Temples and Beaches of Cambodia

Explore the ancient wonders of Khmer temples within the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap. Visit the temple of Ta Phrom, many parts of which have been taken over by the surrounding jungle, thus creating an eerie atmosphere. It was popularized by the Hollywood movie Tomb Raider. A short drive away is the 11th century Ta Keo, an unfinished mountain temple built completely out of sandstone. It has five sanctuaries on top that offer fantastic panoramas of the surroundings. Continue on to the sprawling walled city of Angkor Thom, highlighted by the mesmerizing Bayon temple, adorned with smiling faces, with maze tunnels. You can admire well-preserved intricate carvings at the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. Later, following a leisurely lunch break in your hotel, enter the rear gate of the famed 12th century Angkor Wat. Considered to be the world’s largest religious building, this grand structure represents the universe with its central tower symbolizing Mount Meru. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes)

Discover Cambodia’s famed Khmer cuisine on a tuk tuk ride across Siem Reap. Early in the evening, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to restaurants and food stalls around town. You will stop and walk through the alleyways and streets surrounding the old market area, sampling local dishes and beer as you pass through. Back in your tuk tuk, make your way to Angkor Kyung Yu road, or Road 60, which is always busy with street food stalls set apart from tourist bars. Enjoy the vibrant ambiance alongside tourists and local families who step out to dine in the evening. You’ll find a range of exotic fruits, grilled meats, and even fried insects to taste! End your evening with a traditional Cambodian tipple and then return to your hotel. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 1700 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Meal Included: Food & Beverages; Fitness Level: Easy)

Visit Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city, on this engaging tour and along the way discover the many sights and sounds of the country. Set off from Siem Reap and drive for about three hours to reach the riverside settlement, established in the 11th-century. En route, you could make a stop at the National Silk Center in Puok district. The center offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of silk including the cultivation and harvesting of mulberries. At Battambang, check into your comfortable hotel. You have the rest of the afternoon free. On the second day of your trip, drive to the Angkor-era mountaintop temple of Phnom Banan. Ascend the 300-odd steps to this 12th-century shrine distinguished by its five towers. Take in panoramic views of the countryside, before you make your way down again. After, hop on the bamboo train and zip across the countryside on a purpose-built track. Also known as norry or nori, this is an improvised rail vehicle comprising a bamboo platform equipped with a motor and was once a common mode of transport in the country. Then, head to Phnom Banan Vineyard, the only one of its kind in Cambodia, to sample the house wines. Later, walk around the village of Wat Kor, known for its cluster of traditional Khmer wood houses from the early 20th-century. Stop at another hamlet, famed for its Prahok sauce that is an essential ingredient in Cambodian kitchens. As you explore the local market, see how the sauce is made by pounding dried fish into a paste. You can also watch the process used by the vendors to dry rice paper, before you return to your hotel. On the last day of your tour, set off from Battambang and drive to Phnom Penh. You could take a break from driving and have lunch at the port town of Kampong Chhnang, famed for its red pottery and the floating villages on the Tonle Sap. (Duration: three days/two nights; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: easy; This activity involves climbing about 358 steps to reach Phnom Banan; Please dress modestly when visiting wats and temples; Do ensure that shoulders, chest and legs are covered; Best time to travel: Oct – Mar)

Head out of Phnom Penh to visit a couple of historical sites that are sombre reminders of Cambodia’s dark past. Start your tour at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Named S-21 by the Khmer Rouge, this facility was a high school that turned into a prison where thousands of people were tortured, interrogated, and executed. Stepping into some of the rooms that were formerly prison cells, you can see portraits and documents of prisoners. Learn about the turbulent reign of Khmer Rouge’s notorious leader Pol Pot. Next, continue to the infamous Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, one among the hundreds of ‘Killing Fields’ across Cambodia. Set amid lush gardens punctuated by ponds, this memorial site has mass graves and collections of victims’ belongings. A central pagoda is filled with recovered skulls and bones encased in a large glass tower. Return to your accommodations with a new understanding of the efforts made by Cambodians to recover from the hardest of times. (Duration: 4 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness level: Easy; Kindly dress conservatively and maintain a respectful demeanor when visiting the Toul Slend Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields)

Explore two landmarks in Phnom Penh on this leisurely tour. Be picked up from your hotel and travel in a private vehicle to the hillside Buddhist shrine of Wat Phnom. Rebuilt many times, since it was first constructed in 1372, the temple is home to a large bronze Buddha statue. Next, head to the Royal Palace, a complex of buildings where the Thai royal family resides to this day. Take in the elegant Khmer-style roofs, the ornate gilding and the beautifully laid out gardens. Nearby, is the iconic Silver Pagoda, with its silver-covered floor and emerald Buddha statue. Here, you will also see a gold life-size statue of the Buddha that is embedded with over 2,000 diamonds. Your next stop is the National Museum, which is housed in a beautiful terracotta building, an excellent example of traditional Khmer architecture. Don’t miss seeing the huge bronze sculpture of the Hindu god Vishnu in a reclining position, and the 10th-century statue of a pair of wrestling monkeys. View as much of the extensive displays as possible, before the tour wraps up. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: easy; Royal Palace visiting hours: 0800 – 1030 hrs; Silver Pagoda visiting hours: 1400 – 1700 hrs; Best time to travel: Oct – Apr)