Day 01: Arrive Phnom Penh

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport we are warmly greeted and transferred to our hotel.   Phnom Penh is a chaotic, energetic and a vibrant city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras; today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendors hawk their wares and pedestrians go about their business.

Overnight: Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh (2 nights)

Day 02: Phnom Penh

We spend the day exploring and getting an insight into Cambodia's cultural heritage. Visit the Royal Palace, still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi and the adjacent Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Next we, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's two great markets, the Central Market, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building or the sprawling Russian Market, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more. Afternoon we head outside of Phnom Penh an otherwise peaceful rural setting, to see the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. It provides a stark reminder of the atrocities of the Pol Pot regime. Bestween 1975 and 178, thousands of innocent people, were killed and buried in mass graves. (B, L)

Day 03: Phnom Penh/Siem Reap (Flight)

A short flight gets us to Siem Reap where we visit the fortified city of Angkor Thom covering an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats; the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. We enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Visit the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper Kings; the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, we explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down from every angle. Next we visit Preah Khan temple built by King Jayavarman VII with towering enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.

Overnight: Angkor Palace Resort, Siem Reap (3 nights) (B, L)

Day 04: Siem Reap

The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout and the delicate artistry of its carvings. We approach the temple as we cross the vast moat. Enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface of the temple, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted from the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Late afternoon, an exciting event as we drive to the rural Treak Village. Here we get a unique hands-on and interactive coking class in an outdoor bamboo pavilion, surrounded by Banana trees, bamboo and a fishpond. Take a short walk in the village to visit a local family and garden to see the ingredients growing.  We also learn about local superstition related to food and beliefs. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Siem Reap

Day tour to visit the Roluos Group: a collection of monuments marking the beginning of classical art of the Khmer era. They served as the capital of Indravarman.  The sandstone carvings in the niches of the temples as also the Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts are notable. Bakong, built and dedicated to Shiva by Indravarman I, is the largest and most interesting of the Roluos Group of temples and still has an active Buddhist monastery. Take a boat ride to Chong Kneas Village to view the scenery and day-to-day life of the communities living around the lake. Visit Psah Chah Market, originally destroyed by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 and reopened in 1996. It has many interesting food stalls and souvenir shops. (B, L)

Day 06: Depart Siem Reap

After a fascinating tour of Cambodia, we are transferred to the airport for our flight. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 06 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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