Cambodia Journey: Angkor Temples & Khmer Culture

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will begin your day with a visit to the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old city, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the Royal Palace grounds. The Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, composed of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted with diamonds weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th-century emerald and Baccarat crystal Buddha.

You will continue to discover the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and Choeung Ek – The Killing Fields. Both are somber reminders of Cambodia’s bloody past under Pol Pot. It is almost inconceivable to confront the nature of true evil here in this gentle land, but the Buddhist memorial at Choeung Ek commemorates 1.7 million victims of Pol Pot’s 1975-79 regime. This excursion may prove distressing for some; however, it is an important piece of the country’s historical and cultural puzzle.

Then, the unmissable Wat Phnom, the city’s most important temple, located on a hill. Dating back to the 1300s, legend has it that a wealthy widow named Penh (from whom the city Phnom Penh takes its name) found a large koki tree in the river. Inside the tree, Penh found four bronze Buddha statues and decided to build a small shrine on an artificial hill. From here, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the city’s tree-lined avenues.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Kampong Cham (125km ~ 3h); its name means “the port of the Cham,” which is an important ethnic group in Cambodia and Vietnam. The city attracts adventurous travelers as a gateway toward Eastern Cambodia and the Mondulkiri region, home to various tribes.

Along the way, you can visit the temples of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, known historical sites that preserve Khmer cultural heritage with many interesting stories; and the local market where you can see all facets of Cambodian popular life. There are numerous stalls selling fish, meat, vegetables, and many other things, as well as the Koh Pen bamboo bridge that connects the city of Kampong Cham with Koh Paen Island.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kampong Cham.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Mondulkiri, a province located in the eastern highlands of Cambodia, famous for its biodiversity and its green hills.

Upon arrival, you will begin a journey via a rugged road along two rivers until reaching Busra. Stop at some Phnong ethnic villages. The road to Busra will also lead you past the Busra Waterfall, one of the largest in Cambodia. You will take the opportunity to explore the countryside surrounding Busra, admiring the splendid scenery of its rice fields and immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the region.

Transfer to a local homestay. Check-in and overnight stay in Mondulkiri.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:20 – 08:30 AM: Meeting in Sen Monorom.

08:45 – 09:00 AM: Departure to the tour starting point, which offers panoramic views of the vast protected forest area saved from logging thanks to the Mondulkiri Project.

09:00 AM – 12:00 PM: We will begin with a hike from the hilltop through the jungle to the Mondulkiri Project Jungle Lodge. Here, our guide will share information about the project. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to meet the elephants and their Mahouts.

12:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Return to the Jungle Lodge for a lunch break. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the jungle during your meal.

02:00 PM – 04:30 PM: Return to the valley and walk to the waterfall for a refreshing swim. You can also participate in washing the elephants.

04:30 PM – 05:00 PM: Say goodbye to the elephants and return to Sen Monorom.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Banlung in the province of Ratanakiri. The city of Banlung is the capital of Ratanakiri province, located in the mountainous northeastern corner of Cambodia. Heavily covered in jungle and home to 12 different “Khmer Loeu” minority ethnic groups, Ratanakiri truly has an edge-of-the-world atmosphere. We will spend the rest of the time relaxing and swimming in the giant volcanic lake of Yeak Laom, a wonderful place surrounded by pristine rainforest—Boeng Yeak Laom.

Free dinner and overnight stay at a homestay in Ratanakiri.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, departure for Stung Treng province (170km ~ 3-3.5 hours). Upon arrival, we will continue with a visit to the Anlong Svay Thom dolphin pool (the Preah Romkel dolphin pool) or the Preah Romkel dolphin pool, which is one of the most renowned sites within the Mekong mammalian wildlife conservation area in Southeast Asia. This area represents one of the rare places in Asia where it is still possible to spot exotic mammals in their natural habitat.

This area is located along the Mekong River in the commune of Preah Romkel, Thala Boriwath district, Stung Treng province.

After the visit, return to the city.

