Cambodia Legendary Story 4 Days, 3 Nights

Upon your arrival in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed by a local English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel for check in. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire.

Overnight in Siemreap.

Today with the help of your private guide, driver and private vehicle you will get to explore the town’s major attractions.

Angkor Thom: was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces.
Ta Prohm: Swallowed by the jungle where Strangler Figs and Kapok Trees have entwined themselves around the ruins. Undoubtedly, the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor with several towers, closed courtyards and narrow corridors to explore. Angkor Thom – This fortified city is flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side, which leads you through a 23- metre imposing stone entrance gate to the various temples inside.
Bayon: Beautifully crafted central towers, decorated with four opposing faces representing King Jayavarman VII. Bayon’s stone galleries display extraordinary basreliefs incorporating over 11,000 figures.
Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King: Giant viewing platforms used for public ceremonies, which served as a base for the King’s grand audience hall.
Angkor Wat: Surrounded by a 190-metre moat and taking 30 years to build, Angkor Wat represents the Khmer civilisation at its grandest. With its fascinating decorative flourishes, extensive bas-relief and multiple tiers, it is the best-preserved temple within the complex. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia’s national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.

We will end up our day by enjoying the sunset view from the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill with a panoramic view of Western Baray and Angkor Wat.

Overnight in Siemreap.

Today experience an incredible tour to learn about life in a typical Cambodian village.
Being early with a pickup from the hotel, heading out to Ta Brak village, 25 minutes out of town. A western packed breakfast from the hotel will be included and, on arrival, meet up with a local family and share breakfast with them. A great chance to learn about local life in the villages… from the villagers!

Continue with a 30 minute ox cart ride through the village to a local market. Take a short walk through this bustling center, with a guided introduction to Cambodian vegetables, herbs, fruits, and other local produce. Continue 1km (on foot) through the picturesque countryside village, stopping off to meet the local community along the way. Each tour will be different as the countryside activities differ depending on the time of year.

Afternoon at leisure, with a choice of optional activities.
Optional: 2-3 hrs. Village cycle tour
Explore some local villages to experience the “real” Cambodia. Discuss a route in advance with the guide that suits personal interests and fitness level. A support vehicle accompanies the tour for the duration.

Optional: Horseback riding at Happy Ranch
Head to Happy Ranch, a western style horse ranch just outside of Siem Reap. Get acquainted with purebred Cambodian horses before embarking on a 2-hour countryside trail ride. Get off the tourist trail and explore rice fields, local villages, and the rarely seen Wat Atvea.
Note: Happy Ranch can arrange lead rides on gentle ponies for young children. Experienced staff will walk alongside and lead them or just assist them when necessary.

Optional: Flight of the Gibbon
Flight of the Gibbon is a Zipline Eco-Adventure Tour inside the Angkor Archeological Park. Offering 10 different ziplines (from 50 meters high to 350 meters long), suspended sky bridges, and abseiling opportunities, this gibbon-like experience is truly unforgettable. Safety briefings and equipment are all included.
(Note: Max 9 people in a single group, latest start time is 12pm, excursion lasts 3-4 hrs, maximum weight 125kg, not suitable for children under 5 yrs old or 1m height, no sandals permitted).

Optional: Cambodia Quadbike
At arranged time you will be picked up by a tuk-tuk and transfer to the Cambodia Quad Bike office. After a safety briefing and familiarization training ride you will follow the professional guides on motorbikes to the farming communities surrounding Siem Reap. The road lies among scenic rice fields, houses on stilts, and banana plantations. During the tour you will visit ruins of Prasat Prey Monti – one of the oldest temples of ancient Angkor. You will get a chance to stop at couple of local farms and workshops. Passing Kork Srok village you will be able to see Khmer bats sleeping on trees in their natural habitat.
Tour finishes. After you wash mud off your feet and take a refreshing drink, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siemreap.

After a leisurely breakfast you will journey through the Cambodian countryside to the colonial city of Battambang. This is Cambodia’s second largest city and, not so long ago, was within target range of a stronghold of the erstwhile Khmer Rouge and was therefore off-limits to most travelers. However, like the remainder of this beautiful gentle country, Battambang has recently re-opened to the outside world. One fortuitous result of its isolation and lack of development is that Battambang has some of the most well preserved colonial French buildings in the country. You will find local people here to be extremely friendly. They have not been exposed to many foreign visitors and they will be as interested in you as you are in them!

Battambang was formerly the rice bowl of Cambodia although these days the production of rice is augmented by large orange and jute plantations.

In Battambang, you check into your hotel. The afternoon will be at leisure to relax or stroll through the charming town centre.

Overnight in Battambang.

