Differently Explore Siem Reap and Phnom Penh 9 Days

Program Detail

Day 1 | Siem Reap – Arrival

Meal: None
Upon your arrival at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, you will be greeted by our friendly driver then transfers directly to a booked hotel for check in and have your own free time.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 2 | Fully Guided Angkor Discovery

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast is at hotel.
*Sunrise is available upon request (surcharge) and starting time is at 4.30am.

We’re journeying out by tuk tuk (or car/minivan) at 8.00am to the South Gate of Angkor Thom atop 4 giant faces that religiously represents compassion, sympathy, equanimity and charity. Stroll around Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, terrace of leper king and terrace of elephant. Resume the journey to visit Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning, amazing tree roots where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.

Enjoy Khmer set lunch at a selected local restaurant near temple.

Afternoon, continue to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest unrivaled monument in the world. Built by Suryavarman II in 12th Century, Angkor Wat is considered as one of the top destinations in Asia and is a must-see in your lifetime. Learning from your tour guide the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire when it dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia.

Note: Visiting beautiful sunset is available at Phnom Bakheng, please speak to our tour guide to manage this for you. This is a hiking up (Approx. 30 minutes/way) to the hill and it’s always touristy or skip it if you feel tired.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 3 | Tonle Sap Lake, City Tour & Apsara Cultural Show

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
We set off hotel at 8.30am for countryside sightseeing along with a visit at local market to see interesting trades before resuming our journey to Kompong Phluk village of Tonle Sap Lake. We process to take a boat trip along canal toward the centre of Kompong Phluk then the boat slows down to let you enjoy the surrounding admired by amazing houses atop high poles, come across the highlight of fishing activities as well as see people selling fruits/vegetable/meats on their boats, you sometimes see kids in their student uniforms coming back from their classes. Witness how life works on the water and how people make the lake as home then we embark on a canoe to explore the pleasant mangroves, enjoy the serenity while taking picturesque photos and you may see a few waterbirds. Continue by our main boat to see the great lake of Tonle Sap, learn from your tour guide about Tonle Sap ecosystem and its rich biosphere reserve.

Afternoon, we go for guided orientation at the finest Artisan Angkor wood/stone carving center which displays various defined handicrafts and silk products, continue to stroll around old market to see interesting daily trade as well as bargaining for local handmade products, paintings, lacquers, carvings, clothes, traditional crafts and so on, and you can also go to Royal Residence Garden for walking and breathtaking.

Evening around 6.15pm, we leave to enjoy delicate Khmer set dinner followed by traditional Apsara dance performance at a selected local restaurant.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 4 | Unique Village Experience & Phare Cambodian Circus

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
The tour begins at 8.00am then we head of out the bustling Siem Reap city to a remote countryside village, the journey passes interesting city highlight and huge beautiful rice paddies dotting with palm trees and cattle in the fields. We observe bamboo sticky rice and rice noodle making then we dare sample some deep fried crispy insects before arriving in the village. Next have some fun on the oxcart ride through the village to get interaction along with “Hello” from friendly kids. Disembark the ox cart, you’ll be greeted by a host family then we get involved with village activity of palm roof making (or/and planting vegetables depends) which it is probably the most unique, memorable experience in your trip to Cambodia. Return to the family’s house, stroll round to see the surrounding which admired by routine, lifestyle, culture, customs and superstitions, enjoy tropical fruits and get refreshed by coconut juice before local lunch is served.

Afternoon, we say goodbye to the host then we make our way back to the hotel. On the way, we will observe rattan basket weaving in another village. The rest of the afternoon is free at your own leisure.

Evening, transfer to have delicious Khmer set dinner at famous Chanrey Tree, a beautiful setting with garden by the riverside before we’re going to watch unique Phare Circus performance (Seat B/A) which is unlike any other circus in the world: theater, story, dance, high-energy music and circus arts.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 5 | Kulen Elephant Forest (share-tour)

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast is at hotel.
Our driver (no guide) will pick you up at 7.40am from hotel’s lobby then transfers to Kulen elephant forest’s office in Siem Reap town. Next, the shuttle minivan will leave at 8.00am with an hour drive to the Kulen Elephant forest which locates at the base of Kulen Mountain range.

