The Complete Khmer Odyssey 14Days-13Nights

Overview

History of Khmer Empire

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 Siem Reap - City tour
Day 2 SR - Roluos group, flooded forest & fishermen's village of Kompong Phluk, boat trip onto the Tonle Sap
Day 3 SR - Bakheng & Pre Rup styles temples , Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei, Landmine Museum
Day 4 SR - Kleang & Baphuon style temples, Sangkheum centre for children, shadow puppets show
Day 5 SR - Angkor Wat style temples
Day 6 SR - Bayon style temples, Museum of Khmer art
Day 7 SR - Angkor Thom & Bayon temple
Day 8 Siem Reap - City tour
Day 9 Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen (the river of thousand lingas) and Anlong Veng
Day 10 Anlong Veng (Ta Mok house), Preah Vihear
Day 11 Preah Vihear to Preah Khan (Prasat Bakan), night at Tbeng Meanchey
Day 12 Tbeng Meanchey (visit of Silk farm), Koh Ker and Beng Melea (jungle's temples), homestay
Day 13 Kompong Kdei old bridge, Kompong Thom & visit of Sambor Prei Kuk temples
Day 14 K.Thom to Phnom Penh - visit of the National Museum

Group Size (Green Card)
Maximum of 8 persons per tour.

Transport
Tuk-tuk, private A/C vehicle, walking

Accommodation
11 nights guesthouses, 1 night dormitory (Preah Vihear), 1 night homestay (Beng Melea)

Meals
13 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinners
Allow approx US$100-200 for meals not included

Drinks
Not included, allow approx $5 per day for water & sodas (it is advisable to drink about 2 liters of soft drinks per day).

Tips
Allow approx $4 per day

Price Per Person in USD

1 Pax

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3 Pax

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4 Pax

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5 Pax

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6 Pax

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7 Pax

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8 Pax Plus

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Duration 14Days-13Nights
Experienced Tour Guide English
Instant Confirmation
No Deposit Required
Free Cancellation Yes
Mobile Voucher Accepted

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Day 1 - Siem Reap-Angkor (ancient capital)-Arrival (L)

You can arrive anytime at the hotel during the morning before the group meeting at Noon followed by a welcome lunch at Khmer kitchen restaurant, located in the centre of the town, and serving delicious Khmer food. In the afternoon, we will begin the exploration of the city. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor and we will have a whole week to enjoy the stunning temples of the area that we will visit in a chronological way.
We will first visit Angkor Wat in Miniature where your guide will give you a short introduction of the ancient Khmer history. Then, we will go to the Phsar Chas (old market). You will be guided from the local part of the market, where people buy food, clothes and household items to the tourist-oriented part where souvenirs and handicrafts such as statues, silver, basketry, silks, and musical instruments are sold. The main aisle, through the center of the market, where fruits, vegetables and meat are sold, is colorful and potentially very photogenic. You will also be able to calm a small hunger with some delicious grilled-grasshoppers! Afterwards, we will continue this introduction of the city with the visit of Wat Bo, a temple founded in the 18th century. In this holy place, your guide will give you some information about Khmer Buddhism and religious observance. We will finish the tour at the Singing Tree Garden-Café for relaxing and dinner.

Overnight in Siem Reap. Accommodation at Side Walk Villa or similar.

Day 2 - Siem Reap-Angkor (ancient capital) (B / L)

We will leave the hotel after breakfast and drive about 15 km southeast of Siem Reap to reach the temples of the Roluos group, a collection of monuments representing the remains of Hariharalaya, the first major capital of the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire.
Then we will go to the fishermen’s village of Kompong Phluk. During the dry season (February to August), the village can be reach by car or motorbike, as the – bumpy - road that is normally flooded dries up. During the rainy season, a short boat ride from the Roluos village, through the wetland area will take you to Kompong Phluk.
As we will arrive at the village at about Noon, we will enjoy a nice lunch from fresh local fish, shrimps and vegetables prepared by the local women. Then, we will visit the village before doing a traditional boat cruise. Small canoes, paddle by villagers, will take you deep into the dense flooded forest. In the afternoon, a boat will take us on the big Tonle Sap lake, passing through the floating village of Chong Khneas to reach the boat dock, south of Siem Reap. We will still climb the Phnom Krom hill to visit the three old towers dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma respectively and enjoy the sunset view of the Tonle Sap. Then we will drive back to Siem Reap for dinner.

Overnight in Siem Reap. Accommodation at Side Walk Villa or similar.

