Welcome to Siem Reap, the charming gateway to the famed Temples of Angkor. You will be greeted by our tean who will accompany you to your hotel for check in. Settle in and enjoy some time at leisure to refresh.

Overnight       : SiemReap
Meal               : nil

This morning begins your exploration of the Angkorian temples. 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 Mount Meru, the home of the gods. 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. Return to Siem Reap for a break during the midday heat.

This afternoon, visit Ta Prohm temple, 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 the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.

From either temple, it is not far to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8m-high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through an impressive ancient stone gate carved with three-headed elephants and capped with four giant faces.

Continue to Bayon Temple in the center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 39 towers with enigmatic faces looking out over the vast provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.

Tonight, experience Dining for a Cause, a gastronomical exploration of Siem Reap that focuses on restaurants with a social mission to benefit the people and communities of Siem Reap.

At the first stop, order any drink from the menu and any one appetizer while learning all about the organisation’s efforts and accomplishments.

Enjoy a family-style dinner of various Khmer classic dishes at a restaurant that follows a different business model, directing their profits both to employees and to various organisations. Learn about its efforts while dining. Along with food, order a soft drink, beer, or glass of house wine.

After dinner, go to a tropical garden restaurant run by an organization that operates a hospitality training school where all the restaurant workers learned their trade. Learn about how the program runs and its achievements while enjoying a creative cocktail, a glass of wine, beer, or coffee. 

The final stop of the evening is an education social enterprise set up by a not-for-profit NGO with the mission of Breaking the Poverty Cycle Through Education and operated by the students who are served by the program. As the final stop is located on Night Market street, either walk down the lane to enjoy some late-night shopping or entertainment or take the remork back to the hotel.

Overnight       : Siem Reap
Meal               : Breakfast | Dinner

Today experience an incredible tour to learn about life in a typical Cambodian village, meet friendly locals and discover traditional village customs and cultures.

Guests will be picked up from their hotel by the local guide and driven to Ta Brak village, 25 minutes out of town. From here a 30-minute ox cart ride through the village will take you to a local market where a short walk through this bustling center will introduce you to Cambodian vegetables, herbs, fruits and other local produce. Continue 1km by foot through the picturesque countryside village, stopping off to meet the local community along the way to observe whatever seasonal activity is happening at that time, such as rice planting, weaving thatch roofs, planting or harvesting vegetable crops, making fish traps etc.

Continue the rural Cambodia tour out of town to Tonle Sap Lake where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Board a private wooden vessel for a boat trip along a canal that leads to the Tonle Sap Lake.

Cruise along the canal with houses on either side: depending on the time of your 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. As you near the lake, you will see floating houses that move location with the annual ebb and flow of the lake’s waters. 

Overnight       : Siem Reap
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

SiemReap – Battambang: 3 - hour drive

After a leisurely breakfast, journey through the Cambodian countryside to the colonial city of Battambang (Cambodia’s second largest city.) Despite being (not too long ago) a stronghold of the erstwhile Khmer Rouge, the city still boasts a beautiful countryside and some striking French colonial architecture. The former rice bowl of Cambodia, Battambang today still holds a thriving agriculture industry with large orange and jute plantations.

Check in to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure, relaxing by the hotel pool or stroll through the charming town centre.

Overnight       : Battambang 
Meal               : Breakfast

Spend the morning on a tour that combines walking, a boat ride and then cycling along and across the Sangke River to experience Battambang daily life.

A tour of the main market, Psar Nath includes trying a local coffee. Then walk the few metres to the river and cross a couple of minutes on a local boat to the other side of the Sangke River. Visit Wat Povil temple and take the opportunity to pray with the monks. It is usually possible to accompany the boats back across the river as they begin their morning alms collection.

Once back on the other side it is time to begin the bike tour. The historic 2.5 Street is visited along with a Thai temple before you arrive at a smaller market. Again time for a coffee or a sugar cane juice. Continue a short distance to Wat Kor Village, known for its many old Khmer heritage houses built around a century ago. Visit one of the best-preserved homes.

