VC03 Cambodia Heritage ( 5 days / 4 nights )

Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Day 1   Phnom Penh – Arrival & City Tour

Upon your arrival in Phnom Penh, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit some of the capital’s most impressive sites including the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda containing the Emerald Buddha statue, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh’s oldest shrine. End the tour with a rejuvenating traditional Khmer massage at La Rose Spa.  Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2   Phnom Penh – Toul Sleng Museum – Killing Field – NGO – Home hosted dinner with local family

In the morning, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Khmer Rouge Killing Fields. The exhibits at these sites are graphic, and may not be suitable for all visitors.  On the way back, stop and witness the PSE (Pour Un Sourire d’Enfant), which provides support for underprivileged children living in Cambodia. Thousands of kids living in and around the streets of Stung Meanchey garbage dump in Phnom Penh have been provided with food, health care, accommodation and education through this program.  Lunch (at your own account) at Le Lotus Blanc, the center’s training restaurant, where you can support the training of these children by being their guest before starting a short sight-seeing tour to experience and understand PSE’s programs and how they contribute to society and interact with teachers and students in the centre. NOTICE: The NGO is open for visits Monday through Friday and Saturday in the morning only.  In the evening, visit the house of a local family for a home-cooked dinner. Enjoy the meal hosted in the cosy dining room to understand the important role food at home plays in Cambodia.  

Overnight in Phnom Penh. [Breakfast, Dinner]

Day 3   Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Roluos Group – Angkor Thom 

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in. Afterwards, explore Khmer temples from the early Angkorian period. Visit the Roluos group of temples dating from the 9th and 10th centuries, including the Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei Temples. In the afternoon, we enter Angkor Thom via the Southern Gate and explore this ancient city. Then proceed to visit the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace.

Overnight in Siem Reap.  [Breakfast]

Day 4 Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Banteay Samre – Ta Prohm – Visit Local Monastery for Blessing Ceremony

After breakfast, visit the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva – Banteay Srei – and the Banteay Samre Temple. On the way back, swing by the Ta Prohm Temple which is mystically enveloped in the jungle.  In the afternoon, we drive to a local monastery and meet the resident monks and participate in a private good luck blessing ceremony and wishing you good health and a safe journey, performed by local monks. Sit on the mat while the monks chant blessings and sprinkle holy water on you – a traditional way which is believed pass on the good luck of the gods. Afterwards, a sacred thread will be tied around your wrist. This will protect you from any evil spirits or accidents – a memorable experience! Ending the tour by relaxing after a long day of climbing around temple ruins as you get pampered with a rejuvenating traditional an-hour Khmer or foot massage.

Overnight in Siem Reap. [Breakfast]

Day 5   Siem Reap – Departure

Free until transfer to the airport for departure flight. [Breakfast]