HIGHLIGHTS OF CAMBODIA

FROM 1425 pp

13 Days

Experience highlights of Cambodian culture, nature and history on this 13 day tour that keeps you close to the locals. Cambodia holds a special place in our hearts. We have been travelling to this wonderful country for over a decade and have put together a tour showcasing our highlights of Cambodia. Explore the vast stone city of Angkor Wat, ride a bamboo train in Battambang, and visit the alluring coastline on our tour of Cambodia.

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INCLUDED

ACCOMMODATION:

12 x nights in Hotel or Resort

Treat yourself upgrade to 4* or 5*
MEALS:

B12
ACTIVITIES:

Sunrise & Angkor Temple Tour (guide, driver, temple pass), Beng Melea & Kompong Phluk (guide, driver, entrance fees, boat) Beng Melea & Kompong Khleang (guide, driver, entrance fees, boat) Phare circus (ticket, driver only), Battambang Tour, Phnom Penh City Tour
TRANSFERS:

Arrival & Departure and transfer as mentioned in itinerary.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CAMBODIA

FROM 1425 pp

13 Days

Cambodia

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN SIEM REAP

Your driver and local guide will be waiting at the airport with a Wide Eyed Tours sign bearing your name on it ready to transfer you to the comfort of the hotel. Siem Reap is a vibrant, bustling town lined with funky restaurants and bars, heaving marketplaces, and a very unique nightclub scene with Pub Street as the centrepiece. We can recommend where to go and what to see on your first day in Siem Reap. Today is free for you to explore at your own leisure.

DAY 2: SUNRISE & ANGKOR TEMPLE TOUR

The pre-dawn wake up call is worth it. We arrive at Angkor Wat just as the sun starts to poke its head above the horizon, casting a magnificent silhouette of the temple’s uniquely shaped towers across the land. We then return to the hotel for breakfast before beginning the temple exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage site inside the walled city of Angkor Thom. Grand statues of gods and demons are perched on the walls of the city. Behind the walls, explore the striking stone temples and marvel at the intricate carvings on the walls. We will take you to the Baphuon Temple, the Phimeanakas and Royal Palace, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. The next stop is among the most popular. The temple of Ta Prohm has been enveloped by wild jungle vines that snake through archways and give the impression they are strangling the temple. It is a favourite spot for photography enthusiasts. We then stop for lunch with panoramic views of Angkor Wat as our backdrop. Enjoy fresh fruit and shakes, authentic Khmer cuisine or international dishes. Next, we enter the main entrance of Angkor Wat and head toward the main temple. Housed inside this enormous structure are galleries, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, ponds, and brilliant carving on the stone walls retelling ancient Hindu legends and stories of Khmer battles. Climb to the summit of the temple and be rewarded with unparalleled views of the entire city.

DAY 3: BENG MELEA AND KOMPUNG PHLUK

In the morning we explore the mysterious ruins of Beng Mealea, thought to be the blueprint for Angkor Wat. Beng Melea is perhaps the most fun temple to explore. Traverse the crumbling stone blocks acting as stairs to one of the temples many subterranean chambers. In the afternoon we will take you East of Siem Reap to the northern edge of Tonle Sap. Here, we visit the village of Kompong where locals live on stilted houses on the lake. This is an opportunity to experience unique Cambodian culture and to observe daily life up close.

DAY 4: SIEM REAP - BATTAMBANG BY CAR

Enjoy the transfer to the rural area of Battambang with views of gorgeous green scenery and Cambodian villagers working in the fields. Battamang City offers an eclectic mix of colonial and postcolonial architecture as well as ancient pagodas. Battambang has a burgeoning contemporary arts scene, complete with chic art spaces and cafes that inevitably follow. Spend the day walking the picturesque streets and exploring the art deco central market.

DAY 5: BATTAMBANG TOUR

A tuk tuk will take you through the winding countryside streets where we stop to sample traditional Cambodian food such as rice paper rolls, dried banana snacks, rice wine, and sticky bamboo rice. We then have a break at a local home for fresh tropical fruits and coconut and to learn more about the unique culture of the area. After a rest it’s time to visit Wat Samrong Knong, a memorial to the Khmer Rouge, where our guide will tell you about the brutal dictatorship and how it changed the cultural and social fabric of Cambodia. The next part of the tour is a favourite among nature lovers. Phnom Sampeau is a small mountain home to numerous limestone caves. Inside one of the caves is a memorial to the millions of people murdered by the Khmer Rouge. After a moment of quiet reflection, we take a ride on the famous bamboo train. This open-top train is a great way to explore the rural areas around this riverside town.

DAY 6: BATTAMBANG - PHNOM PENH OVERLAND

Your personal drive will drive you to the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. En route, we visit the pottery making village of Kampong Chhnang and Phnom Oudong. These townships have dirt burial mounds known as stupas containing the ashes of Buddha and ancient Khmer kings. Phnom Penh was once known as the pearl of Asia and was considered among the most beautiful French-built cities in Indochina. This vibrant city showcases fine French architecture, wide boulevards, and a riverside promenade boasting an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops. We recommend taking a leisurely stroll along the riverside before sunset cocktails and dinner at the Foreign Correspondents Club.

DAY 7: PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR

Be prepared for a harrowing morning at the Tuoi Sieng Genocide Museum. The brutality of the Khmer Rouge is documented in candid, uncensored photos. The museum even has the original torture instruments used by the regime on fellow Cambodians. There will also be an opportunity to meet one of the few survivors. Next on the culture and history tour of Cambodia we visit the Choeung Ek Killing Fields - the final destination for prisoners at Tuoi Sieng. Here, a large shrine filled with more than 8,000 human skulls acts as a memorial and a grim reminder of the atrocities. Reflect on the mornings history tour over lunch near the Royal Palace. The palace is home to the Silver Pagoda, named for the 5,000 silver tiles covering the floors. The final stop on the culture and history tour of Phnom Penh is a visit to Wat Phnom. In the evening you have the opportunity to book a leisurely sunset cruise along the Mekong River, whilst enjoying a selection of appetisers, tapas and drinks.

DAY 8: PHNOM PENH - SIHANOUKVILLE BY CAR - KOH RONG SAMLOEM BY SPEEDBOAT.

The journey from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville takes about 6 hours. Upon arrival in Sihanoukville, we take a short 40 minute boat ride to Koh Rong Samloem Island.

DAY 9: KOH RONG SAMLOEM FREE DAY

Enjoy a free day to unwind and relax on the island paradise. A popular option is a short 1.5 km walk to Lazy Beach on the other side of Koh Rong Samloem.

DAY 10: KOH RONG SAMLOEM FREE DAY

Enjoy a free day to unwind and relax on the island paradise. A popular option is a short 1.5 km walk to Lazy Beach on the other side of Koh Rong Samloem.

DAY 11: KOH RONG SAMLOEM - SIHANOUKVILLE BY SPEEDBOAT - KAMPOT BY CAR

We return to the mainland where the driver will take you to Kampot. The car-ride takes around 3 hours. Kampot is a city on the Preaek Tuek Chhu River in southern Cambodia, known for its pepper plantations and salt fields. We visit the former Governor’s mansion from the French colonial rule, which is now the Kampot Museum and tells the history of the city. We then make our way west to the Preah Monivong Bokor National Park with its vast forest and cool climate. The park is home to gibbons and big cats