Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to incredible Kingdom of Cambodia - the charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors. In Cambodia, ancient and modern worlds collide to create an authentic adventure.

Arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, 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 Customs & Immigration, you will be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

Arrive at 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 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, Phnom Penh 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; &d 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 02.00 pm & proceed for an orientation drive -around some of the city’s most historically significant sites on your way to Bodia Spa also known as the “Cambodian Cocoon” & referred to as the most interesting day spa in the region, to relax & unwind after the long flight.

Get pampered with a relaxing massage designed for a relaxation of the mind & body. This natural oil massage works to stimulate blood circulation & improves energy flow. The therapist focuses on the head, face, back, neck & shoulders to loosen muscles & ease tensions. The therapeutic touch helps to improve the central nervous system & relieve stress.

Bodia Spa is uniquely designed using only natural & local resources with modern Khmer architecture that reflects the traditional well-being. The calming aspect of the healing reflects traditional, non - clinical & holistic based therapies. Treatments are performed by professionally trained female & male therapists, using 100% Cambodian Bodia Apothecary organic products, produced locally.

Come back to the hotel.

Evening, meet the Journeys Rep / Driver & transfer to indulge yourself in a delicious Welcome Dinner at Malis Restaurant with an elegant setting, one of Phnom Penh's top addresses for authentic Khmer cuisine.  

Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, near the Independence Monument, guests can choose to dine in the outdoor courtyard or in air-conditioned comfort. The tables surround a beautiful tropical garden with flowering frangipanis and a trickling water feature beside a giant statue of Jayavarman VII, abiding by the principles of Feng Shui.

When you dine at Malis, not only do you get to savor delicious Cambodian cuisine, you also consume an important story. During the 1970’s under the Khmer Rouge, many of Cambodia’s traditional recipes that had been passed on for centuries were forgotten & vanished from the kitchen. Malis was born in 2004 out of the desire & passion to restore Cambodian cuisine to its former glory & put Cambodia back on the map as a culinary destination. Renowned for its fresh seasonal produce, delicate flavours & generous hospitality, Master Chef Luu Meng & his team, decided to revive Cambodian cuisine from the past, adapt it to the present & preserve it for the future.

Transfer back to the hotel.

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

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. Cambodia's most famous architect, H.E. Vann Molyvann had a big hand in developing many of the structures you admire today.

Admire the mix of Khmer & French colonial architecture as the Tour-guide explains the history, structure & style of the buildings such as the Old Post Office, the Railway Station & the Central Market. Some of the buildings you are able to enter & explore while others can only be observed from the outside.

Enjoy Lunch at iconic Romdeng restaurant set in a beautiful colonial building surrounded by a lush garden & swimming pool. Plating up truly traditional recipes to creative Cambodian cuisine, their Menu will be sure to satisfy the longing for authentic Khmer cuisine. Try a tasty num pung, or French baguette & a nom bahn chok, a quintessential Khmer dish of rice noodles, green fish curry & fresh veggies. 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.

Eating here, you will contribute to the local well-being as Romdeng is run by the NGO Mith Samlanh, which has worked to build the futures of former street children & marginalized young people in Phnom Penh since 1994.

Continue the guided sightseeing, riding on the ‘Cyclos’

Visit the Royal Palace, built in 1866 & which 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 Norodom Sihanouk & Her Majesty Preah.

Cambodia’s 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 Place 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 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 executing gate & was used to bring prisoners out of the palace to be killed in front of the palace. The southern gate is the ‘commoners’ entrance’, & is how the public reaches the Silver Pagoda.

Buildings that are open to the public include the golden-spired Throne Hall, which is painted yellow to symbolise Buddhism - the main religion in Cambodia - and 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.

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 three stairways - one for the queen herself & the other two for the Brahmin priests who oversee the queen during the ceremony.

See the amazing royal collection & the beautiful architecture. The sculptures & sheer construction of the palace leaves even the most seasoned traveler in awe because of the stunning structure.

The Silver Pagoda is an impressively ornate structure that is also known as Wat Preah Keo, or ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’. Originally built as a wooden construction in 1892 under King Norodom, it was rebuilt in its current state in 1962, dripping with silver & jewels, it is one of Cambodia’s only temples to survive under the Khmer Rouge. However, half of its contents were pillaged or destroyed during the Vietnamese invasion & years of turmoil that followed.

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. The staircase leading to the pagoda is made of Italian marble, with the temple home to a life-sized gold Buddha dripping with 2,086 diamonds. The largest is said to weigh a hefty 25 carats.

Nods to Cambodia’s rich culture can be found inside the pagoda. The walls are lined with golden Buddhas, ancient art & traditional masks used in many classical dances. Gifts from various heads of states, such as statues, can also be found inside the building.

