Cambodian adventure

Arrival in Phnom Penh, the city retains its traditional Khmer and colonial charm.

French villas along tree-lined boulevards remind the visitor that the city was once considered the gem of Southeast Asia. Recent political changes have triggered an economic boom of sorts, with new hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs springing up around the city.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Visit to the Royal Palace, a compound built in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, it is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Near the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), displaying plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made of diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Then visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper and wood. Afterwards, the tour will proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from the French.

The afternoon will be dedicated to the visit of Tuol Sleng prison (Genocide Museum) that was the most secret organ of the Khmer Rouge regime. Finally, shopping at the Toul Tom Pong Market, the Russian Market in Cambodia.

Lunch at "Le Lotus Blanc" restaurant.

In the evening cycle tour in order to visit the city. This relaxing tour will let us to discover a different prospective of this city, streets and monuments. Starting from Wat Phnom, the symbol of Phnom Penh, we will go to the National Library and Le Royal Hotel, passing through the French railway station before reaching Psar Thmei and the charming riverfront.

During the cruise at sunset on the Mekong and Tonle Sap River (1 hour) it will be possible to take amazing and pictoresque pictures. The city of Phnom Penh provides a perfect location to discover the majestic Mekong on board of a well-restored wooden boat during an entire day, in order to enjoy the uncontaminated landscapes along the river and the view of the traditional villages with their ancient pagodas on the islands.

After breakfast, the tour will continue to Kompong Thom via Kompong Charm. During the route it is possible to admire the daily life of Cambodian. In fact we will pass through intresting villages, hamlets and delicoious bucolic landscapes.

Due to a short change in direction in the country side, we will reach Wat Kuk Nokor: a Buddhist temple built in Bayon style at the end of the 12^th century, that means in the full Angkor epoch.

Visit to the archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk, which encloses hundreds of pre-Angkorian temples. This historic site is part of Chenla Kingdom and includes about 1,000 ectars which are surrounded by double walls and hundreds temples and towers. It was constructed before Angkor Wat.

Overnight at hotel in Kompong Thom. 

After breakfast, we will drive to Preah Vihear Mountain. Preah Vihear's site dates back to 889 - 1108 and consists of four groups of temples, that we will discover by climbing the hill. From the top we will able to enjoy a beautiful landscape of the whole region.

It is advisable to climb down through the "Ancient Pathway" on the eastern side of the temple, open to visitors. It is a pleasant slope studded by trees and characterized by the presence of a modern wooden stairway next to the old stone one.

Overnight at the hotel in Preah Vihear.

From Preah Vihear we will reach Siem Reap.

Along the route, from Siem Reap to Koh Ker it is possible to admire one of the most mysterious and fascinating khmer temples: Koh Ker. Transfer to Siem Reap to visit the temple of Beng Mealea, 60km from Siem Reap, it was built in 11th century by Javavarman VII.

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Ride among the jungle passing local villages and local shops. It’s a very special and acting day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom. Afterwards, we wil visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, dating back to the 12^th century, the South Gate, Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru, the Royal Enclosure and finally the Elephant terrace and the Leper King Terrace.

We will visit Kilt, that is the only project in Siem Reap that seeks to afford disabled Khmers who are in most instances landmine victims opportunities to become independent by their own efforts by making jewellery, growing organic vegetables, hand milling rice, playing music, and other activities.

We continue to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

Rise early to beat the crowds at the photogenic of Ta Prohm “Tomb Raider” fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements and then discovered by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860. The tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

We head further out through rural countryside to the small but beautiful temple of Banteay Srei. This temple is largely built of pink sandstone, a harder rock that can be more elaborately carved and better survives the rigors of time. This is an opportunity to capture some good photographs of the clear and detailed carvings.

During the route to come back we will stop to visit the Mine Museum belonging to Mr Aki Ra, who is devoted to mine clearance from the Cambodian countrysides. Finally, visit to Preah Khan, the university of the Angkor period.

After breakfast, departure from Siem Reap to Tonle Sap, going through the eastern side of the lake.

We will discover Kompong Khleang, Kompong Phluk and the "inundated forest", three villages accessible only when the level of water is high. In fact, this condition allows to move by boat. Near these villages lies a fishermen village, which still uses the traditional methods of fishing.

At the end of the excursion, we will come back to the mainland. Meeting with the driver to go back to Siem Reap in the afternoon.