Classic Cambodia

Suo Sdei! Welcome to Cambodia.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will meet our driver who will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel to check-in. You will be given time to rest before we start our walking tour of the city at 4 pm. We advise you to make your arrival time as early as possible so you can rest before the tour.

Siem Reap is developing so rapidly that it has become a fantastic stopover for tourists to explore. The city has retained the perfect blend of modernity and traditions. What better way to explore all this than with a local guide, keen to show you what our city looks like through their eyes? Not only will you learn a lot about this ancient city, but you will also make friends along the way and create memories to last a lifetime!

You will explore historical places like, old town and not to mention, enjoy a nice walk along the Siem Reap river with viewpoints that overlook the local Cambodian lifestyle. There will be plenty of photo opportunities!

Afterwards, you will enjoy your welcome dinner with the creative local cuisine at Marum Restaurant (Marun is an NGO that has been working with street children and other marginalized young people).

Optional Activity: Phar Circus – $18

If you aren’t too tired from jet lag, you may wish to catch an evening performance at Phar Circus, where their shows tell stories of Cambodian history through a mix of music, dance and acrobats, in addition to meeting the talented performers.

After having breakfast at the hotel, It’s time for the main event with a whole day to enjoy a guided tour around the unforgettable Angkor temple complex. First, we will visit Angkor Wat, which is the most famous of all the Angkor temples. The temple, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II contains three stories of libraries, galleries and towers surrounded by a thick retaining wall and an imposing moat. Having your professional historian guide, you will be able to discuss in detail what you are looking to achieve from your time at the temples.

You will then head out into the centre of Angkor Thom and enter the city through the ancient Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with elephants and four giant faces. From here, continue to Bayon Temple, found in the centre of the city famed as the enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.

Have lunch at a local restaurant for exotic Khmer cuisine. Ta Prohm temple is your next stop before some leisure time in the late afternoon. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found- overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground, and creating one of the most photogenic and atmospheric temples of the entire Angkor site.

Today, discover the great landscape of the Tonle Sap lake. This is a unique experience offering a great outdoor adventure into Siem Reap’s countryside by exploring a floating village and seeing first hand the livelihoods of the Cambodian people.

We will take you on the Siem Reap back roads in order to explore the local ways of life in Siem Reap. You will be greeted by friendly locals and get a deeper understanding of their lives and traditions. The journey will end at the Tonle Sap lake, where you will experience the livelihoods of Cambodian people living in the floating villages, offering you the opportunity to see how families adapt their life to be able to live on the water.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure on your own.

Optional Activity: Siem Reap Evening Food Tour – $45

This is a fantastic way to experience local Siem Reap food at night. Join this unique Food Tour in Siem Reap to have the opportunity of biting into some tasty regional dishes. This tour will open your senses to local street food and give you a true experience of savoury delicious Cambodian food.

There are plenty of opportunities for adventures with street food – make sure yours is memorable for the right reasons! The local guide will show you the highlights of Siem Reap night markets. Taste authentic Cambodian BBQ and spring rolls and, if you feel adventurous, BBQ snails and other insect dishes. Finish up with a nightcap at the Sombai Siem Reap Liqueur House, where you’ll see how Cambodian rice whiskey is made and infused.

Today, we depart to Banteay Chhmar temple about 130 km from Siem Reap. On the way you can see the countryside, rice fields, local markets, and local livelihoods.

Upon arrival, explore the temples with your local expert. Banteay Chhmar temple is one of Cambodia’s most important and least understood temples from the Angkorian period. The temple complex, its moat, Baray (reservoir) and surrounding unspoilt environment comprises a unique archaeological site and a vital link in Cambodia’s cultural heritage.

After having lunch at the local restaurant, we head to Battambang – is the second-largest city in Cambodia. Battambang is located on both the highway and railroad linking Phnom Penh with Thailand. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.

This morning, we take a tour to the Bamboo Trains and enjoy a nice ride on a bamboo bed known locally as a Norris. Here you will catch a glimpse of the gorgeous Battambang countryside. Be sure to take plenty of photographs on this truly fun and unique ride!

Continue to visit with Cambodian families who produce traditional products such as rice paper, dried bananas, and bamboo sticky rice made in the same way they have been for generations. You will learn first hand about everyday life in rural communities.

In the afternoon, we will depart to Sampov Mountain in time for you to catch the sunset and take in spectacular views of Battambang. Sampov Mountain is a truly special and spectacular place for locals and visitors alike; bask in the tranquility and the cool mountain breeze of beautiful Sampov. The mountain contains numerous killing caves. The caves are now home to thousands of bats and a group of macaques that feed on bananas left by pilgrims beside the cave’s shrines. If you wish, stay until dusk when you can witness the bats pouring out of the caves and heading out across the surrounding paddy fields in search of food.

Today, take a 5-hour drive to the Farmhouse Smiling Gecko. You will stop several times along the way, including visiting a pottery family and taking a short boat ride. In the course of the afternoon, you will arrive at the Smiling Gecko Farmhouse. Relax by the lovely swimming pool or treat yourself to a soothing massage.

*Farmhouse Smiling Gecko set up in 2015 by local NGO, Smiling Gecko Cambodia, the Farmhouse was established to offer disadvantaged local people a training opportunity to acquire skills that will enable them to earn a living, without leaving the countryside. In the afternoon, a member of the Smiling Gecko team will give you an overview of their other inspirational projects that focus on education, supporting local employment initiatives and promoting self-help among the rural population. By staying here you’re directly contributing to the livelihood of the local people.

This morning take a part of a farm tour, you will get a deeper insight into the structures and work of the innovative, holistic social project and visit its various cluster projects as well as the Smiling Gecko School (except on weekends, public holidays and school holidays). After lunch, you take an excursion with other participants to a local monastery, idyllically situated on a hill, which then forms the backdrop for a sunset.

Today, say goodbye to the Smiling Gecko. Drive to Phnom Penh (approximately 2 hours), we make a stop at the ancient Cambodian capital of Phnom Oudong, enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding plains and rice-fields from the hilltop.

Continue to Phnom Penh, the city is considered as one of the most beautiful cities as it still retains a colonial charm flat. Cambodia’s capital is the bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Lake. The city contains many colonial-era buildings that reflect the glorious days and add to the allure of the city where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinated way.

Your afternoon will be leisure until set off on a sunset cruise along the Phnom Penh riverfront. Take in the sights and sip cocktails, beer, or soft drinks as you get a unique overview of Phnom Penh.

Departure to visit this incredible city. The first stop of the day will be Choeung Ek, better known as the “Killing Fields”, where thousands of people were executed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The visits will continue with the genocide museum, “Tuol Sleng S21”, the testimony of the Cambodian genocide of that historical period.

After the visit to the national museum, where exhibits dating from the Angkorian and pre-Angkorian period of the glorious history of the ancient Khmer empire are displayed. The block adjacent to the museum is completely occupied by the royal palace complex, within which is also the “Silver Pagoda”.

Today our journey to the highlights of Cambodia ends. There is ao activities are planned for the last day. Individual follow-up stay or return trip. Our drivers will be ready to transfer to Phnom Penh airport to catch your return flight.