9 days / 8 nights - from Phnom Penh to Phnom Penh.
Characteristics
Collective tour in English include meals (v. the fee includes) departures are guaranteed (min 2 participants). Subject to availability
Important notes
Standard category
Phnom Penh: Duong Chan Hotel Siem Reap: Tara Angkor Battambang: Bambu Hotel Pursat: Pursat Riverside Hotel & Spa K. Chhnang: Farmhouse Resort and Spa
Superior category
Phnom Penh: KVL Hotel, La Rose Siem Reap: FCC Angkor Battambang: Maisons Wat Kor Pursat: Pursat Riverside Hotel & Spa K. Chhnang: Farmhouse Resort and Spa.
Accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar).
Flight to Phnom Penh (not included): it is possible to arrive at any time.
Flight from Phnom Penh (not included) last day: it is necessary to book flights departing after 18.00.
The scheduled times are indicative; the exact times will be confirmed locally by the guides.
Cambodia visa required: 30 USD, can be obtained on site (further details will be provided upon booking).
Children: not allowed on the group tour under the age of 5.
Tips: although not mandatory, tips are recommended for all those who provide a service such as guides, drivers of any means of transportation used, porters. It is a sign of appreciation that makes them proud and gratifies them for the work done. As an indication, the amount to consider per person per day is about 5 USD for the tour guide and 3 USD for the driver of the vehicle used for transportation. For the rest of the services provided, the amount of the tip is at the discretion of the traveler.
Meals
Legend: B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner.
Itinerary
Giorno 1 — Phnom Penh
After immigration formalities, passport control, baggage retrieval, and customs, you will be greeted by a local guide and transferred to the hotel. The room is available starting from 14.00. Phnom Penh is "the city of the 4 rivers". The great Mekong, flowing down from Yunnan and having crossed Laos, branches out on reaching Phnom Penh. The two main arms of the famous "Mekong Delta" in fact begin here, in the Cambodian capital. A third arm, running northwards, is the Tonle Sap river, which feeds the great lake of the same name. Free day. Lunch and dinner free.
Giorno 2 — Phnom Penh
Breakfast. At 08:30 meet your Italian-speaking guide at the hotel and set off for a first exploration of Phnom Penh, a city with a typically Asian and exotic charm. The day begins with a visit to the Central Market, an ideal place to observe the daily life of the locals. The market is very large and is housed in a building famous for its four-armed layout. At its centre, an elderly classical dance teacher - once part of the royal family's dance company - teaches her art free of charge to poor and orphaned children. During the genocide, the Khmer Rouge suppressed every form of dance and many artists were killed. It is a real miracle that this ancient tradition was not lost. The memory of that tragic period is made more tangible at the Toul Sleng Museum, housed in the former torture rooms of the Khmer Rouge. Not far from here is the lively Russian Market. At around 13:00, lunch in a local restaurant on the banks of the Tonle Sap river, near the point where it separates from the Mekong. In the afternoon, you continue with a visit to the city's most significant sights. The Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of Cambodia, stands at the point where the "four rivers" of Phnom Penh meet. The sovereign's private apartments are separate from the area open to visitors. Inside stands the famous Silver Pagoda, so called by Westerners because of its magnificent floor made entirely of silver tiles. A short distance away is the National Museum, which houses precious artefacts dating from both the Angkorian and pre-Angkorian periods of Khmer history. The day ends with a visit to Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple linked to the founding of the city of Phnom Penh in the 14th century. Return to the hotel. Dinner free.
Auto
Giorno 3 — Phnom Penh → Siem Reap (Angkor)
Breakfast. Around 08:00 departure heading north along State Road No. 6, which runs along the eastern side of the Tonle Sap. The green and unspoiled rural landscape dominates the day until reaching the capital city of Kompong Thom after about three hours of travel. Lunch on the banks of the Stung Sen River before taking a detour of about 30 km that stretches into the open countryside. Soon you will arrive at the archaeological site now known as Sambor Prei Khuk, which coincides with the ancient pre-Angkorian city of Ishanapura. The visit will take place by walking along a 2km path to admire the pre-Angkorian ruins dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. Some buildings have a unique and original octagonal shape. During the last stretch of the transfer to Siem Reap, another important stop will be made to admire the bridges built at the end of the 12th century by the great King Jayavarman VII, who undertook the construction of a dense road network to connect the various provinces of the Empire. Arrival in Siem Reap is expected in the late afternoon. Accommodation in a hotel. Dinner free.
Giorno 4 — Siem Reap (Angkor)
Breakfast. Around 08:00 departure for the famous historical site of Angkor. The day will begin with the so-called "Grand Tour" of Angkor. First stop at Prasat Kravan, one of the oldest constructions in Angkor, consisting of 5 aligned towers. A short stop at Srah Srang (the "royal pools") before reaching the area of the immense artificial basin Yasodharatataka (modern name East Baray). A little further south stands the majestic five towers of the State Temple of King Rajendravarman II: Pre Rup, a colossal "mountain temple" of imperial proportions. About 20km further north we find one of the most refined and precious artistic masterpieces that the ancient Khmer have handed down to us. It is a small temple entirely covered with beautiful bas-reliefs. Today the temple is known as Banteay Srei, the "citadel of women". Typical Khmer lunch in a local farmhouse immersed in the Cambodian countryside. The entire afternoon will be dedicated to the wonder par excellence of Angkor, the place that since its rediscovery has unleashed the imagination and desire of the Western world: the mythical Angkor Wat. Considered today as one of the most sensational wonders of our planet, this colossal construction holds several records, including the prestige of being the largest religious complex in the world!. Return to the hotel. Dinner free.
