Authentic Cambodia Vacation 8 days

When you get to Siem Reap Airport, your private guide and driver will be there to greet you with a big smile and a sign with your name on it. They will then take you straight to your hotel.

After you check-in, you'll have time to settle in and get used to Siem Reap's pace. If you have time on the first day, Let's go to the great Angkor National Museum. Before going to the temples, the visit is a great way to learn about the best parts of Angkor. The museum has a collection of Angkorian artifacts, texts, and audiovisual presentations that could be very large. If you know even a little bit about the history and meaning of the architecture, visiting the temples will be a much richer and more interesting experience.

NOTE: To get into Cambodia, you need both a passport and a visa. Your passport must also be valid for at least six months after the date you enter Cambodia. You can get a visa on arrival in Cambodia. Make sure you have two photos that fit the size of a passport.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

You can get away from the crowds by starting your day with a trip to Ta Prohm, a temple that dates back to the 13th century and is hauntingly magnificent. Here, the roots of enormous banyans and strangler figs entwine most of the stonework, producing images that have not changed much since Henri Mouhot unearthed Angkor in 1863. It is because of this temple that the "Tomb Raider Temple" is considered to be one of the most famous and breathtaking Angkorian constructions.

The ancient capital of the Great Khmer Empire, which at one time ruled over a sizeable portion of present-day Southeast Asia, was located in Angkor Thom. This city is protected on all sides by a wall that is square-shaped and eight meters in height. You are going to enter the city through the historic South Gate, which is a magnificent stone edifice decorated with four enormous faces and elephants. On either side of the entrance is a row of 54 gods or demons who are tasked with guarding the sacred Naga serpent.

Come back to the hotel for some relief from the heat in the middle of the day.

Afternoon

You pay a visit to the Buddhist monastery Banteay Kdei, also known as the "Citadel of Chambers," which dates back to the late 12th century, as well as Sra Srang, also known as the "pool of ablutions,". The location of the Bayon Temple ensures that it occupies the exact geographic center of the old city. This stunning piece of art, which dates back to the 12th century, is famous for its 54 towers, each of which has a mysterious face on it. These towers represent the 54 provinces that made up the Ancient Khmer Empire.

The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are both well-known for their magnificent bas-reliefs, you will visit both of these locations. As you take a guided tour of the grounds of the old Imperial Palace, you will come across a number of hidden temples that are only seen by a select few people.

Your day of sightseeing will come to a relaxing close when you take a gondola ride across the moats that surround Angkor Thom. Imagine the majestic metropolis as it was when it ruled over two million people while enjoying complete isolation approximately 800 years ago. When the sun gets closer to the horizon, make your way to Prasat Chrung, a modest temple built in the manner of Bayon. Once there, climb an iron stairway to a peaceful area for stunning sunset views over the ruins.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals included: Breakfast.

You will be at the most significant religious structure in the country when dawn breaks, and you will be able to admire the majestic Temple of Angkor Wat from across a pond as you are there.

As soon as the light peeks out from behind the three buildings, the vast majority of people will head back to their hotels for breakfast, and the crowd will start to disperse. Taking advantage of the chilly temperatures and gentle early light, we will explore Angkor Wat in a setting that is more serene.

You are about to begin your tour of Angkor Wat, which is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You have most likely not yet seen the towers that are perched above the treetops or the gates that are directly in front of you at this point. But now, you won't have to worry about not being able to sate the growing curiosity you've had in today.

Learn about the incredible mythology and design of Angkor Wat, both of which have left archaeologists with more questions than answers. The site can be visited in Cambodia. Stonework at Angkor Wat is renowned for being among the world's most elaborate and extensive examples of its kind. The scale of this complex exceeds that of Vatican City by a factor of four, making it the greatest religious site in the entire world. You should use the rest of the morning to investigate the various corridors, levels, and chambers that used to house a priceless artifact. This is going to be an experience that only comes around once in a lifetime.

