Cambodia Essentials In Style

📍 Phnom Penh Airport to Phnom Penh (10 km): 30 mins

On arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, EXO Travel’s representative will be waiting in the Arrival terminal with a sign board bearing your name. He will assist you to process on Visa application by just giving your passports to him (a passport has to be valid 6 months after the return) + Visa fee (costs USD 30/pax – own expense) or you can better apply E-Visa so it is faster. Importantly, you need to keep the custom form for the exit and exit directly to the terminal after collecting the luggage.

Phnom Penh was once considered as one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap. Wide tree-lined boulevards and many colonial-era buildings reflect the glorious days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way.

After a long journey, the rest of the day will be at leisure to catch up on some rest and relaxation.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.                                                                                      

Inclusions:

This morning, be greeted by a driver and the guide and be taken on a tour to the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a Cyclo, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a fun way to explore this lively city. 

First, head to the Royal Palace, this dates back to 1866 and was the last palace built during the French colonial period. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple, view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.

Next National Museum, which was built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!
Dine in the restored 19th-century headquarters of Messageries Fluviales de Cochinchine, the River Shipping Company of Cochinchina: Khéma La Poste offers a charming dining experience within the heart of the old French Quarter. The elegant French café-restaurant and gourmet delicatessen is dedicated to serving fine foods within a cosmopolitan dining atmosphere. 
After lunch, transfer by our private car to visit the Central Market, an art deco landmark and one of the largest markets in the city, if not all of Cambodia.

In the evening, indulge in a delicious Khmer Dinner at Sombok Restaurant. The restaurant is a celebration of Khmer cuisine, ingredients and the strength and creativity of Khmer women. All of their cuisine is born from the best local produce alongside the finest international ingredients. The menu has been carefully crafted by the Kimsan Twins, internationally trained chefs who have run a successful well-known Embassy Restaurant in Siem Reap.

Then transfer back to the hotel. 

Overnight in Phnom Penh.  

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

This mid-morning, gain insight into Cambodia’s recent dark history on a visit to the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in the former school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture center named ‘S-21’. Continue on to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. This rural compound was used as an execution site and burial ground for some of the millions killed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Learn about the atrocities and brutal killings that occurred at this site.

For the rest of the day, have the car and driver at disposal to go wherever one may please!  

At the end of the afternoon, be taken to the docking pier of the private boat for a Sunset Cruise along the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers. Enjoy some soft drink while watching the wonderful views of the riverfront and the Phnom Penh skyline.

Evening at leisure with the car at disposal.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Phnom Penh to Phnom Penh Airport (10 km): 30 mins / Siem Reap Angkor International Airport - Siem Reap (52 km): 60 mins / Siem Reap to the Temples (6km): 10 mins

This morning, transfer by your private car to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor and a charming little city. 

Current flight schedule: K6 105 (0955-1055) – see separate price 

Be welcomed by a local English-speaking guide and accompanied to the hotel for check-in. Normally check-in time is at 14:00.

In the afternoon, drive off in a vintage car and begin exploring the Angkor park with an Archaeologist guide, starting first at Angkor Wat temple. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. The divine residence of Vishnu, the King himself was to reside here after his death. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is featured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.

After a wonderful tour at the temple, enjoy a relaxing cruise in a gondola paddle boat at the moat of Angkor Thom compound while watching a spectacular sunset at Prasat Chrung temple. Cocktails, champagne, canapés and a soft drink will be available on the boat, while paddling slowly along the ancient moat. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

After breakfast at your hotel, depart at 07:00 for the Angkor Archaeological Park.

The cycling route begins at the remote West Gate of Angkor Thom. Of the five gates of the great city of Jayavarman VII, this is one of the most unrestored. Although few visitors come to this gate, it is often used by local residents and the forest-shrouded faces of the Buddha atop the entryway are beautiful in the early morning sun.

