Cambodia Kingdom of Wonder, Wildlife, and Water

Arrival Siem Reap

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, be welcomed by a local English speaking guide and be accompanied to the hotel for check in.

Depending on the time of arrival, spend some time relaxing in the hotel room, pool, or spa, or enjoy the following optional activity.

Optional: Sunset on the Tonle Sap Lake (July - February) or Angkor Decoded (March - June)

Sunset Boat Cruise: Enjoy sunset cocktails aboard a luxurious lake boat and discover the varied plant, fish, and bird life that help make Southeast Asia’s largest lake home to Cambodia’s most valuable ecosystems. This unique lake swells and contracts dramatically in rhythm with the monsoon season, meaning most of the houses are built on stilts or floating pontoons. As a result of these extreme changes in the water level, the experience of visiting the villages along its shores is drastically different between high and low water seasons, although both are enjoyable times to visit.

Angkor Decoded: This evening, Angkor Decoded is the perfect introduction for first-time travellers to the temples of Cambodia. This private Angkor Decoded show features the use of a large model to build Angkorian temples right in front of one’s eyes and with audience’s participation! Complemented by captivating storytelling, live drawing, projections, and music, Angkor Decoded provides a rich story that’s fun, interactive and engaging. An essential experience for those wishing to gain important insight on Khmer temples prior to visiting the Angkor Archaeological Park.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Templation Hotel                                            5* HOTEL

in Pool Villa with ABF for 03 nights from Day 1 to Day 3          Note: Bathroom is outdoors.

Meal: independent.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (06 km): 10 mins

Start the morning temple exploration at the most illustrious of the Small Circuit Temples, Ta Prohm, travelling in an army-style Jeep and arriving just before 07:30 in order to be the first in the temple as it opens. Built in the mid 12th to early 13th centuries during the reign of Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm is unique in that it remains largely overgrown by jungle. With many parts crumbling to the ground, it is one of the most picturesque Angkor temples.

Next, visit another temple complex built during the reign of Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan. While Ta Prohm was built to honor the king’s mother, Preah Khan was built for his father. Although the Angelina Jolie film was shot at the former temple, Preah Khan is less-visited and more unrestored, and therefore offers more of a ‘Tomb Raider’ experience.

Return to Siem Reap for a midday break. Escape the heat in the hotel room, pool, or spa and take lunch at leisure. Get some rest before returning to the temples in the cooler afternoon hours.

Departing around 15:00, head into the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8m-high wall, drawing a perfect square. Pass over the city moat causeway that is flanked on either side by a row of 54 gods and demons, each holding a sacred naga snake, and through a towering entry gate decorated with three-headed elephants and capped with four smiling faces of the Buddha.

Continue to Bayon temple in the center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 52 towers with enigmatic faces looking out over the vast provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate and unique carvings.

As the sun begins to set, return to the hotel to freshen up before enjoying dinner with a traditional Khmer dance show.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Templation Hotel                                            5* HOTEL

in Pool Villa with ABF for 03 nights from Day 1 to Day 3                        

Note: Bathroom is outdoors.

Meal: Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

Siem Reap

Return to the Angkor Archaeological Park today to visit the “crown jewel” of the ancient Angkor Empire, Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty five years of intensive labour. Today, Angkor Wat is featured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. (Note: If it is desired to visit at sunrise please inform the guide the evening before as departure from the hotel must be no later than one hour prior to sunrise.)

After Angkor Wat, return to Siem Reap to escape the heat of midday and freshen up at the hotel.

This afternoon enjoy a crafts workshop with Artisans Angkor. Artisans d’Angkor was established in 1992 in order to support Cambodian arts and crafts, and to help young people find work in their local villages by continuing the practice of traditional arts including wood and stone carving, lacquering, gilding, and silk weaving and painting. Today, take part in a fun and educational workshop with Artisans d’Angkor: Craft it Yourself. Select from wood or stone carving, jewelry making, silk painting, or silk weaving on a traditional loom and bring home a personal and unique handmade creation. These Cambodian crafts date back to the Angkor era and are not only an immersive way to learn about these traditional arts but also helps to support an organization providing skills training to a new generation of Cambodian artisans.

Return to the hotel to freshen up.