Continue on to the adjacent National Museum, predominantly constructed in the traditional Khmer style with sand-stone, where you will be taken around by a trained museum guide who will show you some wonderful pre - Angkorean pieces from the temples as well as a stunning collection of ancient Khmer art.

Containing the world’s largest collection of Khmer art (housing roughly 5,000 Khmer artifacts dating back from 4^th - 13^th centuries), the exhibits are complemented by more recent examples of Cambodian art. The Museum is housed in a terra-cotta-roofed structure of traditional Cambodian design, which was built between 1917 & 1920. The roof of the museum is also home to one of Cambodia’s largest bat colonies!

The tour concludes but the Khmer discovery continues.  

Reach the Sovanna Phoum Theatre & Art Gallery for the evening Shadow Puppet Theatre followed by a classical Dance performance. (Note: Shadow puppet performances are only held on Fridays & Saturdays. On other days, visit the Royal Arts School for a traditional Apsara dance performance).

Proceed for a sumptuous dinner at the famous Foreign Correspondents’ Club located along the riverside promenade in an iconic colonial building, one of Phnom Penh’s architectural gems with great views over the river. 

Return back to the hotel.

Early morning, depart for Battambang, driving along rustic back roads of the beautiful Cambodian countryside passing through local villages & pagodas in a province famous for growing the best rice in Cambodia.

Stop at Oudong to visit a local family to learn about palm sugar production, and then climb Mount Oudong to enjoy spectacular views over the countryside

Oudong served as the capital of Cambodia under several sovereigns between 1618 & 1866, during which time ‘victorious’ was an optimistic epithet, as Cambodia was in terminal decline. A number of kings, including King Norodom, were crowned here.

The main attractions today are the twin humps of Phnom Udong which have several stupas on them. Both ends of the ridge have good views of the Cambodian countryside, dotted with innumerable sugar-palm trees.

The larger main ridge - the one you will hit first if approaching from NH5 - is known as Phnom Preah Reach Throap Hill of the Royal Fortune, so named because a 16^th century Khmer king is said to have hidden the national treasury here during a war with the Thais. Phnom Udong really fills up with locals at weekends but is quiet during the week.

At the foot of the mountain, stop for a local picnic-style lunch in a rustic hut.

Continue driving to Battambang.

Arrive by noon & Check-in at the hotel.

There is something about Battambang that visitors just love, a perfect blend of relatively urban modernity & small-town friendliness. Forget the fact that there is really not all that much to do in the city proper: the colonial architecture teetering into genteel disrepair, the riverside setting, the laid-back cafes - they all make up for it.

The name Battambang or Batdambang, literally means "loss of stick" referring to a legend of the Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung (Kranhoung Stick King).

Founded in the 11^th century Battambang the former capital of Monton Kmer, is Cambodia's 2^nd largest city & capital of Battambang Province. Until the war years, in which almost every infrastructure was destroyed, it was the leading rice-producing province of the country. The riverside town is home to some of the best-preserved, French colonial architecture in the country. The network of charming old French shop houses clustered along the riverbank is the real highlight here & there are a number of Wats scattered around the town.

The picturesque Battambang did not give way to the Khmer Rouge movement after the fall of Phnom Penh, but it has been at the centre of the ongoing government Khmer Rouge conflict ever since the Vietnamese invasion in 1979 pushed the genocidal regime out of Phnom Penh to the Northwest. Until the surrender deal of Leng Sary (Khmer Rouge number three man based in Pailin), Battambang was the Khmer Rouge stronghold in the region.

In the earlier history Battambang flip-flopped back & forth between Thailand (called Siam before their 20^th century renaming) & Cambodia. It has been a part of Thailand most of the time since the 15^th century, with Cambodia regaining control (more specifically due the French) in 1907. The Thais grabbed it again, with Japanese assistance, in 1941 & kept the region in their camp until the World War II years in 1947. The Allied Forces helped persuade the Thais that the region was originally part of ancient Cambodia & the world community would not take kindly to the Thais holding onto it further.

Like the rest of the Northwest, there is still a lot of Thai influence apparent. The main currency is still the Thai Baht and many people are able to converse in Thai. But the area is very Khmer, with ancient Khmer ruins scattered around & even the ways of life are much more similar to the rest of Cambodia than to Thailand.

Battambang city today, is a peaceful & pleasant place. The main parts of the city are situated closed to the Sangker River, a tranquil, small body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province connecting the Cardamom Mountains with Tonle Sap Lake that feeds the paddy fields with water on the way, which results in Cambodia's best rice crop.

