Cambodia Classic Tour Package: Siem Reap to Phnome Penh

Welcome to Siem Reap, your gateway for the Temples of Angkor in Cambodia. Upon arrival at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), our tour guide/driver will welcome you at the exit and then escort you to your hotel in downtown Siem Reap for freshen up before we start our half day tour to Floating Villages in Tonle Sap Lake.

After a short break, we will have a short drive to Tonle Sap Lake to visit the local floating village of Kompong Khleang. Known as the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, the lake is a home to numerous floating villages. These are unique for their stilted houses, which are built on platforms supported by wooden poles or tethered to boats, adjusting to the lake’s changing water levels. The villages also have floating schools, local shops, and even churches.

We will enjoy a boat ride (about 1.5 hours) to observe the unique lifestyle of local people and the region’s rich biodiversity. If it happens to be dusk, you will have a chance to enjoy the beautiful sunset on Tonle Sap Lake. We then go back to your hotel for relaxation. Stay overnight in Hotel in Siem Reap.

Renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Angkor Archaeological Park is a vast and impressive temples complex. Area spans roughly 400 square kilometers and contains the magnificent remains of the various capitals of the Khmer Empire, which flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Today, our guide will take you for exploration of some of the most iconic temples and structures within the park, including the majestic Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom complexes, and the enchanting Ta Prohm.

Start your exploration early with a sunrise trip in Angkor Wat (The sun usually rises between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM, depending on the time of year). You should be prepared with dress code that covers shoulders and knees, and our guide will walk you to the best viewing spots to watch the sunrise behind the iconic towers, taking some amazing photos. After sunrise, we head back to your hotel for breakfast and a short rest.

After breakfast, head to Temple of Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. It was established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII in the late twelfth century. Proceed to the Bayon Temple, this is known for its numerous smiling faces carved into its towers. Each of its 54 Gothic towers is decorated with 216 gargantuan smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. The temple also features 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs, incorporating more than 11,000 figures. Take your time to marvel at these detailed bas-reliefs, then have a short walk to the Baphuon Temple. This temple, which predates Angkor Thom, was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.

Next, visit the Terrace of the Elephants, that was used by King Jayavarman VII as a viewing platform to observe his victorious returning army. You’ll find it adorned with carvings of elephants and many other animals, providing excellent photo opportunities. Continue to the nearby Terrace of the Leper King. This 7-meter-high laterite platform features multiple tiers of meticulously carved walls depicting nagas (serpents), demons, and various mythical beings.

Later, continuing to Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple), was also featured in the movies “Tomb Raider” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, which adds to its popularity. After exploring Ta Prohm, enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the local restaurants nearby.

In the afternoon, we will return to Angkor Wat for a more detailed tour of this iconic temple. Uniquely designed with a westward orientation, Angkor Wat is best viewed in the afternoon light. Angkor Wat, the largest monument of the Angkor group and the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief, and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world. After the tour, we drive you back to your hotel. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, it’s time to depart for a 6 hours journey towards Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. The drive through the Cambodian countryside offers a chance to enjoy beautiful scenery, with rice paddies, traditional wooden houses, and the occasional water buffalo. We will make a stop at the Skuon Market, locally known as “Spiderville”, renowned for its market where fried spiders are a delicacy. This unique stop offers a chance to stretch your legs and sample local cuisine. If spiders don’t appeal to you, other local fruits and snacks are also available.

Once you arrive in Phnom Penh, check into your hotel and take some time to rest after the long drive. Our recommendation for Free Time is a leisurely walk along the Riverside (Sisowath Quay). This area is lively in the evening and is lined with local cafes, bars, and restaurants.

After breakfast, we start our day with a visit to the Royal Palace, where the King of Cambodia resides. This is a stunning example of Khmer architecture, featuring its classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding. It’s a striking structure near the riverfront, bearing a remarkable likeness to its counterpart in Bangkok. Visit the Silver Pagoda, located within the palace grounds. Here you can find many national treasures including gold and jeweled Buddha statues. One of the most notable is the “Emerald Buddha.”

We then have a short walk to the National Museum of Cambodia. This museum is a home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art, including sculptures, ceramics, and ethnographic objects. The beautiful terracotta structure itself is worth visiting, and it offers a serene courtyard. Enjoy optional lunch at one of local restaurants nearby and a short break.

In the afternoon, we visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school that was converted into a brutal detention center (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge. Later, our guide will take you for a short drive to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, known as the Killing Fields, where you will witness a memorial stupa filled with skulls commemorates the victims of this dark period.

We then continue to explore the Central Market (Psar Thmei), an Art Deco landmark in the heart of Capital city – Phnom Penh. This market is an excellent spot for shopping offering clothes, jewelry, souvenirs, and electronics, and for trying local snacks while observing daily life of Cambodian.

Conclude your day of adventure with a sunset cruise along the Mekong river. With views of the popular Phnom Penh riverside and the skyline, this is a chance for you to have relaxation at the end of the day and enjoy a unique view of the beautiful city.

It is time to end your 5-days Cambodia Classic Tour Package. Today, you can have free time until our guide/river transfer you to Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure. We finish our fantastic discovery trip to Cambodia, and you can continue to your next destination.