Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace and spirituality that it has fixated & confounded travellers for centuries.

Prepare to be charmed…. Wrapped in rainforests, edged by golden sands, crowned by volcanoes, studded with ruins of lost civilisations: this is Southeast Asia as you have always imagined it. Spirituality swirls around like the smoke from incense sticks swirls around its myriad Temples.

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 the 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 Central Market, which offers a ‘kind’ of kaleidoscopic view of what is on offer in Cambodia, shopping wise.

Shopping in Phnom Penh is a major attraction for tourists who love to buy back some souvenirs from this exotic Asian land. The clean Central Market (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.

The Market stocks everything right from food items to clothes & silverworks. The jewelry & some of the gold ornament that you will find in the interior of the Market are really unsurpassable in design & style.

Constructed in 1937 on a site which was previously a swamp that was used to accumulate runoff rainwaters, it was initially designed by Jean Desbois & the construction was supervised by French architects Louis Chauchon & Wladimir Kandaouroff.

The dark-yellow Art deco building is shaped in the form of a Cross with a nice central Dome with 4 Wings branching out into vast Hallways with countless shops selling gold & silver jewelry, antique coins, fake name-brand watches & other such items.

The Building is a beautiful one, a spectacular instance of Cambodian architecture. Central Market also sells electronic items & there is also plenty of second-hand stuff that locals can buy here at an affordable rate. The gateway to the Market is lined with Hawkers who sell different kinds of tidbits. Around the main buildings are Stalls offering Krama (the traditional checked scarves), Stationery, household items, Cloth for Sarongs, Flowers & 2^nd hand clothes, usually from Europe & US.

For Photographers, the fresh Food section affords a lot of opportunities. There are a host of good value Stalls on the structure's western side, which faces Monivong Blvd.

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.

What better time to visit these wonderful countries than when a local Festival brings an additional layer of colour & excitement. You are sure to be welcomed to join in the fun!

Anyone travelling to Phnom Penh in May will witness the changing of the seasons as the dry season comes to an end & the rains start to begin. This marks the moment when farmers can start sowing their rice fields.

In time, walk to the Royal Palace to participate in the Royal Ploughing Ceremony (also known as Pithi Chrat Preah Neanng Korl in Khmer) considered to be one of the most important ancient Khmer royal rite held in Cambodia (& many Asian countries) to mark the beginning of the Monsoon in May & traditional start of the rice planting & sowing, which usually kicks off the ‘growing’ season. This important event in the agricultural cycle commemorated in a special ceremony led by the Royal family, is used to predict the nationwide future forecast on Harvest, Weather, Epidemics & Farming conditions for the upcoming year.  

There is a deep astrological belief that the royal Oxen (known in Khmer as Usapheak Reach), have an instrumental role & special powers to determine the fate of the agricultural harvest each year.

The Ceremony is televised live & in the past has always been held on the Veal Preahmein field next to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, but once it was staged in Takeo Province’s Daun Keo City on a football pitch prepared for the occasion.

Presided over by King Norodom Sihamoni & held to mark the beginning of the rice growing season, the annual ancient royal rite is conducted by the royal Monks. It is not uncommon for King to get his hands dirty & you can see the King doing a bit of plowing & planting.

Cambodia is predominantly Buddhist, currently estimated to be the faith of 90% of the population. Buddhist Nuns at Angkor Wat have existed here since the 5^th century C.E. Theravada Buddhism has been the state religion since the 13^th century CE (excepting the Khmer Rouge period).

First, the chanting Monks seek approval to plow from the ground ‘Spirits’. Then, they lead the 2 sacred Oxen hitched to a wooden Plough, in 3 rounds of ceremonial Ploughing around the field. The royal ladies walk behind the Plough, scattering rice seeds in the 3 furrows, as offerings made to the divinities.

This event is traditionally accompanied by jubilant celebrations & other entertainment activities. It is an exciting show visited by Farmers from the entire country in all their traditional Khmer finery & costumes, bring their best products to the Agricultural Exhibition that takes place alongside. Most visitors too, are dressed in their brightly colored traditional clothing.

And now comes the interesting part. 

The royal servants then unhitch the Plough harnesses & lead the Oxen to 7 golden Barrels containing Rice, Corn, Sesame seeds, Beans, Grass, Water & Wine.

The vast crowd watches carefully with bated breath in anticipation of which Tray, the Bovines will feed from. Every year, Cambodian farmers anxiously await the predictions at the end of this ritualistic ceremony, which they observe with strong faith & belief.

If the Oxen choose Rice or any grain, it signifies a bountiful Harvest; Water signifies excessive rainfall & consequent flooding; Grass is a sign that crops will be devastated by insects or disease. Wine is the unluckiest of all, meaning there will be drought or a conflict & possibly war.

Depending on what they eat, royal Soothsayers, Astrologers & Monks make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. Their decisions can be ominous or auspicious & the ‘specific’ amounts eaten also indicate what is in store for country in the year ahead.

When asked, most Cambodians stand staunchly by these traditional methods of predicting the future & vouch for their accuracy. And majority still today, consult / seek guidance from traditional Holy Books & Priests before making major decisions about any aspect of their personal or professional life. It is comforting that they believe the Angels are still watching over us.

At the end of the Ceremony, the Farmers will ceremoniously collect the Rice seeds spread out in the Furrows & take them home, in order to mix them with their own Seeds, in anticipation of bountiful harvest.

Spend rest of the day observing the Ceremony & the festivities that follow. Check out the Farmers Market & Agricultural Exhibition

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.

Balance of the day at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions or make arrangements for Optional activities).

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 & 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 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 Cyclists & 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 Kampong 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.