After leaving Angkor Wat, you will go out into the countryside to visit the stunning Banteay Srey temple, which is known as the "jewel" of the Angkor region. The "Citadel of the Ladies" is the name given to the temple in Cambodia that has been conserved the best. The bas-reliefs that may be found inside of this modest temple are some of the finest examples of traditional Khmer art. Pink sandstone, of which Banteay Srey is built, is unique to Angkor and cannot be found anywhere else; hence, the temple can only be found there.

We are going to head north to Kbal Spean, which is one of the first Hindu pilgrimage destinations in Cambodia. Upon arrival, you will make your way up through the thick forest to a viewpoint where you can look out over the lowlands and the Kulen hills. At the highest point, the riverbed of the "River of 1000 Lingas" features magnificent stone sculptures of Hindu deities, animals, and other symbols. These carvings can be found in the riverbed.

Afternoon

After you have finished your lunch, you might want to go for a swim in the nearby waterfall, which is a favorite spot for local families. Stop for a short time at the Land Mine Museum, which raises awareness about mines and is located on the way back to Siem Reap. Mr. Aki Ra, who founded the museum, served as a child soldier under the Khmer Rouge government and now works as a de-miner. The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Khmer people. A number of land mine amputee children who were saved by Aki Ra from the streets of Phnom Penh or from destitute rural areas are currently being cared for at the museum, which also functions as a rescue center.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

Koh Rong, a series of islands off the Cambodian coast, with magnificent white-sand beaches abutting azure oceans. There are just five tiny islands in the region, three of which are deserted, thus the area is still very much an unspoiled paradise.

Relax for the rest of the day after check-in at your resort. Chill out on the white sand beaches and take a dip in the calm, turquoise seas.

Overnight on Koh Rong Island.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Overnight on Koh Rong island.

Meals included: Breakfast.

After check-in at the hotel, the rest of the day is yours to do with whatever you like.

The Cambodian metropolis of Phnom Penh teems with activity and life. Located where the enormous Mekong meets the smaller Bassac and the larger Tonle Sap, this area was once referred to as "the Jewel" of Indochina. The nation's capital has retained much of its allure and remains a tourist hotspot. French colonial residences and tree-lined boulevards in the midst of gigantic Angkorian buildings give it an air of regional beauty and tranquility.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

After breakfast, the tour guide picks you up with a Cyclo, a three-wheeled bicycle taxi, to see the most interesting places in Phnom Penh. The Cyclo is a Phnom Penh original transport and a fun way to see this busy city.

Start by going to the Royal Palace Compound, which was built in 1866 by the kings who came before King Norodom. It is the most famous part of the city and one of the most beautiful and colorful Khmer-style palaces. The Silver Pagoda also called "The Emerald Buddha Temple" is close to the Royal Palace. It has a lot of Buddha statues made of diamond, emerald, gold, and silver.

Next, go see the Independence Monument, which was built in 1954 after Cambodians took their country back from the French. Continue to visit the National Museum. It was built in 1917 and is a beautiful red building with Khmer architecture. It has more than 5,000 works of art made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood, and other materials. Pass through the River Front Park, which has a lot of beautiful scenery.

Lunch will be served at the restaurant.

Afternoon

Visit the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also called Prison S21) and listen to English commentary on the way there to learn about Cambodia's recent dark history. The prison is made up of four buildings with exhibits in many of the rooms. Almost everyone you meet during your visit will have lost a family member during these years, but they are all willing to talk openly with you about it. So that it doesn't happen again, they want you to know about it and see the places where it happened.

After spending an hour and 15 minutes at the museum, drive 40 minutes to the Killing Fields and watch a film about the Khmer Rouge regime. More than two million people died because of what Pol Pot and his government did. The site will be open for about an hour and 15 minutes. Along with a map of the fields, you can get an audio guide in 15 different languages.

Keep going to the interesting local market, where you'll have plenty of chances to buy some souvenirs. You can end your day trip at Wat Phnom, the oldest building in Phnom Penh. It is on a small hilltop that is the highest point in the city. Come back to the hotel and spend your time.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Free time to do some shopping and explore around before departing to the airport.

And this is how the tour ends!

The tour may be over, but the memories you have collected during these last 8 days will stay in your mind for the rest of your life. This is what we want to offer you: a tour that brings you memories that last a lifetime and make you smile each time you think of them!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: none included