Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Asia sticks to you - a spiritual space infused with the Gods of past & present: the ancient Spirits of the land & the family, the Deities of Buddhism & Hinduism & the rules of Islam. As dawn breaks in Buddhist Nations, pots of rice bubble over & the thick smoke of Incense wafts from earth to heaven. Barefoot Monks embark on their call to alms, in endless monochrome chains, among the Faithful. In Muslim countries, the Muezzin's call reverberates in a multi-throated chorus above rooftops, from Mosques urging devotees to Prayer & family Altars are flush with fruit & flowers for the guardian Spirits. While Tribal people in remote Villages mark the new day's arrival with arcane animist Rituals. From the nomadic Steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic Streets of Hanoi, Asia is a Continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace & spirituality that it has fixated & confounded Travellers for centuries. Wrapped in lush landscapes, urban Jungles, Rainforests, blissful Beaches edged by golden Sands, crowned by brooding Volcanoes, modernist Architecture & creative Cuisine, all studded with ruins of lost Civilisations: this is Asia seamlessly delivering the accessible, affordable, exotic as you have always imagined.

There is a magic about this charming yet confounding Kingdom that casts a spell on visitors. A journey to contemporary Cambodia which ruled much of what is now Laos, Thailand & Vietnam will inspire travelers to contemplate what happens when ancient & modern worlds collide. The remains of this Empire can be seen at the fabled Angkor Wat, monuments unrivaled in scale & grandeur matched by only a few select spots on earth, such as Machu Picchu or Petra.

Welcome to incredible Kingdom of Cambodia - the charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors.

Arriving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy Capital, you can’t help but conjure up an image of the exotic. The glimmering Spires of the Royal Palace, the fluttering saffron of the Monks’ robes & the luscious location on the banks of the mighty Mekong – this is the Asia many daydream about from afar.  

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Phnom Penh International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys Representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the Hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the Hotel unless advised.

Reach the Hotel, Check-in & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

A hub for both the Khmer Empire & French Colonialists, Phnom Penh sits at the junction of the Mekong & Tonle Sap rivers & can be an assault on the senses.

Phnom Penh - the name can’t help but conjure up an image of the exotic & many consider it to be one of the friendliest Capitals in Asia, as Cambodians have not yet become jaded by mass tourism. It is a bit unfortunate that one of the tourist industry's selling points for Phnom Penh has to do with Wars that took place in the 1970's (i.e. Killing Fields, Toul Sleng), as Visitors may associate the City with these historical events when in fact Cambodian culture, including its Art & Music is quite remarkable.

The Khmer Temples & monuments found here are some of the most stunning examples of Buddhist Architecture & Art, and Phnom Penh has no shortage of these.

Once called the ‘Pearl of Asia’, Phnom Penh’s shine was tarnished by the impact of War & Revolution. But the City has since risen from the ashes to take its place among the hip Capitals of the Region, with an alluring Cafe culture, bustling Bars & a world-class Food scene.

Despite being a bit rough on the edges, the City retains its former charm as a leafy South-east Asian Capital with a nice riverside promenade & numerous beautiful Cambodian Buddhist Wats, Palaces & other Artifacts.

Tuk tuk & Motorbikes whiz through laneways without a thought for Pedestrians; Markets exude pungent scents; & all the while the sounds of life - of commerce, of survival - reverberate through the Streets. But this is all part of the attraction, watch the Street life & absorb the local colour.

The beauty that made it a 'Paris of the East' before 1970, is hidden beneath the reality of modern day Cambodia, though there are a few French colonial buildings remaining. The wide Boulevards & Promenades envisaged by the French are mostly used as Parking spaces & Market Stalls: Pedestrians are not in favour.

The innermost part of the City, known as Riverside, is where most tourists will go, as it hosts Cafes & Restaurants aplenty. On its walkable Riverfront, lined with Parks, Restaurants & Bars, are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda & the National Museum, displaying Artifacts from around the country. At the City’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market.

The City is slowly gaining high rise buildings, traffic lights & Western style Shopping Malls. It does not have the huge colonial British architectural heritage like Yangon in Myanmar & is light years behind Bangkok.

Later in the afternoon, meet your Tour-guide in the lobby at 03.00 pm & proceed for an orientation drive -around some of the City’s most historically significant sites.

However, there will be 1 brief stop at a sombre site indelibly linked forever to the history of Cambodia.

Visit the infamous Tuol Sleng High School to see the remnants of the S-21 prison camp & hear about how the horrors of the regime unfolded in this innocent location. Peruse the sensitive exhibitions within the High School, which now houses the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The Museum was one of hundreds of Detention & Interrogation Centers created all over Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge who gave this former High School the sinisterly innocuous name S-21 where countless thousands of Cambodians were ruthlessly processed until they were dead. See the Gallery that speaks eloquently of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge as you walk you through the different Museum displays.

