- 2 Days in Phnom
Penh, 3 Days in Siem Reap Only
Afternoon: To
visit the Toul Sleng Killing Field genocide. Originally built was Tuol Svay Prey High School, a secondary school, in 1960, during the reign of Preah
Bat Norodom Sihanouk. The Khmer Rouge converted this into a torture and
interrogation center to extract “confessions” of anti-government sentiment.
Many victims were women and children incarcerated along with the “suspected”
father. Documents recovered indicate that over 17,000 persons had been
imprisoned there between 1975 and 1978, only seven of whom are known to have
survived. The others, once the “confession” had been extracted under torture,
were transported to Cheung Ek for execution. Records show that the highest
figure was on 27 May 1978, when 582 persons were sent to their deaths. The
museum was established in 1979 after the Vietnamese invasion, and the Khmer
Rouge’s meticulous photographic records of their victims are exhibited as a tragic
testimony to those who suffered and died in their hands. To visit Independence Monument, this
important ceremony takes place at the site of
the Independence Monument at the junction of Norodom and
Sihanouk Boulevards. Every 9th November ceremony
celebrates Cambodia’s gaining of independence from France in
1953. All over the city, flags adorn the shop fronts and bunting stretches over
all the main thoroughfares as a sign of national pride.
To visit Wat Phnom, on a hill to the north of
the city, and restored or reconstructed in 1434, 1806, 1894, and 1926, Wat
Phnom is a symbol of the capital city, Phnom Penh, and regularly used for
prayer, small offerings, and meditation.
- Overnight in Phnom
Penh
Day 2: Phnom Penh ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast at the hotel
- AM to visit Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, built in 1866, the site contains various buildings of interest, including the Khmer-style Throne Hall,
now used for special ceremonial occasions.
South of the Throne Hall are the Royal Treasury and the Villa of Napoleon III, built in Egypt in 1866, for the opening of the Suez Canal, and was later presented to the Cambodian King as a gift. The famous Silver Pagoda, originally constructed of wood in 1866, was expanded in 1962 by King Sihanouk, who had the floor inlaid with 5,329 solid silver tiles, hence its name. The most revered image is the Emerald Buddha, made of Baccarat crystal and dating back to the 17th century. Behind it, another Buddha statue was cast in 1906, utilizing 90 Kg of gold, and decorated with 9,584 diamonds. Cabinets along the perimeter contain gifts presented to royalty and dignitaries. Along the inside of the recently restored 600-metre external wall is a colorful mural depicting scenes from the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramayana.
- Visit the National Museum, North of the palace grounds. The building was designed in Khmer style.
style, in 1920, by a French architect, and contains important artifacts and sculptures from the Angkor era and earlier.
The Art Deco styling of the Central Market makes it a standout in Phnom Penh's architecture. Phsar Thmei translates to New Market, although Central Market is becoming more common; be assured that whichever name you use, the moto drivers will know where you want to go. You will find a myriad of stalls offering t-shirts, jewellery, postcards, flowers, houseware, and electronic goods – in fact, just about anything you could wish for!
- Mekong River: A stroll or cyclo ride along the park-lined riverfront is a must – pubs, restaurants, shops, and tourist boats line the way. The view of the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap is geographically unique. Early risers, check out the spectacular sunrise over the river in front of the Royal Palace.
- Overnight in Phnom Penh
Day 3: Phnom
Penh – Siem Reap Angkor (B / L / D)
The ancient walled city of Angkor
Thom contains the famous Bayon Temple with its over 200
enormous, mysterious smiling faces, the Elephant Terrace with its large
sculptured royal elephants and garudas, the Terrace of the Leper
King, Baphuon, Phimean Akas, Royal Palace, and the Woman and Man
Pond. Continue to visit Ta Prohm – the temple that has been left largely
in its natural state since its recovery. Surrounded by jungle, it’s a labyrinth
of stones like tentacles.
Lunch at a local restaurant
.
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel, then visit Banteay
Srey and Banteay Samrei. Banteay Srey, The Citadel of the Women,
so called because it is made of pink sandstone and considered a tribute to the
beauty of women. It was originally called Isvarapura according to inscriptions.
Its small size, delicate carvings, and remarkable state of preservation make
Banteay Srey one of everyone's favourite temples. Lunch at a restaurant,
Afternoon: Visit the marvelous Angkor Wat - One of the Seven Wonders in the world, the largest temple in the world, with a volume of stones equaling that of the Cheops Pyramid in Egypt. The temple was built by King Suryavarman II from 1113-1150AD, when the Khmer civilization was at the height of its development, represents one of humankind’s most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. Dinner at a restaurant,
Day 4: Siem reap-Banteay Srey & Banteay Samrei ( B /L /D )
Afternoon: Visit TaKeo, Banteay Kdey, Srah
Srang, and Kravan, and view the romantic sunset on Phnom
Bakheng. Dinner at a restaurant with a traditional Apsara dance
show,
Day 5: Siem Reap-Preah
Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, Mebon, Pre Rup.
( B /L )
Morning: Breakfast at hotel, visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, Mebon, and Pre Rup. Lunch at a restaurant,
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