Free dinner and overnight stay at a local homestay.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer toward the Preah Vihear Temple from Stung Treng. At the base of the mountains, we begin the ascent to reach the majestic Preah Vihear Temple located near the Thai border. This temple dates back to the early 11th century but was expanded by Suryavarman II. It dominates the plain from its prominent position on the Dangrek Mountains at an altitude of over 700 meters and was only returned to Cambodia following a ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 1963 (having been previously occupied by the Thais). Picnic lunch on-site. Descend from the Dangrek Mountain and return to the Sra Em district.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The morning begins with the Koh Ker temple; the lost archaeological site of Koh Ker is located 120 kilometers northeast of Siem Reap. Most likely, Koh Ker served as the state temple of Jayavarman IV when it was the capital of the entire empire (928–944 AD). The Khmer monarch, Jayavarman IV, moved the capital to Chok Gargyar, which has since become Koh Ker. Along the way, you will see glimpses of cashew and banana plantations, as well as impressive rice fields and local villages.

Continue exploring the numerous temples of this incredible site, including the beautiful jungle-covered Prasat Krahom.

Transfer toward Siem Reap. Check-in and overnight stay at a hotel in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, you begin discovering the Angkor area by bicycle. We will spend a full day exploring the wonderful ancient ruins, starting with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the largest and most complete temple, Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 12th century and covers an area of approximately 210 hectares.

Free lunch at a local restaurant.

Afterward, visiting the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embracing the stone foundations of the structure, giving the impression that man’s creation is being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.

Free dinner and overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Note: regarding the visit to the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat Temple:

• Visitors are required to wear appropriate clothing, covering shoulders and knees (no shorts, miniskirts, or short pants).

• Visitors must wait in line to climb the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat.

• Children under twelve years old are not permitted to climb this tower.

• It will be closed on Buddhist Sabbath Days, religious holidays (four days per month).

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30 AM: Meet the tour guide at the hotel.

Leaving the city, we travel along a newly paved road to the Banteay Srei temple (10th century), considered the crown jewel of classic Khmer art. Then, continue your visit to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries; the southern example is remarkably well-preserved.

Free lunch at a local restaurant (not included).

Continue to Tonle Sap (50km = 1 hour), the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and an ecologically critical site, declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO in 1997. The name means “Great River of Fresh Waters,” but it is more commonly translated as “Great Lake.” Early morning wake-up to head toward the floating village of Kompong Khleang, located about an hour’s drive from Siem Reap and visited by thousands of tourists every year. Kompong Khleang is one of the most impressive villages due to the height and size of its stilt houses. Take a walking tour of the village to meet the residents and enter a house where a family raises crocodiles. Afterward, you will board a local boat that will travel through all the canals toward the great lake, where inhabitants move their houses according to the seasons.

Return to the hotel. Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel.

05:30 AM: Pick up at your hotel by our guide.

07:30 AM – Breakfast and birding: Enjoy a delicious packed breakfast while birdwatching along the road and in the dry deciduous forest. If you are lucky, you will have the chance to see White-rumped Pygmy Falcons and Black-headed Woodpeckers.

09:00 AM – Kbal Spean Hill: Puff-throated Babblers & White-rumped Shamas are common, and we will also see a variety of other species such as the Asian Fairy-bluebird and the Black Giant Squirrel.

12:00 PM: Return to your hotel in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, you will visit the Angkor National Museum, known as the grand gateway to a world-class heritage that reveals the glory of the Angkor civilization. This museum enhances the cultural heritage of the Khmer Empire’s golden age through an extensive collection of priceless artifacts and state-of-the-art multimedia technology for a picturesque and comprehensive legendary history.

Next, take a short walk along the road in front of the Royal Residence to see the Main Sanctuary, where local people usually pray, featuring the statues of Yeay Teap, Preah Ang Chek, and Preah Ang Chorm. Purchasing jasmine and lotus flowers for worship is very important for Cambodians.

Then, continue to the Satcha Handicrafts Incubation Center, which offers training to those who wish to learn and improve their standard of living through the production of handmade crafts. The center hosts stone and wood carvers, painters, lacquer artists, ceramicists, silk and cotton weavers, water hyacinth and rattan weavers, leather engravers, seamstresses, and jewelry makers, all of whom learn to refine their technical skills.

The day concludes with a visit to one of the city’s vibrant open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market,” where everything and anything is for sale!

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with our driver (no guide) at the hotel reception at [time to be defined].

Transfer to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in time for your return flight to Italy [time to be defined]. Have a pleasant flight home!

***END OF SERVICES***