KHMER KINGDOMS ACTIVE 12D

Chom reab suor! Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia. You are greeted by your guide and driver at the airport for your transfer to the hotel. Explore Angkor Wat, easily the most famous and best-preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. It is a massive three-tiered structure crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. The centerpiece of any visit to the temples around Siem Reap, Angkor offers many iconic sights for amazing pictures. Dinner in local restaurant. In the evening you will have the chance to discover another kind of attraction – the local Pub street which hosts several bars, discos and restaurants waits to be explored. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Start today at Banteay Srey, the citadel of the women, displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, an ideal medium for the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. You also visit the Ta Prohm Temple, unlike most other Angkor temples, has been left just it was when rediscovered: a photogenic and atmospheric maze of trees growing out of temple ruins amidst jungle surroundings, making it one of Angkor’s most popular temples with visitors. Visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, surrounded by an 8m high wall. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th-century masterpiece is a study in grandeur, its exterior gallery walls featuring extensive, superb bas-reliefs, particularly the East and South Galleries. This evening you will visit the NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS). PPS, founded in 1994, is dedicated to caring for vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Battambang. They do this through quality artistic schools, teaching the children theatre and circus arts, visual arts, and music. Since 1998, PPS has produced numerous acts and shows performed all over Cambodia as well as abroad. You will learn about the program and enjoy a revue show afterward including live music, choreography, acrobatics, poetry, and burlesque.

Today we take you on a ride into the hinterland of Siem Reap on the back (or drive yourself) of a Scooter. Drive to the place where it all began….In 802 AD, Jayavarman II crowned himself godking. Rich in history, Phnom Kulen is where the “Age of Angkor” began, and is one of only two places in Cambodia where Buddha is reputed to have set his foot. Visit a scenic waterfall, and a giant reclining Buddha. While beautiful, these are part of a standard trip here. In addition, you push on further, exploring kilometers of complex back trails, deep jungle tracks, and hidden temples, including the stunning and sought-after stone elephant and lion statues.

Head out to Kompong Kleang “floating village”, which is, in fact, a stilt house settlement of over 20,000 people where structures can tower up to ten meters above the water. Greeted by waves of the friendly locals, here you can glimpse Cambodia’s countryside culture and traditional family lifestyle. Picnic lunch in Kompong Kleang. From Khleang, head out to quiet Beng Mealea, around 65 km from Siem Reap. After a short walk through dense jungle, you’ll feel like an explorer when entering the completely overgrown temple. Undiscovered for centuries, Beng Mealea has only recently been made accessible and remains unrestored. It is one of the very few temples that actually give the opportunity to climb through it, giving a very ‘Indian Jones’ feel to the experience. The best way to get to know the locals is to enjoy a good game of Football (European) or volleyball with them. Compete in a friendly match against a local team and share some beers after the game at a local BBQ restaurant.

You leave Siem Reap via Anlong Veng. This sleepy town once was the last stronghold of the infamouse Khmer Rouge leaders Pol Pot and Ta Mok. Visit Ta Mok’s house to witness the cruelties he commited until the early 90’s. If times permits we also have a look at the remains of Pol Pots at his grave and Ta Moks cliff house on the Dangrek Mountains Preah Vihear. Enjoy the beautiful countryside of Cambodia and some stops along the way will give you the opportunity to get to know this country and the Cambodians a bit better, while relaxing from the ride. Overnight in Preah Vihear

This morning you will have the chance to enjoy one of the most stunning views from on of the most stunning places on this planet. The Preah Vihear temple is situated atop a 525 meter cliff in the Dangrek mountain range, which builds the natural boarder between Thailand and Cambodia. Offering you a view over the plains of Thailand in the north and Cambodia in the south from up to 100 km in both directions. The temple itself easily matches this experience by its listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. On your way to Kompong visit Sambor Prei Kuk, you will explore a collection of 7th century (600 years before Angkor Wat) temple ruins located in Kampong Thom province about 120km from Siem Reap. This Hindu temple complex was established in the early 6th century AD at the city of Isanapura, the capital of Raja Isanavaram. The site, part of the Chenla Kingdom, includes an area of nearly 1000 acres enclosed by double walls, and over 150 temples and towers. Overnight in Kompong Thom

Head towards the capital Phnom Penh and enjoy a drive through the beautiful Cambodian landscape. Stop by the town of Skuon, also known as Spiderville, which boasts one of Cambodian’s more exotic culinary delights – the deep-fried spider. Visit Phnom Penh’s main attractions including the National Museum, a treasure chest of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artefacts. Just cross the road, you explore the famous Royal Palace, built in 1866 under the French protectorate and King Norodom. The adjoining Silver Pagoda, built in 1962, is famous for its lavish decorations, silver paved floor and several Buddha statues made from precious metals & stones. Scale the steps up this small hill to see Wat Phnom Temple, the birthplace of Phnom Penh. You then have time explore the lively riverfront. Relax, watch the local life goes by and enjoy the different facets of the nightlife here. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Note: To see the Royal palace and silver pagoda in Phnom Penh, visitors are required to wear appropriated cloths. Guests wearing short pans (above knee level) and sleeveless tops are not permitted.

In the morning you will go for a real men activity – Kickboxing Khmer style. The ancient art of Bokator exist since the Angkorian time and is still practiced today. See a small demonstration fight and learn some of the technics afterwards. This afternoon, you will gain insight into Cambodia’s recent history on a visit to the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in a former school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture centre, named ‘S-21’. A grim but important visit that will help you to understand Cambodia better. Close your day at “Russian Market”, wander around and purchase nice handicraft for your friends and relatives. The Toul Tom Pong Market (Russian Market) is the city’s best place to shop for art objects, including textiles, antiques, wood and marble carvings, ritual objects and old Indochinese coins. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Transfer to Sihanoukville and Koh Rong. The next days are free at leisure or you could hang around at hotel swimming pool or visit some islands nearby for some snorkeling, or excursion to Ream National Park. The park offers walking tours of the mountain, safari tours of the smaller mammals and birds and waterfalls. On the seaside, there are dozens of food stands, specializing in fresh seafood. Overnight on Koh Rong

Free at your leisure until your driver meet up and take you to Phnom Penh to the airport for your flight. End of service.