***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements) Sunrise at Phnom Bakeng (optional, for a fee): Around 4:45 am (strongly variable depending on the time of year), departure from your hotel to the hill of Phnom Bakeng, about 100 meters high and located in the center of the historic site of Angkor. You will hike up a beaten path to the summit where an ancient pyramid, now known as the oldest ruin in Angkor, is located. You will admire the sunrise on top of the temple, symbolizing the dawn of the historical period of Angkor. Return to the hotel for breakfast around 7:30 am.
Giorno 5 — Siem Reap (Angkor)
Breakfast. Around 08:00 departure for a new day of visits to Angkor. The day will start at Angkor Thom, the gigantic fortified city which will be accessed through the most famous gate: the "South Gate". Inside, there are the "Terrace of the Elephants" and the "Terrace of the Leper King", entirely carved with beautiful bas-reliefs. At the geometric center of Angkor Thom is the famous "Bayon", known worldwide for its countless towers on which giant stone faces are carved. These stunning ruins will be the perfect prelude to the visit of Ta Phrom, famous among international tourists for its wild appearance. Even today, giant trees support themselves on the monastery walls and their mighty roots creep into the gaps between the massive sandstone blocks, creating a mystical combination of art, history, and nature. Lunch at a restaurant in Siem Reap. In the afternoon, the second colossal monastery, known as Preah Khan, will be visited. Its symbolic importance is emphasized by the construction, along its longitudinal axis, of the large artificial basin in the center of which the "baths" were placed, now known as Neak Pean. Dinner free.
Auto
Giorno 6 — Siem Reap (Angkor) → Battambang
Breakfast. Around 08:00, the journey begins that will lead to Phnom Penh, following the great Tonle Sap lake along its left bank. The first stop on the route will be Banteay Chhmar, an ancient ruin that requires a detour of a few tens of kilometers from the main road that circles the lake. Among the great Buddhist monasteries built by the famous King Jayavarman VII, Banteay Chhmar is undoubtedly the most majestic, colossal, and sensational. Dedicated to Indravarman, the crown prince who died in battle against the Cham, Banteay Chhmar presents several ideological and architectural similarities with the two famous monasteries of Angkor (Preah Khan and Ta Phrom). However, what makes Banteay Chhmar a unique and irreplaceable monument is its incredible wealth of bas-reliefs. After leaving Banteay Chhmar and continuing south, in the late afternoon, you will arrive in Battambang (130km), the second largest city in Cambodia and the capital of the province with the largest rice production in the entire country. Intensive cultivation is made possible here thanks to the natural irrigation of the lake's waters. Tonle Sap is the largest natural basin in Southeast Asia. During the rainy season, it expands its dimensions, irrigating the fertile rice fields that have been one of the main sources of wealth for the glorious Khmer Empire over the centuries. If time allows, there will be a stop before reaching the hotel at the foot of the mountain where Phnom Sampov is located, a well-known Buddhist temple that overlooks the serene landscape of Battambang and the "bat caves". We won't climb up to the temple, but from the observation point at sunset, millions of bats can be seen flying out of the caves, creating a fantastic swirl of dark clouds. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner free.
Auto
Giorno 7 — Battambang → Pursat
Breakfast. Departure for visits to the attractions of Battambang, rich in rice as well as ancient Khmer ruins. On the hill of Phnom Banhon, for example, we can find the beautiful group of towers of the homonymous temple, built at different times during the 12th century by Suryavarman II (the builder of Angkor Wat) and completed by the Great Jayavarman VII. Equally beautiful and valuable is the Ek Phnom temple. Slightly older than the previous one, it was built by Suryavarman I during the 11th century and is now accompanied by a modern Pagoda famous for its beautiful frescoes. There will also be the opportunity to try a fun and enjoyable ride on the "Bamboo Train", a small railway carriage entirely made of bamboo wood and pushed on the rails by an engine that allows it to reach 40 km/h. The Bamboo Train is used by farmers to transport goods from the countryside to the market in Battambang. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, continuing along the road that runs parallel to the great Tonle Sap lake, we will arrive in the province of Pursat. Several of its villages are known for marble processing and in particular for the carving of large Buddha statues that adorn local temples. Visit to the marble carvers before reaching the city. Accommodation in a hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Auto
Giorno 8 — Pursat → Kampong Chhnang
Breakfast. Around 08:00 departure for the day visits that will finally bring us in contact with the great Tonle Sap lake. At 09:00 arrival at the port of Krakor and boat excursion on the lake. Today, on the shores of the lake, you can admire several fishing villages, generally belonging to ethnic minorities of different origins, who live in picturesque wooden houses floating on the river. We will reach the floating village of Kompong Luong, the largest of its kind on the entire lake! Later, return to the port and continue for about 120 km south towards the port city of Kompong Chhnang, capital of the homonymous province, where various villages of artisans specialized in the production of terracotta objects will be visited. Lunch included in a local restaurant. From here, we will reach the Farmhouse, a boutique bungalow resort part of the development project of the NGO Smiling Gecko. This NGO has adopted a holistic approach to development aid, aimed at the long-term improvement of people's lives and communities in rural Cambodia. Since 2014, they have given hundreds of people from slums in the capital Phnom Penh a secure future in rural Cambodia, creating jobs and training in agriculture, hospitality and gastronomy, crafts, and education. Around 16:30 visit to the sustainable rural projects of Smiling Gecko, for which the staff will provide a detailed explanation. Accommodation in the rooms. Dinner and overnight at the Farmhouse.