The Farm is run by a Cambodian lady called Navin, widow of an American war veteran who transformed from a warrior to a conscientious NGO worker, Bud Gibbons. Gibbons settled here after the war & founded this Silk Farm business which today employs about 18 locals as artisan weavers.

See the process & later (depending on the logistics / time) enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal served in the Gardens of the Farm.

Return to the Hotel.

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

Morning, depart for Siem Reap, driving through picturesque rural landscapes.

Arrive in Siem Reap, the gateway to an ancient world capital city by noon & Check-in at the hotel.

*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’.

Wrapped in rainforests, edged by golden sands, crowned by volcanoes, studded with ruins of lost civilisations: this is Southeast Asia as you have always imagined it. The life-support system & gateway for the Temples of Angkor, Siem Reap was always destined for great things

Breathtaking Antiquity | Empire of Temples | Cambodian Spirit

The life - support system & gateway to the world famous Temple ruins of Angkor, Siem Reap, a once quaint laid-back & pleasant village, is located on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia, in northwestern Cambodia.

Angkor was the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9^th - 15^th centuries. ‘Siem Reap’ literally means Siamese defeated, referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai Kingdom in the 17^th century. 

Siem Reap has reinvented itself as the epicentre of chic Cambodia, with everything from backpacker party pads to hip hotels, world-class wining & dining across a range of cuisines, sumptuous spas, great shopping and a creative cultural scene that includes Cambodia's leading Circus. The proximity of the Angkorian ruins has turned Siem Reap into a boomtown in less than half a decade.

Visitors come here to see the Temples, of course, but there is plenty to do in & around the city when you are templed out. Angkor is a place to be savoured, not rushed & this is the base from which to plan your adventures. Still think 3 days at the Temples is enough? Think again with Siem Reap on the doorstep.

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

Later in the afternoon, meet your Tour-guide in the Lobby at 01.00 pm & proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of some of the city’s most historically significant sites.

Drive by a selection of carefully-chosen highlights, from the remarkable buildings featuring some of the most stunning architecture to be found anywhere.

Stop at the Angkor National Museum.  

Looming large on the road to Angkor is the, a state-of-the-art showpiece on the Khmer Civilisation & the majesty of Angkor. Displays are themed by era, religion & royalty as visitors move through the impressive Galleries.

Visiting the mammoth, 20,000 square metre building may be a surreal experience. Its Shopping Mall like feel contrasts with the 1,000s year old Artifacts contained within it. It is composed of 8 separate Galleries, all connected by a vaulted corridor with a series of fountains & lined with what seems like all the Angkorian limestone lion & demon heads missing from Statues at the Temples.

Exhibits include touch-screen videos, epic commentary & the chance to experience a panoramic sunrise at Angkor Wat. Although there appears to be less Sculpture on display here than in the National Museum in Phnom Penh, the presentation of the Artifacts here, is cutting edge.

Watch an explanatory film called Story behind the Legend, before you are pointed toward the Galleries.

First one would be the Zen-like Gallery of a Thousand Buddhas, which has a fine Collection of Images.

This is the only Gallery that is just 1 large room, rather than a series of maze-like alcoves & the sight of all these Buddhas at once is striking. Hundreds of small & miniature Buddha figurines, made of metals, jewels & wood, all individually illuminated, line the walls here, identified according to the period they were made during & where they were discovered. In the centre, life-size & larger Buddha characters are displayed. The display includes Buddhas from Banteay Kdei, Bayon, Angkor Wat & Preah Vihear.

The 2^nd Gallery & all the subsequent ones combine mural-size explanations & short films through maze-like rooms explaining Angkorian history. The styles of Figurines precede the trademark Angkor style, and there is a large Collection of Lingas, lintels & colonnettes

Other exhibits include the pre-Angkorian periods of Funan & Chenla; the great Khmer Kings; Angkor Wat; Angkor Thom & the inscriptions.

Some of the standout pieces in the collection include a late 12^th century seated Buddha sheltered by a naga (mythical serpent-being); a 7^th century standing Vishnu from Sambor Prei Kuk in Kompong Thom; & a stunning 10^th century lintel from the beautiful Temple of Banteay Srei.

Gallery 3 entitled Religion & Beliefs, explains several of the most significant Hindu & Buddhist religious stories & folk tales depicted on Angkorian Temples, including the most memorable “Churning of the Sea of Milk” carved into the rear wall at Angkor Wat. Carvings of Buddhist & Hindu religious figures are concentrated here as well.

Gallery 4 focuses on the Great Khmer Kings - Jayavarman II, Yasovarman I, Soryavarman II & Jayavarman VII, those most responsible for Angkor's greatest constructions. Figures of the Kings & relics from the Ttemples they commissioned abound.

Gallery 5 features beautiful, panoramic images of the Angkor Wat Temple & explanations of how it was constructed. There are also many restored figures from the Temple itself as well as post-Angkorian wooden statues used for worship at the Temple until several hundred years ago

Gallery 6 showcases the history & artefacts recovered from the vast Irrigation Projects commissioned by the King Jayavarman VII who built Angkor Thom, with his smiling face looking out from every Tower.

Gallery 7 entitled “Story from Stones” is one of the most interesting, featuring a collection of stone pallets with ancient Khmer & Sanskrit inscriptions. The writing on each slate is explained on placards below. The writings include the declaration of the construction of a new hospital, lists of slave names, mediations of land disputes and adulations of kings & gods.

Gallery 8 contains the Busts & Statues showing distinct fashions & styles as they evolved throughout Angkor time. There is also a Collection of ancient Jewellery & Head-dresses, from Apsaras & Kings to Princesses & Warriors.

Audio-tours (direct payment) are available for those who want a more comprehensive understanding of the exhibits on display.