Once at the reserve, you will spend time to learn from the local tour guide to get understanding the way of elephants live, play and roam as well as knowing how they are being well taken care mostly through their natural habitat, observing their relationships and behaviors. At noon, retire to base camp and enjoy a traditional meal before heading back to Siem Reap (approx. 2.00pm).

You will then get picked up by our driver from Kulen elephant forest’s office to hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 6 | Private Car/Minivan to Phnom Penh & Sunset Cruise

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Our team picks you up at 7.30am (5-6 hours) to Phnom Penh Capital. The journey passes beautiful rice paddies dotting with palm trees. On the way, we stop at Skun village to sample deep-fried crispy insects (crickets, grasshopper or water bugs etc.) and have lunch break at local restaurant (at your own expense). Arrived and check in at a booked hotel in Phnom Penh.

*Domestic flight (surcharge) and public bus (save cost) are available upon request.

Note: Our Siem Reap driver will say goodbye to you and the rest of your trip will be taken care by our Phnom Penh team.

Evening at 3.30pm, we leave to visit Wat Phnom with interesting legendary of founding place of Phnom Penh Capital. Next, go to Phnom Penh’s Riverside and get on board to enjoy a welcome cocktail while the boat is slowly cruising along Mekong & Tonle Sap, watch the sunset fading at horizon.

Disembark the boat cruise then we walk to along Phnom Penh Riverside to enjoy delicate Khmer set dinner at Bopha Titanic restaurant which offers breathtaking view of the riverside

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 7 | Phnom Penh Tour by Cyclo & Historical Sites

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast is at hotel.
We leave hotel at 8.00am to challenge of cyclo ride (rickshaw) along riverfront for fantastic morning highlight of Phnom Penh Capital toward Independent Monument where we stop to capture some beautiful photos before resuming the ride to stroll around central market to see bustling local trades. Finished the cyclo ride at Royal Palace, we walk to visit The Royal Palace – a complex of buildings which are served as the royal residence for the King of Cambodia, admired by impressive Silver Pagoda with over 5000 solid silver tiles and other Royal Stupas, shrines, monuments etc. Next, stroll for guided tour at the National Museum, the world’s most important collection of Cambodian antique sculptures and carvings.

Enjoy yummy Khmer set lunch at a selected local restaurant.

Afternoon, we drive to witness the tragic site of Choeung Ek – the killing field that proceeded more than 20 thousands of civilians and the site is connecting with Tuol Sleng Museum – was the former school that was transformed to Tortured Prison S21. Stroll around Russian market for shopping.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 8 | Mekong Boat Cruise to Silk Island

Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast is at hotel.
We’re heading out at 8.30am to boat pier where we process to embark a local boat then the boat excursion cruises along the Mekong River towards Silk Island (Koh Dach) which provides nice Mekong river view and a pleasant breathtaking on the way. Arrived and we disembark then take a tuk tuk to the silk village to observe traditional silk weaving by hand looms and see various colorful silk products that you probably want to grab a few silk items as souvenirs for friends and families. The fantastic sightseeing tour takes you through the local community overlooking Mekong, passing fruit orchards, vibrant vegetable gardens and stilt houses while learn from your tour guide about daily life of local people on this beautiful island. Continue to visit a small historical Pagoda and local school before catching the boat back to the mainland and return hotel around 11.30am or 12.00pm.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 9 | Phnom Penh – Departure

Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast is at hotel.
Simply enjoy the rest of free time in Phnom Penh before our team picks you up from hotel’s lobby and transfers to Phnom Penh International Airport for your flight to the next destination.

*Thank You and Goodbye to Beautiful Cambodia