Cambodia | Thailand | Laos | Vietnam | Signature Tours | Mekong Experience
Cambodia's "Big Three"
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Visit the three biggest cities in Cambodia with this eclectic and fascinating tour. Begin in Siem Reap with the temples of Angkor Wat. Head up the Tonle Sap River to Battambang and see Cambodia’s rice bowl and some sad, but fascinating Khmer Rouge history and then head by car to Phnom Penh where you can visit Tuol Sleng, the Killing Fields, and the Royal Palace.
This eight-day tour gives you a true feel of Cambodia today, its wonderful ancient past and the more recent history from which it is still recovering. You will have local guides in each city, but will be accompanied by an English speaking host, to make sure that all runs smoothly and to help you better understand the Cambodian culture. |
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Day 1 Siem Reap - Arrival
You will be met by a Journeys Within representative and taken to Journeys Within Bed & Breakfast where you will meet your host Brandon Ross.
Spend the afternoon relaxing in the garden, cool off in the swimming pool or if you have the energy, take a trip down town and walk around the local market.
Head into town to enjoy a traditional buffet dinner and dance show in the evening.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Journeys Within B&B
Day 2 Siem Reap - Angkor Wat
This morning head to Angkor Wat in an air conditioned car, or if you choose by bike, with your guide. Explore this majestic temple throughout the morning while it is still cool and has fewer tourists. Return to Journeys Within for lunch and a nap or refresh with a swim. In the afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple with its many magnificent faces smiling out. There are several beautiful spots from which to watch the sunset. Discuss with your guide where you would like to be and then relax and enjoy a memorable end to your day at the temples.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Journeys Within B&B
Day 3 Siem Reap - Banteay Srei & Other Temples
This morning set off with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple just 30 km beyond Angkor Wat, followed by a stop at the Land Mine Museum, a rather humble look at the land mine problem, past and present, in Cambodia.
Later in the afternoon head back to the temples where you will visit Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, two of the prettiest temples in the complex. Watch the sunset from inside Ta Prohm or from the Angkor Wat promenade.
Enjoy dinner on your balcony or by the pool.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Journeys Within B&B
Day 4 Battambang - Arrival
Catch an early morning boat to Battambang, a small town by Western standards on the banks of the Tonle Sap. This boat ride is a wonderful experience, you’ll see floating villages, fish farms and an array of children smiling and waving from the banks. Once in Battambang you’ll be met by your guide and taken to your hotel in town. After lunch head off for a truly unique Cambodian experience - have fun riding the Bamboo Train. Return to your hotel to freshen up and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at La Villa
Day 5 Battambang - All Day Tour
Have breakfast at a local cafe before heading out to Phnom Sampeau. This large hill houses a beautiful Wat, a Stupa and the infamous killing caves. Our guide will explain about the Khmer Rouge activity in this area and show you the large field guns left over from the civil war fought here against the Khmer Rouge until the late 90’s. Enjoy lunch at a basic Khmer restaurant before heading to Wat Banan, located on the top of a hill and offering fabulous views of the flat landscape. These temples are still in relatively good repair and a field gun can be found here as well. On the way back visit Wat Ek Phnom, a dilapidated 11th century temple that some say was the example for Angkor Wat. Though the temple itself is rather decrepit the countryside is beautiful. Return to Battambang for dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at La Villa
Day 6 Battambang - Phnom Penh
Leave Battambang early by air conditioned car and head towards Phnom Penh. The roads are relatively good and the countryside is a mix of small villages and rice fields. Here you retrace the steps of many Cambodians whom, back in 1975 were forced from Phnom Penh and sent to Battambang to “work for the revolution”. Stop in Kompong Chhnang for lunch and visit their “pottery barn.” Arrive in Phnom Penh and check into your hotel.
Enjoy dinner at the FCC on the banks of the Mekong.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Amanjaya Hotel
Day 7 Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields
Head to the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum where your guide will explain the history of the Khmer Rouge and walk you through the different museum displays. After watching the movie they show every day, head out to the Killing Fields, where a memorial stupa and shallow pits remind visitors of the thousands killed under the Pol Pot Regime.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
On the way back stop at a local organization that takes at-risk and orphaned children and provides them with education and dance training, sit in on a traditional dance class and be amazed at the grace and persistence of these students.
Return to your hotel and relax before dinner at a riverside restaurant serving traditional Khmer or Western food.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at the Amanjaya Hotel
Day 8 Phnom Penh - City Tour
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a tour of the Royal Palace, still the royal residence. See the amazing royal collection and the beautiful architecture before heading to the National Museum where pre-Angkorean pieces, as well as special pieces from the temples are housed. Take a tour of the museum with a trained museum guide.
Enjoy lunch at Friends, a restaurant benefiting at-risk street children.
After lunch your guide will take you to central market, reported to be the biggest domed market in the world, and to the famous Russian Market where everything from souvenirs to car parts is on sale. Enjoy a shopping spree or just browse along with the locals out doing their shopping.
You will be taken to the airport in time to catch your onward flight.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour Rate: starting at $1,345 per person double with $625 single supplement
Price includes:
- Air tickets (Bangkok - Siem Reap and Phnom Penh - Bangkok)
- Boat tickets to Battambang
- Accommodation at Journeys Within Bed & Breakfast, Siem Reap
- Accommodation at La Villa, Battambang
- Accommodation at Amanjaya Hotel, Phnom Penh
- Air-conditioned car and driver
- Licensed English speaking Cambodian guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified above
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Alcohol
- Tips
Cambodia | Thailand | Laos | Vietnam | Signature Tours | Mekong Experience
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