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Day 1: PHNOM PENH
Arrival in Phnom Penh. Transfer your hotel. City tour including: Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace, National Museum, Wat Phnom. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 2: PHNOM PENH
After breakfast, tour to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Russian market and the Choeung Ek Killing fields. In the afternoon, stroll through the Central market and take a sunset cruise on a local boat down the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 3: PHNOM PENH – KOMPONG CHAM-KOMPONG THOM
Leave Phnom Penh for Kompong Cham (120 km), a former French trading post on the Mekong. After a tour of town center, continue to Wat Nokor, an 11th century sandstone Buddhist shrine. On the way to Kompong Thom (140 kms north) stop at Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, two hills whose names translate as the 'man hill' and the 'woman hill'. Both hills feature their own temple. 15 kms south of Kompong Thom stop at Phnom
Santuk Mountain and climb the 980 steps to the top to visit the pagoda and admire the sunset over the countryside. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 4: KOMPONG THOM-PHNOM PENH
After breakfast, depart for the little-visited Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, 35 kms north of Kompong Thom. Hidden in the forest, the 47 temples pre-date Angkor Wat, being built between 615 and 650 AD. Return to Kompong Thom and after lunch drive back to Phnom Penh. Overnight at your hotel. (BL)
Day 5: PHNOM PENH – TAKEO- KAMPOT
Breakfast at hotel. Drive south on National Road Number 03 to Takeo. On the way visit the Tonle Bati temples (Ta Prohm and Yeay Peou). Continue towards Kampot through an attractive landscape and drive through the former seaside resort of Kep Beach. In the late afternoon walk through Kampot to admire architectural remains of french colonial times. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 6: KAMPOT – BOKOR - SIHANOUKVILLE
Early morning departure for Bokor Hill National Park by 4WD. See the King’s former residence, French colonial buildings, the decayed Church, the abandoned casino and spectacular views of the coastline. Drive to Sihanoukville (a stretch of 30 km of bad road). Overnight at your hotel.
Day 7: SIHANOUKVILLE
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure time for swimming and relaxation on the beach with vehicle and guide at disposal. Optional: visit and boat ride to Ream National Park (not included). Overnight at your hotel.
Day 8: SIHANOUKVILLE – PHNOM PENH
After lunch, drive back to Phnom Penh with a short side excursion to see the pine forest at Kirirom National Park. Free at leisure on arrival in Phnom Penh. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 9: PHNOM PENH-BATTAMBANG
After breakfast, transfer to your departure flight to Battambang. In Battambang, transfer to the hotel. Continue to Wat Ek Phnom, an 11th century temple north of Battambang. In the afternoon, make an excursion to Phnom Sampoeu to visit the Memorial for Khmer Rouge victims in a cave, before continuing to the Pagoda on top of the hill. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 10: BATTAMBANG- SIEM REAP
In the morning, take a local boat to Siem Reap (best from July-February. In the dry season, the journey will alternatively be done by road via Sisophon). On the way, view the floating villages and wetland forests. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 11: SIEM REAP
Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Start with a visit to the Roluos Group of temples including Preah Ko, Ba Kong and Lo Lei. In the afternoon visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. Return to hotel after watching the sun set over Angkor Wat. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 12: SIEM REAP
An early start to catch the sunrise (optional). Return to the hotel for breakfast. A morning tour of the temples includes the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon continue to Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon and the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. The day ends with a spectacular sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 13: SIEM REAP
After breakfast drive to Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean (River of 1000 Lingas) and Banteay Samre. In the afternoon continue to Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Poan and Preah Khan. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 14: SIEM REAP
After breakfast visit the workshops of Artisans d’Angkor to see wood and stone carving or shop for souvenirs OR take a boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake (July-February) before transferring to Siem Reap Airport for onward departure flight.
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