This evening, have dinner at The Embassy, an exclusive fine dining experience headed by executive chefs Pol & Sok: “the Kimsan Twins”. Having trained under Michelin starred chefs, they have created one of the most unique five-star quality cuisines that can be experienced in Siem Reap. With a constantly changing menu based around seasonality, diners can savour skillfully prepared masterpieces from multiple-course set menus paired with a selection of fine wines.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Templation Hotel                                            5* HOTEL

in Pool Villa with ABF for 03 nights from Day 1 to Day 3   

Note: Bathroom is outdoors.

Meal: Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning, transfer to the airport for departing flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, be welcomed by the local English speaking guide and transferred to the hotel for check in.

This afternoon visit the National Museum, built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!

Late afternoon, enjoy an atmospheric sunset river cruise and watch how Phnom Penh’s popular riverfront comes to life in the early evening.

Overnight in Phnom Penh at Raffles Le Royal 5* hotel

in Landmark Pool view with ABF for 2 nights from Day 4 to Day 5

Meal: independent.

Phnom Penh

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning visit the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple you will view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.

Next, gain insight into Cambodia’s recent dark history on a visit to the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in the former school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture center named ‘S-21’.

Note: All visitors to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum are required to wear modest clothing: no short pants or short skirts (knees must be covered) and no sleeveless shirts (shoulders must be covered). See-through clothing will also not be allowed.

After returning to your hotel to freshen up (and lunch on own account), take a closer look at Phnom Penh this afternoon, discovering its heritage through its architecture on an afternoon architecture tour beginning at 14:30. Start with an excursion around the city. Travel by remork (Cambodian tuk-tuk) and explore the capital with an expert from the Khmer Architecture Organisation.

The tour will focus on edifices from the 1950s and 60s. Learn about the political and cultural situation of Cambodia at that time. International influences were reaching the country and architects fused traditional design with aspects of European, Russian and American styles. The guide will explain how the architects adapted the buildings based on the materials available in Cambodia and the tropical climate. Although overlooked at the time, this style has now been dubbed ‘New Khmer Architecture’ and is recognized as a milestone in Khmer culture.

Armed with this background information, it is easier to see the influence of cultural shifts on the landscapes of Phnom Penh. See an eclectic mix of structures built during various eras of recent history. Following the architecture tour of Phnom Penh, head to a heritage building for dinner. Enjoy the colonial atmosphere of Khema la Poste, located opposite the Post Office in the heart of the old French Quarter.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Overnight in Phnom Penh at Raffles Le Royal 5* hotel

in Landmark Pool view with ABF for 2 nights from Day 4 to Day 5

Meal: Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

Phnom Penh - Shinta Mani Wild

Breakfast at hotel

At 09:00 this morning, get picked up by the representative of Shinta Mani Wild at the hotel by luxury private car.

Shinta Mani Wild situated in a protected river valley between three national parks - Kirirom, Bokor and Cardamom, which together make up one of the greatest wilderness areas in Southeast Asia - this stunning property offers a truly unique experience. The lodge provides guests luxury, safari-style accommodation, whilst maintaining its focus on the conservation of its magnificent surroundings and working together with local communities. A luxurious tent is suspended above the river and features hardwood floors with opulent furnishing and vibrant injections of colour.

Free time at leisure or enjoy the optional activities below.

Note: The stay includes all meals, soft and alcoholic drinks, laundry service, and two activities per full day stayed.

Activities to choose form are:

- Head out on patrol with the rangers from the Wildlife Alliance, a wildlife NGO dedicated to stopping and catching poachers and illegal loggers in the area. The team of rangers is funded by Shinta Mani Wild and has a base just above the tents.

- Spend an afternoon on one of the custom BENSLEY designed expedition boats and explore the upper reaches of a nearby estuary. Anchor in a beautiful back water to take out the kayaks while the butler gets the barbecue going to cook up the fresh giant crabs that have just been caught.

- Meet the chef, a master in the kitchen and an avid forager of edible Cambodian plants. Set off on a foraging expedition in our land as he shares his vast wealth of knowledge on the plants, fruits, and fungi that the forest has to offer. On the return, prepare to enjoy a cooking class unlike any other.

- A team of naturalists living at Wild that is studying the flora and fauna has a number of hikes for all abilities to take guests on. They have several research projects going on so join in as they check their camera traps and bring the forest alive as they get carried away talking about what they love most, which ranges from Orchids and birds to animal behavior.

- The Boulder Spa by Khmer Tonics offers a rejuvenating range of treatments based on traditional Khmer herbs and healing rituals to reduce stress and reset inner balance.