You might even get the chance to meet one of the Survivors, who will enlighten you further on the sordid history of this once peaceful School. 

The tour concludes & you are transferred back to the Hotel by evening.

Later in the evening, meet the Rep & transfer to one of Phnom Penh’s most celebrated Restaurant - the Malis to enjoy a sumptuous Welcome Dinner of authentic Khmer Cuisine.

Return to the Hotel.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & ride the traditional ‘Cyclos’ to the beautiful, domed, deco Phsar Thmei (Central Market), which offers a ‘kind’ of kaleidoscopic view of what is on offer in Cambodia, shopping wise.

After Phnom Penh became the Capital of the French Protectorate of Cambodia within French Indochina in 1867, the Population grew enormously & the French set about creating a spacious modern City. The decision to build a Market dates back to the end of the 1920s in response to the increase in the Population to 90,000 inhabitants. It was decided to build it on a site which was previously a Swamp that was used to accumulate runoff Rainwater, in the center of the Chinatown of the time, but the Project did not start until 1934 because of the turmoil of the Great Depression. It was designed by Jean Desbois & the construction was supervised by French Architects Louis Chauchon & Wladimir Kandaouroff.

The bright yellow Art deco building is shaped in the form of a Cross with has a 26 metre high central Dome with 4 tall arch-roofed Wings branching out into vast Hallways housing countless Shops selling Gold & Silver Jewelry, antique Coins, fake name-brand Watches & other such items.

It is one of the Capital's major landmarks. Shopping in Phnom Penh is a major attraction for Tourists who love to buy back some Souvenirs from this exotic Asian land. Whether you are a Shopping enthusiast who wants to gauge your haggling skills or a Tourist interested in being a part of the bustling crowd, or just want to explore the amazing architectural wonders of the City, the Central Market offers a captivating experience, featuring an eclectic array of goods. From intricate Jewelry & traditional Textiles to modern Electronics & fresh Produce, the Market caters to diverse tastes.

The clean Phsar Thmei is one of those busy Bazaars that are always filled with effervescent crowd from one end to the other. Whoever loves to browse endlessly through small yet enticing Shops, with the widest range of products for sale, will find the Central Market an enchanting place. The present English name makes it popular to the tourists.

When it first opened in 1937, it was said to be the biggest Market in Asia & it still operates as a Market, today. The beautiful Building is a spectacular illustration of Cambodian architecture.

As Visitors navigate the Market's labyrinthine aisles, they encounter a sensory feast of offerings. The Jewelry Section showcases intricate Khmer designs alongside glittering Gemstones, while the Textiles Wing unfolds a kaleidoscope of colors in traditional Garments. Electronics enthusiasts can explore cutting-edge Gadgets, & the aroma of fresh Produce permeates the air in the Food Section. Central Market is not merely a shopping destination; it's a dynamic cultural crossroads where the past & present coalesce.

Around the main Buildings are Stalls offering Krama (the traditional checked scarves), Stationery, household items, Fabric for Sarongs, Flowers & used Clothes, usually from Europe & US. The Gateway to the Market is lined with Hawkers who sell different kinds of tidbits.

The bustling atmosphere is enhanced by the rhythmic hum of Bargaining, is which remains an integral part of the Market experience, as enthusiastic Vendors engage with Visitors in the age-old tradition of haggling. The lively atmosphere reverberates with the cadence of negotiations, creating an immersive experience for those seeking a genuine connection with Cambodian daily life.

Recent renovations have carefully preserved the Market's historical charm while modernizing facilities, ensuring that the Market remains a beacon of authenticity in Phnom Penh, a cherished landmark offering a glimpse into Cambodia's storied past & its vibrant present, where locals & Tourists alike, can immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry & historical resilience of Cambodian culture.  

From here, move on to another quaint Shopping place - the vast Russian Market. This sweltering Bazaar is the one Market all visitors should come to at least once during a trip to Phnom Penh. It is the place to shop for souvenirs & discounted name-brand clothing (we obviously can’t vouch for the authenticity of everything, but along with plenty of knock-offs you will find genuine articles stitched in local factories). You will pay less than one-third of the price back home for brands like Banana Republic, Billabong, Calvin Klein, Colombia, Gap & Next.

The Russian Market, so-called by foreigners because the predominantly Russian expat population shopped here in the 1980s, also has a large range of Handicrafts & Antiquities (many fake), including miniature Buddhas, Woodcarvings, Betel-nut Boxes, Silks, Silver Jewellery, Musical instruments & so on. Bargain hard, as hundreds of tourists pass through here every day. There are some good Food Stalls in the Russian Market if you are feeling peckish.

Enjoy Lunch in one of the nearby Restaurants.

And now comes the ‘raison d’etre’ for this journey. In addition to the Angkor Wat, of course.