Day 3 - Siem Reap-Angkor (ancient capital) (B)

This morning we will visit the temples of the Bakheng style and Pre Rup style.
We will proceed to the top of Phnom Bakheng, the first significant temple built at Angkor. We will also see the small temples of Prasat Bei and Baksei Chamkrong before going to Prasat Kravan. Then, we will visit the small temple of Bat Chum, the prototype of the Pre Rup style and then East Mebon, a temple with five towers representing the five peaks of the Mount Meru from the Hindu mythology and Pre Rup, a temple-mountain close in style to the East Mebon but higher and artistically superior than its predecessor. The upper levels of the pyramid of Pre Rup offer a brilliant panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. We will continue our tour to the north and drive about one hour to Phnom Kbal Spean. First we will have lunch at Borey Sovann Kbal Spean, a nice restaurant set at the base of jungled mountains opposite the entrance to the site. Then, we will visit Phnom Kbal Spean. After a 30 mins walk in the forest, we will arrive at Sahasralina, the River of a Thousand Lingas. The remarkable 11th-century riverbed rock carvings display a gallery of gods and celestial beings. This holy place has an abundant wildlife, particularly butterflies, to enhance the visit.
After, we will drive to the magnificent Banteay Srei temple – the Citadel of women - decorated with superbly intricate reliefs of male and female divinities, carved from pink sandstone contrasting with the main walls made of laterite. On the way back, we will stop at the Cambodian Landmine museum and Rehabilitation Centre which promotes mine awareness and education for both tourists and Cambodian people. Then, we will drive back to Siem Reap where you will have some time to relax before heading to dinner.

Overnight in Siem Reap. Accommodation at Side Walk Villa or similar.

Day 4 - Siem Reap-Angkor (ancient capital) (B / L / D)

After breakfast we will drive to the site of Angkor to visit the temples of the Kleang style and Baphuon style. The buildings of the Kleang style, centered in the area west of the East Mebon, are the work of the king Jayavarman V at the end of the 10th century. We will see the Phimeanakas, the Kleangs and Ta Keo. By the mid-11th century, Khmer architecture reached its majestic apogee with the Baphuon style. The Baphuon is a vast temple-mountain built by King Udayadiyavarman II. Afterwards we will go to the Western Baray, an ancient reservoir more than 2 km across and 9 km long with an average depth of 7 m. On the island in the middle of the Baray stand the ruins of the western Mebon temple of Baphuon style. We will have lunch in this lovely place and spend a part of the afternoon by swimming and tubing or with a boat trip to the island to visit the ruins of the western Mebon. On the way back, we will stop at the Sangkheum Center for Children, an NGO which provides a home for orphaned, abused or neglected children, as well as general education and selected vocational training. We will visit the center to learn more about their work and see the children in training in the workshops, the agricultural farm or practicing dance and music. Tonight we will have dinner at the hotel la Noria where we will enjoy a shadow puppets show perform by the children of the NGO Krousar Thmey (New Family) which support abandoned, orphaned and street children and victims of trafficking.

Overnight in Siem Reap. Accommodation at Side Walk Villa or similar.

Day 5 - Siem Reap-Angkor (ancient capital) (B)

Today we will focus on the temples of Angkor Wat style. We will have an early wake-up this morning hoping to catch the sunrise on Angkor Wat, the largest and most mpressive of all the temples. It is the best preserved of all the temples. Its layout and its scale are simply breathtaking, the wall surrounding the enclosure measures 1,000 by 800 meters and the moat, said to represent the oceans of the world is 200 meters wide. This amazing temple homes the longest continuous bas relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls. Before lunch, we will also visit the Preah Pithu group, Chau Say Tevoda andThommanon. In the afternoon, we will visit Banteay Samre , one of the most complete complex at Angkor, restored with the method of the anastylosis. Not very touristic, you should appreciate its peaceful atmosphere. Then, we will drive back to Siem Reap and take a refreshing drink in a beautiful garden before to continue the visit with the new Angkor National Museum which displays some of the finest carvings of the angkorean era in a modern and didactic presentation.

Overnight in Siem Reap. Accommodation at Side Walk Villa or similar.