The small Museum here has a collection of Angkorian-era artifacts & beyond the town there are a number of hilltop temples, yet more Wats & a pretty large lake. One of the more famous hills is Phnom Sampeau (Ship Hill) with the notorious killing caves.

That Cambodia's best-known Circus (the magnificent Phare Ponleu Selpak) is here is no coincidence: the city has an enduring tradition of producing many of Cambodia’s best-loved singers, actors & artists.

Outside the city's confines, meanwhile, timeless hilltop temples & bucolic villages await. Not to mention the most scenic river trip in the country, which links Battambang with Siem Reap, a great base for visiting the nearby temples, such as Phnom Banon & Wat Ek Phnom, as well as the closeby villages

After relaxing for a while, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby & visit some of the many cultural villages around Battambang.

Visit the tourism village of Wat Kor which has a lot of very old traditional Khmer houses dated from 1900s. One of the house, Kor Sang is supposedly more than 100 years old. Many artefacts including traditional mirror, table, chair, wardrobe, cases were still left in the house to witness. Around the house, are many types of trees including a sapodilla tree & some golden plum trees that are as old.

Stroll around the house & surroundings. Kor Sang is still owned & occupied by the original builder's grandchildren & you might want to interact with the landlord & landlady.

Mingling with locals & artisans, you will learn how rice paper is produced, as well as grolan (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo) & prohac, (fish paste, a Cambodian staple). A visit to a Handicraft Center will show you the weavers & textile artisans in action.

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).

We recommend that you use the free time as an opportunity to visit The School of Music, Visual & Performing Arts - Phare Ponleu Selpak uses the arts as a platform to educate & empower underprivileged communities. Here, you will witness how one social enterprise can spur creativity & empowerment and create livelihoods in the arts.

Another Option is the renowned Phare Circus will leave a lasting memory of acrobatic feats, theater & music unique to Cambodia. (Circus performances only on Monday & Thursday).

Evening, you will be met by the Journeys Rep & ‘walk’ to an interesting venue located in a French colonial building in the heart of Battambang, for Dinner. The Cambodian Children’s Trust runs this social enterprise restaurant - Jaan Bai serving organic & locally sourced fare - to provide empowerment & hospitality training for underprivileged youth.

Early morning, meet the Tour-guide & proceed to the 11^th century mountaintop Angkorian ruin of Phnom Banan, the best preserved of the Khmer temples around Battambang.

As you approach, you will see the distinctive five towers pointing skyward, like a smaller version of Angkor Wat. At the base of the mountain you are faced with a steep laterite staircase flanked by nagas.

It is a 358 stone-step climb up Phnom Banan to reach the ruins of Prasat Banan Temple, but the incredible views across surrounding countryside from the top are worth it.

The Temple was built by Udayadityavarman II, son of Suryavarman I, & despite some looting, it is in a considerably better state of repair that Wat Ek Phnom. There are impressive carved lintels above doorways to each of the towers & bas-reliefs on the upper parts of the central tower. Several delightfully carved lintels are also housed in the Battambang Museum. From the temple, a narrow stone staircase leads south down the hill to three caves, which can be visited.

Some locals claim the five-tower layout here was the inspiration for Angkor Wat, although this seems optimistic.

From the mountaintop are superb views across the surrounding countryside, with small villages dotting the endless rice paddies which are punctuated with the characteristic sugar palm trees. To the south, you will see Crocodile Mountain & to the northwest, Phnom Sampeau.

After spending an hour here, drive to Prasat Phnom Banan Winery located midway between Battambang & Prasat Banan, in an area known for its production of chilli peppers (harvested from October to January).

Cambodia’s only winery grows Shiraz grapes to make reds. It tastes unlike most wine you have ever encountered, but is actually quite earthy & complex.

Officially recognised by Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Mines & Energy, Banan wines belong to that exclusive club of wineries whose vintages improve significantly with the addition of ice cubes. The Phnom Banan Winery produces several thousand bottles of wines, brandy & fresh grape juice per year.

Most work is done manually. With no large modern machinery, no fancy equipment, no big factories or assembly lines. In a small room filled with baskets of bottles, you will see a woman sitting on the floor, sealing & labelling each bottle of wine, brandy & other drinks produced at the Winery. To seal the bottles, this woman literally puts a piece of plastic wrap on each bottle & holds each bottle up to a small steamer which shrinks the plastic to fit the bottle.

Stroll through the vineyards, where they grow Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to make their red wines, as well as Black Queen & Black Opal grapes to make their roses. Sampling takes place in an attractive garden pavilion. You can taste some of the produced wines or brandies, grape juice & honey ginger juice for free. It is also possible to purchase bottles of Cambodian wine or brandy directly at the Winery.