After lunch, it is off to the Races!

South East Asia offers an abundance of Festivals featuring an abundance of fun, local regional flavour, exciting Rituals, colourful Costumes & an excellent chance to interact with the Locals to get under the skin of the Country & its Culture. One such event is Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) in Cambodia. This 3 day Extravaganza is celebrated across the entire Country, with small Villages & Towns enjoying their own Festivities, but the grandest celebrations unfold along the picturesque Tonle Sap River, right in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. The vibrant Festival is a celebration of the end of the Rainy season on the full Moon of the Buddhist month of Kadeuk either in end October or early November & is considered a way of thanking the Gods & securing good luck that can lead to an abundant Harvest.

This flamboyant event dates back to the 12^th century when Angkorian King Jayavarman VII’s Navy reportedly defeated an armada of Warships from the neighboring Cham Empire attempting to sail upstream & across Tonle Sap River, to sack the city of Angkor. Although they did sack it, King Jayavarman VII chased them down & defeated them afterwards. The Festival was introduced to offer thanks for this Victory to the People & to the River God & divinities. The defeat of the Chams played a vital role in kicking off the Fishing season, ensuring bountiful Rice & Fish harvests in future years.

Ancient Angkorian Kings also used the Water Festival to make the Gods happy & secure good Harvests. They also used it as an opportunity to show off their Military might to prepare powerful Navies & to check the training & fighting skills of their Warriors. The present Cambodian Navy also undertakes its annual Training Exercises of the on Lake.

Tonle Sap is the world’s only River which flows in both directions, depending on the seasonal Monsoons. Annually, during the first full Moon following the Rainy season (late October to November), Towns all along the banks of the Tonle Sap Lake & River commemorate the vast quantities of Rainfall into the Mekong during the preceding months which causes the reversing of the Current as it flows back into the mighty Mekong River, flooding surrounding Farmlands & leaving behind rich sediments, an essential boost of nutrients from accumulated silt deposits, aiding the Farmers all along its shores. This 3day event celebrates the changes of the Seasons from wet to dry.

Bon Om Touk is one of the most important national Celebrations for the Cambodians & millions from the Province, flock to the Capital to partake in the colourful festivities. Phnom Penh turns into a hub of excitement with thrilling Boat Races, enchanting illuminated Floats & a Moon salutation that is truly captivating. During both daylight & darkness, the “Party” goes on. Activities include Music Concerts, traditional Dancing & feasting on native foods. Most of the City is pedestrian only, especially the Riverfront where the action happens (so expect lengthy Traffic jams, huge crowds & a lot of walking).

Important events include the evening Loy Pratip River Parade of brightly lit Boats, Sampeah Preah Khe (Moon Prayer Ceremony) in front of the Royal Palace which offers thanks to the Moon God, believing that the Moon’s blessings will bring them good luck. & Auk Ambok where locals throng the Temples to pray & eat Ambok (Rice mixed with Banana & Coconut).

However, the main highlights are the exciting colorful, spirited Longboat Boat Races, along Sisowath Quay, where various Village Teams compete. 

The Regatta often includes as many as 400 ornately-decorated Longboats, each colourfully decorated in Khmer style & rowed by around 80 men & women & one Leader, competing for the extremely competitive top prize. The Captain is always at the head of the Boat controlling the speed & rhythm of his Crew. There are Prizes for the Winners. There will generally be 1 Boat on the water not participating in the Races. Instead, those aboard play traditional Music & beat Drums & Dance to keep the Rowers in good spirits & motivate them to row faster to victory!

As one the largest & most popular Festivals in the Kingdom, most Towns & Villages seek to participate by building Boats to race. Weeks before, young men train incredibly hard to honorably represent their Town. It is incredible to watch the strong, young men row with all their might to the beat of war drums. Each Boat has its own unique features, painted & decorated in the style of their respective Village. These Boats are often sponsored by generous Individuals & Government officials and the Teams arrive a few days early to perfect their skills on the Tonle Sap River.

 The Races last all afternoon & the day ends at midnight with Bandet Pratib - a breathtaking 20 minute Fireworks display. Races are watched & cheered by millions. Khmer families gather along the Riverbanks, spreading out Picnic Mats, indulging in delicious Food & Drinks & passionately cheering for their favorite Teams. As the Sun sets, people set afloat tiny handcrafted Boats adorned with numerous floating Candles. Various Government Ministries also join in with their own impressive illuminated Boats.

Most Temples feature ancient Carvings depicting Boat Races & Naval battles. The Boats shown there match the ones that are currently used.

In time (to be specified by the Tour-guide in co-ordination with you & other Group members), return to the Hotel. If anyone wants to stay longer, they will have to reach the Hotel on their own.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide again at 08.00 am & continue the full day sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh.

