The Secret of Cambodia - 10 Days - COB03

Upon arrive in Phnom Penh, you will be welcomed by our guide and transfer to the hotel. Your room is availble after 14:00 p.m. Free time to explore charming city. Overnight  at the hotel  in Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at hotel, then visit other precious heritage of Khmer Empire. A first stop at Tonle Bati - a lake south of Phnom Penh with a beach and the impressive laterite temple of Ta Prohm - a temple built by King Jayavarman VII (ruled 1181 to 1201) on the site of a 6th century Khmer shrine. A stele found here dates from 1574 and inside the north gate is a statue of the Hindu god Preah Noreay. Then see the Angkor Borei built in laterite by King Rudravarman of Funan in 6th century. His patron deity was Vishnu and many Hindu statues survive from this site. It is one of the few remaining sites with traces of the Kingdom of Funan (a kingdom influenced by India and thought to have spread as far as southern Burma and Indonesia). Continueing the trip, reach to Phnom Da is a hill south of Angkor Borei with four artificial caves, built as shrines, and on top of the hill is a square laterite tower. Ovenright at the hotel in Phnom Penh

Breakfast at hotel. Today you will visit the Victory Monument, and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures - throughout the ages. Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Then drive to visit TuolSleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). This prison was a high school, and used as a prison by Pol Pot's security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Then visit to Killing Fields " Choeung Ek" 15km southwest of Phnom Penh. This one is the site of brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of whom first suffered through interrogations, torture and deprivation in Toul Sleng Prison during Pol Pot regime (from 1975–1979). The last site is Russian Markets where you can shop for souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, silver products. Transfer back to hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Morning after having breakfast at hotel, drive to Kratie (350km from Phnom Penh), a small town that retains its colonial-era charm and is known as the best location to spot the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphins. Upon arrival, board a local ferry to visit the Koh Trong Community Based Tourism Site. Koh Trong is an island situated in the middle of the Mekong River directly opposite Kratie Town. There is a 9km circuit road around the island’s perimeter which provides opportunities for visitors to leisurely cycle or take an ox-cart through traditional Khmer villages, fruit orchards and rice fields while observing the rituals and routines of traditional village life. Here you will visit traditional ancient houses which , some of them even date back to the 1960s. You are free for the rest of day. Overnight at Koh Trong

After breafast, you will expore the stunning scenery  by cicycle or ox-carting  for a few hours. On the way, stop at some scenic spots such as Kbal Koh pagoda and Vietnamese floating village where you can have  drink in a small box floating rustic tavern. You can plant a tree with your name (option), which will help the village community at the pagoda of Wat Kbal Koh to do against a $5 per tree thenwill your full name. Depending on the season, you will see farmers planting rice, vegetable or building boats. Overnight at  Koh Trong.

After breakfast, transfer 216 km towards the Kampong Cham province passing rural villages, pagodas and authentic local markets. Kampong Cham is one of the most popular provinces of Cambodia. You will visit Wat Nokor Mahayana Buddhist temple made of sandstone and laterite in the 11th century, and Phnom and Phnom Srei (Hill Man and Woman Hill), the Friend Bridge, markets and houses keeping their cononial style. After lunch at the local restaurant, countinue  to Kompong Thom province loacted in the central of Cambodia. Along the way, you will see the rubber plantation and stone carvings workshops. Upon arrival, check in hotel. Ovenright at the hotel in Kampong Thom.

Breakfast at hotel, then depart for Siem Reap. An early morning start to drive to the archeological sight of Sambor Prei Kuk , which is dotted with hundred pre-angkor styled temples. The road conditions are very poor, but the spectacular scenery of this ancient ruin, with a mixture of temples and forest, makes the hardship all worthwhile. We travel by roads to Siem Reap, passing the charming Khmer countryside. The town of Siem Reap is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which is home for the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire dating from 802 AD to 1350 AD. This stunning and extensive site sprawls through the dense jungle, over an area of 60 square miles. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

Morning visit other Petit Circuit: Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Promh, Banteay Kdei & Sras Srang.  Afternoon, transfer to visit Banteay Srei temple it is also one of the most beautiful. Built in 967 AD by Jayavarman V's guru, it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture.  Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel, today starts with visiting the famous old palace Angkor Thom start from South Gate, famous Bayon, Baphoun,Terrace of Elephant, Phimean Akas, Terrace of Leper King.  Have lunch at the local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will transfer to visit World Wonder 'Angkor Wat temple" and enjoy sunset view from a top of Bakheng Hill. Back to the hotel. Overnight stay in Siem Reap

After breakfast, free at own leisure till transfer time to the airport for departure flight. End of service.