Spend 2 hours to explore the Museum. At the end, you might want to visit the Gift Shop where upscale imitations of these fashions shown in Gallery 8, abounds. Finish off with coffee & sweets inside the attached Cafe.

Come back to the Hotel to freshen up to get ready for another interesting ‘not to be missed’ Cambodia experience.

Evening around 06.00 pm, meet the Rep & proceed to see the breathtaking show "Phare -The Cambodian Circus" featuring the energetic & talented young professional Artists & high-flying acrobatics with live music.

The Show is one of Cambodia’s most innovative social enterprise models. Profits generated through Ticket, Refreshment, Merchandise & private Performance sales support the free Education, professional Arts training & Social Support programs of Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang.

More than just a Circus, Phare performers use Theater, Music, Dance & modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk & modern. The young circus Artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm & talent.

All Phare Artists are students & graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s (www.phareps.org) Vocational Training Center in Battambang, formed in 1994 by 9 young men coming home from a Refugee Camp after the Khmer Rouge regime. They were greatly helped during that time by an Art Teacher using drawing classes as therapy who wanted to share this new skill among the poor, socially deprived & troubled youngsters in Battambang.

The Group founded an Art School & a Public School offering free education. A Music School & Theatre School were next & finally, for the kids who wanted more, the Circus School. Today, more than 1,200 pupils attend the Public School daily & 500 attend the alternative Schools. Phare Ponleu Selpak also has extensive Outreach Programs, trying to help with the problems highlighted in their own tales.

“Phare - the Cambodian Circus” offers these students & graduates a medium to hone their skills & a place to earn a decent wage. Money that will take them out of poverty & give them self-respect & freedom.

The Phare experience begins from the moment you approach the venue in Siem Reap. You will see larger-than-life images of the Phare Artists on banners & billboards along the street.

As you enter the site, you are greeted by the smiling faces & a warm welcome of the customer service team. You pause to take your first photo of the evening: the authentic red big top with colorful lights made from recycled plastic bottles.

With your Ticket in hand, you pass by the Story Panels that provide you a little background of the Artists as you enter the newly redesigned Phare Boutique, where you can get some of the most extraordinary souvenirs, including original Artwork from Phare visual Artists. Maybe, one of the hand-crafted items will catch your eye. Of course, you know you need to take home several Phare T-shirts & Polo shirts as souvenirs for your friends & family. Don’t worry if you can’t make up your mind just yet. Phare Boutique will be open after the Show as well.

Between Phare Boutique & the Big Top, you will discover open-air Phare Cafe, serving Drinks, Snacks and delicious Meals. Here, before the Show, you will enjoy a 3 course Meal (included, no drinks) dining on Fish Amok & Beef Kroeung & other delicacies.

Another drink? Popcorn with real butter? No problem. You’re welcome to take it into the Big Top.

08.00 pm – time to proceed to the Tent for the main event.

The smile automatically comes to your face as you find a seat in the traditional, authentic, circular Big Top. May be, you are thinking of a Circus you went during your childhood, but guaranteed, this will be unique. The music, acting, acrobatics & high-energy music will captivate you. At the end, the Artists welcome you on Stage for a chat or group photos.

You exit the Big Top feeling exhilarated. When you pass back through Phare Boutique on the way out, you know exactly which souvenirs you will take home.

With your bag in hand, you jump in one of the Tuk Tuks waiting for you back to the Hotel to look at all the pictures you took & upload them to your social media?

Or may be, you want to discover the Pub Street? (if you do, then you will have to find your own way back to the hotel).

Back to the Hotel.

And now comes the ‘raison d’etre’ of coming to Cambodia in the first place.

Wake up at dawn, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 06.00 am & head to Angkor Wat for sunrise & a morning tour of the Temple before the crowds arrive.  

Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise & sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.

Welcome to Heaven on Earth.

Angkor’s vast Complex of intricate stone buildings includes preserved Angkor Wat, the main Temple, which is pictured on Cambodia’s flag.

Wat is the Khmer name for Temple, which was probably added to "Angkor "when it became a Theravada Buddhist monument, most likely in the 16^th century. After 1432 when the capital moved to Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat was cared for by Buddhist monks

Angkor is the earthly representation of Mt Meru, the Mt Olympus of the Hindu faith & the abode of ancient gods. The Temples are the perfect fusion of creative ambition & spiritual devotion. The Cambodian ‘god-kings’ of old each strove to better their ancestors in size, scale & symmetry, culminating in the world’s largest religious building, Angkor Wat.

Angkor’s vast Complex of intricate stone buildings, in their beauty & state of preservation, is unrivaled & its mightiness, magnificence reflects a pomp & a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal.

It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary Temple for King Suryavarman & oriented to the west to conform to the symbolism between the setting sun & death. The bas-reliefs, designed for viewing from left to right in the order of Hindu funereal ritual, support this function. An architectural masterpiece, its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, the delicate Artistry of its carvings, relief's & sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

Spread over on a site measuring 162.6 hectares, the largest, best preserved & most religiously significant monument in the world, Angkor Wat impresses visitors both by its sheer scale & beautifully proportioned layout.

Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous Kings, it was originally constructed in the first half of the 12^th century as a Hindu Temple dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu god), in Yasodharapura (present-day Angkor), the Capital of the Khmer Empire, by King Suryavarman II. Acclaimed as one of the most inspired monuments ever conceived by the human mind, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist Temple towards the end of his reign. It was the state Temple & his eventual Mausoleum.

As the best-preserved Temple at the site, Angkor Wat is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation, was never abandoned to the elements & has been in virtually continuous use since it was built. It is considered the epicentre of Khmer civilisation & a source of fierce national pride.