Distances and journey time:

Phnom Penh - Shinta Mani Wild (129 km): 3hrs 40 mins

Overnight in Sihanoukville at Shinta Mani Wild                                            6* Tent

in Wild Tent with full board for 3 nights from Day 6 to Day 9

Shinta Mani Wild

Free time at leisure or enjoy any of the optional activities below.

Activities to choose form are:

- Head out on patrol with the rangers from the Wildlife Alliance, a wildlife NGO dedicated to stopping and catching poachers and illegal loggers in the area. The team of rangers is funded by Shinta Mani Wild and has a base just above the tents.

- Spend an afternoon on one of the custom BENSLEY designed expedition boats and explore the upper reaches of a nearby estuary. Anchor in a beautiful back water to take out the kayaks while the butler gets the barbecue going to cook up the fresh giant crabs that have just been caught.

- Meet the chef, a master in the kitchen and an avid forager of edible Cambodian plants. Set off on a foraging expedition in our land as he shares his vast wealth of knowledge on the plants, fruits, and fungi that the forest has to offer. On the return, prepare to enjoy a cooking class unlike any other.

- A team of naturalists living at Wild that is studying the flora and fauna has a number of hikes for all abilities to take guests on. They have several research projects going on so join in as they check their camera traps and bring the forest alive as they get carried away talking about what they love most, which ranges from Orchids and birds to animal behavior.

- The Boulder Spa by Khmer Tonics offers a rejuvenating range of treatments based on traditional Khmer herbs and healing rituals to reduce stress and reset inner balance.

Overnight in Sihanoukville at Shinta Mani Wild 6* Tent

in Wild Tent with full board for 3 nights from Day 6 to Day 9

Shinta Mani Wild

Free time at leisure or enjoy any of the optional activities below.

Activities to choose form are:

- Head out on patrol with the rangers from the Wildlife Alliance, a wildlife NGO dedicated to stopping and catching poachers and illegal loggers in the area. The team of rangers is funded by Shinta Mani Wild and has a base just above the tents.

- Spend an afternoon on one of the custom BENSLEY designed expedition boats and explore the upper reaches of a nearby estuary. Anchor in a beautiful back water to take out the kayaks while the butler gets the barbecue going to cook up the fresh giant crabs that have just been caught.

- Meet the chef, a master in the kitchen and an avid forager of edible Cambodian plants. Set off on a foraging expedition in our land as he shares his vast wealth of knowledge on the plants, fruits, and fungi that the forest has to offer. On the return, prepare to enjoy a cooking class unlike any other.

- A team of naturalists living at Wild that is studying the flora and fauna has a number of hikes for all abilities to take guests on. They have several research projects going on so join in as they check their camera traps and bring the forest alive as they get carried away talking about what they love most, which ranges from Orchids and birds to animal behavior.

- The Boulder Spa by Khmer Tonics offers a rejuvenating range of treatments based on traditional Khmer herbs and healing rituals to reduce stress and reset inner balance.

Overnight in Sihanoukville at Shinta Mani Wild 6* Tent

in Wild Tent with full board for 3 nights from Day 6 to Day 9

Shinta Mani Wild - KRABEY ISLAND

This morning, be met by Shinta Mani Wild’s representation and transferred to Ream National Park where the Six Senses private pier is located.

Take a boat to Six Senses Krabey Island,  scheduled at 13:00 or 16:00 depending on the arrival time. The duration of the boat is approximately 15 mins.

Overnight on Koh Krabey.

KRABEY ISLAND

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy the day at leisure, perhaps with an optional activity, such as diving, snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and island-hopping boat trips. Contact our Travel Consultant for more details, including supplemental charges.

Overnight on Koh Krabey.

KRABEY ISLAND

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy the day at leisure, perhaps with an optional activity, such as diving, snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and island-hopping boat trips. Contact our Travel Consultant for more details, including supplemental charges.

Overnight on Koh Krabey

SOUTHERN ISLANDS - PHNOM PENH DEPARTURE

Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh (230 km): 5-6 hrs

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy some time at leisure until the transfer back to the mainland pier and then onto Phnom Penh or to the next destination with driver only.

(Note: For a morning departure by land transfer to Phnom Penh, a supplementary charge will apply).

Recommend: Evening flight departure.

Flight info: To be advised.