First-timers to Cambodia

Welcome to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia! Upon your land in Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), please proceed to the arrival hall, where your tour guide and driver will wait for you at the exit, holding a welcome board with your name on it. Then you will be transferred in a comfortable car to our well-selected hotel for check-in. The rest of the day remains free for you to recover from jet leg, or explore the hotel surrounding area at your own leisure. Both our luxury and standard hotels listed below are downtown located.

The vibrant Phnom Penh is a microcosm of Cambodia, and it is one of the fastest growing cities in Southeast Asia. Today, you will have a full day tour visiting the important historical sites of the city. Enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel, and then the guide and driver will escort you to the first stop of today's Phnom Penh tour - the Royal Palace. As it is still the official residence of the Cambodia royal family, some areas are restricted, but most of the buildings are open to visitors. The highlights of the palace are the golden pagoda used by the central king to ascend the throne, and the silver pagoda as the royal temple. The exquisite carvings of two pagodas and surrounding corridors are dazzling. Walking around the palace, you will also experience the daily life of the royal family. Next, you will visit the National Museum and the Wat Phnom Temple. The museum houses one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art and sculptures, spanning from prehistoric period to the early, middle and late Angkor Dynasty.

After lunch, you will go to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (former S-21 Prison) and the Killing Fields of Choeung EK. Both of the sites visualize how appalling and terrible the tortures and atrocities those victims had suffered while the Khmer Rouge was in power. You don't need to worry too much, not many horror scenes here. The local government did a great job on these two places. They want people to remember the history, but have no intention of infecting you with terror. Finally, you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Lunch

This morning, we will transfer you to the airport for a one-hour flight to Siem Reap, home to the famous Angkor temples. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

To start the Angkor Wat tour, Angkor National Museum should be the first stop to understand the history of Khmer, the kings and Angkor Wat. This afternoon, your tour guide will take you there for a visit. It is an archaeological museum that houses collections of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 14th centuries. After the museum visit, we know that you need a break in mind, so the next stop is the Old Market in Siem Reap, a nice place to wander around for souvenirs and traditional Khmer goods. If interested, you can also go to the nearby Pub Street to experience the lively night life of Siem Reap and then get back to the hotel on your own.

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Lunch

Today comes the highlight of your Cambodia tour! You will spend a full day discovering the mysterious temples of Angkor in small circuit. Angkor Wat is the only one of the temples that faces west while others face east, so the sun rises dramatically from behind its iconic spires. This morning, you will get up early to go there to enjoy the spectacular sunrise view. The best place for photos is in front of the north pond, but arrive early to get ahead of the crowds. After that, you will return to the hotel for breakfast.

The ancient city of Angkor Thom is a must see for all visitors. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Angkor Thom contains some of the best temples of the area, and the most notable one is Bayon Temple in its center. There are 49 pagodas with each of them has four faces Buddha on the top encircling the central pagoda. Visitors are deeply impressed by the enigmatic smiling faces of these Buddhas - the so called 'Khmer smile'. You will also see the intricate bas-reliefs of the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, both on the interior and exterior.

Getting out of Angkor Thom, we will proceed to the Ta Prohm Temple. It is featured as the location for the film Tomb Raider. As one of the top sightseeing spots for visitors, the way huge centuries-old trees incorporating themselves into historical monuments in this temple is really jaw-dropping, which also casts a veil of mystery over the temple. Following is a visit to Phnom Bakheng, which is the highest temple in Angkor Archaeological Park. Climb up to the top and you will have a visual feast of the beautiful sunset scene.

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Lunch

Today's scheduled temples include Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, Pre Rup and Banteay Srei. After breakfast in the hotel, we will first go to the Preah Khan Temple, meaning the "Holy Sword" in Khmer, which is one of the largest temple compounds that was dedicated by the great king Jayavarman VII to his father in 1191. Then continue to the Neak Pean, which means the entwined serpents. It is a small temple with five ponds that were full of herbal medicines in ancient times and it was believed that soaking in the water would cure illnesses. Ta Som, another filming location of Tomb Raider, also has the grand scene of the giant tree wrapping the entire porch at its east gate. Pre Rup is a temple mountain built by King Rajendravarman in the 10th century. It once served for imperial funeral rituals. You may climb the steep stairs to the top to enjoy the broad scenery.

In the afternoon, we will head to the Banteay Srei Temple, which is the "Citadel of Women" that dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. The whole temple, built of large red stones with delicate reliefs, is widely praised as a "jewel of Khmer art". There are rural views along the way, and you will visit a typical Khmer village, where you can not only enjoy the countryside scenery, but also visit the home of a Khmer family and interact with local people. It is a good opportunity for you to get a better understanding of the Cambodian local life, as well as the traditional Khmer culture. At night, a splendid Apsara Dance Show with buffet dinner awaits you at a fancy restaurant.

Meals: Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Buffet dinner

This is the last day of your Cambodia tour. In the morning, your guide and driver will escort you to the Tonle Sap Lake - the largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia. On arrival, you will get on a boat to the floating village, where locals have led a simple and hard life for generations. In addition to the houseboats, schools and churches that have been built by the lake are through foreign aids.

After the visit, they will take you to the airport and help you board your outbound flight. Bid adieu to Cambodia and we wish you a pleasant journey home!

Meals: Buffet breakfast