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The traveller's first glimpse of Angkor Wat, the ultimate expression of Khmer genius, is matched by only a few select spots on earth. Simply unique, it is a stunning blend of spirituality & symmetry, an enduring example of humanity’s devotion to its gods. Relish the very first approach, as that spine-tickling moment when you emerge on the inner causeway, will rarely be felt again.

To approach the Temple, visitors first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad Causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of Galleries & Courtyard before reaching the central Sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the Causeway & across the surrounding countryside

The plan of Angkor Wat is difficult to grasp when walking through the monument because of the vastness. Its complexity & beauty both attract and distract one's attention. From a distance Angkor Wat appears to be a colossal mass of stone on one level with a long Causeway leading to the center but close up it is a series of elevated Towers, covered Galleries, Chambers, Porches & Courtyards on different levels linked by Stairways.

The sandstone blocks from which Angkor Wat was built were quarried from the holy mountain of Phnom Kulen, more than 50 km away & floated down the Siem Reap river on Rafts. The logistics of such an operation are mind blowing, consuming the labour of thousands. According to inscriptions, the construction of Angkor Wat involved 300,000 workers & 6000 elephants, yet it was still not fully completed.

Covered Galleries with Columns define the boundaries of the 1^st & 2^nd levels. The third level supports five towers - four in the corners and one in the middle & these is the most prominent architectural feature of Angkor Wat. Graduated tiers, one rising above the other, give the towers a conical shape & near the top, rows of lotuses taper to a point.

The height of Angkor Wat from the ground to the top of the central Tower is greater than it might appear: 213 meters, achieved with 3 rectangular or square levels (1-3). Each one is progressively smaller & higher than the one below starting from the outer limits of the Temple.

Enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface of the outer Gallery walls with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial Dancers, sculpted into the walls. The Temple is admired for the grandeur & harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs which narrate stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk & for the numerous devatas adorning its walls.

Mid-morning head back to the Hotel in time for breakfast before relaxing in the Garden, by the Pool, or in your own room through the heat of the day

Later in the afternoon, proceed to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city covering an area of 10 sq km.

Enter through the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons & gods, each carrying a giant naga.

Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants & the Terrace of the Leper King, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs.

See the many Temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon Temple, one of the most popular & compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs & ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find magnificent giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.

Angkor Thom is undeniably an expression of the highest genius. It is, in 3 dimensions & on a scale worthy of an entire nation, the materialization of Buddhist cosmology, representing ideas that only great painters would dare to portray.

Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire, was a fortified city enclosing residences of priest, officials of the Palace & military, as well as buildings for administering the Kingdom.

These structures were built of wood & have perished but the remaining stone monuments testify that Angkor Thom was indeed a "Great City" as its name implies. Temples inside the walls of the city are Bayon, Phimeanakas, Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Prah Palilay, Tep Pranam & Prasat Suor Prat.

The Royal Palace situated within the city of Angkor Thom is of an earlier date & belonged to Kings of the 10^th - 11^th centuries. Although the foundations & an enclosing wall around the Palace with entry Towers have been identified, little evidence remains of the layout of the buildings inside the enclosure.

The French ascertained a general plan of the Royal Palace. It included the temple-mountain of Phimeanakas & surrounding Pools together with residences & buildings for administering the Capital, which were probably at the back of the enclosure. Jayavarman VII reconstructed the original site of the Royal Palace to erect the city of Angkor Thom, which was centered around the Temple of Bayon & surrounded by a wall.

At the center of the Kingdom Complex rise a Golden Tower flanked by more than 20 lesser Towers & several hundred Stone Chambers. On the eastern side is a golden Bridge guarded by 2 lions of gold, one on each side, with 8 golden Buddhas spaced along the Chambers. North of the Golden Tower of Bronze (Baphuon), higher even than the Golden Tower. a truly astonishing spectacle.

A quarter of a mile further north is the residence of the King rising above his private apartments is another tower of gold, These are the monuments which have caused merchants from overseas to speak so often of "Cambodia the rich & noble "

Symbolically, Angkor Thom is a microcosm of the universe, divided into four parts by the main axes. The Temple of the Bayon is situated at the exact center of the axes & stands as the symbolical link between heaven & earth. The wall enclosing the city of Angkor Thom represents the stonewall around the universe & the mountain ranges around Meru. The surrounding moat (now dry) symbolizes the cosmic ocean.

A long causeway leading to each entry Tower is flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side - demons on the right & gods on the left-to make a total of 108 mythical beings guarding the city of Angkor Thom. The demons have a grimacing expression & wear a military headdress whereas the gods look serene with their almond-shaped eyes and wear a conical headdress. (Some of the heads on these figures are copies; the original ones have been removed and are at the Angkor Conservancy in Siem Reap).

There are several beautiful spots from which to watch the sunset & the Tour-guide would take you to a vantage point. Relax & enjoy a memorable end to your day at the Temples.

The Tour finishes & you return to the Hotel.

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

Early morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am in the Lobby depart & proceed for a full day 8 hour tour of the other Temples.

Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor Temples, Banteay Srei is a 10^th century Cambodian Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, located in the same area of Angkor, north-east of the main group & is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art.

Banteay Srei is one of the few Temples around Angkor to be commissioned not by a King but by a brahman, who may have been a tutor to Jayavarman V. Banteay Srei means ‘Citadel of the Women’ & it is said that it must have been built by a woman, as the elaborate carvings are supposedly too fine for the hand of a man.

First discovered, it was assumed to be from the 13^th or 14^th centuries, as it was thought that the refined carving must have come at the end of the Angkor period. It was later dated to AD 967, from inscriptions found at the site. It is one of the smallest sites at Angkor, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in stature.

