The Soul of Cambodia: A 6-Day Epic Through Phnom Penh and Angkor

 CAMBODIA TOURS PHNOM PENH SIEM REAP ANGKOR WAT 6D 5N STC 004

- 6 Days Overland
- Phnom Penh Capital City - Siem Reap (Angkor Wat Temple)
- Refer Tour Code: 6D 5N STC 004 July. 2020
- 2 Days in Phnom Penh, 4 nights in Siem Reap

Day 1: Arrival in Phnom Penh ( L / D)

Morning: Arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport, transfer to the hotel 

Afternoon: Visit the Toul Sleng Killing Field genocide (S21). Originally built as a

secondary school named Tuol Svay Prey High School in 1960, during the reign of Preah Bat Norodom Sihanouk. The Khmer Rouge converted this into a torture and interrogation centre 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 between1975 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 tragic testimony to those who suffered and died in their hands.

- To visit the Independence Monument, this important ceremony takes place at the site of the Independence Monument at the junction of Norodom and Sihanouk Boulevards. Every 9^th November, the 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 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, utilising 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 colourful mural depicting scenes from the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramayana.

- Visit National Museum. North of the palace grounds, the building was

designed in Khmer-style in 1920 by a French architect, and contains important artefacts and sculptures from the Angkor era and earlier.

- PM visit Central Market (Phsar Thmei). The distinctive art-deco styling of the Central Market makes it a standout in the architecture of Phnom Penh. 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, household goods, 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 )

Early morning, after breakfast at the hotel, overland transfer to Siem Reap Angkor, then direct to the hotel for a proper check-in. Siem Reap is a small colonial town, charming enough to roam around, with some fine examples of French colonial architecture. Once situate we’ll then visit

Angkor Thom starting from the South Gate. Angkor Thom, a ten-square-kilometre fortified city enclosed by an eight-metre-high wall and encircled by a hundred-metre moat, was built by Angkor’s greatest king, Jayavarman VII (1181 – 1219). The ancient walled city of Angkor Thom contains the famous Bayon Temple with its 

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 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,

Afternoon: Visit the marvellous 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 civilisation was at the height of its development, represent 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 )

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel, then visit Banteay Srey and Banteay Samrei. Banteay Srey, the Citadel of the Women, is 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 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 /D )
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel, visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, Mebon and Pre Rup. Lunch at a restaurant,

Afternoon: Visit the Roluos Group, the three monuments located 13km east of Siem Reap town, which offer a look at the earliest definition of Khmer civilisation. These temples, Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko, were built in the 9^th century under Indravarman I. Bakong is also the site of a modern Buddhist monastery. Dinner at a restaurant

Day 6: Siem Reap-Tonle Sap Lake & Les Artisans d’Angkor (B/L)

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel, then visit the standard living of a fishing village and a floating Village at Tonle Sap Lake. Lunch at a restaurant,

Afternoon: Visit Les Artisans d’Angkor to see the craftsmanship of Khmer (Cambodian) wood and stone carving, with a sightseeing tour and shopping. Then transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure to Singapore.