7 days Cambodia

Day 1

On arriving in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed by our French-speaking guide. You will enjoy some leisure time to rest a little, then visit the tarantula market. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2

The whole day is dedicated to visiting the Roulos Group. The temples of Roulos, then used as capital city by Indravarman 1st, are among the largest ones from the pre-Angkorian period. They mark the very beginning of Khmer art. We will visit Preah Ko, erected toward the end of the 9th century; then the Bakong, first temple mountain and its Buddhist monastery located north of the East Gate; the Lolei and his four brick towers - replica of Preah Ko - built on an island today covered with rice paddies. Finally, we will visit Ta Phrom, a stunning temple.

Day 3

After passing through a typical village, we will visit Kompong Kleang, then the Bayon and his 216 mysterious smiles, Baphuon Temple representing Mount Meru’s mythical pyramid and belonging to the Angkor complex. After that, we will continue along and stop at the Terrace of the Elephants, a giant reviewing stand used for public ceremonies and royal audiences, and the Terrace of the Leper King whose asexual statue remains one of Angkor’s mysteries. The whole afternoon is dedicated to exploring Angkor Wat, symbol of both the Great Khmer Empire and the magnificence of Cambodia.

Day 4

Today, we will journey to Banteay Srei, a red-stone temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Further on, we will reach Beng Mealea and Banteay Samre, two temples identical in style to Angkor Wat and therefore probably built in the early 12th century. In the afternoon, we will discover Kbal Spean, also called the valley of a 1,000 Lingas.

Day 5

We will depart for Battambang by road. Lush countryside landscapes will take your breath away until we reach our destination in the afternoon. We will visit the best preserved colonial quarters of Cambodia’s 2nd largest city and the central market before boarding a bamboo train to travel to a neighbouring village for a leisurely visit.

Day 6

Today, we will visit Banan Temple and enjoy the stunning panorama, then return to Battambang to visit Vat Damrei Sa Pagoda.

Day 7

The day will be spent cruising the Sangke River that will slowly reveal visual surprises lake dwellings and other beautiful vistas such as Chheu Khmau Pagoda. A ride on the Tonle Sap will then take us to Siem Reap where we will visit Phsar Chas local market.
Transfer to airport. End of tour.

3 days Angkor

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL – SIEM REAP (L) by flight…

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our local French-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. After a rest, you will visit Angkor Thom with its major construction, the Bayon Temple, a mountain temple adapted to Buddhism and dating back to the end of the 12th/beginning of the 13th century. Afterwards, you will discover the Baphuon Temple, a major restoration project conducted by the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO), dating back to the mid 11th century. The Terrace of the Elephants, from where the King and his court watched processions, and the Terrace of the Leper King, so called owing to a statue representing a demon-looking God of Death. Lunch will be served at FCC Restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit of Angkor Wat, an impressive “galleried temple” erected during the 12th century by King Jayavarman II. Built following a plan of concentric compounds, perfect in proportions and richly ornamented, this sacred shrine is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture and marks the peak of the Khmer Kingdom. Should you lack time to see more, the one monument not to miss would be this one! Late afternoon, we will head for Phnom Pakheng Hill to catch the stunning sunset on Angkor. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2 : SIEM REAP – Tour (B/L)

After a healthy breakfast at the hotel, your will discover Thommanon Temple, a well-preserved and graceful sandstone pavilion, then the incomplete Takeo Temple. Later on, Ta Phrom Temple will delight you. It is unquestionably one of the most splendid temples of the area although left to dereliction since its discovery… which bestows an aura of mystery upon it. Enshrouded in tree roots and overwhelmed by a lush vegetation, unlike other monuments in Angkor, Ta Phrom has retained a feeling of untouched beauty and you can let yourself be swept away by the same poignant impressions as the very first visitors must have experienced here. Lunch will be served at the Viroth Restaurant.

DAY 3 : SIEM REAP – Departure (B/L) by flight

After breakfast at the hotel, you will board a private boat and ride along the Tonle Sap Lake to the Kompong Phluk floodplain. The boat will leave from the lake, pass through the floating village of Chong Kneas and reach a very isolated village about one and a half hours later. On the way back, you will have the opportunity to catch the local life at Siem Reap’s big market and to see the old city. Lunch at Champey Restaurant. Free time until transfer to the airport.