Auto
Giorno 9 — Kampong Chhnang → Phnom Penh
Breakfast. Around 08:00, we will continue towards Oudong Meanchey (the "noble victory"), a group of ruins located on the Oudong hill about 50 km north of Phnom Penh. This was the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia from 1618 to 1866. The Oudong hill has a slightly arched shape and Cambodians like to consider it as the head of the mythical Naga serpent, the marine deity derived from Brahmanic culture. A long staircase touches three distinct peaks in sequence. The panoramic view of the surrounding countryside from here is of rare beauty. The ruins are mainly composed of the tombs of the ancient Kings of Oudong, built in the shape of stupas, some of them very imposing. But there are also ancient Buddhist temples still consecrated, some of which house impressive seated Buddha statues. Unfortunately, some of these statues were damaged by the Khmer Rouge, who established one of their bases here during the fierce defense against the Vietnamese invasion in January 1979, which put an end to their terrible and disastrous regime. From here to Phnom Penh, the current capital of the country, the distance is short. Phnom Penh is known as the "city of the 4 rivers". The great Mekong, coming down from Yunnan and after crossing Laos, branches out in Phnom Penh. The two main branches of the famous 'Mekong Delta' are born here, in the Cambodian capital. A third branch, which goes north, is the Tonle Sap River, which feeds the homonymous large lake. Around 13:00 (depending on traffic conditions), we will arrive in Phnom Penh and transfer to the airport. End of the tour.
Price includes
Guide to local places during visits (in English, when not available in Italian)
Entrances, visits and excursions as per the itinerary
Accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar)
Meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinners
Price does not include
Opening fee and Zero Risk coverage
Medical-luggage-cancellation insurance
Unmentioned meals, beverages and extras in general
Christmas or New Year's Eve dinner (mandatory supplement)
Tip
Entry visa
Porterage
Flights and airport taxes
Everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes"
Notes
ROOMS: Triple rooms are always double rooms with an additional bed, often smaller than the two existing beds; triple rooms are subject to availability at the time of booking. Requests for smoking rooms, connecting rooms, adjacent rooms, higher or lower floors, etc., are always on request and not guaranteed. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Participants must ensure before departure that they have the necessary and valid documentation for entry into the countries visited during the tour. HOTEL FINAL LIST: indicated in the travel documents HOTEL, CHECK-IN: as a rule, rooms are assigned starting from 2-3 pm; any early check-in is at the hotel's discretion. The request for a guaranteed early assignment requires booking an extra night prior to arrival. HOTEL, CHECK-OUT: The room must be vacated in the morning, by the time indicated by the hotel; the surcharge for late check-out is equal to 50% of the extra night for check-out by 6 pm; for check-out after that time, an additional night will be charged. HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The organizing company reserves the right to modify the itinerary and/or hotels with others of similar or higher category, means of transportation, etc., if required by unforeseen circumstances and necessary for the safety and normal continuation of the trip. Furthermore, when it is not possible to accommodate all participants in the same hotel, the group will be divided among different hotels of equal category. TIMETABLES: departure times are indicative and depend on the number of hotels from which pick-ups are scheduled for each day; the pick-up start time indicates when customers should be ready in the lobby for departure; in hotels reached last, a wait of at least fifteen minutes or more compared to the indicated time is likely. The return times to the hotel are purely indicative and variable depending on a considerable number of factors including the time dedicated to visits and the intensity of traffic. PUNCTUALITY: we recommend respecting the scheduled times. No refunds are provided for services missed due to customer delays. TIPS: not included, at the discretion of the tourist MEALS: not included unless specified. REFUNDS: There are no refunds for parts of the tour or excursions not carried out due to force majeure; in any case, no refund is due to the customer who decides to interrupt the trip or stay. TRANSFERS: not included unless specified; if included, they are exclusively for/from the hotels scheduled for the tour on the days of the tour's start/end; in case of extending the stay, for transfers to/from other hotels, or for arrivals/departures from other airports, a supplement applies. The supplement always applies if the passenger is traveling alone. Requests for booking transfers not included or for different hotels must be received at least 3 weeks before departure, or an additional urgency supplement will be applied.