Day 6 - Siem Reap-Angkor (ancient capital) (B)

In the end of the 12th century the Bayon style, the last great Angkor architectural style, developed. An early wake-up will give us the opportunity to admire the sunrise on Srah Srang Royal Bath. Opposite of Srah Srang is Banteay Kdei, a temple enclosed by a large laterite wall (700 m by 500 m) and which contains three main enclosures with laterite towers, connecting galleries and beautifully frontons and lintels. Then we will drive to Preah Khan , a labyrinth of pavilions, halls and chapels in a vast area encloses by four walls before to go to eat at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit Banteay Prei, Krol Ko, Neak Pean, Ta Som and Ta Prohm. Ta Phrom has been largely consumed by the jungle and as you will climb through the dilapidated stone structures you will see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. At every turn you will expect to see Indiana Jones or Lara Croft step out from behind a fallen pillar. Ta Phrom looks as many of the monuments did when European explorers first laid eyes on them. The rest of the afternoon will be free at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap. Accommodation at Side Walk Villa or similar.

Day 7 - Siem Reap-Angkor (ancient capital) (B / L)

Last but not least, this morning, we will explore the fabulous city of Angkor Thom. Our visit will begin with the South Gate, a beautiful introduction to Angkor Thom with well-restored statues of asuras (demons) and gods lining the bridge. Inside the complex, we will stop at the famous Bayon, a pyramid temple decorated by about 200 gigantic carved heads. We will also visit the Royal Enclosure, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Then, we will drive back to Siem Reap for lunch. Afternoon will be free.

Overnight in Siem Reap. Accommodation at Side Walk Villa or similar.

DAY 8 - Siem Reap (B)

Full free day to let you discover Siem Reap and its surroundings on your own. Your leader can help you to organise, for exemple, an excursion in Banteay Chhmar, if you are not enough with Khmer temples, a cooking class or an ox-cart trip in the countryside. You can also rent a bike to explore the nature and the villages around Siem Reap or just spend a lazy day in a spa or a garden-bar.

Overnight in Siem Reap. Accommodation at Side Walk Villa or similar.

Day 9 - Siem Reap – Phnom Kulen – Anlong Veng (B / L)

We will take you at your hotel at 8:00 am and drive 48 km northeast of Siem Reap to the Phnom Kulen (Lychee Mountain), a sandstone plateau considered sacred by the Khmers. Our vehicle will bring us by a steep dirt road near the top of the mountain, on the way up you will be able to admire a dramatic scenery. There, you will see the ancient sculptures on the riverbed by crossing the bridge, then a stair will take you to a pagoda which homes the biggest reclining Buddha of the country, carved in the rock. Enjoy the view of the countryside from there. The hike will continue towards the 30 meters high waterfalls where you will have a picnic lunch. This is a very popular place for Khmer people to come and enjoy their weekend with a picnic. More carvings stand in the riverbed above the waterfall. After a good and refreshing swim with the locals, (don’t forget your swimsuits), we will continue our drive to the north on a countryside road. During the 4 hour trip through the jungle we will meet few signs of civilization until we will arrive at Anlong Veng, sadly famous for having been the last Khmer Rouge stronghold.
We will arrive in Anlong Veng in the late afternoon and check-in at our guesthouse before going to dinner.

Overnight in Anlong Veng. Accommodation at Moronom Villa or similar.

Day 10 – Anlong Veng – Preah Vihear (B / L)

After breakfast, we will have some time to explore Anlong Veng and its most popular destination, Oh Chit, an artificial lake initially built as a moat by Ta Mok for his house.
At 10am, we will resume our journey and drive about 4 hours to Preah Vihear. The temple dominates the plain from its prominent position in the Dangrek Mountains, which straddle the Thai border, at an altitude of more than 700 m. The way to the top is very steep on the Cambodian side while it slopes gently towards Thailand. Be that as it may, the stunning view onto the surrounding which, on a clear day, reach all the way to Phnom Kulen to the west and the intersection of the Lao, Thai and Cambodian borders to the east, will reward us for our effort. We will have plenty of time to visit the temple and the area and enjoy the beautiful sunset on the top of the hill before having dinner and spend the night in one of the guesthouses near the temple.

Overnight in Preah Vihear. Accommodation at Environment House or similar.

Day 11– Preah Vihear – Preah Khan – Tbeng Meanchey (B)

If you wish you will be able to get up early in the hope to catch the sunrise from the top. We will have breakfast and spend some more time to visit the temple with the morning light before to leave this magical place. Then, a very long drive will take us to our next destination. We will pass through the deciduous dipterocarp forest and grassland mosaic of the Northern Plains of Cambodia, home of some of the rarest bird species of South-east Asia, such as some Ibis (like the Giant Ibis, the Cambodia’s national bird), Vultures and Ducks; most of them are endangered. We will stop en route for lunch. In the beginning of the afternoon, we will arrive at our destination, the temples of Preah Khan, also know as Prasat Bakan. This is one of the most remote temple of Cambodia and when exploring the temples you will have a real feel of being lost in the middle of nowhere.
Then, we will drive back to the small provincial city of Tbeng Meancheay where we will arrive in the evening.

