Around Cambodia Trip 14Days/13Nights

                           Around Cambodia Trip 14Days/13Nights

Day1: Arriva- Siem Reap

Our guide and coach will wait and pick up at Siem Reap International airport then transfer to hotel

Check –in. Overnight in Siem Reap 

Day2 : Siem Reap – Sightseeing in Angkor 

After breakfast  at hotel, transfer to visit the fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area  of 9 km² . enclosed by a wall and wide moats , the city included many of Angkor’smost popular sights . Enter by monumental South Gate over the causeway lined on either side of the statues of demons and gods , each carrying a giant Naga coutinue to the THE TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS  and THE TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING , Former spaces for public ceremonies , both adorned with dramatic bas-reliefs . Visit ruined BAPHOUN  , ROYAL ENCLOSURE and  PHIMEANAKAS  before continuing to the mysterious BAYON Temple . in this temple , one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor , explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas-relief and ascend narrows stairs to reach the central sanctuary , where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle . 

-The crowning jewel of the Khmer architecture , ANGKOR WAT  is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia . the largest , the best preserved and the most religiously significant of the Angkor temples , Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of it carvings . to approach the temple , first cross the vast moat , continuing along a broad causeway lined with Naga balustrades . as you enter the main building ascend through a series of the galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers the beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside . on the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings and adorn nearly every surface , with some 1700 Apsaras or the celestial dancers , sculpted into the walls . along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world . which narrates stories from Hindu mythology , including the famous Churning of the Ocean of milk . Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day.

Watch sunset over the Cambodian countryside from upper terrace of an ancient Angkorian temple .

Overnight in Siem Reap.

 Day3: Siem Reap – Sightseeing in Angkor  

After breakfast  at hotel, transfer to visit : PREAH KAN : a temple built by king Jayavaraman VII with towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting . Preah Kan covers a very large area but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around  700by 800 meters .

NEAK  PEAN :  built by king Jayavaraman VII ( ruled 1181 to 1220 ) , it is Buddhist temple consisting of a square pool with four smaller square pools arranged on each axis . In the centre of the large central pool is a circular island encircled by tow Naga with intertwined tails .

TA SOM: built in late 12^th century by JayavaramanVII for his teacher,TaSom mean old Som

BANTEAY SREY : Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples , Banteay Srey is considered to be the jewel of the classical Khmer art . Built in pink sandstone , the wall are covered in exquisitely preserved carving of the unusual delicacy . Because of its small size fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture , this temple is often a favorite with visitors .

PRE RUP : built by Rajendravaraman II ( ruled 944 to 968 ) , it consist of a pyramid shape temple with the upper-most of the three tiers carrying five square shrines arranged as a quincunx . The name means turning the body and refers to traditional method of cremation .

TA PROHM : one of the most popular attraction of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of Angkor monuments would have appeared when the European explorers first stumbled across them . 

PRASAT KRAVAN : the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls .

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day4: Siem Reap – Rolous Group – Tonle Sap Lake 

-After breakfast at the hotel transfer to visit  :

Rolous Group : these monuments mark the beginning the classical art , as some of the earliest great temples built by the Khmer king . they served as the capital of Indravaraman ( who reigned from 877to 889 )

LOLEI : built on an islet by Yasovaraman I( who ruled from 889 to 910 ) , the founder of the first city of Angkor . The sandstone carving in the niches of  the temples are notable as are the Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts .

PREAH KO : erected by Indravaraman I in the late 9^th century in dedication to his defied ancestors in 880 . There are inscriptions in Sanskrit in the doorsteps of each temple .

BAKONG : built and dedicated to Siva by Indravaraman I , this is the largest and most interesting of the Rolous Group of the temples and still has an active Buddhist monastery.

Excursion to TONLE SAP Lake with boat trip , the floating village located on the Tonle Sap lake , an extraordinary lake swells up to seven times its original size during the monsoon season . Its ecosystem is one of the richest and most diverse in the region . The boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages and houses that live at the edges of the lake passing submerged forests and fishing farms .

Note : the houses there are all floating houses, about 700 houses , the houses move out to the lake . Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day5: Siem Reap - Phnom Kulen - Siem Reap

- After breakfast at the hotel departure for excursion at Phnom Kulen or "Lychee Mountain" it is also one of the National Park in the country.

