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  4. Cambodia Discovery
Days
6
Price from
$1,795AUD

Cambodia's Angkor Wat is one of the most prominent attractions in all of South East Asia. Long considered 'lost', the ruins of Angkor were never really lost to the Khmers, who have used the monuments as religious sites throughout their history. The site includes the ancient city area of Angkor Thom, with its many carved-stone faces standing as silent witnesses to former days of glory, and Ta Prohm, a temple complex slowly being reclaimed by the jungle. We start the trip in vibrant Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, and visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a sombre reminder of the reign of Pol Pot. The revitalised city is also home to Wat Phnom, as well as the Silver Pagoda, located in the Royal Palace. Its waterfront, located near the confluence of the Tonle Sap and the mighty Mekong River, is a picture of tranquility and a great place to relax.

Start
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Finish
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Country
Cambodia
Style
Peregrine
Code
PACC
Physical rating
Traveller’s rating
150 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why we love this trip

  • This trip maximises your time in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, with an included flight between these two major cities. So there's no need to worry about a long day of travel

  • See the important sights of Phnom Penh on a full-day guided tour around the Cambodian capital. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) are sobering experiences you won't forget

  • Enjoy two days of fully guided temple tours in Siem Reap, with in-depth insights into the history of these extraordinary structures and plenty of time at Angkor Wat

  • By dining on delicious local cuisine at the Sala Bai Hotel School, you're supporting the cause of underprivileged hospitality students in training

  • Spend your nights in comfort under the roof of Peregrine standard hotels – centrally located and ideal for relaxing

  • Enjoy a visit to a working Buddhist Monastery and meet the resident Monks to learn more about this religion and it's importance to the Cambodian people.

  • Stroll through the countryside of a farming village and learn about the wonderful work of a non Government organisation (NGO) that is striving to improve the quality of life of Cambodian families.

Is this trip right for you?

  • The bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge is a painful but important part of Cambodian history to confront. If you would rather not visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, just let your leader know.

  • You will visit a number of temples which requires a level of modesty. You will need to bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

  • It’s important to prepare for hot and sticky temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening. Layers are the best way to tackle this disparity in weather.

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Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2017 - 31 December 2017

Sua s'dei. Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. You'll be transferred to your hotel – check with hotel reception for more information about your important group meeting this evening. If you have free time in the afternoon, perhaps stroll the streets of Phnom Penh and explore the city, taking in the interesting French colonial architecture. The National Museum, with its collection of classic Khmer craftsmanship, is well worth a visit. Dinner tonight will be at the restaurant run by the Friends organisation. You might decide to go for a drink at the Foreign Correspondents' Club afterwards. 

Notes: The restaurant run by the Friends organisation is closed on public and school holidays. Alternative dinner arrangements will be made during these times.
Accommodation
  • Aquarius Hotel or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
  • Dinner

Today a full city tour introduces you to the sights of Phnom Penh, a city that lies near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are home to King Sihamoni and are closed to the public. You will, however, be able to visit the Silver Pagoda that lies in the palace complex, which is the most sacred temple in the country. Phnom Penh remains a living relic of the country’s past struggles and successes. Your included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. There is an optional visit to Wat Phnom, the temple that gave rise to the foundation of the city in the 15th century. Later you head out of town to a working Monastery to learn more about the life of a Monk and Theravada Buddhism. Buddhism in Cambodia is a way of life that most people incorporate into their daily life. You will get to meet the Monks, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity, have a red band tied around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels and see the temple’s fascinating Pagoda art.

Note: The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are major parts of the experience here, but if you don't wish to visit them, please inform your tour leader.
Accommodation
  • Aquarius Hotel or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Prison Museum (S21)
  • Phnom Penh - Choeung Ek (Killing Fields)
  • Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
  • Buddhist Monastery visit
Optional Activities
  • Phnom Penh - Wat Phnom - USD2
  • Phnom Penh - National Museum - USD10
  • Phnom Penh - Cyclo tour - USD4
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Fly north to Siem Reap (approximately 40 minutes) where the great temples of Angkor await. After a relaxing morning at your hotel, travel into the countryside to a local farming community, walk through rice fields and learn about Cambodian stilt homes and life in a typical farming village. Hear about the myriad ways a non-government organisation called Husk Cambodia works directly with this community to improve the lives of Cambodian families. End the day with a stop for a sunset drink at a scenic point overlooking the countryside.
Accommodation
  • Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Countryside village walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Spend a full day visiting the amazing temples of Angkor on a guided exploration. Angkor Wat is the largest and most complete structure, and the only one of Angkor's temples that has its entrance facing west – the others face east. Then there is Angkor Thom, the 'Great Royal City', a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. Of all the temples visited today, Bayon temple is the centrepiece, with over 200 smiling carved faces and more than 50 gothic towers. For lunch you'll visit the Sala Bai Hotel School where underprivileged local youths learn skills that enable them to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Here you can enjoy a meal prepared by students at the school. After lunch it’s off to the Ta Prohm temple, which has large trees embedded in the stone foundations of the structure – powerful symbols of nature.

Note: The Sala Bai Hotel School is closed on public and school holidays, so on these days an alternative restaurant will be used.
Accommodation
  • Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Siem Reap - Three Day Angkor Pass
  • Siem Reap - Lunch at Sala Bai
Optional Activities
  • Siem Reap - Phare Cambodia Circus Ticket - USD18
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Embrace a very early start today if you wish to experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex (this is optional). From here, continue onto Banteay Srei. You'll see it's not a huge temple, but thanks to its intricate stone carvings it is sometimes referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art’. At this point you can either head back to your hotel or carry on exploring more temples, such as Preah Khan. This temple contains a maze of vaulted corridors and is another complex that has been largely reclaimed by the jungle. Your ticket for the Angkor ruins also lets you spend more time exploring this site. Otherwise you might like to take a free afternoon to explore the town. If you have time, perhaps indulge in a traditional Khmer massage. Tonight you will enjoy a final nights dinner at a great restaurant in town serving local cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Banteay Srei temple
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
Optional Activities
  • Siem Reap - Khmer Traditional Massage - USD17
  • Siem Reap - Landmine museum - USD5
  • Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake Boat Trip - USD15
  • Siem Reap - Remork transport to Tonle Sap Lake - USD10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your Cambodia Discovery comes to an end after breakfast this morning.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Plane, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Resort (3 nights)

Included Activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Prison Museum (S21)
  • Phnom Penh - Choeung Ek (Killing Fields)
  • Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
  • Buddhist Monastery visit
  • Siem Reap - Countryside village walking tour
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Siem Reap - Three Day Angkor Pass
  • Siem Reap - Lunch at Sala Bai
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Banteay Srei temple

Reviews

Our Cambodia Discovery trips score an average of 4.8 out of 5 based on 150 reviews in the last year.

Cambodia Discovery, September 2017

Trudy Eden

Review submitted 09 Oct 2017

Cambodia Discovery, September 2017

Tom & Marilyn Petersen

Review submitted 08 Oct 2017

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip at time of booking, please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this single supplement. Please note a single supplement is available on every night of this trip.
2. An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking.

Essential trip information

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