Having met with your guide, you will be able to discuss in detail what you are looking to achieve from your time at the temples. Whilst some wish to explore as many temples as they can during their stay, others like to travel at a slower, more relaxed pace.

Temples in focus in a day:

Angkor Wat – certainly the most famous of all the Angkor temples and, some would argue the most impressive. The temple, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II contains three storeys of libraries, galleries and towers surrounded by a thick retaining wall and an imposing moat. Many visitors aim to visit the temple at sunrise to capture one of the most iconic Angkor photos.

Ta Prohm - a temple left in much the same condition as when it was found - creating one of the most photogenic and atmospheric temples of the entire Angkor site. The tree roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers can be seen breaking through the walls and stone carvings. Any visit is truly an adventure.

The Bayon - built in the 13th century as the state temple of King Jayavarman VII, standing at the centre of his capital - Angkor Thom. The Bayon’s most distinctive feature is the multitude of huge faces carved into large towers which rise up to form the central peak. The Bayon sits at the exact centre of Angkor Thom and roads lead to it from each of the city's cardinal points.

Banteay Srei - one of the most unusual and widely recognisable temples of Angkor. Built largely of red sandstone, it is covered with elaborate and deeply carved decoration. All the buildings are miniature in scale and it is this, along with the beautiful carvings, that have made it such a popular temple.

Overnight       : Siem Reap
Meal(s)           : Breakfast | Lunch

Today provides the perfect opportunity to gain a better understanding of Cambodian rural life, along with an insight into traditional Khmer culture; something which few visitors are lucky enough to experience. Departing after breakfast, you’ll spend the day travelling through a number of relatively un-touched villages and learning about the day-to-day lives of the local people. This is a world away from Siem Reap, and provides you with the perfect opportunity to get ‘off the beaten track’.

Your first stop is the village of Krabei Real, where there is time to explore the local market and to purchase some supplies for your lunch. Continue on, this time without the benefit of air-conditioning, using a more typical method of transportation for this region. The (almost!) pollution free ox and cart is still widely used throughout Cambodia, and allows you to travel at a gentle, almost hypnotic pace along the narrow, sandy, village roads.

After around an hour, arrive at the home of a local family. Having been welcomed by your hosts, there will be plenty of time to relax and chat with the family as they are preparing the  typical Khmer cuisine for lunch.

Having enjoyed your lunch, there is plenty of time to relax and explore the village before returning to Siem Reap. En route, stop to visit the workshops of the Artisans d’Angkor, and explore Siem Reap’s market before arriving back at your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Overnight       : Siem Reap
Meal(s)           : Breakfast | Lunch

Morning departure by car, driving for about an hour to the north-east of Siem Reap as far Phnom Kulen, one of Cambodia's most sacred mountains. Deeply revered, the local people make pilgrimages to the pagodas and ruins on Kulen’s high plateau with its commanding views across the plains below.

Having driven to the summit, visit the unique riverbed carvings known as the River of 1000 Lingas and the nearby Preah Ang Thom, a huge stone Buddha carved into the top of a rock, before a refreshing dip in the holy waterfalls where locals often meet to eat and relax on the river banks.

From the waterfalls, take a motorbike taxi to visit Lion Temple and Elephant Temple, located deep in the hill top jungle. Back on the motorbike, continue to Anlong Thom where you will take a break for a picnic lunch.

After lunch begin your two hour trek along the top of Phnom Kulen. Passing by the village of Thmor Chruogn and finally Ta Penh, there will be plenty of opportunity to meet villagers en route. Walk downhill from the Big Nevenea, built in 2001 before arriving at Svay Leu where you are likely to stumble upon a local market.

Having met your driver continue to the massive jungle temple of Beng Mealea, the size and scale of Angkor Wat but utterly swallowed by the jungle. Return to Siem Reap in late afternoon where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Overnight       : Siem Reap
Meal(s)           : Breakfast | Lunch

SiemReap – PhnomPenh :1 hour flight

Having enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before transferring to the airport in time for your flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Your afternoon is at leisure until 5pm when you will be met by your guide in a tuk-tuk, your transportation for this evening, for a unique and memorable dining experience. First stop is the Russian Market, where you can try some typical Khmer snacks. Back in the tuk-tuk, head downtown to a spot popular in the evening with locals, where grilled seafood stalls are prevalent. Enjoy some BBQ seafood tasters, being sure to save some room for your final dining destination. Travelling over the Japanese Bridge your final stop for the evening is a lakeside Khmer restaurant that foreign visitors would rarely discover. As you work your way through a menu of local specialities, a Khmer music band provide some typically local entertainment! With your appetite fully satisfied return to your hotel, again by tuk tuk.

Overnight       : Phnom Penh
Meal(s)           : Breakfast | Dinner

Morning tour of the Royal Palace, situated on the site of the former citadel and built by King Norodom in 1966, the Palace still serves as the King and Queen's residential quarters. Also within the walls of the Palace is the Silver Pagoda, so called because of five thousand silver tiles that line its exquisite floor. You will also visit the National Museum, which houses the world’s leading collection of Khmer art and sculpture, and Wat Phnom the founding site of the city. All are within easy walking distance of each other and are a great introduction to this laid-back city.

Lunch is at Friends, a ‘kindness restaurant’ where ex-street children are trained in hospitality and restaurant skills, helping them to break away from life on the streets.

The afternoon is spent learning more about the terrible years, through visits to the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and Cheung Ek, better known as the ‘Killing Fields’. It is an incredibly moving experience, but these are two visits you will be glad to have made. During your visit to Cambodia, you will barely meet a single person who didn’t lose a member of their family during these years, yet they are all willing to talk openly about it with you. They wish you to hear about it and see these places, to ensure that it never happens again.

Overnight       : Phnom Penh
Meal(s)           : Breakfast | Lunch

PhnomPenh – Kep : 3-hour drive

Morning transfer by boat to Tatai where you will meet your driver for the journey to Kep. The drive takes you along the south coast past several National Parks and Bokor Mountain. Upon arrival in Kep the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Overnight       : Kep  
Meal(s)           : Breakfast

After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Kep Port where you will board a boat for the 30 minute crossing to Koh Tonsay, or Rabbit Island. Just seven fishing families live on the small island, each having now developed a few backpacker-friendly huts and rustic restaurants. Whilst the idyllic island has grown in popularity with the recent increase in visitors to Kep, it still makes for a very special day trip with the quiet sands and exceptional seafood providing sufficient draw for most!

Upon arrival, disembark and explore the small village before spending the remainder of your day relaxing on the beautiful beach. A BBQ lunch will be served and snorkelling equipment is easily available. Return to Kep by boat in in the late afternoon.

Overnight       : Kep  
Meal(s)           : Breakfast | Lunch

Your day is at leisure.

Overnight       : Kep  
Meal(s)           : breakfast

Kep – PhnomPenh: 3 – hour flight

Your day is at leisure until your transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for your onward flight.

Meal(s)           : breakfast