A strange look at Cambodian life 9 Days

PRIVATE TOUR – CODE: VIC06

The tour itinerary show clients a comprehensive of Cambodia local life from main cities to the countryside. The clients will visit Oudong, “a forgotten royal monument” though it has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 1992. They also visit Kampong Chhnang at the starting point of Tonle Sap the body of Water of the kingdom and discover the watery life in the incredible floating town of Kompong Luong which is the largest floating community on the immense Tonle Sap Lake with almost 10,000 inhabitants.

Banteay Chhmar is another new destination for travelers to Cambodia. Situated 3 hour driving Northwest of Siem Reap, it’s now under a community-based tourism project. With the support from NGOs and some universities, some villages in Banteay Chhmar offer homestay overnight and actually, we suppose it’s worth trying. You wrote the clients need 12 and 13 Nov relaxation in Phnom Penh so on 12 Nov morning, the clients will be driven from Banteay Chhmar to Siem Reap airport for the flight to Phnom Penh.

Travel route: Phnom Penh – Kompong Chhnang – Battambang – Siem Reap – Banteay Chhmar – Beng Malea – Rolous group – Siem Reap – Departure

BRIEF ITINERARY

• Day 1: Phnom Penh – Arrival (D)
• Day 2: Phnom Penh – Oudong & Floating Village (B,L)
• Day 3: Kompong Chhnang – Battambang City tour (B,D)
• Day 4: Battambang – Private boat to Siem Reap (B,L)
• Day 5: Angkor Wat Temple tour (B)
• Day 6: Banteay Chhmar Temple & Village tour (B,L,D)
• Day 7: Morning transfer to Siem Reap – Afternoon Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Banteay Samre (B)
• Day 8: Beng Malea – Rolous Group (B)
• Day 9: Siem Reap – Departure (B)

DETAIL ITINERARY

Day 1: Phnom Penh – Arrival (D)

Welcome to the Kingdom of Wonders! Upon arrival in the Capital of Cambodia, you’ll be welcomed by a local English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel for check in.

Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the convergence of the mighty Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. 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.

Dinner & Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh – Oudong & Floating Village (B,L)

Breakfast at Hotel, leave Phnom Penh and travel along National road No. 5, stop by at Phnom Oudong (former capital), climb up to the top of the hill of Phnom Preah Reach Trorp for visiting the ancient temple and the numerous stupas, enjoy the splendid view in surrounding, then visit the silver handicraft. Head to Kompong Chhnang visit the local pottery village of Kompong Chhnang – famous for producing a range of unglazed pottery items for the Cambodian home. We come to the small town of Krakor and turn off the main road to visit the incredible floating town of Kompong Luong which is the largest floating community on the immense Tonle Sap Lake with almost 10,000 inhabitants. Everything floats on water here, including homes, schools, the clinic, the shops, and the petrol station. Our boat will take a leisurely cruise through the town and you’ll get fantastic glimpses of life in a floating community untouched by mass tourism. Overnight in Kampong Chhnang.

Day 3: Kompong Chhnang – Battambang City tour (B,D)     

Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Battambang via the Pursat Province and visit local village. Afternoon arrival Battambang and check in at the hotel. Continue to visit the temple on Bannon Hill, and Phnom Sampov (large of sailing mount). Afternoon short city tours: Visit the local market, Bannon temple, the ancient local house (around 100 years old) and take the most authentic local transportation- “bamboo train” for about 10 minutes. This curious form of transport was “invented” by local people to carry objects and passengers. It is a platform with 4 wheels attached to a rudimentary and small motor. Passengers sit on the platform and we travel on it 8 Km to arrive to the next railway station. We will cross the beautiful scenery of rice fields. Arrive at the next station and we will take the car to the temple Ek Phnom until sunset. Overnight in Battambang.

Day 4: Battambang – Private boat to Siem Reap (B,L)     

Travel by private boat to Siem Reap along the Sangker River: Enjoy unspoiled landscapes and traditional daily-life scenes. Stop at Cheur Khmao Pagoda, “Black Wood Pagoda”, in Bak Prier floating village and cross the floating village of Prek Tuol.

Continue by boat across the Tonle Sap Lake to Chong Kneas floating village, upon arrival transfer to Siem Reap and check-in hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Notes: If the water level does not allow, we might have to do this route by overland and we will inform you of the boating status before your trip starts.

Day 5: Angkor Wat Temple tour (B)          

Breakfast at Hotel.  Start tour to discover the world’s wonder site Angkor Wat, the magnificent temple was built in 12th century and it is the largest first Hindu, Buddhist temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world then continue to an ancient city Angkor Thom which was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. The tour in Angkor Thom will starts from the South Gate, then continue to the Bayon temple where you will be surround by 216 gigantic stone faces, which fame as smile of Angkor. You will also visit the Terrace of the Elephants, the Royal Palace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

After that, you will heading forward to a local restaurant for lunch, Then continue with your escort guide and driver to an ancient Buddhist Monastery and University called Ta Prohm was built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and originally called Rajavihara and it can be called The Jungle temple it was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. Ta Prohm is one of the attractive temples with its combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of the Angkor’s most popular temples for visitors which are wildly known as lost to the jungle temple. On your way back to Siem Reap, enjoy the sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Preah Rub or Phnom Kroum.

Notes: For Phnom Bangkheng on High season, they set the amount for climb up the mountain only 300pax, and need to go there around 4pm that’s why we recommend u to Preah Rub or Phnom Kroum.

Day 6: Banteay Chhmar Temple & Village tour (B,L,D)

In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Banteay Chhmar, a small village near the northeast Dangrek Mountains. There, you’ll be greeted by a local Khmer women’s group who will prepare you lunch while you settle down in your straw hut where you’ll be staying the night.

After trying the local cuisine, your guide and private car will escort you to Banteay Chhmar Temple and nearby Ta Prohm Temple. These display some of the most intricate jungle ruins in Cambodia. After your exploration of the temples, you’ll take an Ox-cart tour through the village and stop at a Silk Center to learn about traditional silk production, a skill passed down in Cambodia for over millennia. Short cycle around the village.

In the evening, you will have dinner in front of the temple with traditional wooden torches. You will sleep inside traditional straw houses with mosquito nets. Homestay overnight in Banteay Chhmar.

Day 7: Morning transfer to Siem Reap – Afternoon Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Banteay Samre (B)           

After breakfast, you’re transferred to Siem Reap hotel.

Afternoon visiting Banteay Srei temple, the pink sandstone construction temple was build by king Rajendravarman V in late 10th century. Walls of Banteay Srei temple its self are densely covered with some of the most beautiful, deep and intricate carving of any Angkorian Temple. After exploring with this temple, we drive back to visit the Banteay Samre temple.

Afternoon Free leisure and discover the Siem Reap city by yourselves. Dinner & Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Beng Malea – Rolous Group (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will go on discovering one of the earliest Angkor temple in Beng Mealea. This temple was built by King Suryavarman II in the early of 12th century. Made from sandstone and have similar architectural style with Angkor Wat but smaller, Beng Mealea was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on September 1, 1992.

In the afternoon, we will start joyful journey to Hariharalaya for exploring Rolous Group. This place is famous for three temples built in the late 9th century and early 10th century which are Lo Lei, Preah Koh and Bakhong). Rolous Group represents Angkor Architecture with elaborate towers made from bricks or sandstone.

Day 9: Siem Reap – Departure (B)

Private airport transfer for the flight. Transit and take your flight to your home. Private airport transfer in Siem Reap with guide is included.  End of services.

INCLUSION

• 07 night Hotel + 01 night homestay with breakfast (Based on Twin sharing)
• Ground transport with air-con vehicle
• Tours with English speaking guide
• Boat rental fee for tour per applicable program
• Admission fees to tour sites throughout
• Boat ticket Battambang – Siem Reap
• Meals as indicated: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

EXCLUSION

• International flights
• Meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Drinks, gratuities and expenses of a personal nature
• Tipping for tour guides and drivers