- Here begins the story of Angkor with the 802 sacrament of Jayavaramen II who institutionalized the cult of the "God-King"

- View the river "of the 1000 lingas" and beautiful cultures on the river bed, pagoda, the large sleeping Buddha carved in the rock, nice view of countryside, visit the waterfalls

- You can see the ruins of a temple

- After a good and refreshing swim, at 15:00pm drive back the same way to Siem Reap and overnight at the hotel

Day6 : Siem Reap – Koh Ker – Beng Mealea 

 - After breakfast at the hotel , travel northeast from Siem Reap to Koh Ker , a remote group of early Angkorian ruins from the 10^th century capital of Jayavaraman IV. Several monuments and temples still remain, with some of the most interesting being the pyramidal PRASAT THOM , PRASAT PRAM  , PRASAT LINGA , PRASAT NEANG KMOE and PRASAT CHRES.

- Excursion back to visit BANG MEALEA Temple , a mysterious temple in the middle of the Cambodian jungle . Surrounded by a vast moat , this 12^th century temple follows a complex floor plan similar to Angkor Wat but with a haunting jungle atmosphere similar of Ta Prohm . Visitors that make their way through the ruined stone blocks and wandering tree routes are rewarded by the sight of beautiful classical bas-reliefs. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day7: Siem Reap – Preah Vihear Temple –Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel

Transfer to visit the Preah Vihear temple ,it located slightly east of the midsection of the Dangrek mountains about 625 meter above the sea level in northern part of Preah Vihear province , kingdom of Cambodia close to Thailand border .Situated on the edge of a plateau that dominates the plain of Cambodia, the Temple of Preah Vihear is dedicated to Shiva. The Temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800 meters long axis and dates back to the first half of the 11th century AD. Nevertheless, its complex history can be traced to the 9th century, when the hermitage was founded. This site is particularly well preserved, mainly due to its remote location. The site is exceptional for the quality of its architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation.

The Temple of Preah Vihear, a unique architectural complex of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases on an 800 metre long axis, is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture, in terms of plan, decoration and relationship to the spectacular landscape environment.

Preah Vihear is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture. It is very ‘pure’ both in plan and in the detail of its decoration.

Preah Vihear temple was listed and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO on July, 7,2008.

Transfer back to Siem Reap by the same way . Overnight stay in hotel.

Day8: Siem Reap – Battambang

After Breakfast in the hotel on the early morning departure from Siem Reap to Battambang by private vehicle with air-con. Arrival in Battambang transfer to visit Wat Ek Phnom Temple, Bamboo Train  and The Well of Shadows  and then continue to visit Battambang city with the beautiful colonial building , it was built by France during colonial period .

-Bamboo Train have been set up by the villagers in order to facilitate the transportation of goods persons. The “ train “ in itself is very basic : one bamboo platform on 4- wheels is activated by a small motor.  Setting on the platform , you will travel 8 km to the next destination through beautiful landscape and rice paddies . On arrival , visit the village and discover the daily life in the Cambodian countryside .

            -Wat Ek Phnom , a nice 11^th century temple that offers a very peaceful temple atmosphere in the countryside , surrounded by trees and lily ponds. Strolling around the quiet temple can be a very relaxing and spiritual experience. Next to the temple you can see the Wat Ek Phnom Pagoda that has one of the most complete collections of Buddhist wall and ceiling paintings in all Cambodia.

           - The Well of Shadows , which located at Wat Somrong Knong areaand also some of the many Cultural Villages around Battambang , where you will learn how the locals produce rice paper , Prahoc ( typical Cambodian fish paste ) , Krolan ( sticky rice stuffed in bamboo )

Overnight in Battambang

Day9: Battambang – Banteay Chhmar – Siem Reap- Kampong Thom

Breakfast at the hotel , Departurefrom Battambamg to Banteay Chhmar temple by private A/C transport .

Visit Banteay Chhmar temple , a sprawling temple complex set deep in the Cambodian jungle. Dating from the 12^th century , when it briefly served as the Khmer capital , the complex covers over nine square kilometers and it surrounded by the vast moat . With the compound are the number of well-preserved bas-reliefs and sculptures . Rarely visited by tourists , the temple’s remote and the peaceful atmosphere make it an unforgettable experience. After exploring the temple grounds return your vehicle and continue to visit Silk Farm in Pouk district of Siem  Reap. and then departure to Kampong Thom province .

Overnight in Kampong Thom , stay in hotel .

Day10: Kampong Thom – Sambor Pre  Kuk – Kampong Cham

Breakfast at the hotel .

