Cambodia
Day One: Arrive in Phnom Penh
Discover Phnom Penh’s thriving contemporary cultural scene shortly after touchdown: you’ll be driven from the airport to your hotel to check-in and relax, before enjoying a welcome dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Classic - Villa Langka
Premium - La Rose Boutique
Deluxe - Sofitel Phnom Penh
Meals included: Dinner
Day Two: Get to know Cambodia
Get to know Phnom Penh City on a speedy foray by tuk-tuk. You’ll stop off at the Royal Palace (built in 1866 and home to treasures that include a 90-kilo solid gold buddha, encrusted with 9,584 diamonds). Then, you’ll visit a very different landmark, as you take in Tuol Seng, the school that turned torture centre under the horrific Khmer Rouge regime. It’s now a moving museum paying respects to the victims. You’ll follow this with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields, where more than a million people lost their lives during the genocide. Pay your respects, before returning to the city centre.
In the early evening, the warm and knowledgeable Chef Nara will whisk you off on a journey of street food discovery, tasting some of Phnom Penh’s most unusual dishes.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Classic - Villa Langka
Premium - La Rose Boutique
Deluxe - Sofitel Phnom Penh
Meals included: Breakfast; dinner
Day Three: Battambang
It’s a long drive (5.5 hours) through rice fields and villages of wooden houses en route to the sleepy town of Battambang. Break the journey in the fishing port of Kampong Chhnang, a town on the banks of the vast Tonle Sap lake that’s renowned for its pottery and floating village. You’ll arrive in Battambang in the early afternoon – in time to set off by tuk tuk on a trip past crumbling colonial riverside houses on your way to the 11th-century temple of Wat Ek Phnom. Please note that the hotels and attractions in Battambang are rural and unsophisticated in character, which we feel adds to their charm.
Overnight in Battambang
Classic - Bambu
Premium - Bambu
Deluxe - Bambu
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Four: Tonle Sap and Villages
Life is slow in the leafy villages around Battambang, as you’ll find out on a cycling trip which follows a small stream past rice paddies, and wooden houses and workshops. On the way, you’ll see villagers making knives, preparing prahok (traditional fish paste) and cooking sticky rice as children run alongside your bike, shouting their hellos. Arriving in a local house, you’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch before making the three-hour drive to Siem Reap, heading north of Tonle Sap Lake and through the peaceful town of Sisophon, topped with intricate pagodas and bright market stalls. You’ll stop off to watch stonemasons using traditional techniques passed down from the age of Cambodia’s great temples, arriving in Siem Reap late afternoon. The evening is free to explore this charming city, where wide streets harbour cosmopolitan cafes, boutiques and spas, and where the pretty river is punctuated by pagodas.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Classic - The Cyclo D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Premium - Shinta Mani Shack
Deluxe - Heritage Suites
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Five: Exploring Angkor Wat and Temples
Most people come to Siem Reap to visit the vast 12th-century temple complex around Angkor – this morning you’ll get the chance to visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Baphuon, and the most famous temple Angkor Wat. For the ultimate overview, there is an option to add a 20 minute helicopter flight over the temples and over Chong Kneas floating village. At midday, you’ll travel by traditional ox cart to a secret temple far away from the tourist crowds, for a picnic lunch. Post meal, a foot massage will soothe temple-hopping feet. Your final visit of the day is to the jungle-covered Ta Prohm temple, which once had a starring role in the Tomb Raider film. This evening, enjoy an action-packed, circus-style performance courtesy of Phare Ponleu Selpak, an NGO founded to give artistic training to poor young Cambodians. It is energetic, thrilling and shows a real insight into Cambodia history and culture.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Classic - The Cyclo D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Premium - Shinta Mani Shack
Deluxe - Heritage Suites
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Six: Floating Village of Chong Kneas
Your journey starts in the morning, departing from Siem Reap and taking you to Chong Kneas, where you will hop on a boat that will take you directly to Preak Toal. During the boat journey, discover the unique way of life in these villages,where everything floats - from the church to the school, to the pharmacy.
Your experience continues with a truly authentic home-cooked lunch in a peaceful and private setting. Then enjoy a special activity : a villager will teach you about water hyacinth weaving. Then it's time to wave goodbye to this unique, floating world and head back to the mainland.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Classic - The Cyclo D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Premium - Shinta Mani Shack
Deluxe - Heritage Suites
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Seven : Monk Blessing Ceremony
Bring good luck for your onward journey home with a sacred Monk Blessing Ceremony in a remote temple. After being blessed with water, you’ll have the chance to chat with the monks about life in the temple before it’s time to say goodbye to Cambodia, with a private transfer to the airport ready for your flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overall meals included: 6 breakfasts; 4 lunches; 1 dinner
What's included:
- Private English-speaking guides unless stated otherwise
- Private transfers unless stated otherwise
- Meals as listed
- Boat rental and cycle hire as per the programme
- Entrance fees
- Mandatory taxes and service fees
What's not included
- International flights to/from experience: call 0208 432 0885 for AX specially negotiated flight rates
- Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
- Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the holiday and during border crossings during your experience
- Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses, such as laundry
SUITABILITY FOR FAMILIES : Suitable for families with kids.
If you intend to travel solo, contact us on 0208 432 0885
GETTING THERE
Typical return Economy flights from London cost around £600 per person and take approximately 15 hours outbound and 16 hours inbound depending on exact flight configurations and layover times.
For this particular Experience, the best option is normally to book a multi-stop flight from London - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - London.
Experience start point: Phnom Penh [PNH]. Arrive by 2pm.
End point: Siem Reap [REP]. Leave in the evening.
Prices for departures to 30th October include a 20% Pioneers Club discount and are subject to Pioneers Club terms & conditions. Click here for more information.
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