Visit a selection of carefully-chosen highlights, from the remarkable buildings featuring some of the most stunning architecture to be found anywhere. Despite its turbulent recent history, Cambodia’s bustling capital retains its colonial-era charm with its wide, tree-lined boulevards and mixture of Eastern & Western architectural styles.

You will discover colonial façades & buildings of the “New Khmer Architecture” movement built during the 1950s & 1960s. This movement gave extra care to melding international influences with local materials & traditions

Proceed on traditional ‘Cyclos’ to a local Market for another ‘walking’ tour & learn about Khmer Cuisine.

Although Cambodia’s cuisine may not enjoy the international fame of some of its neighboring countries, its national & regional dishes offer insights to the Country’s heritage. Step into some Shops & wander through the aisles, tasting some local Fruits along the way, with your Tour-guide explaining the different ingredients used in the Cooking.

Enjoy Lunch at a Restaurant & learn about the ingredients in many of the dishes served. Try a tasty num pung, or French baguette & a nom bahn chok, a quintessential Khmer dish of rice noodles, green fish curry & fresh veggies.

Continue the guided sightseeing, riding on the ‘Cyclos’

First stop will be the Royal Palace, built in 1866, it has been home to Cambodian Monarchs ever since (with the exception of the reign of the Khmer Rouge) & is still the royal Residence today for His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk & Her Majesty Queen Preah.

The Royal Palace & adjacent Silver Pagoda is a Complex of buildings which serves as the royal Residence of the King of Cambodia, offering intriguing insight into Cambodia’s past & present. The Palace identified by the iconic high yellow walls that shelter the site, is one of Phnom Penh’s most splendid architectural achievements & one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Sprinkled with history, the beautifully manicured grounds & ornate buildings also offer a reprieve from the hustle & bustle of surrounding Capital life - making a trip to the Royal Palace a must on every visitor’s itinerary. Locals like to bask in its beauty every day - flocking to the small patch of grass that sits in the shadows of the Palace’s Moonlight Pavilion to feed the birds, enjoy snacks or place offerings.

The grounds of the Palace & Silver Pagoda are awash with regal structures, intimate Temples, collections of gifts from foreign leaders & Murals that paint a picture of the country’s past.

Large parts of the sprawling grounds & formal Gardens are open to the public, featuring artistic Topiary, fanned Palmyra, colourful Bougainvillaea & Parisian-inspired Paths. However, as it still remains the official royal Residence, the private areas devoted to royal living are closed to visitors.

There are several entrances to the Palace, with the eastern Victory Gate reserved for royalty & VIPs, granting direct access to the Throne Hall. The northern Gate, or Funeral Gate, is only opened after the death of a Monarch. In February 2013, the late King Norodom Sihanouk’s body was brought out of this Gate to begin the 6 km procession through the Capital. Cambodians flocked from across the country to pay their respects to the much-revered King. The Capital’s streets were lined with mourners dressed in black & white.

The western Gate is referred to as the Execution Gate & was used to bring Prisoners out of the Palace to be killed in front. The southern Gate is the ‘commoners’ entrance’, & is how the Public reaches the Silver Pagoda.

Gleaming in gold, the Royal Palace is one of Phnom Penh’s most splendid architectural achievements. Built on the site of the Old Town which was especially chosen by a Commission of Royal Ministers & Astrologers because it had great geographical significance in relation to the King, who was regarded as a direct descendant of the Gods, whose role it was to live & govern on earth under the influence of heaven.

In 1866, the royal Family moved from the ancient Capital of Oudong to the newly built Royal Palace. The next year, Phnom Penh was officially named the country’s Capital.

The Royal Palace contains some spectacular buildings. Not least of which is the Throne Hall, situated to the left of the main entrance. Painted yellow to symbolise Buddhism - the main religion in Cambodia - & white to represent Hinduism, the dominant religion during Angkorian times. There are 5 doors to the front of the Hall, with the central one reserved for Royalty. It boasts a 59 meters Tower whose roof is beautiful, having been decoratively tiered with golden coloured tiles. This building is used for official Celebrations, Coronations & Audiences with foreign Dignitaries & government officials.

The grand golden Thrones that sit inside are only used for Coronations. The front Throne is reserved for the King, with the Queen sitting on the rear seat. Hers is taller & built on a golden stage with 3 Stairways - one for the Queen herself & the other 2 for the Brahmin Priests who oversee the Queen’s comfort during the Ceremony.

Selected areas are open to the public. Guests can stroll through the manicured Gardens & discover the ornate Temples, Libraries & & see the amazing royal Collection Galleries inside the grounds. The Sculptures, sheer construction & beautiful architecture of the stunning Palace leaves even the most seasoned traveler in awe.

Walk to the adjacent Pagoda.

The Palace compound is also home to the extravagant Silver Pagoda also known as Wat Preah Keo or ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’, a prominent Temple that takes up a key place on the riverside & is named for its gleaming silver floor.