The Art Gallery here, is wonderfully well preserved & many of its carvings are 3 dimensional.

Considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei is cut from sandstones of a pinkish hue & includes some of the finest stone carving anywhere on earth. Classic carvings at Banteay Srei include delicate women with lotus flowers in hand & traditional skirts clearly visible, as well as breathtaking re-creations of scenes from the epic Ramayana adorning the library pediments (carved inlays above a lintel).

The Temple is square in shape & has entrances at the east & west, with the east approached by a Causeway. Of interest are the lavishly decorated Libraries & the 3 central Towers, which are decorated with male & female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work.

However, the sum of the parts is no greater than the whole - almost every inch of these interior buildings is covered in decoration. Standing watch over such perfect creations are the mythical Guardians, all of which are copies of originals stored in the National Museum. Because of its small size, fairy‐like atmosphere & extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this Temple is often a favorite with visitors.

Some of the other Temples that you might see (depending on the time & Tour-guides discretion) are -  

Banteay Samre is a mid-12^th century Temple dedicated to the god Vishnu.

Ta Prohm is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

Sras Srang is a basin east of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny Island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden Temple.

Pre Rip built by Rajendravarman II (ruled 944 to 968), consists of a Pyramid shaped Temple with the upper‐most of the 3 Tiers carrying 5 five square Dhrines arranged as a quincunx. The name means turning the body & refers to the traditional method of cremation.

You can eat at one of several small Restaurants, complete with ornate wood furnishings cut from Cambodia’s forests, near the entrance of the Temple.

Then, continue on to visit the Cambodian Land Mine Museum, a rather humble look at the Land Mine problem, past & present.

The Museum & Relief Facility is located near the Banteay Srei Temple complex & has eye-opening displays on the curse of Land Mines in Cambodia. The impressive collection includes Mines, Mortars, Guns & Weaponry and there is a mock Minefield where visitors can attempt to locate the deactivated Mines. What is even more impressive is the story of one Khmer man, Aki Ra, who disarmed the majority of these Land Mines alone & established the Museum.

Proceeds from the Museum are ploughed into Awareness campaigns & the Museum strives to educate the visitors of the importance of clearing Land Mines in Cambodia. With potentially 5,000,000 still in the ground, Land Mines have immensely impacted the history & culture of this amazing society. They also educate & support over 2 dozen at-risk Khmer children who otherwise would never have had this bright future. The Relief Center where they & staff, live is located on the Museum property.

Then, proceed to the 12^th century Banteay Kdei, meaning "A Citadel of Chambers  or Citadel of Monks' cells", a massive Buddhist Monastery from the latter part of, surrounded by 4 concentric walls. Each of its 4 entrances is decorated with Garudas, which hold aloft one of Jayavarman VII’s favourite themes: the 4  faces of Avalokiteshvara. The outer wall of Banteay Kdei measures 500 meters by 700 meters. The inside of the central Tower was never finished & much of the Temple is in a ruinous state due to hasty construction.

Continue on to the ultimate Indiana Jones fantasy, another Temple, Ta Prohm cloaked in dappled shadow, its crumbling Towers & Walls locked in the slow muscular embrace of vast root systems. Undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor, Ta Prohm should be high on the hit list of every visitor. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been swallowed by the jungle & looks very much the way most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.

Return to the Hotel.

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

Early morning, meet the Tour-guide at 07.00 am depart & proceed for a full day 8 hour excursion to the Phnom Kulen Park in the protected Cambodian jungle, driving through countless villages.

Early morning, meet the Tour-guide at 07.00 am depart & proceed for a full day 8 hour excursion to the Phnom Kulen Park in the protected Cambodian jungle, driving through countless villages.

As you drive to Phnom Kulen, your Tour-guide will talk about how this conservation initiative involves local villagers who maintain the Trails in Park. By including the Community in the tourism initiatives, locals are provided with an income & therefore an incentive to help stop deforestation & protect the wildlife.

After arriving at the Park area, walk through the Village & then head on to the forested mountaintop, with the green canopy high above, providing shade even in Cambodia’s hottest months.

Phnom Kulen National Park (officially named Jayavarman-Norodom Phnom Kulen National Park) located in the Phnom Kulen mountains, is home to a community-protected area of mainly intact evergreen & boulder forest. It was established in 1993 & covers 373.76 km² & once hosted abundance of lychee trees. The name Phnom Kulen can refer to both the Mountain Ridge itself & the area designated as National Park.

Kulen is considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia & it is a popular place of pilgrimage for domestic visitors during Weekends & Festivals.

Phnom Kulen is one of Cambodia’s most revered sites that has major symbolic importance as it was from here, in 802 CE, that King Jayavarman II declared Independence from Java & proclaimed himself a Devaraja (God-king), giving birth to the Cambodian Kingdom & thus began the Khmer Empire - as an independent nation.

At the time, the Mountain & the ancient Capital of Jayavarman II was called Mahendraparvata or the Mountain of Indra, a Buddhist & Hindu deity. You can see the ruins of the City at the top. You can literally stand on the site where one of the most powerful Empires of all time was born.

Khmer legend has it that in 1372, a woman named Penh found 4 Statues of Buddha on the banks of the Mekong & she built a Pagoda on a Hill to house the images. The Hill was named Phnom Don Penh or Hill of the Lady Penh which evolved into Phnom Kulen. The mountain also served as the Quarry which produced the sandstone which was used to build some of the great Temples of Angkor.

More recently, Phnom Kulen was the last stronghold of the Khmer Rouge when their time in power came to an abrupt end in 1979. However, the remnants of the Rebel Group stayed active in the area until the 1990s.

