Trip Highlights

• Take in the sights of Phnom Penh on a cycle tour
• Dine with a local family in Battambang
• Wander among the ancient temples of Angkor
• Admire circus acrobatics in Siem Reap

Day 1: Phnom Penh

Sousadei. Welcome to Cambodia. 
Arrive in the heat, hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh. Once considered the Paris of the East it is an exciting and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand defiantly alongside modern developments. Decimated by years of civil war the city has stepped out of the shadows and the charm of yesteryear is reemerging. 
Our hotel is in the heart of this incredible city. A welcome group meeting will be held today at 5pm with an optional group dinner after the meeting. Accommodation in Phnom Penh at a well-located family style hotel.
Accommodation

• Ohana Palace Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Day 2: Phnom Penh

This morning we take a Cyclo Centre cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) trip to explore some of the historic buildings in the riverfront area. Afterwards there is free time for exploring. 

In the afternoon we journey by remork (local tuk tuk) and local boat to a Mekong Island to see the lifestyle of the people who make their living from silk weaving, agriculture and aquaculture. We finish by taking a boat cruise to enjoy sunset at the junction of the Tonle Bassac, Tonle Sap, and the mighty Mekong Rivers.

Accommodation

• Ohana Palace Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Phnom Penh - Cyclo tour
• Phnom Penh - Mekong island and sunset river boat trip

Optional Activities

• Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda - USD10
• Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Prison Museum (S21) - USD5
• Phnom Penh - National Museum - USD10
• Phnom Penh - Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) - USD3
• Phnom Penh - Wat Phnom - USD2

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Day 3: Battambang

Today we travel by private bus through the countryside to Battambang. The journey takes around 4.5 - 5 hours and we will stop to see local pottery-making along the way. Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang, (pronounced Battambong) is an attractive riverside town with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture.

Tonight, after settling in, we journey by remork to a local family’s house to enjoy a home cooked Cambodian dinner and hear about life in Cambodia.

Accommodation

• Classy Hotel or similar (1 night)

Included Activities

• Battambang - Pottery Making Demonstration

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 4: Battambang

A half day bike trip takes us through the beautiful surrounding countryside of Battambang. We stop along the way to discover the local rural way including small cottage industries producing sticky-rice cooked in bamboo, rice paper making, dried banana’s (like a roll up), and smelly fish paste making. It is an easy ride and bicycle is the best way to explore the quiet countryside. Helmets and smaller bikes and a bike attachment called a “tag along” are available for children. For those unable to ride there is also a remork (local tuk tuk) available. 

Total riding distance: 25kms

In the afternoon there is the option of riding the Bamboo Train. Previously mainly used for transporting agricultural products and people it is also one of our visitor’s favourite activities. The train is made of a wooden and bamboo carriage powered by a small engine. Maximum speed is around 15 km per hour and it can easily be disassembled when carriages come in the opposite direction. 

Accommodation in Battambang at a well-located family style hotel

Accommodation

• Classy Hotel or similar (1 night)

Included Activities

• Battambang - Rural Food and Cycle Tour

Optional Activities

• Battambang - Phare Ponleu Selpak Centre - USD8
• Battambang - Cooking Class - USD12

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Day 5: Siem Reap

Today after breakfast we check out of our hotel and journey by private minivan to Siem Reap. On the way we can stop at Angkor Silk Farm where you can see the whole silk creation process from growing the food for the silk worms, breeding the worms, silk extraction, spinning & refinement, traditional dyeing to looming. Angkor Silk Farm is part of the Artisans DÁngkor not-for-profit organization set up to revive Cambodia’s artistic pursuits and provide employment opportunities in poor rural areas.

Siem Reap is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Archaeological Park which is roughly 7 kilometres away. However, the town itself is worth exploring with day and night markets, Khmer massage and spa treatments, a variety of great cafes and restaurants, and even fish massage! 
 

Accommodation

• Angkor Holiday Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Siem Reap - Angkor Silk Farm

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Day 6: Siem Reap

After breakfast we are picked up by our local guide and taken to explore the remarkable temples of Angkor. Built between the 9 – 12th century the temples were meant to represent the cosmic world and as such are perfectly aligned in balance and symmetry. 

You might like to stop to see monkeys that gather on the temple ruins along the way. Today’s visit includes Angkor Wat - the largest religious site in the world, Ta Prohm – the jungle temple made famous when Tomb Raider was filmed there, and Bayon – with its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 enigmatic smiling faces. 

Accommodation

• Angkor Holiday Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Siem Reap - Three Day Angkor Pass

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Day 7: Siem Reap

This morning we head into the countryside to visit Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity which is housed at the base of Kbal Spien Moutain. ACCB has a collection of animals that have been saved from trafficking. Creatures include gibbons, monkeys, anteaters, storks, snakes, giant ibis and turtles. Pass through rural villages on the way where you can enjoy sampling sugar palm candy as it is made. 

On the way back to town visit the exquisite Banteay Srey (“Citadel of the women”). The small temple displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art carved into the pinkish coloured sandstone. You may also like to stop at the Landmine Museum which was set up in 1997 by former-child soldier Aki Ra. The Museum aims to tell the story of landmines in Cambodia and to inspire people to make a difference.

After lunch at Bong Thom homestay we visit Banteay Srei Butterfly Centre. The centre features a live display of the stunning variety of Cambodian butterflies. Rural families in the area are involved in the sustainable farming of the butterflies. They have been trained to understand the value of the forests and the importance of conservation.

Tonight after dinner we visit Phare the Cambodian Circus. Coming from vulnerable households the performers have gained international recognition through their art practice. Like a Cambodian Cirque Du Soleil, modern Khmer tales mix theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, aerial acts, and contortion.

Accommodation

• Angkor Holiday Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Siem Reap - Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity
• Siem Reap - Phare, the Cambodian Circus ticket
• Siem Reap - Angkor Butterfly Center

Optional Activities

• Siem Reap - Landmine Museum - USD5

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 8: Siem Reap

Today is departure day and no activities have been planned.

If you are not templed out, your three day temple pass allows you to return to explore some more of Angkor Archaeological Park on your own. Your leader can help you arrange a remork or car to take you out. 

If you have extra time you might like to schedule a tasty Khmer Cooking Class, a trip to the Tonle Sap Lake – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, indulge yourself with high tea at Raffles Hotel, or simply relax by the hotel pool.

Optional Activities

• Siem Reap - Chong Kneas Floating Village boat trip - USD16

Meals Included

• Breakfast