The Pagoda was originally constructed of wood in 1892 during the rule of King Norodom, who was apparently inspired by Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew & was rebuilt in 1962. It was preserved by the Khmer Rouge to demonstrate to the outside world its concern for the conservation of Cambodia’s cultural riches.

Although more than half of the Pagoda’s contents were lost, stolen or destroyed in the turmoil that followed the Vietnamese invasion, what remains is spectacular. It is one of Cambodia’s only Temples to survive under the Khmer Rouge.

This is one of the few places in Cambodia where bejewelled objects embodying some of the brilliance & richness of Khmer Civilisation can still be seen. Despite this dark chapter in the country’s history, the Pagoda’s extravagance still nestles in every nook & cranny.

The floor is covered with 5 tonnes of silver spread across, more than 5,000 Tiles. You can sneak a peek at some of the Tiles near the entrance, but most are covered to protect them. The Staircase leading to the Silver Pagoda is made of Italian marble.

Rivalling the silver floor is the magnificent 17^th century emerald Buddha, an extraordinary Baccarat-crystal Sculpture sitting atop an impressive gilded pedestal. 

Adding to the lavish mix is a life-sized 90 kg solid gold Buddha adorned with 2086 diamonds, the largest weighing in at 25 carats, which was created in the Palace workshops during 1906 & 1907. To the left is an 80 kg bronze Buddha, & to the right a silver Buddha. On the far right, figurines of solid gold tell the story of the Buddha.

Directly in front of it, in a Formica case, is a miniature silver & gold Stupa containing a relic of Buddha brought from Sri Lanka - a large footprint of Buddha, representing the 108 past lives of Buddha before he was re-incarnated as Prince Siddhartha, who subsequently gained enlightenment.

Along the walls of the Pagoda are examples of extraordinary Khmer artisanship – 100s of meters of frescos depicting an episode of the Indian epic Ramayana. These are the biggest mural frescos in South East Asia.

There are also intricate Masks used in classical dance & dozens of gold Buddhas. Displayed around the room, surrounding the main area, are many precious Gifts given to the Monarchs by foreign Heads of State but they appear rather spiritless when displayed next to such diverse & exuberant Khmer art. (Note that photography is not permitted inside the Silver Pagoda).

Enjoy Lunch at a local Restaurant & learn about the ingredients in many of the dishes served. Try a tasty num pung, or French baguette & a nom bahn chok, a quintessential Khmer dish of rice noodles, green fish curry & fresh veggies.

Move on to the adjacent Museum, home to more than 5,000 Artefacts dating back to the ancient Angkorian period.

The National Museum of Cambodia is housed in a graceful sand-stone terracotta structure of traditional design with an inviting courtyard Garden.

George Groslier (1887-1945), Historian, Curator & Author was the motivating force behind much of the revival of interest in traditional Cambodian Arts & Crafts, and it was he who designed this quintessential building that is today synonymous with ‘traditional Khmer’ architecture. It is perhaps better described as a building enlarged from Cambodian Temple prototypes seen on ancient bas-reliefs & reinterpreted through colonial eyes to meet Museum-size requirements.

Groslier’s intended Museum was soon associated with the Ecole des Arts Cambodgiens (1917) & became known as the Musee du Cambodge in 1919. In 1920, this Museum was soon to be officially renamed Musee Albert Sarraut after the then Governor-General of Indochina. The original design of the building was slightly altered in 1924 with extensions that added wings at either end of the eastern façade that made the building even more imposing.

Control of the National Museum & Arts Administration was ceded by the French to the Cambodians on 9 August, 1951 & following Independence in 1953, the then Musee National de Phnom-Penh was the subject of bilateral Accords.

1966 marked the appointment of Chea Thay Seng, the first Cambodian Director of the National Museum & Dean of the newly created Department of Archaeology at the Royal University of Fine Arts. This University that from its foundation as the Ecole des Arts Cambodiens in 1920, was intimately linked with Students, Artisans & Teachers who worked to preserve Cambodian cultural traditions.

The Museum closed between 1975 & 1979, the years of Khmer Rouge control & re-opened on 13 April 1979. The Museum is home to the world’s finest Collection of Khmer Sculpture: a millennium’s worth & more of masterful Khmer design.

Various rooms display a range of rare Statues, Lingas & other items, including the Leper King from Siem Reap & a giant 11^th century 8 armed bronze Vishnu. It equips visitors with some great knowledge ahead of a trip to Angkor Wat Archaeological Park.

Most visitors start left & continue in a clockwise, chronological direction. The first significant Sculpture to greet visitors is a large fragment - including an imposing relatively intact head, shoulders & 2 arms - of an immense bronze reclining Vishnu statue from the 6^th century, which was found at Phnom Da near Angkor Wat in 1936.

