Overnight international flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to the hotel for the evening.

The morning is free to explore Siem Reap. In the afternoon, explore Khmer temples from the early Angkorian period. Visit the Roluos group of temples dating from the 9th and 10th centuries, including the Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei Temples. These temples are the remains of Hariharalaya, the first major capital of the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. After the tour, return to the hotel. Lunch at a nice local restaurant is included.

Rise early to make the most of this exciting day. The guide will lead a visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom – the last capital of the great Khmer Empire. Visit the sprawling Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the enchanting Bayon. This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very center of Angkor Thom City and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs, but the main features are the towers, each with 3 or 4 gently smiling faces, over 200 in total. Continue to visit Preah Khan. This extensive monastic complex, which covers over 130 acres, was built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a nice local restaurant.

Then transfer by Tuk Tuk to Angkor Wat with a private guide. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides, each telling a story, but the most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea Milk, located on the east wing. The guide will explain the fascinating mystical tale behind it. At the end of the day, enjoy an hour long Khmer massage.
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In the morning, visit Banteay Srei (The Women's Citadel) a tiny, enchanting temple which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor and in the words of H.W. Ponder, "a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest."

Continue to Banteay Samre, another Hindu temple, before visiting Ta Prohm, a temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its re-discovery by the French. Surrounded by jungle, it remains a labyrinth of stone hallways that have become overgrown with roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelope the stone like tentacles. Continue to Pre Rup Temple. Built in 961, the boldness of the architectural design is superb and gives the temple fine balance, scale and proportion. The temple is close in style to the East Mabon, although it was built several years later. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afterward transfer to the famous Tonle Sap, the largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia. Then take a memorable boat cruise to a nearby floating village for a glimpse of the everyday life of the local people who dwell in floating shacks. For most of the year the lake is fairly small, approximately only one meter deep with an area of 2,700 square km. However, during the monsoon season, the water is pushed up from the Mekong River into the lake, resulting in an increased area of 16,000 square km and a depth of up to nine meters, ultimately flooding nearby fields and forests. The floodplain provides a perfect breeding ground for fish. The livelihood of most of the local community depends largely on fishing and Tonle Sap accounts for 75 percent of Cambodia’s annual inland fish catch.

Note: if the Siem Reap Pagoda Tour, Siem Reap School Tour, or Cooking Class and Visit to Local Home are preferred instead of taking the Boat Ride on Tonle Sap Lake, please contact a travel consultant.
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Transfer from the hotel to the airport for a flight to Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to the hotel. Embark on an afternoon cyclo tour to visit the Royal Palace, which was built in 1866 and is comprised of numerous structures, one of which is the popular Silver Pagoda. Constructed with over 5,000 silver tiles, this building also houses a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha that is decorated with 9,584 diamonds and is one of Cambodia’s national treasures.

After lunch at a local restaurant (included) continue on a boat along the Mekong River, which offers magnificent views of the Phnom Penh Riverfront, the Royal Palace, Wat Ounalom and the ever-changing skyline. Cruise to the point where the Tonle Sap meets the Mekong and be sure to have a camera on hand for the spectacular sunset.
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Morning visit to the Apsara Arts Association, a local non-governmental organization whose aim is to see Cambodian arts and culture become more valued and popular in Cambodia after having been destroyed by the ravages of war. Continue to visit the National Museum, A Khmer temple inspired building that houses the world's largest collection of Khmer art sculptures, ceramics and bronzes. Although the emphasis is on Angkorian artifacts, there is also a good collection of pieces from later periods, including a special exhibition on post-Angkorian Buddha figures.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, which is essential for first time visitors to Cambodia. During the Pol Pot regime, Toul Sleng, formerly a high school, was converted to a detention center known for interrogation and torture of prisoners before being transferred to the "Killing Fields." Enjoy a bit of local shopping at the Toul Tom Pong Market, before visiting the fields at Cheung Ek. Today, the site is a memorial for Cambodians and visitors to pay their respect for those lost. A memorial stupa has been erected and displays over 5,000 human skulls, bones and clothes of the victims. This visit is a profoundly harrowing experience of Cambodia's recent past.
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Morning departure for Kep (if spending the last few days relaxing at the beach is preferred, a travel consultant can arrange an alternate itinerary ending in Sihanoukville). Drive along National Highway 3 to Takeo Province. On the way, stop at Tonle Bati, Ta Prohm and Yeay Peou Temples before visiting Prasat Neang Khmau. Continue to Chiso Mountain to visit the 11th century Khmer Brahmanic mountaintop temple. Boxed lunches will be provided on site before proceeding to Kampong Trach to visit limestone caves and passages that shelter Wat Kirisan. The various stalactites and stalagmites in the shapes of dragon heads, monkeys, whales and mushrooms.

Continue the trip to Kep Province, a coastal city with mountains, evergreen tropical forests, unspoiled islands, coral reefs, sandy beaches and fresh seafood. Founded during the French colonial period, the city was afterwards renovated into a beautiful seaside resort in the 1960s during Prince Norodom Sihanouk’s Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime. The name Kep is derived from the French words "le cap," or "cape" in English. Overnight in Kep.
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Take an excursion to visit Kampot, a small provincial town with colonial houses that is widely considered to be the durian plantation of Cambodia. This region is known not only for producing the best durian in all of Southeast Asia, but also for its abundance of other tropical fruits including mangosteen, rambutan, mak prang, pineapple, grapefruit, custard apple and coconut. Additionally, Kampot’s Chamkar Mrich ("pepper plantations") are renowned for producing one of the world’s finest peppers. Visit a farm and Tek Chhou Waterfall and discover the surrounding countryside during stops at different villages where to interact with villagers. Enjoy free time to relax on the beautiful beach of Kep until sunset. Lunch at a local restaurant is included. ...read less

Transfer to the pier for a short boat ride (20-30 minutes) across the bay to the small, beautiful, and undeveloped island of Koh Tonsai or Rabbit Island. There is a walking track that circumnavigates the island, passing small fishing villages and farm land. There are also some crude trenches and bunkers left from past conflicts. This beautiful walk takes about 2.5 – 3 hours along beaches and flat jungle trails and offers some great photo opportunities.

Alternatively, take this time to ramble and explore the island and its lovely beaches at leisure. Snorkeling equipment will be available for use. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant; there will be time to relax in a hammock, swim or explore before heading back to Kep. In the late afternoon, return to the hotel.
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Before departing town this morning, make a stop at the famous Kep Crab market to experience the bustling activity and local interactions. Continue the drive to Phnom Penh, to take a flight home or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.