From here, follow a single-track trail along the top of the enclosure wall surrounding the great city of Angkor Thom and through forested areas of the park exclusively visited by locals living and working in Angkor. Once reaching the North Gate of the city, follow the road to the expansive and jungle-clad Preah Khan, a 12th century complex named after the Sacred Sword of King Jayavarman VII. 
Preah Khan, originally known as “the city of victorious royal fortune,” is now named after The Sacred Sword that some believe may have once been housed here. Built in the late-12th century in honor of the great King Jayavarman VII’s father, this massive temple complex originally had a population of 97,840 in its service. Less frequently visited than its counterpart Ta Prohm (which was built for the king’s mother), Preah Khan is similar in design but is larger and more complex, and features numerous unique structures and carvings. Enjoy the sounds of exotic wildlife that now make the forested compound their home as you venture into the crumbling corridors of the labyrinthian complex in search of hidden features: while Ta Prohm was once the setting of the Angelina Jolie film, Preah Khan offers more of a “Tomb Raider” experience for those willing to explore. 

Another forested trail leads through an ancient baray, over a swinging bridge, and past the Angkor Park plant nursery to the entrance to the crumbling ruins of Ta Nei, a temple that is generally unvisited, particularly in the morning hours. Continue through the forest to Takeo temple and then find a small track leading back into the forest towards the Gate of the Dead, the East Gate of Angkor Thom that is only accessible by dirt trails and roads.

From there, again follow the trail along the top of the Angkor Thom Wall, stopping at Prasat Chrung, which overlooks the corner of the city moat, before continuing your ride to the popular South Gate of Angkor Thom. 
Exit Angkor Thom through the South Gate of the great city of King Jayavarman VII, an impressive stone entryway carved with elephants and capped by four giant faces of the Buddha. On each side of the entrance path, crossing the moat around the city, a row of 54 gods and demons stands holding a sacred naga snake of Hindu lore. 

After exiting the South Gate of Angkor Thom, visit the impressive brick towers of Prasat Bei, built in the 10th century and then climb the pyramid temple of Baksei Chamkrong. Baksei Chamkrong, the first pyramid built at Angkor, is exciting to climb up to see the beautiful carvings of historical interest (the inscriptions on the door of the central sanctuary mention Kambu, the mythical founder of Kambujadesa, i.e. Cambodia). Tip: Be extremely careful climbing up the east staircase. The west stairs, on the back side of the temple, are less steep and less worn. 

Then continue our cycling to the nearby Village, around Srah Srang and enjoy a delightful lunch in a cozy and soft atmosphere in a traditional Khmer wooden house. 

Return to your hotel for refreshment. 

Spend the early afternoon free at leisure. In the late afternoon, be picked up to visit Theam’s House Art Gallery.  Lim Muy Theam is a Cambodian artist and designer who draws inspiration from both Khmer and contemporary international design. For more than 10 years Theam has trained a team of artisan apprentices who work either at the studio or in their home villages. Be welcomed by Maddy Lim, Theam’s sister, show around the art studio to observe various works being created such as lacquerware, painting and fine sculptures.  

Finish the day, pamper yourself with a 90 minutes body massage.

Then we can drop you at a local restaurant or Pub Street as per request. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Siem Reap to Tonle Sap (20km): 30 mins

Today, continue to explore Angkor Archaeological Park by enjoying an early morning visit to the legendary Ta Prohm temple. Built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries, Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Here, experience the jungle atmosphere at the eerie temple, whilst the first sun rays slowly bring the forest to life. A truly magical experience.

Then continue to the Tonlé Sap Lake, where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Drive past expansive rice fields and through local villages where rice and fish can frequently be spotted drying alongside the road. We will stop at a small but vibrant local market along the way. 

Next, board a private wooden vessel for a boat trip along a canal that leads to the Tonle Sap Lake. As we cruise along the canal you will see houses on either side: depending on the time of the visit, the houses will either have immediate access to the water or stand perched on stilts high above the ground, a phenomena caused by the annual rising and receding waters of the Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest lake. Pass by the boats and nets used by local fishermen, some of whom will be fishing in the waters through which the boat passes. Nearing the lake, see floating houses that move location with the annual ebb and flow of the lake’s waters. 
Along the way, gain a better understanding of the local lifestyle with lunch in a family house. This is a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the way of life of the local people- sitting inside a stilted house while watching the boats pass outside. 
With a full belly and a camera-full of remarkable images, return to Siem Reap in the afternoon.