Sightseeing around Kampong Thom

Travel just outside Kampong Thom to  see the key archeological sites , starting with SAMBOR PREI KUK ,  perhaps the most important grouping of the pre Angkorian monuments in Cambodia , before the rise of the Angkor , this was the capital of Chenla during the 6^th century , known as Isanpura ,today, over 100 small temple ruins sit peaceful in the forest setting. Explore the main central complex and giant an insight into the early architectural styles of the Cambodia. Afterwards continue to visit the modern-day  shrines of WAT ANDRI , a thriving monastery, and climb the 980 steps of the holy mountain PHNOM SANTUK, enjoying the colorful, somewhat ecletic shrine at the peak as well as lovely views over the surrounding countryside .

Departure by vehicle from Kampong Thom to Kampong Cham

Overnight in Kampong Cham , stay in hotel.

Day11: Kampong Cham – Kratrie 

Breakfast at the hotel .     

Sightseeing in Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is a lively port on the bank of the Mekong River with some good examples colonial-era architecture .After visit the LOCAL MARKET and exploring the town , travel in the countryside to PHNOM BROS ( Man Hill ) and PHNOM SREY ( Woman Hill ). according to the local tradition  , two teams of the man and woman competed to build a stupa on the submit of each hill before dawn . After being tricked into thinking that daybreak had already come , the man lost the competition and, as a result , forever after had to be the ones to approach the woman for their hands in marriage . Continue to visit WAT NOKOR  BACHEY , a thriving modern-day monastery founded on a 11^th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine.

Departure by vehicle from Kampong Cham to Kratie.

Overnight in Kratie , stay in hotel .

Day12: Kratie – Kampong Cham-Phnom Pehn

Breakfast at the hotel .

Sightseeing in Kratie

The provincial capital of KRATIE is a pleasant , small riverside town on the banks of the Mekong River. Visit the DOLPHIN OBSERVATION PARK. located just north of the town and enjoy an hour boat trip past peaceful rural scenery as you watch out for a rare sighting of one of the 50 endangered freshwater dolphins that inhabit this stretch of the river. on the way back stop, at WAT  PHNOM  SAMBOK.

Departure by vehicle from Kratie to Phnom Pehn

Overnight in Phnom Pehn , stay in the hotel .

Day13: Phnom Pehn .

Breakfast at the hotel.

Explore PHNOM PEHN, a chaotic, energetic,  and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of the bygone eras , today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles weave in and out of traffic , vendor hawk their wares , and pedestrians go about their business. Star your tour at WAT PHNOM , the birthplace of the capital , according to the legend the city began here when a woman Pehn found four Buddha statues and build the temple to house them. Afterwards . see the splendor of Cambodian’s royal heritage by visiting the ROYAL PALAST , still the official residence of the king Norodom Sihamuni , the adjacent SILVER PAGODA , also known as the pagoda of the Emerald Buddha , and the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM ,  which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer art.

In the afternoon , learn about a chapter from Cambodia’s more recent , tragic, past at the TOUL SLENG MUSEUM  ( Museum of Genocide ) . Formerly the Toul Svay Prey High School , in 1975 , this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge Regime , at that time known as  Security Prison 21, or simply S-21 . Kept largely unchanged , this prison now showcases photographs and exhibits about the thousands of victims  that passed through these doors, only seven of whom came out alive .

Finally , explore the modern-day city, visiting one of the Phnom  Pehn’s  two great markets, the CENTRAL MARKET,  located in a distinctive domed Art deco building ,or the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET ,a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks , crafts, jewelry and more.

Overnight in Phnom Pehn .                

Day14: Phnom pehn – Departure to the next destination

Breakfast at the hotel. Fee time at leisure until departure for next destination.

End of service.

NOTE: - As for the above tour Itinerary, we can arrange additional customized trips for you if it does not match your expectations. 
- Please contact us for more detail and the tours quote
 

Package Inclusions:

-          Hotel accommodation with breakfast (Base on Twin sharing for  luxury hotel )

-          Tours with English speaking guide

-          Tour with12 lunches and one dinner with show of traditional APSARA dancing

-          Ground transport with air-con vehicle as mentioned itinerary

-          Private Boat tour on the Tonle Sap lake for floating village

-          All entrance fees for the tour sites as mentioned in the tour itinerary

-          Drinking water and fresh tower for the whole trip

About Cambodia Travel ( K.M.N.Z.Tours )

Address : National Road No.6, Tavien Villages, Sala Kamreouk,
Siem Reap, Cambodia the Kingdom of Wonder.
Tel : +855 979 995 359
E-mail : info@aboutcambodiatravel.com
E-mail : kmnztours@aboutcambodiatravel.com                                    
Website : www.aboutcambodiatravel.com                                         

Website :  www.kmnztours.com