HERITAGE OF CAMBODIA
(2 Nights Phnom Penh & 3 Nights Siem Reap )

Tour Code : PNHREP3X2
6 Days / 5 Nights
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Departure : Daily
All year (High Season Surcharges apply - Jan 5 until Apr 30 / Oct 1 until Dec 22)

Tour Summary
A comprehensive overland programme
covering the Best of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Day 1 Arrival Phnom Penh
You will be met by Destination Asia representatives immediately upon exiting the Arrival Hall and proceed to your hotel.
Accommodation in Phnom Penh
(Meals included: Dinner)

Day 2 Tour Phnom Penh
This morning, you will visit the Royal Palace with its splendid open-air regal welcoming hall, alongside a building that was a gift from the French Empress Eugenie and onto the Silver Pagoda. Hundreds of silver brick tiles form the floor of this Pagoda accenting the shining Emerald Buddha as its centrepieces. You will visit the National Museum wherein is displayed the most precious statues from Temples across the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Lunch at hotel.
This afternoon, visit Toul Sleng and Killing Fields is now known as the Genocide Museum, although formerly used by the Pol Pot Regime as the detention and torture center for “cadres”of that regime, it is a moving example of the difficulties faced by all in Cambodia between 1975 & 1979. Continue for a drive through outlying Phnom Penh to the Memorial Stupa at Chueng Ek where the remains of Toul Sleng inmates are displayed. On your way back to your hotel you will wander the stalls of Psar Toul Tom Puong ‘The Russian Market”, a center for all manner of recently created “antiquities "and goods from silk scarves “Kramas”to wood artifacts.
Dinner at local restaurant.
Accommodation in Phnom Penh
(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 3 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
This morning take an early flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Upon arrival meet and transfer to your hotel.
After lunch at your Hotel, you will head out to the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, literally “Great city”. Built in the 12th Century by Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom contains the famous Bayon Temple with its enormous mysterious faces and the Elephant and Leper King Terraces.
Dinner at hotel
Accommodations in Siem Reap
Meals Included: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner)

Day 4 Siem Reap - Angkor
This morning visit Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world, with a volume of stone equalling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build. It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king. It has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks and is well preserved. Intricate bas reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story. The most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, which is located on the east wing. In it the Naga serpent, is twisted by demons and gods to spurt out the elixir of life. Return to your hotel for lunch.
This afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its “re-discovery” by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelop the stone like tentacles. It is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Historians have noted its mystical charm. You will continue to visit Preah Khan "The Sacred Sword", an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. It is one of a group of temple complexes situated on a small 'Baray'. Preah Khan is the site of the World Monuments Fund ‘prime’ Asian project a painstaking renovation whilst maintaining it’s mysterious allures and superb original structure.
Dinner at hotel
Accommodation in Siem Reap
(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 5 Siem Reap - Tonle Le Sap Lake
After breakfast at your hotel, Temples further afield beckon your inspection. Driving past rice paddy fields and a local village is Banteay Srei, "The Citadel of Women", perhaps the most beautiful of the temples in Siem Reap. Remarkable for its total restoration, this small temple built by Brahmins for human use rather than for use by god-kings has the finest pink sandstone carving in Cambodia, clearly depicting extracts from the Ramayana. Time permitting Banteay Samre, a fine example of small scale of Angkor style architecture and hence a size that permits the visitor to closely appreciate the intricacies that are often dwarfed by the immense size of Angkor Wat. Seldom visited, this temple can be wandered through peacefully and at your own pace.
Return to your hotel for lunch.
After lunch drive to a development project teaching young adults, stone carving, wood carving and lacquer application, Les Artisans d' Angkor is a heart warming reminder that progress in Cambodia can go hand in hand with traditional crafts. Then continue to Ton Le Sap Lake, the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia, is the lifeblood of the Cambodian fishing industry. The Mekong River, from as a far away as Phnom Penh, reverses the direction of the Ton Le Sap river to bring an overflow of water and silt to support both rice growing and the breeding fish of many sizes and varieties. Hopping on board small shaded vessels and moving between the floating homes and small fish farms you will experience close up, daily lake life.
Dinner at hotel
Accommodation in Siem Reap
(Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 6 Depart Siem Reap
Breakfast is included at the hotel
Free at leisure until your transfer to the airport
(Meals included: Breakfast)