Cycle along the river and cross a suspension bridge where only motorbikes and bicycles can pass. On the way back into town there is another short drink stop before arriving back in the town at approximately 12:45 p.m.

Take a break back at your hotel.

In the afternoon head towards Phnom Sampeau, meaning “Ship Hill” in Khmer, due to its distinctive shape, and one of the few hills standing out in this otherwise pancake-flat plain. Phnom Sampeau is home to the notorious killing caves, which are cruel reminders of Cambodia’s troubled past. Serenity and inhumanity represented in one place make this an interesting visit…

Overnight       : Battambang
Meal               : Breakfast

Battambang – Phnom Penh: 5 - hour drive

Depart Battambang for the overland transfer to Phnom Penh (duration 5 hours not including stops).

Starting early travel first to Kampong Chhnang, known for its traditional pottery, with many kilns at work in this province. In a village near Kampong Chhnang, to see the different aspects of pottery making and also experience the production of traditional rice wine.

Continue to Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. The drive passes through many rural villages and pagodas, and you will the temple mountain with its dozens of stupas from afar. Upon arrival at Oudong enjoy a traditional Khmer lunch at a picnic hut at the foot of the hill.

Before heading to Phnom Penh stop at the spectacular Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Center. Your guide can explain more about the school of Vipassana (Insight Meditation) as you tour the center, before taking part in a meditation class with one of the teachers.

From here, it is not far to Phnom Penh where you will reach in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel.

Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its turbulent history and recent development, 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.

The evening is at leisure.

Overnight       : Phnom Penh
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Start your day today at Preah Ang Dong Ker, a shrine on the riverfront. This is an interesting spiritual place that is frequented by worshippers at all times. You will see Khmer people arriving with alms, lotus flowers, jasmine bracelets and incense sticks that they are using for their prayers.

This shrine is located right in front of the Royal Palace which you will visit afterwards. This palace dates back to 1866 and 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 you will view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.

You will now be met by a cyclo driver who will take you 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. Head along the lively riverfront up to Wat Phnom, a hilltop pagoda and the founding place of the city. From here, explore the old French Quarter with some interesting architectural examples of the colonial period.

Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight       : Phnom Penh
Meal               : Breakfast

Phnom Penh – Kep: 3 - hour drive

Start early today and head to Wat Botum. Originally founded in 1422, Wat Botum is one of Phnom Penh's five original wats. It is known as the ‘Temple of the Lotus Blossoms’ and the compound displays many beautifully decorated stupas, some of which contain the ashes of royalty.

From here you will continue southwards to Takeo Province. Continue to Takeo, a small town that is truly Cambodian in every sense. Observing the small city life is quite interesting, as basically anything beyond your imagination happens here in terms of transportation, market life and business. Board a fiberglass motorboat in Takeo that will zip you along an ancient canal to the archaeological museum of Angkor Borei and the temple ruins of Phnom Da. On the way, you will have the chance to see rural life in Cambodia. (Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is generally only possible from August to February: in the dry season the site is accessible by car.)

Continue to Kep. Cambodia’s prestigious seaside resort of the 1960s is now awakening to its former glory. The small town offers reminders of the past and a growing choice of activities including island trips, a national park and the famous crab market.

Overnight       : Kep
Meal               : Breakfast

Breakfast included at hotel.

Day free at leisure.

Overnight       : Kep
Meal               : Breakfast

Moring at leisure till our time driving to Phnom Penh airport for your onward flight.

Meal               : Breakfast

You might like…

START PLANNING YOUR HOLIDAY. +84 367 258 588 Get in touch
× Close
Our team of destination specialists are on hand to assist with your travel plans.

+84 367 258 588
info@confettitravel.asia

Opening hours
Monday - Friday 9am – 6pm