Classic Cambodia

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Siem Reap

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. You meet your tour leader and the rest of the group. After a pre-trip briefing, we adjourn for a group dinner in town (cost not included).

Day 2: Siem Reap

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Siem Reap is our base for visiting the world-famous temples of the ancient city of Angkor, home to the powerful Khmer Empire that held sway from 802 AD to 1350 AD. We spend a full day visiting the amazing temples of Angkor on a guided tour. Angkor Thom, the 'Great Royal City', is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. The impressive Bayon temple is the centrepiece of all this. Angkor Wat is the largest and most complete structure. It is the only one of Angkor's temples with its entrance facing to the west (the others face east), the reason being that it was constructed as a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II and a westerly countenance was seen to represent a sunset. Ta Prohm temple is an incredible sight, with large trees embedding themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We can end the day with a sunset view of Angkor Wat from Phnom Bakheng.

Day 3: Siem Reap

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Our ticket for the Angkor ruins enables us to spend more time exploring this memorable archaeological area. It is an early morning start as we travel out to Banteay Srei, famous for its detailed and intricate stone carvings. It is not a big temple, but has been sometimes referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art’. Back at the main temple complex, Preah Khan contains a maze of vaulted corridors and is another complex that has been largely reclaimed by the jungle. We include a visit to the Sala Bai Hotel School where underprivileged local youths learn skills which will enable them to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. We also enjoy a lunch prepared by students at the school.

Day 4: Phnom Penh

Meals included: 1 breakfast

You have a free morning before leaving Siem Reap. If you wish to stay in town, you can relax outside one of the cafes or visit the market in town, which sells some interesting artefacts and handicrafts. Another option would be to relax by the hotel pool or enjoy a massage by one of the famous blind masseuses of Siem Reap. Flying to Phnom Penh you notice a change of pace, as you arrive in Cambodia’s capital. A relaxing drink at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club is a great way to start your evening.

Day 5: Phnom Penh

Meals included: 1 breakfast

A full city tour introduces you to the sights of Phnom Penh, a city that lies near the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap Rivers. The private quarters of the Royal Palace is home to King Sihamoni and is therefore closed to the public; however, we are able to visit the Silver Pagoda which lies in the palace complex, which is the most sacred temple in the country and was previously spared from destruction by the Khmer Rouge. Wat Phnom is the temple which gave rise to the foundation of the city in the 15th Century. The bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge is a painful, but unavoidable, part of Cambodia's recent history and visits to the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek tell the story of this tragic legacy. (Note: These sites are a major part of sightseeing in Phnom Penh; however, if you do not wish to visit either of them, please inform your tour leader.) An ideal way to spend your last evening in Cambodia is to relax in a cafe by the riverfront.

Day 6: Phnom Penh

Meals included: 1 breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast. A transfer to the airport is not included; however, your tour leader will be on hand to advise you as to the options available.

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Your Trip

What's Included

• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leader throughout the tour, and local guides at some sites.

• Local flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.

• Visit to the Angkor complex: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Srei and a sunset over Angkor Wat from Phnom Bakheng.

• Sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh (including entrance fees where relevant): the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.

• Lunch at Sala Bai Hotel School prepared by underprivileged local youths learning skills to find employment in the hospitality industry.

• Arrival transfer.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

• Plane
• Private vehicle

Accommodation

• 5 nights Comfortable hotel

Meals

• 5 breakfasts
• 1 lunch

Highlight of Highlights

Angkor's Ancient Treasures

Exploring the ancient splendour of Angkor appearing through an ethereal morning mist is a magnificent sight and a beautiful reminder of the ancient Khmer empire. See its architectural, artistic and engineering feats which rival the great accomplishments of Rome and Greece. Feel like Indian Jones when rambling through its temples!

Not Included

International flights, international and domestic departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals, any optional tours and activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.

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Important Information

Local Tour Leaders
By employing and training local guides to lead our group holidays, there is a two-fold benefit. Firstly, we provide employment opportunities for the local community. Just as importantly is the benefit to you, the traveller. Your tour leader’s friendship, humour, passion and intimate knowledge of the region will be key factors in making your holiday a success. We use several different tour leaders to run the various sectors of this particular trip. In Cambodia, tour guide licensing regulations do not allow Siem Reap (Angkor) based guides to lead tours in Phnom Penh (and vice versa). Therefore, in Siem Reap you will be escorted by an experienced tour leader who has a detailed knowledge of the ancient temples at Angkor. On your final day in Siem Reap your leader will escort you to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh, where you will be met by a licensed Phnom Penh based tour leader who will be with you until leave Cambodia. Hence, you will be unescorted for the flight between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Tipping
Tipping has become an accepted part of tourism in South East Asia. Your tour leader will be able to advise you in this area; however, as a guideline we would recommend tipping 10% of the total bill in restaurants and a small tip to hotel bellboys for carrying your bags.

At you pre-tour briefing your tour leader will discuss with you the idea of running a tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then the tour leader pays the tips and keeps a record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassles of needing small change and knowing what is an appropriate amount to tip.

It is customary to tip your tour leader, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with the service. A minimum tip of US$2 per day, from each member of the group, is the usual amount expected.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

3 November 2011

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