Today your family experiences the hidden charming town of Battambang by bike.
After breakfast have a quick bike safety tutorial and learn some basic Khmer and you’re off. You will spend your day exploring the beautiful countryside around Battambang by bicycle. Meet families that make traditional products such as rice paper, dried banana, bamboo sticky rice, fish paste and rice wine. Have a refreshing snack break in a traditional house with fresh fruit and coconuts. You will learn first-hand about everyday life in rural communities which make up over 70% of Cambodia’s population.

You will continue on to enjoy a delicious Cambodian lunch at a family home. Then visit a Buddhist Temple to gain an understanding the principles and practices of a religion that is central to Cambodian life. To round out your education, end the day learning about Cambodian history through French colonial architectural sites.

Overnight in Battambang.

Depart Battambang for the overland transfer to Phnom Penh (duration 5 hours not including stops).

Starting early travel first to Kampong Chhnang, known for its traditional pottery, with many kilns at work in this province. In a village near Kampong Chhnang, to see the different aspects of pottery making and also experience the production of traditional rice wine.

Continue to Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. The drive passes through many rural villages and pagodas, and you will see the temple mountain with its dozens of stupas from afar. Upon arrival at Oudong enjoy a traditional Khmer lunch at a picnic hut at the foot of the hill.

Then, climb the stairs to the top of Oudong Mountain and enjoy magnificent views over the plains below. Your guide will explain the history of the area and its buildings as well as the religious culture of the Cambodian people. Take your time to soak in the magnificent views over the plains below.

Arrive in Phnom Penh, check into your hotel.

Phnom Penh was once considered as one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonle Sap. Wide tree-lined boulevards and many colonial-era buildings reflect the glorious days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh today to explore the hidden charm of this city and learn about one of the darkest times in modern day history took place in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979, when the Pol Pot-led Khmer Rouge regime ruled Cambodia.

The Royal Palace: Built in 1866 by the French these ornate buildings are the official residence of the reigning Cambodian royal family and King Sihamoni. View the Throne Hall and Silver Pagoda.
National Museum: Located just north of the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Cambodia is housed in a graceful terracotta structure of traditional design (built from 1917 to 1920), with an inviting courtyard garden. The museum is home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture: a millennium’s worth and more of masterful Khmer design.
Wat Phnom: Home to a hilltop temple that carries the cities namesake. Locals flock here to pray for good luck and success.

Lunch at a local restaurant then ride to the Genocide Museum, or Prison S21 and listen to English commentary en route.

Genocide Museum: The prison comprises 4 buildings with exhibitions in several rooms. Prison survivors are sometimes present to talk to visitors and share their experiences. After an hour at the museum drive 40-minute to the Killing Fields.

Killing Fields of Choeung Ek: is one of thousands of other such sites around the country where the Khmer Rouge practiced genocide during the late 1970s.

Finish the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel to relax. Free time to have dinner at your own arrangement.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Start early today and head to Wat Botum. Originally founded in 1422, Wat Botum is one of Phnom Penh’s five original wats. It is known as the ‘Temple of the Lotus Blossoms’ and the compound displays many beautifully decorated stupas, some of which contain the ashes of royalty. Wat Botum is the seat of the Thammayut (royalist) Buddhist sect, the smaller of the two main Buddhist sects in Cambodia. Here, Buddhist monks will celebrate a private blessing ceremony for you, wishing you health and a safe journey – a very special experience!

From here you will continue southwards to Takeo Province, a small town that is truly Cambodian in every sense. Enjoy a simple but tasty lunch at a local restaurant.

Observing the small city life is quite interesting, as basically anything beyond your imagination happens here in terms of transportation, market life and business, and little children are lined up along the road to welcome everyone with a “Hello Mister”. Board a fiberglass motorboat in Takeo that will zip you along an ancient canal to the archaeological museum of Angkor Borei and the temple ruins of Phnom Da. On the way, you will have the chance to see rural life in Cambodia. (Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, so in the dry season we can access that site by car, the boat trip is only possible from June to March)

Your next destination is Phnom Chisor, where you can climb up to the top of the mountain to explore the well-preserved ruins of a 10th century Angkorian temple. Enjoy an amazing view over the typical Cambodian countryside.

Continue to Kep. Cambodia’s prestigious seaside resort of the 1960s is now awakening to its former glory. The small town offers reminders of the past and a growing choice of activities including island trips, a national park and the famous crab market.

Overnight in Kep.

Early this morning, embark on a short boat trip (25 mins) to scenic Koh Tonsai, also called Rabbit Island. Spend the morning at leisure exploring the island and relaxing on the island’s beautiful tropical beach. You will have pack lunch on the island. Mid-afternoon, return to Kep and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Kep.

Today you can enjoy the morning at leisure to visit the Crab Market where an ocean side cluster of a dozen-plus rickety old wooden shacks hug the water’s edge selling famous Kep seafood: Crab, shrimps, squid and fish.

After lunch time you will be transferred to Phnom Penh airport for your departure flight.