Giorno 15 — Siem Reap (Angkor)
Breakfast. Today you have a full day to discover the wonders of Siem Reap and immerse yourself in local traditions and culture. You begin with an exciting tuk tuk tour, the typical local means of transport, which takes you through green rice paddies, picturesque farms and small rural villages. Here you experience the daily rhythm of the Cambodian people, visiting a pagoda where you can admire its architecture and its spirituality. You then meet a family that produces the renowned Cambodian rice noodles, learning step by step the traditional techniques used to make them. The noodles are then used to prepare the famous local dish, Nom Bahn Chok, which you can taste right there on the spot, savouring authentic, genuine flavours. The journey continues to another village that specialises in producing palm sugar: here the inhabitants show you how they turn the fruit into a variety of confectionery products. Do not hesitate to try them, it will be a unique sensory experience! In the afternoon you visit a local pagoda where you take part in the evocative Monks' Blessing ceremony. Before the service, your guide gives you a short introduction to Buddhism, the life of the monks and the meaning of this ritual. During the ceremony, the monks sprinkle holy water while chanting prayers in their dialect, and your hands are tied with a red thread symbolising purification from past mistakes, bringing good fortune, health and spiritual protection. The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour. After this spiritual experience, you have lunch in a local restaurant, sampling typical Cambodian dishes. The afternoon is devoted to visiting Banteay Srei, a pink sandstone temple known as the "Citadel of the Women", famous for its exquisitely fine carvings of deities and the elegance of its architectural detail. Although it is not the largest temple in the Angkor complex, its delicate beauty makes it unique and unforgettable. If time allows and if you wish, you can also explore one of the lesser known but well preserved temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park, discovering hidden corners and evocative atmospheres. To round off this day full of discoveries, an exclusive sunset aperitif in the Cambodian countryside awaits you. A few kilometres from the temples and from Siem Reap, you relax in a peaceful, verdant setting, surrounded by a warm, enveloping light as the sky takes on marvellous colours. You sip a drink accompanied by local nibbles, enjoying a moment of peace and contemplation that will make your experience in Cambodia truly unforgettable. Accommodation Sakmut Boutique hotel.