The road is too narrow to allow 2 Way traffic, so vehicles are only allowed to go up before 11.00 am & only allowed to come down after mid-day, to avoid vehicles meeting on the ‘single’ lane narrow road. There is a new road under construction that will allow a one-way system to be eventually introduced: ascending the mountain by the old road & descending via the new road.

From the entrance, the Road winds its way through some spectacular jungle scenery, emerging on the Plateau after a 12 km ascent. On the top of the Plateau, they have discovered religious monuments - about 56 Angkorian Temples, made of bricks & volcanic stones, during the reign of King Jayavarman. Only the base of the Temples remains intact.  In addition, to Rock Shelters, Carved Riverbed & a pre-historic site with Rock Paintings. Furthermore, Mahendraparvata on top, presents various elements characteristic of an urban form from an Angkorian Capital.

Nowadays, Phnom Kulen is a popular destination for locals & foreigners with many attractions in the vicinity. Some of these are as follows (just for illustration - logistically, you may not be able to visit all, as some places require Hiking).

There are plenty of other Angkorian sites on Phnom Kulen, including as many as 20 minor Temples around the Plateau, the most important of which is Prasat Rong Chen, the 1^st Pyramid or Temple-mountain to be constructed in the Angkor area. The Temple & Hermitage on top is reported to have been occupied from the 11^th - 13^th century. Near the top of the Waterfall is a jungle-clad Temple known as Prasat Krau Romeas, dating from the 9^th century.

Travelling throughout Southeast Asia, you are guaranteed to see plenty of Carvings, many of which are very exquisite & impressive.

Located atop Phnom Kulen, Preah Ang Thom Pagoda is home to the largest - 8 meters high – Statue, in Cambodia, of reclining Buddha attaining Nirvana.

The Statue is carved into a ‘single’ huge natural sandstone boulder to which a modern Staircase has been added along with a shelter over Buddha.

Researchers note that the Statue was likely carved in the post-Angkorian era with some suggesting the 16^th century, based on the dates inscribed on the Buddha’s Foot (Buddhapada) near the Monolith.

The leading Archeologist of the area, Jean-Baptiste Chevance recorded that inscriptions K. 715, K. 716, & nearby K. 1006 indicate that the site of Preah Ang Thom was likely quite famous in the post-Angkorian period, extending beyond the borders of the old Khmer Empire.

The ‘still active’ Pagoda is a sacred spot for Khmer people, worshipping the God of the Mountain & at times, quite busy. There are also 2 large Cham Pa trees near the Temple.

On the Streets surrounding the Pagoda, there are plenty of Souvenir Stalls at the base & there is a grand Naga balustrade & an entrance arch flanked by Elephants.

On reaching the entrance to the Pagoda, you can take off your shoes & any head covering before saying your blessings & heading up the Staircase to meet the grand Reclining Buddha in the Sanctuary. There are numerous modern Sculptures around the site including, Buddha’s foot imprint.

Then, if you are feeling adventurous, you can take a motorcycle ride & a long walk to get to Sra Damrei (which means Elephant Pond), an impressive set of giant Stone Animals. There is no water at what is known as the Elephant Pond, but there are indeed Elephants & there are spectacular views across the plains below.  

Constructed on the southern face of the mountain, you will see massive, monolithic, beautiful, moss-covered life-size - a full 4 metres long & 3 metres tall - Stone Elephants which were once the “Guardian” of the Mountain. There are also smaller Statues of Lions, a Frog & a Cow. The impressive Statues are well over 1,000 years old & you can walk among them alone in the forest like you just discovered them.

Another attraction is the impressive ancient Rock Carvings at Poeung Tbal, an atmospheric site of enormous boulders & the partially restored Temple of Damrei Krap. A fascinating scenic site regardless of its ancient heritage featuring massive natural Rock Monoliths, ancient Rock Carvings & a Temple site.

The groups of Carvings can be seen in 2 separate areas, at the rear of the natural arch at the entrance to the site & a further 100 metres south.

The site was discovered & documented in the early 1900s by Jean Baptiste Chevance & his Team. Hidden in the forest, the 11^th century, the Carvings have a wonderful history that attracts archaeological students & tourists, curious about this ancient City on the mountains. It was further explored in the ‘70s & then, in 2007.

In Hindu-Buddhist belief, people consider Mounds, Cascades, Valleys, Storms, Rain, Thunder & Spirits, as Guardians that look after the Forests & Villages. Overhanging rocks on mountains are also believed to be a sacred place to have Temples or Shrines & though very rare, Carvings & ancient inscriptions of deities in such locations can still be found today.

The scenic northern section of Phnom Kulen was once the site of an ancient city of the Khmer Empire on Mahendraparvata. Today, the long gone City’s splendour lives on in stunning rock carvings depicting Hindu deities.

Among the already discovered, more notable, Carvings are 4 at Poeung Komnou on the northern side of Kulen Mountain.

The 1^st one is a fascinating oval shaped rock depicting the Hindu God Vishnu sleeping on Adishesha (King of all Nagas). The 2^nd Carving is located in front of Vishnu & depicts an 8 handed Ganesha (the Hindu God with an Elephant head) surrounded by 3 Columns. The 3^rd Carving depicts many deities in green with, including Vishnu, Vamana & Shiva, surrounded by Inscriptions & animal figures. The 4^th Carving, about 40 metres away, shows Vishnu on a Garuda.

Additionally, there are several Carvings depicting beautiful scenes from the Khmer Empire during the 11^th century rule of Harshavarman III, who sat on the Throne from 1066-1080 AD.

Plants & wild flowers blossom in rainy season amidst the green Carvings. But today, some of the overhanging rocks on which the Carvings are etched sit precariously & have started sloping over, making it dangerous to take a closer look.

