CAMBODIA – DISCOVER THE JEWELS OF CAMBODIA – 8D7N
This specially designed private tour will offer you the absolute best and must-see places in Phnom Penh, like the S-21 Tol Slueng Genecide Museum, the Killing Fields and the Royal Palace At the world heritage site of Angkor Wat we visit the South Gate and Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm and of course the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple. We also take you on a relaxing boat ride to Chong Kneas Floating Village on the Great Tonle Sap Lake in Siem Reap. To top it all off we include the magnificent beaches of Sihanoukville…. For sure this will be a trip you’ll treasure the rest of your life…
Day 1: Phnom Penh – ½ Day City Tour
Depending on your flight details and arrival time you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the hotel to check in and freshen up. Later in the afternoon we visit the Royal Palace, which is a royal residence now where his Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. It is like a small town of royal dynasties. We continue to the Silver Pagoda, which serves less as a functioning temple but more as a repository for cultural treasures such as a 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds. Finally visit Wat Phnom Temple, one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh.
Your tour guide will bring you back to the hotel where you can enjoy a welcome dinner later. The further evening will be at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Private airport pick up and transportation during tour
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Day 2: Phnom Penh – Killing Fields & City Tour – Siem Reap
After breakfast your tour guide will pick you up for a very interesting but for a lot of people also a very tensed and emotional experience.
We first visit Tuol Sleng Museum (also known as S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. We then drive up to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek.
Next stop is the Russian Market (Toul Tumpong Market), the Market has gained reputation for cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic music instrument.
You will travel on to Siem Reap by 2 options; by flight, which takes 45 minutes or by local bus, which takes 6 hours. Upon arrival you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel and the further evening is at your own interpretation..
Transportation: Private transportation during tour and bus or flight
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Day 3: Full Day Angkor Wat – Cycling Tour
After breakfast at your hotel we visit Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple (built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII and consists of 54 towers), the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. We then visit Ta Prohm, which is surrounded by jungle.
Most likely the highlight of your trip, we then visit Angkor Wat, the largest temples in world, which covers an area of 200 hectares. A moat and an exterior wall that measures 1300 x 1500 meters surround the complex. Early this evening, we will take a Tuk Tuk (the most common taxi in Cambodia) to cruise around Siem Reap to attend a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey. Your tour guide will bring you back to your hotel. Your further evening is at your own interpretation.
Day 4: Siem Reap – Chong Kneas – Tonle Sap
After breakfast at the hotel we visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. We take a boat trip in a traditional wooden boat on Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia and one of the largest in Asia. We spend time visiting the “Chantiers Ecoles – Les Artisans d’Angkor” which provides training to young Cambodians in an effort to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and wood sculpting. We’ll drive to the Pouk district about 15 km west of Siem Reap town to visit a silk farm, a fascinating farm/ workshop where you can see the entire silk creation process including growing the food for the silk worms, breeding the worms, silk extraction and refinement, traditional kit dying pattern creation and looming.
On the way back, we visit the Western Baray (Baray Occidental), measuring 8 by 2.3 km, which provides water for the intensive cultivation of land around Angkor. Your tour guide will bring you back to your hotel. Your further evening is at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Private transportation during tour
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Day 5: Siem Reap – Sihanoukville
After breakfast you’ll have a free morning before your private transportation will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival pick up and transfer to the hotel check in. The further evening is at your own interpretation.
Transportation: Private transportation during tour
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Day 6 & 7: Sihanoukville
Free time to relax in Sihanoukville.
Transportation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* hotel
Guide: English speaking tour guide
Day 8: Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh
After breakfast you will have some free time to enjoy Sihanoukville and perhaps to do some last-minute shopping before your private transportation will take you to the airport for your next destination. The trip will take around 6-7 hours.
Transportation: Private transportation during tour
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Guide: English speaking tour guide
- All hotels (3*) and meals as indicated in the specific day programs
- Private transportation during the whole tour
- All tours as mentioned in the overview
- Boat cruise as mentioned
- All entrance fees to any applicable sites as mentioned, taxes and service charges
- Mineral water and cold towels during your trip
- Cambodian local English-speaking tour guide during the whole tour
- International or domestic flights
- Other meals not mentioned
- Visa on arrival (30$)
- Other (alcoholic) beverages in the evening, personal expenses and tips
- All services and items not mentioned specifically in the list above
- Travel insurance
- Booking voucher from us
- Valid Passport with valid visa
- Cash for personal expense
Please let us know if you have specific eating restrictions, allergic for certain things or if you are vegetarian, we can take that into account during the trips.
Useful information – Weather
Cambodia has a tropical climate that is relatively calm and consistent throughout the year. The average temperature is 27 degrees centigrade. There are two seasons, the humid monsoon season which spans from May to October, and the dry season, which is from November to April. In general:
- Mid-November to February: cool and dry
- March to May: hot and dry
- June to September: hot and wet
- October to early November: cool and wet
Please note: The weather can be unpredictable and it may be a good idea to carry an umbrella or raincoat with you. You can purchase raincoats cheaply from supermarkets and general stores.
Get Up And Go Vietnam does everything to make your trip an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, we have no control over weather conditions. Our apologies for that!
What do I need to know?
During the period March to November it will good to pack your swimming gear, a towel, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen (at least SPF15), a reliable insect repellent, toiletries, a camera and lots of batteries. Warm clothing for the cooler months of November to March is advised. How much luggage can I take? Your vehicle has limited space so please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15kgs in a backpack or soft over-night bag and include a small day pack to hand carry for easy access to camera, sunscreen, water etc. Inhibitions can be left in the luggage storage rooms at your hotel with your other unwanted baggage.
Get Up and Go Vietnam is doing all possible to make your journey and travel experience an unforgettable one. Weather conditions, we unfortunately cannot control. Our apologies for that!