World Heritage

Welcome by our driver upon your arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport (KTI).

Transfer and check-in at the hotel.

The rest of the day is free.

Rooms available from 2:00 PM. If we arrive a bit early and our room is not yet ready, we can drop off our luggage at reception before going for a stroll around the city or relaxing by the pool.

Day trip by tuk-tuk

Early in the morning, transfer by road to Kampong Thom halfway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Along the way, let's be bold and take full advantage of a brief "gastronomic" stop in the town of Skun, famous for its spiders and grilled insects.

At the edge of Kampong Thom, discover the magnificent pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. This archaeological site has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since July 2017 and owes this status to its past as a capital before the advent of the Khmer empire, which would settle in Angkor a few centuries later. At the crossroads of Buddhist, Hindu, and even Persian and Greek cultures from the 7th century of our era, as we will be able to discover.

We then head towards Steung Saen, capital of Kampong Thom province, where we spend the night.

Check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Road transfer to Siem Reap via a detour to visit two sites that are well worth it. Discover Koh Ker, capital of Cambodia for a brief period in the 10th century. You will visit notably Prasat Thom, a 30 m high temple-mountain.

Then visit the Beng Mealea temple engulfed by the roots of strangler fig trees. It served as the setting for the film "Two Brothers" filmed in 2004 by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

Once you arrive at your destination, we will check you in at the hotel; the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

A day of visiting wonderful Angkor temples by tuk tuk located around and inside the walls of Angkor Thom. We discover in particular Angkor Wat, symbol of the height of the Khmer Empire during the Angkorian era.

Within the walls of Angkor Thom, discover Bayon and its many towers with gigantic faces, Baphuon and its gigantic statue of a 40-meter reclining Buddha, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of Elephants and its great diversity of sculptures as well as the Terrace of the Leper King.

Let's conclude with Ta Prohm famous for its immense trees with tentacular aerial roots. We can end this day with a sunset either at Srah Srang, or from the heights of Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng if you are ready to brave the crowds (warning: Phnom Bakheng is forbidden to children under 12 years old and authorities limit access to 300 people at sunset, creating a queue)

Due to an already busy schedule, we deliberately skip a few secondary temples on the small circuit such as Banteay Kdei, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda or Ta Keo. If you wish to visit these sites, don't hesitate to inform your guide at the beginning of the day so they can best arrange the schedule.

Possibility to carry out visits in reverse order to avoid crowds. Simply indicate this to your guide at the beginning of the day.

Temples are sacred places, avoid short clothing, you must cover your shoulders and wear long pants or a long skirt.

In order to preserve these fragile monuments, it is forbidden to touch sculptures or sit on temple elements.

In Cambodian culture, it is offensive to fool around inside a sacred place, calm and respect are paramount.

It is not recommended to buy articles or sweets from child vendors, this only encourages begging and truancy, prefer a donation to an association if it is close to your heart.

If you wish to photograph monks (called Bonzes), you must obtain their permission beforehand. Furthermore, you must never touch them, they have the right to touch you but not the other way around.

The rivers that flow in Angkor originate in the Phnom Kulen mountain. It is in this vast natural site that the Khmer kingdom was born in 802, proclaimed by King Jayavarman II who made his country independent from Javanese rule. We therefore invite you to visit the cradle of the Khmer Kingdom. In the morning, we drive up the road to the summit of Phnom Kulen or "mountain of lychees", a pilgrimage site for Cambodians thanks to the presence of a large statue of the Reclining Buddha. A refreshing swim in the natural pool of a lovely waterfall rewards your effort.

In the afternoon, continue with a visit to Banteay Srey, a temple with human proportions compared to the gigantic Angkor Wat or Bayon. This pink sandstone temple nicknamed "The Citadel of Women" is known for the refinement of the bas-reliefs and sculptures that adorn its walls and columns. Your discovery continues with a visit to the Banteay Samre temple depending on time remaining.

Return to the city and free time for the rest of the day.

Today we visit the floating village of Mechrey by private boat. Located 25 km from Siem Reap, it is one of the least touristy floating villages. Ideal for getting a glimpse of the local way of life on the water, you will be able to see all floating structures: Dwellings, schools, restaurants and even… a pagoda!

Duration of 1h30 to 2 hours

Possibility to extend the visit to Tonlé Sap Lake if the visit to the Roluos group is removed. Additional cost to be expected.

In the afternoon, we return to the Angkor archaeological site, more specifically to the Roluos site, a small Khmer city housing the beginnings of the Angkorian period. Seat of the first capital of the Hariharalaya empire, Roluos marks the beginning of classical Khmer civilization. The buildings are mostly constructed in brick, laterite, or sandstone. Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko are the three main temples on the site. All dedicated to the worship of Hinduism, the latter two nevertheless protect Buddhist pagodas today. We reserve the visit to Bakong temple for the end as we will be able to take advantage of the viewpoint to admire the sunset from the heights of this temple-mountain.

Possibility to expand the visit to Tonlé Sap Lake if you remove the visit to the Roluos group. Additional charge to be provided.

In the morning, transfer to Battambang. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and then rest/free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, we visit one of the last houses with traditional Khmer architecture in Battambang. Built from three different types of wood, it houses numerous period utensils, trompe-l'œil paintings, and massive furniture. The rich history of this charming building built in 1920 will be told to us by the great-grandson of its first owner. A passionate historian.

South of Battambang, a visit to Banon temple erected at the top of a hill offers us, after climbing 358 steps, a beautiful panorama of the Cambodian countryside. Passing through the traditional villages lining the road, we can witness the family production of rice cakes and chat with locals about their daily life.

Let's also take the opportunity to stop at the vineyards of Battambang. An opportunity to admire the greenhouse work of Cambodian winemakers. And to taste if we wish the wine, grape juice, ginger juice, and why not cognac!

Let's finally discover the temple of Phnom Sampov, "the ship-hill". We stay there until sunset to observe the flight of bats and their incredible choreography in the sky

In the morning, drive back to Phnom Penh. About ten kilometers from Kampong Chhnang, admire the craftsmanship of pottery artisans. The traditional village has been renowned for centuries for the quality of its clay pots sold throughout the country. While the tools have certainly modernized, the craftsmanship and techniques passed down from generation to generation remain.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you join the meeting point to take the ferry to the silk island Koh Dach. This island of 20,000 inhabitants in the middle of the Mekong is known for its silk weaving craftsmanship.

You discover this pleasant and authentic island on foot or by bike in the heart of nature, between fruit trees, fields and the banks of the Mekong with even a small beach set up for swimming.

After breakfast, we head to Kampot.

In the morning or early afternoon, transfer by road to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at the destination, we settle into the hotel; the rest of the day is free.