Moving onwards, if you can hike along a slightly tougher pretty Path that winds its way up into the jungle, passing some interesting boulder formations along the way then, you also visit Anlong Pong Phkay (River of a Thousand Lingas).

More commonly referred to in English as the River of 1,000 Lingas, the name actually means 'Bridgehead', a reference to the natural rock Bridge here. The place is just an hour away from the City Centre & the scenic drive will illustrate a kaleidoscope of local life as you pass along picturesque Villages & beautiful countryside with vast stretches of Rice paddies.

While there is no Temple up here, the sandstone riverbed of Kbal Spean River is covered with 1,000s of elaborately carved Lingas & images of Hindu deities, believed to have been made during the reign of King Udayadityavarman II in the 11^th century.

The Linga is an iconic Phallic symbol of the representation of Hindu deity Shiva & the water that flows over these Lingas is sanctified & regarded as sacred, having special power that are said to help couples conceive. The area is a magnet for “Kru Khmer” (Natural Medicine doctors), & attracts people seeking blessings from these holy waters.

While Cambodia is a popular tourist spot for beautiful Temples & well-preserved ruins, Kbal Spean River set amidst a deep jungle in the northeast of Angkor, is a less trodden path. In 1969, French Ethnologist Jean Boulbet discovered the River site, when he was led to this place by a Hermit. It is certain to be one of the more curious reliefs you will see.

Along a stretch of the riverbed for around 500 metres, there are some very ornate carvings of Lingams, several big & small Yoni & a large impressive carving of Vishnu on the upper section of the River, followed by a series of Carvings at the Bridgehead itself, some of which were hacked off in the past few years & since been replaced by excellent replicas. Smaller Carvings are also featured along the bedrock walls of the riverbed & you will see some motifs of animals & other Hindu Gods such as Shiva, Brahma, Lakshmi, Hanuman & Rama.

At the very southern end or the beginning of the Carvings, there is also a natural Spring flanked by Shrines.

Another point you ‘may’ see (strictly based on available time & Tour-guides discretion) is the well-camouflaged Bat Cave, amidst thick jungle. A few 100 metres inside & you will see several Shrines, where most people come to make their Pilgrimage.

The moss-covered Entrance gives way to narrow Passageways which open into several larger Chambers. You can walk pretty far into the Cave, which requires you to duck under the low ceiling in some places. It is also home to 1,000s of Bats as well as several Buddhist Monks who sleep in Tents deep inside.

And finally, cool off at the idyllic Kulen Waterfalls surrounded by dense jungle. The Waterfall was featured in the movie “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”.

At the top of the Waterfall are many animal images, including a Cow & a Frog and a Path winds around the boulders to a wooden Staircase leading down to the base of the Falls. The Water here is considered holy & Khmers like to bottle it to take home with them. The source of Water eventually flows in to Tonle Sap Lake & is thought to bless the water ways of Cambodia.

 In fact, there are 2 Waterfalls here. The 1^st is around 25 metres wide & 5 metres tall. The 2^nd is about 15 metres tall & 15 metres wide. The size of both Waterfalls will change depending on the season. There will be much more water during the rainy season.

You can spend the time having something to eat & swimming in the cool water.

And then, it is time to go home.

Return to the hotel.

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

Today you will get a deep understanding of Khmer cuisine at an interactive Cooking Class. As you know that Siem Reap city is not just a Temple town for you to wonder, but it is also a city that offers a variety of great Cooking styles, too.

Khmer food is one of the major national identities that reflect the ways of life, thought & mind of the Khmer people which are hidden in the taste of consumption of meat dishes & sweet food.

Khmer cuisine shares many commonalities with the food of neighbouring Thailand - although, less chilli, sugar & coconut cream are used for flavor - & of neighboring Vietnam, with which it shares & adopts many common dishes, as well as a colonial history, as both formed part of the French colonial empire in Southeast Asia.

It has drawn upon influences from the cuisines of China & France, powerful players in Cambodian history. The Chinese began arriving in the 13^th century, but Chinese migration accelerated during the French period. Curry dishes, known as Kari show a trace of cultural influence from India.

The many variations of rice noodles show the influences from Chinese cuisine. Preserved lemons are another unusual ingredient not commonly found in the cooking of Cambodia's neighbors; it is used in some Khmer dishes to enhance the sourness.

The Portuguese & Spanish also had considerable influence in Cambodian affairs in the 16^th century, introducing chili & peanuts into Asia from the New World. However, chili never gained the same status or prominence as it did with the cuisines of neighboring Thailand, Laos & Malaysia. Even today very few recipes include chili.

One legacy of French, the Baguette - known as nom pang in Khmer - is ubiquitous in all parts of Cambodia today. Cambodians often eat bread with pate, tinned sardines or eggs. One of these with a cup of strong coffee, sweetened with condensed milk, is an example of a common Cambodian breakfast. Freshly buttered baguettes can be made into Sandwiches (also called nom pang) & may be stuffed with slices of ham or any number of grilled meats, with Kampot pepper, similar to Vietnamese banh mi. The French also introduced beer, butter, pate, coffee, chocolate, onions, carrots, broccoli, potatoes & many other types of non-native produce Southeast Asia.

Traditionally, Cambodians eat their meals with at least 3 or 4 dishes. A meal will usually include a soup, or samlor, served alongside the main courses. Each individual dish will be either sweet, sour, salty or bitter in taste. Chilli (fresh, pickled or dried) & chili sauce is served on the side and left up to individual diners & to their taste. In this way, Cambodians ensure that they get a bit of every flavor to satisfy their palates.

