The essence of Cambodia

Welcome to Phnom Penh, in Cambodia. Our adventure begins with a welcome meeting tonight at 6:00 PM. If you arrive early, perhaps take a stroll through the streets of Phnom Penh, admiring the interesting French colonial architecture. Tonight's dinner will be at a local restaurant along the river and may include dishes such as beef lok lak or fish amok. Enjoy getting to know your fellow travelers over delicious Cambodian specialties.

Today a full city tour introduces us to the attractions of Phnom Penh, a city located near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are home to King Sihamoni and are closed to the public. However, you can visit the Silver Pagoda within the palace complex, which is the country's most sacred temple. Phnom Penh remains a living relic of the country's past struggles and achievements. Your included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Tuol Sleng was a former school that served as a torture center for the Khmer Rouge, and it is estimated that over 20,000 people were detained and tortured here. The Choeung Ek Killing Fields house a stupa made up of about 8,000 human skulls, marking the site of the infamous location. This was the execution site of the victims of Tuol Sleng's torture, and standing in this peaceful setting, it's almost unthinkable to imagine that to this day nearly 9,000 bodies have been exhumed from the area. The visits are important parts of the experience here, but if you do not wish to visit them, please inform your leader. An optional visit to Wat Phnom, the temple that gave rise to the city's founding in the 15th century, is planned. After today's activities, you might spend this evening relaxing at a café on the riverfront.

Our journey continues towards Siem Reap (about 7 hours, including stops). Along the way, we stop at a local village restaurant for a tasty lunch. Arrival in the small but expanding city of Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor and the most popular destination for travelers throughout Cambodia, perhaps even in Southeast Asia. You'll probably notice a change of pace here, so take a walk and enjoy the atmosphere. A visit to the old market is a must, even if you're not looking for souvenirs, wandering among the stalls and the surrounding shops with their silks, cottons, sarongs, silver, and statues is a riot of colors and a feast for the eyes – and there will be one for your stomach too if you try some of the cheap and delicious street food! There's also a long tradition of shadow theatre in the region.

We spend an entire day visiting the incredible temples of Angkor on a guided exploration. Angkor Wat is the largest and most complete structure and the only one of the Angkor temples that faces west, while the others face east. Of all the temples visited today, Bayon is the centerpiece, with over 200 smiling faces carved and more than 50 gothic towers. Visit an ancient monastery where you will meet a Buddhist monk and take part in a ritual that has survived for thousands of years. Sit on the floor as the monk chants and sprinkles holy water on you before tying a sacred thread around your wrist, ensuring you protection and good luck for the rest of your journey. For lunch, we will visit the Sala Bai Hotel School, where disadvantaged local youths learn skills that enable them to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Later, you will head to Ta Prohm, a temple where nature has taken over, as large trees have been embedded into the stone foundations of the structure. We end the day with a view of the sunset over the temples: an extraordinary way to see the sunset.

We kick off the day with an optional chance to visit the Angkor complex at dawn. Today, we'll explore the Banteay Srei temple. It may not be a massive temple, but its intricate stone carvings have earned it the nickname 'the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art'. Later this afternoon, we delve into the daily life of Cambodians with a village tour. Marvel at the rice fields and family gardens surrounding traditional stilt houses. Be welcomed into a local home as you join for a sunset drink. This evening, we savor a final farewell dinner with our travel companions and one last night of delicious Cambodian cuisine at a specially selected restaurant.

After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as no activities are scheduled for today. If you wish to spend more time in Siem Reap, we would be happy to arrange additional accommodation for you (subject to availability), otherwise our journey in Cambodia ends here. Until the next tour!