CTC9: Heart of Cambodia 8 days 7 nights

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1: Siem reap arrival (L,D)
Day 2: Siem reap – Angkor tour (B, L)
Day 3: Siem reap tour (B)
Day 4: Siemreap – Phnompenh (B, L, D)
Day 5: Phnompenh  - Sihanoukville (B)
Day 6: Sihanoukville relaxation (B)
Day 7: Sihanoukville relaxation (B)
Day 8: Sihanoukville – Phnompenh departure (B)

Itienrary in Details:

Day 1: Siem reap arrival (L, D)
Breakfast at hotel. Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not ready until the afternoon). Visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor.  Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue your temple tour. See the unique interior brick sculptures Prasat Kravan, the Srah Srang reservoir (known as "The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the mountain-temple of Pre Rup until sunset.  Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 2: Siem reap – Angkor tour (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Lunch at local restaurant. Visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat. 

Day 3: Siem reap tour (B)
An early bird special: Transfer to the archaeological site for the sunrise from the Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat Or sunrise at Srah Srang. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. Continue to Ta Prohm, one of the area's most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.
In the afternoon, you continue your temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Prea Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som and Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclose the ensemble.

Day 4: Siemreap – Phnompenh (B, L, D)
Morning after breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap, pick up and transfer to hotel in Phnom Penh. Afternoon, visit the Victory Monument, and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures – from throughout the ages. Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. End your afternoon with the visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of the city during sunset. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 5: Phnompenh - Sihanoukville (B)

Transfer from Phnompenh to sihanoukville. Arrive in Sihanoukville, check in, relax.   Day 6: Sihanoukville relaxation (B) All day free and relax at beautiful beach in Sihanoukville   Day 7: Sihanoukville relaxation (B) All day free and relax at beautiful beach in Sihanoukville

Day 8: Sihanoukville – Phnompenh departure (B)
Drive back to Phnom Penh, transfer directly to the airport for your departure flight. End of tour.

Accommodation Options

Tour includes:
• Tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• Private English speaking guide during guided time
• Flight ticket Siem reap - Phnompenh
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary at local restaurant with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral Water and towel
• Government taxes & Service charges

Tour excludes:
• International airfare
• International airport tax at 25 USD
• Domestic aiport tax at 6 USD
• Visa in Cambodia (available at the airport at 20 USD)
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills.
• Tips and gratuities