Would you like to learn how to make authentic quality Khmer food like you eat in the restaurants? Well look no further. Today’s Cooking Class gives you the opportunity to learn how to prepare traditional & delicious Khmer dishes under the guidance of a genuine professional Chef.

Morning at 08.00 am, you will be picked up to travel to a village near the famous Banteay Srei Temple to meet a renowned Chef at her home & learn the traditional secrets of local Cooking techniques that was forgotten many years ago.

Reach the beautiful traditional teak home of Kiwi-Cambodian chef Kethana Dunnett (who with her husband Bruce, owns Sugar Palm  restaurants in Phnom Penh’s &  Siem Reap's best Cambodian restaurants), set amidst the rice fields in the countryside outside Siem Reap. Kethana has worked with many celebrity chefs, such as Gordon Ramsay & Luke Nguyen and offers exclusive Cooking Class at the couple's home, taught in their stunning kitchen.

The Sugar Palm restaurants are characterized by authentic Cambodian cuisine - traditional home-style comfort food of the kind that Chef Kethana learnt to cook from her mother & grandmother. It is worth doing Kethana's class just to discover her secret to cooking one of Cambodia's finest fish amok dishes. This way we hope you will enjoy the fresh flavors of Cambodia & that the subtleties of the Khmer cuisine will intrigue & delight you.

‘Some’ of the delicious dishes you may learn to create are -

• Cambodian Mango Salad - Using fresh and light ingredients, this is a salad everyone will enjoy.
• Fish Amok - Amok is on every visitors 'must do' list. Cooked in a young coconut, Amok is a smooth curry that can be made with either fish, chicken, or tofu.
• Sticky Rice Balls with Palm Sugar and Grated Young Coconut
• Prahet Chien - Minced fish on sugar cane Cambodian Curry - unlike its Thai neighbor, Cambodian foods do not tend to be hot and spicy, relying instead on layers of fragrant spices.
• Nom Tong Noun - Khmer brandy snaps & the delicious, slightly sweet treat is impossible to resist.

The experience commences with a Welcome Drink, then a walk with the Chef to the local Market to purchase the vegetables & herbs to be used in your meal today. Discover the sights & sounds of the thriving market as you gather freshest products for your meals. You can witness the daily activities & living style of local people selling products & operating the market.

Kethana & Bruce keep things fairly casual & you can be as hands-on (or not) as you like. You will learn the difference between Khmer & other regional cuisines, as well as how to create some of the dishes served at Sugar Palm. Learn how to prepare delicious 3 Course Cambodian cuisine with good instructions.  Along the way you will learn about the herbs & vegetables that are grown at most Khmer households & are used in daily cooking.

Try your hand at making delicious & authentic Cambodian meals, and learn the tips & tricks of the country’s traditional cuisine that you can then re-produce at home. Everyone will have his or her own cooking station & equipment.

Distinguished by a subtle use of spice, delicate flavours, myriad textures & mouth-watering aromas, Cambodian dishes are best enjoyed shared. And so the experience ends with lunch.

At the end of the course, you will get the chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor as you sit down in the wooden Pavilion, perched over a charming Pond, to enjoy the Lunch that you just cooked, which includes 2 appetizers & 2 main dishes. Your dishes will be served to you one by one, letting you enjoy & compare dishes.

After lunch, you will proceed to the nearby Golden Silk Pheach Farm where you will learn about silk weaving.

Golden Silk Pheach is a working Silk Farm near Banteay Srei with a boutique selling beautiful clothes & textiles woven on the farm.

Having left Cambodia to study in France, founder Sophea Pheach returned to her country to volunteer in refugee camps on the Thai border & soon after opened a village for orphans of the war.

Pheach established Golden Silk Pheach as an NGO in 2002 to provide employment for the former orphans & other disadvantaged women from surrounding villages. Pheach calls the silk farm a Preservation Center, because her aim is to safeguard the traditional silk production process & Golden Silk Pheach is one of only a few Farms where the process is fully integrated in one location, from raising the increasingly rare yellow silk worms to hand-weaving the silk on traditional wooden looms.

Boasting 12 hectares of mulberry trees, the Silk Farm is home to numerous workshops where you can learn about the process, watch the women at work & try your hand at weaving on a loom. You will tour the mulberry groves, weaving rooms, dying facilities & a crafts shop. The boutique sells silk & other textile products, all hand-woven & dyed with natural pigments.

Return to the hotel.

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

Finally, the mystical experience comes to an end and it is time to say good-bye.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the use of facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

There is a magic about Cambodia that casts a spell on many who visit this charming yet confounding Kingdom. Ascend to the realm of the gods at the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, a spectacular fusion of symbolism, symmetry & spirituality.

Just as Angkor is more than its wat, so too is Cambodia more than its Temples. The chaotic yet charismatic capital of Phnom Penh is a hub of political intrigue, economic vitality & intellectual debate. All too often overlooked by hit & run tourists ticking off Angkor on a regional tour, the revitalised city of Siem Reap is finally earning plaudits in its own right thanks to a gorgeous riverside location, a cultural renaissance, and a dining & drinking scene to rival the best in the region. And don’t forget the rest of the country: relax in the sleepy seaside town of Kampot & trek the nearby Bokor National Park; take an elephant ride in the jungles of Mondulkiri ; ogle the Mekong dolphins at Kratie or simply choose a beach near Sihanoukville.

Such is the yin & yang of Cambodia, a country that inspires & confounds. Like an onion, the more layers you unravel, the more it makes you want to cry, but these are spontaneous tears, sometimes of sorrow, sometimes of joy.

So you see, you have much more to discover if you come to mystical Cambodia ‘again’ & we will of course, look forward to be able to facilitate that.

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” - Ibn Battuta

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Siem Reap International Airport for the flight back home.  B

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