DAY 1
BANTEAY SREI, ANGKOR WAT SUNSET AND APSARA DANCE PERFORMANCE

Your guide will meet you at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer you to your accommodation to check in.

You’ll visit Banteay Srei, an exquisite 10th century pink sandstone temple, dedicated to women. And at dusk take a short trek up Phnom Bakheng, a Hindu temple mountain, to enjoy amazing sunset views over Angkor Wat.

In the evening we attend a traditional Apsara dance performance and dinner. Apsara dancers mirror the traditional Cambodian dances that date back to the Angkorian era – you can find carvings of them at many of the ancient temples. Their elaborate costumes and deft hand gestures all have symbolic meanings, and the dancers are accompanied by traditional music played on xylophones, drums and fiddles.

DAY 2
MAGNIFICENT TEMPLES OF ANGKOR

The day begins early with an unforgettable and awe-inspiring site – Angkor Wat at dawn. Marvel as the sun rises over the spires of the largest religious structure in the world.

We’ll return you to your hotel for breakfast and then continue our discovery of the temples. After exploring Angkor Wat in all its splendor, at the quietest time of day, we take a break for a local lunch, before returning to the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom and the beguiling, smiling faces of the Bayon Temple.

Late afternoon, visit Ta Phrom, when the light is at its’ most magical. See how the massive root tentacles from the towering trees have grown through the temple, binding the ancient stones to the jungle. It’s an evocative sight.

DAY 3
COOKING CLASS

Learn the secrets of traditional Khmer cooking. Start the day shopping at the market for the freshest ingredients, then join one of the hands-on classes at your own work station. You will be taught how to prepare delicious and beautifully presented dishes by a Khmer master chef – and then sample the results along with a cool drink!

DAY 4
ARTISANS D’ANGKOR

For your final morning in Siem Reap, our guide will escort you to Les Artisans d’Angkor where you’ll see local crafts being made.

Artisans Angkor is a Cambodian company which was originally created to help young rural people find work near their home village. As the offshoot of an educational project called Chantiers-Ecoles de Formation Professionnelle, aiming at providing professional skills to communities with limited educational opportunities, Artisans Angkor has maintained its commitment to education by developing its own training program.

Since its creation at the end of 1990s, Artisans Angkor has strived to offer good working conditions and social advantages to its employees. It has now opened 42 workshops in Siem Reap province and it provides employment to over 1300 people, including more than 900 artisans.

Afterwards, visit the old town of Siem Reap where you will explore the famous Old Market (Phsar Chas) by the river at the south end of the Old French Quarter.

Domestic flight to Phnom Penh in the afternoon (flight cost included) and transfer to your hotel in Phnom Penh.

DAY 5
PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR

We explore “the hidden pearl of Asia” with a guided tour of the city stopping at sites of interest along the way, including the spectacular Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda (Emerald Buddha), the pagoda at Wat Phnom, the Independence Monument and the newly erected statue commemorating the late King Father (Sihanouk).

For an insight into Cambodian religious life, visit a pagoda. In the late morning, depending on your time of arrival at the pagoda, you may also be able to see the monks chanting, (not guaranteed) prior to their lunch.

After lunch (included), we continue our tour of Phnom Penh by taking a sobering walk through Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21). Here there are stark and moving reminders of Cambodia’s recent tragic past. Our expert guide will explain the historical, political and social context of the bleak period of Khmer history which followed the fall of Phnom Penh in April 1975.

DAY 6
PHNOM PENH TO SIHANOUKVILLE

Today we drive to Sihanoukville. The 5 hour drive begins after breakfast and takes us south west through lovely countryside, until we arrive at your hotel by the beach, in time to check in and enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing.

DAY 7
FREE DAY ON THE BEACH

Today is free and easy for you to enjoy your time at the beach.

DAY 8
FREE DAY ON THE BEACH

Today is free and easy for you to enjoy your time at the beach.

DAY 9
DEPARTURE DAY

At at time to suit you, we’ll drive you back to Phnom Penh International Airport, for your outbound flight.