Continue into the southern Pavilion, where the pre-Angkorian Collection begins, illustrating the journey from the human form of Indian sculpture to the more divine form of Khmer sculpture from the 5^th - 8^th centuries.

The Angkor collection includes several striking statues of Shiva from the 9^th - 11^th centuries; a giant pair of wrestling monkeys (Koh Ker, 10^th century); a beautiful 12^th century Stele (stone) from Oddar Meanchey Province inscribed with scenes from the life of Shiva; & the sublime statue of a seated Jayavarman VII, his head bowed slightly in a meditative pose (Angkor Thom, late 12^th century).

The Museum also contains displays of pottery & bronzes dating from the pre-Angkorian periods of Funan & Chenla (4^th - 9^th centuries), the Indravarman period (9^th & 10^th centuries) & the classical Angkorian period (10^th - 14^th centuries), as well as more recent works, such as a beautiful wooden royal Barge.

You will be shown around by a trained Guide who will show you some wonderful pre - Angkorean pieces from the Temples as well as a stunning Collection of ancient Khmer Art. The exhibits are complemented by more recent examples of Cambodian art.

The tour concludes & you will proceed for a sumptuous Dinner at the famous Foreign Correspondents’ Club located along the riverside promenade. The iconic colonial building is one of Phnom Penh’s architectural gems with great views over the river. 

Return back to the Hotel.

Early morning, depart for Kampong Thom, driving through picturesque rural landscapes.

Enroute, stop at the sleepy peaceful provincial Capital - Kampong Cham, spread along the banks of the Mekong.

Known for its French colonial buildings, the relatively small city Kampong Cham isn't a city chock full of tourist attractions, but its colonial charm & atmosphere will endear itself to you. The Town offers an accessible slice of the real Cambodia: a land of picturesque Villages, pretty Wats & fishing communities.

Kampong Cham used to be the most heavily populated province in Cambodia, but was divided in 2, giving birth to Tbong Khmum province. However, Kompong Cham remains a travel hub & acts as the stepping stone to eastern Cambodia.

Long considered Cambodia’s 3^rd city after Phnom Penh & Battambang, Kompong Cham has lately been somewhat left in the dust by the fast-growing tourist towns of Siem Reap & Sihanoukville. It was an important Trading Post during the French period, the legacy of which is evident as you wander through the streets of crumbling yet classic buildings. The Town is quaint & charming with its bustling morning river scene & wide Boulevards beside the river.

Kampong Cham is a mix of the old & the new, with a new Temple being built in & around old ruins and the big ferry boats taking people and goods to the other side of the Mekong, right next to the construction of the first Bridge ever built here.

Nearby attractions include several Angkorian Temples, including one near the country's mass graves site. As well, there are some atmospheric riverbank rides for uo & Motor-bikers. The Town offers an accessible slice of the real Cambodia & the people of Kampong Cham are very friendly & open to engaging with tourists.

To the south, Koh Pen Island is reached via a long Bamboo Bridge. Just beyond, is Wat Nokor Bachey, where a modern Pagoda is built on the site of an Angkorian Temple. The hills of Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei have Temples at the top. Farther north, Prasat Hanchey has Pagodas & Mekong River views.

There is also an still standing Lookout Tower constructed by the French on the other side of the River, once used for monitoring river traffic. The Stairs to the top are difficult & dangerous to climb but those who are interested to have a good view of the Bridge & the small village, are permitted to.

Most travellers who do find themselves in Kampong Cham are in transit to elsewhere in the country, but those that choose to spend at least a couple of days in the provincial Capital will enjoy the laid-back atmosphere & quaint charm, where time seems to stand still, away from major construction sites, bustling cities & big crowds. Kampong Cham’s unspoilt countryside & idyllic rural landscape is best explored by bicycle.

Most people here are of course ethnic Khmer, but there is a sizeable Cham minority in the province's towns, including a disproportionately high number of Muslims & Christians and those of Chinese origin. Most make their living from rubber tapping, cashew nut plantation, fishing, rice farming & from fruit orchards. Off the beaten track, there are quaint little Temples in & around the Capital city.

Walk around the town & through the local Market before driving further to visit a couple of famous landmarks in the countryside.

Continue on to Pros & Srei Mountains, praised in every tourist Guidebook. The region has a history dating back many centuries and the rich heritage & culture is evident from the remains of the ancient archeological treasure.

Enroute, stop at the tiny crossroads town of Skoun & see the Spider Market famous for an unusual delicacy. Here, spider merchants sell different varieties of large, furry arachnids for locals & adventurous tourists to snack on.

Located in Kro La commune in Kampong Siem district within Kampong Chhnang province, the 2 iconic Hills separated by approximately 500 meters, called Phnom Srey & Phnom Pros, also nicknamed as the "Woman Hill" & "Man Hill" respectively are famous. Steeped in local legend, offering picturesque viewpoints of the countryside & the Tonle Sap River. Their special charm lies in the enduring folklore & the tranquil scenery that draws both Tourists & Pilgrims seeking blessings for Love & Fertility.