Cap it all off with a ride on the famous Bamboo Train - one of the world’s most unique forms of rail travel!  

A relic from the infamous Khmer Rouge years of genocide, the gondola-like train was testament to locals’ ingenuity in providing travel during those disruptive years.

The country’s railroad system was abandoned in the 1970s during the civil war. It was a decade later before proper trains began running again, though the persistence of guerilla fighting meant its infrastructure was in tatters.

This local means of improvised transport called the Norry (or Nori) is an improvised rail vehicle which uses a small, mobile wooden platform along the old train tracks with drivers with poles like gondolas pushing the train down the line, to move people and goods from town to town. The Trains run at speeds of up to 50 km / hour on the metre gauge tracks from Battambang to Poipet.

Later, it became more of a curiosity than a transport service, attracting thousands of international tourists who simply want to experience the Bamboo Train’s famous bumpy outdoor ride.

However these Norries have been dying a natural death as finally road infrastructures have improved. The doughy Bamboo Train has been maintained as a carnival ride for tourists, making itself relevant despite the need for a proper rail service to take pressure of the gridlocked road highways.

The drivers have petitioned the local government to keep the Bamboo Train alive, but at this stage officials think that is unlikely. For the moment though, the train will continue to travel… until someone tells the drivers they are at the end of the line.

Return to the hotel to Check-out.

Lunch will be served at one of the restaurant.

Immediately after, depart for Siem Reap.

Arrive by late afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

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

Siem Reap, a once quaint laid-back & pleasant village, located on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia, in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the world famous temple ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9^th - 15^th centuries. The life - support system & gateway for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap was always destined for great things. The name of the city 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.

Siem Reap, a once quaint laid-back & pleasant village, located on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia, in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the world famous temple ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9^th - 15^th centuries. The life - support system & gateway for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap was always destined for great things. The name of the city literally means Siamese defeated, referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17^th century. 

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 three days at the temples is enough? Think again with Siem Reap on the doorstep.

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

Later in the evening, meet the Rep & drive to the famous Abacus restaurant located in  a lovely garden setting, to enjoy a Khmer-French fusion meal.

Come 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 bespeak 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. The main temple is pictured on Cambodia’s flag.

The largest, best preserved & most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor Wat impresses visitors both by its sheer scale & beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. An architectural masterpiece, its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief's & sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

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. It was the state temple & his eventual mausoleum.  

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. Angkor Wat is the earthly representation of Mt Meru, the Mt Olympus of the Hindu faith & the abode of ancient gods. The Cambodian god-kings of old each strove to better their ancestors’ structures in size, scale & symmetry, culminating in what is believed to be the world’s largest religious building.

It is the largest religious monument in the world, on a site measuring 162.6 hectares & is 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

As the best-preserved temple at the site, it 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 first & second 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 and, 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 (699 feet), achieved with three 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.

The Tour finishes & you return to the hotel.

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

In the evening, you will be treated to a highlight of your Khmer cuisine & crafts tour: dinner will be served at the famous Apsara Terrace of the famous Raffles Hotel. As you dine on delectable Asian barbecue, you will enjoy an Apsara show - a quintessential Cambodian performance featuring traditional Cambodian dance, martial arts & spectacular costumes. (Apsara Show takes place only certain days of the week).

Return to the hotel.

Today, you will get a deep understanding of Khmer cuisine at an interactive Cooking course. As you know that Siem Reap City is not just a Temples 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 three or four 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 and 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 farms, weaving rooms, dying facilities & a crafts shop. The boutique sells silk & other textile products, all hand-woven & dyed with natural pigments.

From here, drive along the back road through the countryside to the floating fishing village of Kampong Khleang, one of the largest fishing community on the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia & officially designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, covering an area of around 250,000 hectares in the dry season.

The village of over 10000 inhabitants is full of houses resting on 4 - 5-meter stilts. Living on water is an art the Khmer people have mastered over the course of time.

Board a boat & sail on the Lake passing through the flooded forests. You will have the opportunity to learn about daily life of the fishermen on the lake, the variety of fresh water fish, the fishing methods, smoked fish production & other resources of the lake.

Stop at a floating house where you will enjoy drinks & snacks. Observe the local customs & talk with your hosts about the differences they face living on the water. Continue exploring the small island, which is home to a bustling market, a pagoda, a school & a health centre before returning to Siem Reap.

Reach the hotel by early evening.

This evening, enjoy a simple home-cooked dinner with a typical Khmer family - enjoy the well-known Khmer hospitality and interact with family members.

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

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (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). 

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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