(Note: Due to fluctuating water levels on the lake and canals, the village visited will depend on the date and water levels at that time. As it’s a local community experience, the boats are older wooden boats).

1930 This evening I attended a stunning performance of ‘Phare, the Cambodian Circus’. Starting at 20:00, professional artists of Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) will perform an inspiring show suitable for people of all ages. 

Set up in Battambang in 1994 by young returnee Cambodians from the refugee camps who learned about using art as a means of coping with trauma, PPS has played an influential role in promoting and developing Khmer culture over the years after the Khmer Rouge genocide. The hour-long show mixes traditional and modern theater, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society. Student performances can still be seen twice weekly in Battambang but now the circus has arrived.

Then we can drop you at a local restaurant or Pub Street as per request. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Siem Reap to Banteay Srei Temple (42km): 1hrs 05mins

Today in the early morning, travel by private vehicle to the beautiful countryside of Siem Reap Province. 

The first stop will be to the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srei. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs. Banteay Srei is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor.

Then visit the Golden Silk Pheach Farm, one of the 3 best silk producers in the world who brought back to life the forgotten ancient techniques after 14 years of work and study, and is now the official supplier of the Royal Family.  Golden Silk Pheach Farm provides job opportunities to more than 100 local staff. The farm area, mulberry trees and weaving ateliers can be seen as part of the private guided tour led by the owner. Golden Silk products are ecologically produced from the yellow silkworm which is unique to Cambodia. Some of the silk products are months, or even years, in the making and each one is unique. This is one for the connoisseurs of high quality craftwork.  

Stop for lunch at a local Khmer house restaurant before returning back to Siem Reap town. 

Afternoon at your own leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities.

As this is the last evening in Siem Reap, enjoy dinner at the Cambodia’s first farm-to-table restaurant, Lum Orng is located in a village on the edge of Siem Reap, departure point for excursions to Angkor Wat. Here, owner-chef Sothea Seng cooks New Mekong Cuisine from Cambodia and beyond, based on seasonal produce from his farms, local markets, and growers across the region.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Siem Reap Hotel - Siem Reap Angkor Airport (52 km): 1 hrs 12 mins / Sihanoukville International Airport – Jetty to Song Saa Resort (23km): 44 mins

After breakfast, enjoy some free time before check-out and transfer to the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport for the flight to the islands of Sihanoukville province. 

Current flight schedule: K6 131 (1130-1240) – see separate price 

Upon arrival, direct transfer to the Song Saa’s pier (30 min) and take a Shared speedboat ride (45 mins). The schedule of the boat’s departs at 10:30, 13:30, 16:30 mainland time (private speedboat available on request). 

Overnight on Song Saa Private Island.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Breakfast at a hotel.

Free at leisure activities and enjoy hotel facilities.

Rates inclusive of Bed & Breakfast only:

• Room & Breakfast
• Wi-Fi throughout the resort
• Snorkeling gear
• In Villa Coffee/Tea/Unlimited drinking water
• Share Return speedboat transfers to and from Song Saa (Schedule subject to change by Resort)

Overnight on Song Saa Island.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Breakfast at a hotel.

Free at leisure activities and enjoy hotel facilities.

Rates inclusive of Bed & Breakfast only:

• Room & Breakfast
• Wi-Fi throughout the resort
• Snorkeling gear
• In Villa Coffee/Tea/Unlimited drinking water
• Share Return speedboat transfers to and from Song Saa (Schedule subject to change by Resort)

Overnight on Song Saa Island.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Breakfast at a hotel.

Free at leisure activities and enjoy hotel facilities.

Rates inclusive of Bed & Breakfast only:

• Room & Breakfast
• Wi-Fi throughout the resort
• Snorkeling gear
• In Villa Coffee/Tea/Unlimited drinking water
• Share Return speedboat transfers to and from Song Saa (Schedule subject to change by Resort)

Overnight on Song Saa Island.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh (211 km): 2hrs30min via express way

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy some time at leisure until the transfer back to the mainland pier and then onto Phnom Penh or the next destination.

Shared boat’s departs at 08:00, 10:30, and 15:30 mainland time
(Note: For a morning departure by land transfer to Phnom Penh, a supplementary charge will apply).

Recommend: Evening flight departure. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast