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HEART OF CAMBODIA
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Code: |
CAP 08 |
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Routes: |
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat
- Angkor Thom - Banteay Srei - Tonle Sap
Lake - Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville
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Duration: |
9 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1 : ARRIVAL - SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Day 2 : SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Day 3 : SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Day 4 : SIEM REAP - ANGKORE TEMPLES -
BANTAEY SREY
Day 5 : SIEM REAP -
PHNOM PENHDay 6
: PHNOM PENH
Day 7 : PHNOM PENH - SIHANOUKVILLE
Day 8 : SIHANOUKVILLE - PHNOM PENH
Day 9 : PHNOM PENH - DEPARTURE
Apart from Angkor Wat
Temple, our trip offers travelers the rare
opportunity to visit the Bantey Srey Temple and
the Thousand Lingas . This sandstone plateau was
sacred to the Khmer people and was considered to
be the mythical birthplace of the Cambodian
Kingdom. The riverbed has been carved with a
myriad of lingars, as are a series of other
carvings depicting Apsaras and other figures.
Detail Itinerary
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL - SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Morning
arrival at Siem Reap airport. Transfer to your hotel .
Siem Reap is the nearest town to the temple
complex of Angkor. From the 9th to 13th century,
Angkor was the heart of a rich and sophisticated
civilization. You will see massive stone
monuments, wide majestic causeways, imposing
gateways and towers, all in a wonderful jungle
setting.Morning you will visit with your prived
professional guide, the "Great City" of
Angkor Thom, visits include the famous
Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple
within the Royal Palace enclosure,
Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the
Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Afternoon dedicated to visit the most famous &
magnificent Angkor Wat temple.This
architectural masterpiece was constructed in the
12th century and covers an area of about 210
hectares.With many galleries with columns,
libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full
of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana
Story and day-to-day life at the time of
Angkor's construction.At the end of afternoon,
following the season, since the Mountain
Bakend, the sunset on all the temples, with
spectacular views over Angkor Wat. O/N in
Siem Reap.
DAY 2: SIEM
REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
Today we continue exploring the
wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of
Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of
colossal human faces carved in stone, the
impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure,
Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace
of the Leper King. The largest as well as the
most complete temple of Angkor Wat is not to be
missed. This architectural masterpiece was
constructed in the 12th
century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We
stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the
many galleries with colums, libraries,
pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water
reflecting the towering temple. O/N in Siem
Reap. (B)
DAY 3: SIEM
REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES
The temple of Ta Prohm with
enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers
embracing themselves in the stone foundations of
the structure giving the impression of man's
creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces
of nature, is an incredible sight. We explore
this masterpiece as well as some of the
surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra
Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado.
The grand circuit with Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak
Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup
Temples, is also visited this afternoon before
we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of
the spectacular sunset over these sandstone
monuments. O/N in Siem Reap.(B)
DAY 4: SIEM
REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES - BANTEAY SREY
Heading out of the town we
drive on a newly paved road past the Preah Dark
village to the intricately carved and well
preserved temple of Banteay Srei. After seeing
this beautiful landmark we make our way through
the rugged mountain scenery to Kbal Spean, known
as the River of 1000 Lingas. This place offers
at first sight no particular attractions except
the natural environment, but a careful looking
will enable us to discover the impressive
riverbed covered by many lingars. They are
carved in stone in the past to sanctify the
water and thank the gods for their gifts. The
next stop of our trip is the Banteay Samre
Temple which is adorned with impressive reliefs
depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna
legends. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)
DAY 5: SIEM
REAP - PHNOM PENH
An early morning transfer to
the boat landing for hydrofoil journey down the
Tonle Sap River to Phnom Penh. The cruise is
long; however the picturesque scenery changing
along the way makes for an interesting journey.
Phnom Penh was once considered the loveliest
city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent
history, it still maintains considerable charm.
A half day city tour acquaints us with some
major sights of Phnom Penh. The private quarters
of the Royal Palace are now home to the royal
family and are therefore very close to the
public. At the northern area of the palace
grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most sacred temple
in the country. We visit both structures as well
as the legendary temple of Wat Phnom which
recites the history of the city's name. O/N in
Phnom Penh. (B)
DAY 6:
PHNOM PENH
The sightseeing tour continues
with the Royal University of Fine Arts, where
the young Cambodians learn the ancient arts of
their ancestors. A view of numerous children
practicing the graceful movements of the
beautiful national dances is impressive. The
next stop of our trip is the National Museum,
exclusively dedicated to Khmer art and
sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from
the Angkor period from 9th
to 15th centuries, but some date from
as early as the 4th century. Heading
out of town we visit the Tuol Sleng Prison
Museum and the notorious 'Killing Fields' of
Choeung Ek, which will give us a deep insight
into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge.
We have time this afternoon, exploring Psar Toul
Tom Pong, also called the Russian Market", where
anything and everything is for sales. O/N in
Phnom Penh. (B)
DAY 7:
PHNOM PENH - SIHANOUKVILLE
The lovely
beaches of Sihanoukville are some of the most
unspoiled in all of Southeast Asia although the
fast growing of tourism. There are some 10 km of
beach along the mainland and dozens of small
islands a short boat ride away, which make for a
perfect tropical getaway, with facilities for
swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. Upon
leaving the town we depart for Sihanoukville.
After checking into hotel we take a short guided
trip to catch a glimpse of the town and spend
the remainder of the day on the turquoise water
or lazing on a beach. O/N in Sihanoukville. (B)
DAY 8:
SIHANOUKVILLE - PHNOM PENH
Today we have a free morning to
relax on a beach. There is also possibility to
rent a boat to explore the nearby coastal
islands or the Ream national park which is well
known for the mangrove forest and the
eco-system. These optional activities are not
included, however our guide will be on hand to
advise you with valuable information. The return
journey begins as we depart Sihanoukville and
pass through the spectacular rural landscape. An
ideal way to spend your last evening in Cambodia
is to relax in a cafe by the riverfront. O/N in
Phnom Penh. (B)
DAY 9: PHNOM
PENH - DEPARTURE
There is a free time for your
own exploration of the city and strolling around
the shopping areas. The trip ends after your
transfer to Pochentong Airport for departure.
(B)
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HOTELS
USED ON THIS TOUR
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CITY/ AREA
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Standard Class
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First Class
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Superior Class
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Siem Reap
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Salina hotel, Neak Pean hotel, Nokor Phnom
hotel, |
City Royal hotel, Angkor hotel,Ta Prohm hotel,
City Angkor hotel |
Angkor Century hotel, Apsara Angkor hotel |
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Phnom Penh
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Diamond hotel, Princess hotel, La Parranda
hotel, Queen hotel |
Juliana hotel , Bayon hotel, Monorom Holiday
Villa, |
Cambodiana hotel , Royal Phnom Penh hotel ,
Sunway hotel |
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Sihanoukville
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Seaside hotel |
Golden Castle hotel, Peak hotel |
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HOTEL NOTES
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