5 Days Leisure Phnom Penh & Siem Reap

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Welcome to Phnom Penh!⌄

   Welcome to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by your guide and transfer to hotel.

   In the afternoon, we start your tour to visit the Central Market, built in 1937 during the French colonial period. Selling gold and silver jewelry, electronic equipment, clothing, fake watches and bags, suitcases, dried and fresh food and lots of souvenirs.

   Next is Wat Lanka, one of the oldest pagodas in Phnom Penh. It was established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks.

   Then go to see Independence Monument, modelled on the central tower of Angkor Wat, Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1953. It also serves as a memorial to Cambodia’s war dead. Wreaths are laid here on national holidays.

   Last stop is the 68,000-square-metre Aeon Mall which houses brand stores such as Sheridan, Mango, Levi’s and Adidas… There is an extensive food court on the top floor, along with a modern entertainment complex, including a cinema, karaoke lounge, bowling, arcades and even ice skating!

2. 2Phnom Penh Highlights⌄

   A discovery tour of Phnom Penh. At 8:00am you will be met by your driver and guide. Gain insight into the recent dark history of Cambodia at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – a former school converted to a detention center during the Khmer Rouge.

   Equally as harrowing are the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. These are tough visits but important for learning about the country’s history.

   The rest of the day is much lighter, visiting the Russian Market, the largest in Cambodia, where everything is sold from carvings to jewelry, clothes and souvenirs. We then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant for Khmer delicacies.

   In the afternoon, we visit Wat Phnom, a beautiful hilltop temple with manicured gardens.

   Followed by the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, name for the 5,000 silver tiles that cover the pagoda’s floor, known for its collection of gold, silver, crystal and bronze Buddha statues.

   The day winds down with a sunset cruise on the Mekong River before returning to your hotel.

   Meals: Lunch

3. 3Phnom Penh to Siem Reap⌄

   In the morning, you will transfer to the bus station or airport for departing to Siem Reap City. By bus takes approximately 6 hours and by flight takes 1 hour.

   Upon arrival at Siem Reap city, meet up with our guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in

   In the afternoon, proceed to Half-Day City Tour. First stop is Artisans D’ Angkor, a local artisan boutique which was established to support Cambodian arts and crafts. Discover how wood and stone carvings, lacquering, gilding, and silk paintings are created.

   Next you will visit Wat Thmei, one of the killing field memorials, a small memorial stupa which contains the skulls and bones of victims killed during the regime of the Khmer Rouge during 1975 – 1979.

   The last stop of the day is The Old Market, it is the oldest Khmer market in Siem Reap. See vendors selling souvenirs such as clothes, jewelry, and more. Enjoy dinner at local restaurant before return back to hotel.

   Meals: Dinner

4. 4Angkor Highlights & Phare Circus⌄

   At 8:00am, pick you from your hotel for the day’s tour. Your first visit is the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk and see the ancient capital of Angkor Thom built in the late 12th century before we head onwards to Bayon temple which is unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. Baphuon is like an artificial mountain that recently re-opened after years of restoration. Following, you may visit the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

   Then continue to the popular temple of Ta Prohm which is the modern name of the temple at Angkor, built in the late 12th to early 13th centuries. However, probably more famous for being the location where they filmed the Tomb Raider movie.

   Lunch is a Khmer feast served at a local restaurant. After lunch we continue to the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple, Angkor park’s most revered temple and the largest religious monument in the world. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas‐reliefs which are absolutely breathtaking. Your guide will explain the stories from the exquisite details and provide you with ample time to explore the inner and outer grounds of the temple.

   As a special final evening in Siem Reap, we will go to see a show of Cambodian Traditional Circus. More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent.

   Meals: Lunch

5. 5Siem Reap Departure⌄

   Your driver will meet you to assist with luggage and take you to the airport for your departure flight.