Overnight in Tbeng Meanchey. Accommodation at Phrum Meas Guesthouse or similar.

Day 12 - Tbeng Meanchey – Koh Ker – Beng Melea (B / D)

In the morning, we will have time to visit the Joom Noon Silk Project before leaving Tbeng Meanchey. The Joom Noon Silk project is a local initiative to help rehabilitate people with disabilities and which produce some of the country’s finest silk. At about 10am, we will leave the city to Koh Ker where we will have lunch. Koh Ker was the capital city of the Khmer Empire during hardly two decades (928-944) during the reign of Jayavarman IV. The main ruins at Koh Ker consist of an impressive seven-storey sandstone pyramid (Prasat Thom). It is believed that over 80 ruins lie in this area.
Then, a one-hour drive will take us to Beng Melea. Beng Melea was built during the 12th century, at about the same time as Angkor Wat of which its layout and style closely mirror. However, Beng Melea is completely ruined and largely overrun by vegetation. This temple is very lightly touristed and offers plenty picturesque pictures’ opportunities.
Later, we will drive to our homestay in a nearby village in the evening and we will share a friendly meal with our hosts.

Overnight at Homestay

Day 13– Beng Melea – Sambor Prei Kuk – Kompong Thom (B)

After breakfast we will say goodbye to our hosts and leave our homestay at 9am and follow the national road number 6. After about one and a half hour drive, we will stop near the village of Kompong Kdei to seePhra Phutthos, an old bridge of the Angkorean Era. Then, we will continue to Kompong Thom where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will drive about 45 minutes to Sambor Prei Kuk, the setting of the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments anywhere in Cambodia. There are more than 100 small temples, scattered through the forest. In the end of the afternoon, we will drive 45 min to the city of Kompong Thom for a well-deserved rest in a nice hotel and a good dinner.

Overnight in Kompong Thom. Accommodation at Arunras hotel or similar.

Day 14 – Kompong Thom – Phnom Penh (B / L)

After breakfast, we will leave Kompong Thom and drive about 2 hours to Phnom Penh. We will arrive in the capital city of Cambodia at about 10 am and we will visit the National Museum – near the Royal Palace - which offers a charming setting for the display of a stunning collection of Khmer art. Predominantly worked in stone, the sculptures date from both the Angkorean and pre-Angkorean eras, complimented by more recent examples of Cambodian art. Then, we will go for our farewell lunch at the restaurant Friends which is a non-profit restaurant run by street youth in training. All proceeds go to the organisation Mith Samlanh and the food is delicious. Afternoon will be at leisure and you will be free to leave any time. Explore Cambodia Tours

TOUR PRICE QUOTED IN US DOLLARS
Group size	1	2	3	4	5 - 7	8 - 12
Tour cost per person	$2,279	$1,299	$1,129	$1,019	$999	$919
Single Supplement	Included	$119

The booking has to be paid at least 42 days before tour starts.
The single supplement is the price of one supplementary room for 13 nights (2 single rooms instead of one double/twin room). There is no single room available in homestay. Note that for every odd-number pax, one of the rooms is already a single room.

Price of Tour Includes:

Accommodation on twin sharing basis and meals as stated in the itinerary
Entrance fees and sightseeing tours by tuk-tuk, van & 4WD car
An experienced English-speaking local leader
One week Angkor pass
The services of a local guide at the National Museum (Phnom Penh)

NOT Included in Tour Price:

Personal travel insurance (compulsory!)
International flight , airport taxes & excess baggage charges
Visa & visa fees, passport & vaccination charges
Arrival & departure transfers
Departure tax
All optional tours & activities during free time
Personal Expenditure, such as souvenir, laundry, postage, phone calls, etc…
Drinks & tips
Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary

Siem Reap
Multi-Day Tours
14Days-13Nights
All major and some minor temples of Angkor visited in a chronological way, the new Museum of Khmer Art in Siem Reap, Fishermen's village and flooded forest of Kompong Phluk, Landmine Museum, Leisure time on the Western Baray aritificial lake, Sangkheum centre for children, Shadow Puppets Theatre, the remote temples of Northern Cambodia, lost in the jungle, quiet and not many tourists: Phnom Kulen, Prasat Preah Vihear, Prasat Bakan, Koh Ker, Beng Melea and Sambor Prei Kuk. Modern History insight in Anlong Veng, the last Khmer Rouge's bastion

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