In ancient times, there was a Queen named Srei Ayuthiya. Since no man could propose to such a beautiful, noble-woman, she decided to choose the man of her own preference. Since then, it became a Khmer custom that the lady initiated the Marriage proposal to a Man. Some Women, especially those who were less appealing, were very unhappy with this arrangement & wanted to revert back to the original custom of Men coming to the Woman’s parents to seek permission for Wedding. Some Men were challenging this practice.

How to change an age-old practice & get the Tribal Elders to challenge an ancient Custom?  All the women gathered together & the ‘smart’ Women came up with a plan to get everyone on board. They thought up a trick to make the Men come to propose to them again.

They proposed a Competition between 2 Teams of Men & Women to see who can build a taller Hill in 1 day before sunrise. The Competition would end when the Sirius Star rose (about 4.00 am). If the Men won, there will be no change in the Custom & the Woman would have to continue initiating the Proposal. If the Women win, the Man would have to come to their home to ask for their hand in Marriage.

The Men believed it would be easy to win this contest, because they were much stronger & could carry more sand, so they accepted the challenge. Both Teams started working hard, digging the earth to build the Hill & by sunset, their Section was higher & they were clearly going to win.

But, the ladies pulled a fast one. In the night, while the men lay down their Tools & stopped work to take a brief rest, the Women hung a Lantern very high up in a tall tree. Men, seeing the light, mistook it for Sirius, the morning star & convinced they had already won, went to sleep. But the Women continued working for a few more hours. By dawn, their Hill was higher than the one built by Men. They woke up the Men & showed them the actual Morning Star & their taller Hillock.

Thus, Women were crowned the Winner as their Hillock Phnom Srei (Women’s Hill) was taller than Phnom Pros (Men’s Hill) & as a result, Men need to forever after, be the ones to approach the Women's parents for permission if they wish to get married. This was a huge departure from the traditional norm & practices of Khmer people on the rules of Marriage.

The Khmer race of the Province has left a wonderful heritage for the world to wonder at & the religious Memorials built by them stand as an everlasting evidence to the inventiveness of the human intelligence.

There are 2 Pagodas facing each other on top of each Hillock, carrying the same Names - Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei.

There are modern hill-top Temples on each of the Hills that one can explore. Phnom Srei also offers splendid countryside views, with Kompong Cham & the Mekong, while Phnom Pros is considered to be a good relaxation spot.

Phnom Pros is smaller than Phnom Srei & has an approx. height of 30 meters. There is a 5 Peak Temple modelled after Bontey Srey Temple & 2 Pagodas - one of the Pagodas includes 2 Peaks built in Sang Kum Reas Niyum time & the other one has been recently built.

You can walk from Phnom Pros to Phnom Srei & explore other monuments such as a Sculpture Garden with a large Bayon-style head, a new garish Wat, a Library & a Chinese Cemetery.

During 1975 - 1979, Phnom Pros was a big Khmer Detention Center for holding & torturing Cambodians from the province. The area between the 2 Hills was once a killing field now has a small gilded brick Stupa with a pile of Skulls.

Phnom Pros has a dull Peak & there is a road going right to the top. However, to reach the top of Phnom Srei, one has to climb up 308 Steps.

At the top on Phnom Srei, there is a ruined Temple, with a few Nuns & no Monks, who stay to maintain & collect contribution to rebuild the Temple. There are many local people who go up there during the traditional festivals such as Khmer New Year & Pchum Ben.

As you climb up to the Phnom Srey & Phnom Pros, you will get to see the beautiful scenery of the entire Valley. The northern part of Phnom Srei & Phnom Pros is surrounded by spectacular mountains of Dang Rek, Ba Ley & Chhuk.

Depending on the time, you may also stop at Phnom Hanchey, another Temple on a hilltop in the area. The view of the beautiful Cambodian landscape that you get when you go there however is certainly worth it!  For people who are able to reach there at dawn, they will see a gorgeous sunrise over the Mekong that will be on your right side all through the way

Continue to Wat Nokor Bayon, a thriving modern‐day Monastery founded on an 11^th century Angkorian Mahayana Buddhist Shrine, containing a standard assortment of Angkor architecture.

Some of the Mausoleums are open to tourists & contain piles of bones & skulls from the Khmer Rouge's genocidal reign.  Inside one of the buildings is a very elaborate series of wall paintings, depicting torture & executions (of a religious nature), followed by scenes of heaven & the afterlife.

This is not always an accessible building, as a Monk has to unlock it for you to enter. Sunset in the old Angkorian ruins is a beautiful sight.

