Day 1
Phnom Penh
Welcome to Cambodia! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the capital city, Phnom Penh. If you arrive early, take the chance to explore on foot and get an initial taste of the city. Optional afternoon activities include visiting the National Museum, which has a collection of Khmer crafts. Be ready for a 6pm welcome meeting at the hotel and a group dinner at Friends, an NGO-run restaurant that helps local young people with food, shelter and medical care. The organisation also trains locals to work in the restaurant, where you’ll enjoy a fusion of Western and Asian tapas.
Dinner included.
Day 2
Phnom Penh
Delve into Cambodia’s past with a full day of sightseeing. You’ll visit the Royal Palace complex, which is filled with scenic grounds, decorative buildings and the striking Silver Pagoda. King Sihamoni lives in private quarters of the palace, which lies on the banks of the Mekong River. Next, you’ll confront the saddest episode in Cambodia’s history, Pol Pot’s genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, which killed an estimated three million people just over forty years ago.
You’ll visit the stirring Tuol Sleng Prison Museum, also known as S21. This former school was used as a prison and torture centre in the Khmer regime and is thought to have held up to 20,000 people. Many of these prisoners were taken to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where they were executed. You’ll visit this moving, countryside memorial, which features a stupa made of around 8,000 human skulls, to pay your respects to the victims of the genocide.
Please note that while the Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields can be emotional, they’re also a key part of the Cambodian experience. However, if you don’t wish to visit, please inform your tour leader. Alternatively, you can take a cyclo tour of the city, visit the 15th century temple Wat Phnom, or take a trip to the National Museum.
Breakfast included.
Day 3
Siem Reap
After breakfast, you’ll take a one-hour flight to Siem Reap. The town is one of the most popular in Cambodia with a laid-back feel and it’s also the gateway to Angkor Wat, one of Southeast Asia’s most-visited attractions. Spend the day soaking up the city’s atmosphere and wander through the old market which is full of souveniers, fabrics and handmade arts and crafts. End the day by sampling some local street food and catching a shadow puppet show.
Breakfast included
Day 4
Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
Spend the whole day on a guided tour of the world-famous Angkor Archeological Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are dozens of temples to explore, the most famous is the 12th century Angkor Wat, an architectural wonder that covers 400 square kilometres and features ornate carvings and sculptures. You’ll also get to see Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple, which boasts over 200 huge, carved stone faces and 50 Gothic towers.
For lunch, you’ll visit the Sala Bai Hotel School, which helps underprivileged local youths by teaching them skills to help them get a job in the hospitality industry. There’s more temple hopping in store this afternoon with a visit to Ta Prohm, one of Angkor’s most distinctive temples. Set in the forest, this gem is intertwined with tree roots and was even used as a setting in the movie Tomb Raider. To round off the day, you’ll watch the sun set over the beautiful temple tops.
Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 5
Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
You have the option of rising early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Later in the morning, you’ll visit the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), which rescues animals from trafficking and runs breeding programs for endangered species. Learn about ACCB’s vital work and see some of the centre’s diverse animals, which include gibbons and pangolins. From there, you’ll visit Banteay Srei Temple before choosing whether to retire to your hotel, or continue exploring.
If you’re keen to carry on temple hopping, you can explore some of the quieter complexes such as the peaceful Roluos Group. Preah Khan is another favourite jungle temple with distinctive carvings and maze-like corridors. Other optional activities include taking a trip to the excellent Landmine Museum, visiting Tonle Sap Lake and its floating villages or taking a traditional Khmer cooking class. You can also relax with a massage and enjoy a leisurely dinner and riverside beer in Siem Reap.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6
Siem Reap
There are no activities planned for the final day and you can leave the accomodation whenever you like. If you have time, squeeze in some remaining activities or shop in Siem Reap market before you leave.
Breakfast included.
