Today, you will be arriving in Siem Reap, a charming city located in the northwestern region of Cambodia. You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap for check-in. Once you have settled into your accommodation, you will have the rest of the day free at leisure to explore the city and its surroundings. You may choose to visit the famous Angkor Wat temple complex, take a stroll through the bustling night market, or simply relax and enjoy the local cuisine. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Angkor Thom, which was a magnificent architectural masterpiece built by King Jayavarman VII. The king built this fortress in the heart of his empire as a response to the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181.

Our first stop will be the Bayon Temple, which is located at the exact center of Angkor Thom. This temple is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia's most celebrated king. We will also have a photo stop at the Terrace of the Leper King, which is a unique stone terrace located in the Royal Square of Angkor Thom.

Next, we will visit the Terrace of Elephants, which was originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances, and traditional sports. At the southern end of the terrace lies the Baphuon, one of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman I in the 11th century.

We will also visit the picturesque Ta Prohm temple, which has nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, creating an exotic and haunting scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, which are pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever.

Our final stop will be the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. This temple is believed to be the world's largest religious building and is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry. It is a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.

After a long day of exploring, we will return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we will drive to the stunning Banteay Srei temple, known for its intricate pink sandstone carvings that are among the most exquisite of Khmer classical art. Along the way, we'll visit the Akira Landmine Museum to gain insight into Cambodia's modern history.

On the return journey, we'll stop at Pradark Village to witness the local people making palm sugar and handicrafts. The day's tour will also include a visit to the beautiful Banteay Samre temple.

In the afternoon, we'll take a boat ride on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest permanent freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. We'll see the unique "floating village," which moves from place to place with changing water levels and currents. This is a rare opportunity to experience the daily life of the local people.

Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, you will be picked up by the bus company and take a shuttle bus from Siem Reap to Battambang. Upon arrival at the Battambang bus station, our driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Battambang is a charming and laid-back town located in the heart of Cambodia’s northwest region. It is known for its colonial architecture, Buddhist shrines, and vibrant art scene. Once you have settled in at your hotel, you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring this quaint town.

Overnight in Battambang.

After breakfast, we will explore the city of Battambang by Tuk Tuk or car, which is known for its elegant houses in the French colonial style along the river. Our first stop is at Wat Ta Mem, a pagoda where we can observe the daily life of locals and learn about their customs and beliefs.

Next, we will visit the Bamboo Railway Station. The Bamboo Train was set up by villagers to transport goods and people and is a basic platform on 4 wheels powered by a small motor. Sitting on the platform, we will travel 8km through beautiful landscapes and rice paddies.

As we travel further south, we will reach the 11th-century mountaintop Angkorian temple of Phnom Banan, which has been well-preserved. After climbing the 350+ steps, we will be rewarded with a peaceful setting and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The area is filled with small villages, endless rice paddies, and the characteristic sugar palm trees, making it a wonderful sunset location.

We will then continue to Phnom Sampov, which houses both the Killing Cave of Phnom Sampov and the Bat Cave. The Killing Cave still has the remains of those killed during the Khmer Rouge genocide, while the Bat Cave offers an amazing spectacle at around 5pm each day when thousands of bats fly out of the cave as dusk falls.

After a day full of experiences and insights into local life, we will return to our hotel in Battambang for the night.

After breakfast, you will be picked up by the bus company to begin your journey back to Phnom Penh. The drive takes approximately 6 hours, giving you time to sit back and relax or take in the passing scenery. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh bus station, you will be met by our driver who will transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, you can explore Phnom Penh on your own or take an optional tour to visit the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum or the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21).

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour will begin with a visit to the Royal Palace compound, which was built in 1866 by the predecessors of King Norodom. The palace boasts impressive and colorful Khmer-style architecture and is the most prominent feature in Phnom Penh. Adjacent to the Royal Palace is the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Emerald Buddha temple, which displays numerous Buddha statues decorated with diamonds, emeralds, gold, and silver.

Next, you will proceed to the National Museum, a distinctive red building with beautiful Khmer architecture that has been standing since 1917. It contains over 5,000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and other materials. The tour continues with a visit to the Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 to commemorate Cambodia's independence from French colonial rule.

At noon, you will visit Phsar Thmey, also known as the Central Market. This large market, constructed in 1937, features a dome-shaped building with four branching arms leading to vast hallways filled with countless stalls selling a wide range of products, including gold and silver, antique coins, money exchange, books, flowers, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, seafood, and more.

Next, you will head to Wat Phnom, also known as the Mountain Pagoda, a Buddhist temple located on a hill that symbolizes the name of Phnom Penh. According to history, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1372 to house four Buddha statues discovered by Lady Penh in the waters of the Mekong River. Wat Phnom is a popular place for locals to come and play, pray for good luck, and admire the stunning sunset.

In the late afternoon, you will enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River to view the Royal Palace from the water as it bursts into four branches. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, you will be picked up by the bus company and taken by shuttle bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival at the Sihanoukville bus station, you will meet our driver who will transfer you to the Sihanoukville pier to take a speedboat to Koh Rong Island. Once you arrive on the island, you will meet your driver or hotel staff, who will transfer you to your hotel. Overnight stay in Koh Rong.

Today is a free day for you to relax and enjoy the stunning beaches of Koh Rong Island. You can choose to take a dip in the turquoise waters, lay on the white sand beaches, or take a stroll along the coastline. There are also many optional activities available, such as snorkeling or diving to explore the coral reefs or taking a boat trip to nearby islands. Breakfast is included at your hotel.

Overnight in Koh Rong.

Today is another free day for you to enjoy the paradise island of Koh Rong at your leisure. You can continue to relax on the beach or explore the island's stunning natural beauty. Optional activities are available, such as hiking in the jungle or visiting the local village to learn about the island's culture and history. Breakfast is included at your hotel.

Overnight in Koh Rong.

After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the beautiful Koh Rong Island. You will take a speedboat back to Sihanoukville, where you will be met by your driver. From there, you will be transferred to Phnom Penh by private vehicle. During the transfer, you can enjoy the scenic views of the countryside, and there will be stops for you to stretch your legs and grab some snacks. Breakfast is included at your hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at your hotel, you will have some free time to explore Phnom Penh at your leisure. Perhaps you can visit any attractions that you might have missed or indulge in some last-minute shopping. Later, a driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. We hope that you had a wonderful time in Phnom Penh and we look forward to seeing you again on your next adventure with Lumle. Your airport transfer is included in the itinerary.

Tour Ends