For people interested (& have the time) in Apsara dances (traditional Cambodian dances), there are occasional performances (Optional, not included) in the evenings (mainly weekends & holidays) behind the Wat Nokor, by the children & teenagers looked after & educated by BSDA, a NGO located at the Temple site & managed by the Monks. Children & teenagers will be very happy to show off their talents. Entrance is free but donations are certainly welcome.

Continue on to Kampong Thom (Kampong Pos Thom was the original name).

Arrive by evening & Check-in at the Hotel.

The friendly, picturesque bustling commercial town of Kampong Thom is situated along the NH6 Highway with the lazy curves of the Stung Saen River winding through the centre, about half-way between Phnom Penh & Siem Reap. 

The town itself may be sparse on attractions, but it is a prime launching pad for those, who would like to dive deeper into the Cambodian culture & way of life in the countryside.

Kampong Thom was a very powerful Capital in Southeast Asia during the Funan period. Later on, during the French rule, the province was home to a large group named the Stieng, but they have long been assimilated into Khmer society. During their rule, the French divided Cambodian territory into provinces & named them according to the spoken words of the people from those specific Provinces.

Because originally long time ago, at the Dock of the Sen River next to a big natural lake, there was a big cave with a pair of big snakes inside. The people living around this area usually saw these big snakes every Buddhist Holiday. In time, the snakes disappeared & the people of that area called it Kampong Pos Thom.

Off the beaten path, tourists may not only participate in the daily life of the locals but will also have the opportunity to visit some hidden gems of Cambodia’s glorious past. Like the serene UNESCO World Heritage listed, tree-entwined Temples of Sambor Prei Kuk & the colourful wats of Phnom Santuk.

The grasslands & rice-fields surrounding Kamponfg Thom are of an extreme importance for wildlife conservation as these areas hold the largest global population of the endangered Bustard, the Bengal Florican as well as occasional large waterbirds from the Tonle Sap floodplain (Adjutants, Pelican, Painted Stork). Other species include large numbers of wintering palearctic passerines (including Dusky Warbler, Yellow-breasted Bunting, Siberian Rubythroat) & the globally vulnerable Manchurian Reed Warbler. In March large numbers of Oriental Plover pass through the area making this possibly the best area in the world to see this species.

There is an interesting fruit bat roost in the grounds of the old Governor’s residence (a nice colonial era building). This is behind the Market on the first road off the river. If the gate to the old Governors building is open, you may be in luck, the house itself is sometimes left unlocked. All of the original furnishings are missing, but some of the Bathroom fixtures remain & the house itself gives off a haunted vibe.

The areas also offer a glimpse of everyday life in the Cambodian countryside with many Fishermen, ox-carts & small scale Farmers.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore independently (we shall be happy to offer suggestions for Optional activities & arrange).

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed for a full day sightseeing tour.

Drive to Sambor Prei Kuk (which means “the temple in the richness of the forest”) is a Temple Complex located just outside Kampong Thom.

Scattered in the jungles, before the rise of the Angor, Sambor Prei Kuk was originally called Isanapura & served as the Capital of Upper Chenla during the reign of the early 7^th century King Isanavarman & was an important learning centre during the Angkorian era.

Perhaps the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia, it encompasses the ruins of more than 100 mainly brick Temples, among them some of the oldest structures in the country, in an area of serene & soothing atmosphere, with the sandy trails between Temples looping through shady forest. Best known for the many detailed carvings, the art found here laid the foundation for Khmer art produced during the Angkor period. The lintels, columns & pilasters of the Temples show examples of pre-Angkorian artistry. Many of the carvings seem to depict foreign visitors to the royal Court.

Besides its intricate carvings, the Temple ruins are also known for their unique architectural style. Some Temples are octagon-shaped which is a unique architectural feature found at Sambor Prei Kuk.

In the early 1970s, Sambor Prei Kuk was bombed by US aircraft in support of the Lon Nol Government’s doomed fight against the Khmer Rouge. Some of the Craters, ominously close to the Temples, can still be seen. The area’s last landmines were cleared in 2008.

Travellers can see Temple ruins & admire the carvings. Sandy trails lead all history lovers through the site covered by trees.

Explore the main central complex to gain an insight into the early architectural styles of Cambodia.

From here, you will proceed to a Cashew Nut Farm.

Cambodia is one of the top exporters of cashew nuts globally & produces yearly around 60,000 tons of in-shell cashew nuts. There are a significant number of Factories in the country & they continue to grow as the global demand rises.

Here, you will see the process of shelling the nuts & will have an opportunity to purchase the raw cashew nuts for a very reasonable price (rock-bottom compared to rates at home).

On the drive back, stop at another interesting point.

Santuk Silk Farm is one of the very few places in Cambodia where the entire process of silk production can be seen - from the delicate silk worm that only feeds on mulberry leaves to the finished silk shawl. The local silk worm produces so-called ‘Khmer golden silk’ because of its lush golden hue.