to Vishnu. The Khmers attribute the building of Angkor Wat to the
divine architect Visvakarman. There has been considerable debate amongst
scholars as to whether Angkor Wat was built as a temple or as a tomb.
Lunch in front of Angkor Wat. Afternoon: continue visit of
Angkor Wat.
Evening and overnight stay in Siem Reap.
Day 9: Angkor Thom – Ta Prohm
Breakfast in the hotel
In the morning we leave from the hotel to Bayon temple
which is located in the center of Angkor Thom. The temple is one of the most
popular sites in the Angkor complex. It was
built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries by king
Jataverman VII. The architectural composition of the Bayon exudes grandness in
every aspect. Over 200 large faces caved on the 54 towers give this temple its
majestic character, which at that time represented the 54 provinces of the
Khmer Empire. The iconography of the four faces has been widely debated by
scholars and some think they represent the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. In
keeping with the Buddhist character of the temple, it is generally accepted
that the four faces on each of the towers are images of king Jayavarman VII and
signify the omnipresence of the king. After lunch in Srah Srang, visit of
Ta Prohm temple.
Return to Siem Reap in late afternoon.
Day 10: Khmer Culture
Breakfast in the hotel
In the morning after breakfast you will have firsthand
observation of Khmer culture in Pouk village, 16km west of Siem Reap: silk
weaving, water blessing at the pagoda and meeting with monks. Lunch at the
village.
Afternoon: traditional tattooing.
Return to Siem Reap: free evening and overnight stay.
Day 11: Siem Reap – Anlong Veng – Banteay Chhmar
Breakfast in the hotel
In the morning go to excursion to Anlong Veng 125km north
from Siem Reap. It was the last stronghold of Khmer Rouge to come under government
control in 1998 and is the last resting place of Pol Pot. Sightseeing spots:
Pol Pot’s tomb (Khmer Rough Master 1975-1979), Ta Mok’s Garrison (Pol Pot’s
commander).
Meeting and discussion with former Khmer rouge in Anlong
Veng district, then continue to Banteay Chhmar and overnight stay near local
village (camping).
Day 12: Banteay Chhmar– Battambong
Breakfast in Village
In the morning we start to explore temple which was built
between 12th and 13th centuries during the reign of King Jayavarman VII.
Located at Thmar Puok District, along the National Road No 59ª it has been
abandoned and not arranged. After exploring this temple we will have picnic
lunch. If time allows we continue to Battambong and check into hotel for overnight
stay.
Day 13: Battambang
Breakfast in the hotel
In the Morning: sightseeing of Battambong provincial town: Provincial Museum
In the afternoon: visit of Phnom Sampov and 11th century
hilltop temple of Phnom Banan, after climbing stone steps to the top. Return
back to Battambong town.
Day 14: Architecture Battambang
Breakfast in hotel
In the morning walking tour of Battambang city’s
architecture accompanied by an art historian. The city boasts a rich urban
heritage with a great variety of historical buildings, the styles and layouts
representing different phases of the city’s history. Between Road #1 and
Road #3 Battambang is characterized by a coherent group of about 800 heritage
buildings from the French protectorate.
Outside of the area, outstanding heritage building, like the
New Khmer Architecture of the Battambong
University
Day 15: Battambang – Phnom Penh
By private transportation stopover at Kompong Chhnang to
visit potters’ An Dong Russey Village, Kum Sre thmey Srok Roleap Pa Ear Khet
Kampong Chhnang . Evening and overnight stay in Phnom Penh .
Day 16: Phnom
Penh
In the morning go to visit downtown places of interest
(Central market, Royal
Palace
In the afternoon visit S-21 Khmer rouge interrogation
center (Toul Sleng) and Toul Tom Poung market.
Day 17: Phnom
Penh
In the morning depart to visit Koh Dach, on the Mekong
River, to visit silk factory and weaving and a local kruu Khmer who will
tell each visitor about his/her future, the traditional way.
In the afternoon, observe the training in Khmer classical
dancing of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia
Day 18: Phnom
Penh
Breakfast in hotel
Free for your own activity till transfer to 