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 Siem Reap, the gateway to an ancient world capital city

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Siem Reap 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.

Arrive at the hotel & Check-in at Jaya House River Park.

*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’.

Peacefully located just a short distance from the town centre, alongside the Siem Reap River, surrounded by fully grown trees, Jaya House River Park is a hidden gem. Guests can expect award-winning service, lush grounds, spacious gardens & the hotel is decorated throughout with charming Khmer art-deco inspired touches, whilst it’s calming spa utilises the traditions of ancient Khmer & South-East Asian treatments. Relax in air conditioned rooms with complimentary wifi, handmade & homegrown & specialty teas and comfortable beds.

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.

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.

Once you have settled into your room, you can enjoy a 60 minute Spa treatment - a traditional Khmer Massage - in the hotel’s fabulous spa, the perfect way to start your time in Cambodia.

The traditional Khmer practice of healing, combining techniques from ancient Hindu Ayurvedic & Chinese medicine. Relax & enjoy a gentle, full-body massage to reduce tension in tired muscles & stimulate well-being (you can add-on optional exotic Body Scrubs & Pedicure & Manicure – not included, extra payment).

Balance of the afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore independently.

Later 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.

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 (or earlier) & head to Angkor Wat for sunrise 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.

You will also enjoy a unique experience. The Tour-guide will take you to an ‘active’ Temple where you will participate in the ceremony “Srouch Tec”, which roughly translates into “pour water”, as a monk washes away your sins & bad luck as he chants in ancient Pali.   

Mid-morning head back to the hotel in time for breakfast before relaxing in the garden, by the pool, or in your own room.

Later in the afternoon, meet the Tour-guide again & head 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 pf the Elephants & the Terrace of the Leper King, former spaces for public cermonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit

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 three 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 and 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 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 twenty lesser towers & several hundred stone chambers. On the eastern side is a golden bridge guarded by two lions of gold, one on each side, with eight golden Buddhas spaced along the stone 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 and stands as the symbolical link between heaven and 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 & wear a conical headdress. (Some of the heads on these figures are copies; the original ones have been removed & 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.

Later in the evening, meet the Journeys 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.

Cambodia has a deeply spiritual culture which is still actively observed today. Many local people look to the spirits for guidance & today, you will gain a brief glimpse into this long-standing & well-respected tradition.

Commence your tour with a visit to a local fortune teller, before moving on to visit some of the Pagodas of Siem Reap.

Wat Damnak (a functioning Buddhist Temple) is the biggest pagoda in Siem Reap. Wat Damnak means palace, which it also was during the reign of King Sisowath (1904 - 1927). It is a well-known landmark on the eastern side of the Siem Reap River, close to the round-about & behind the Siem Reap Art Center Market.

Many Buddhist Monks live in this Pagoda. Wat Damnak is a cultural hub, hosting a primary public school, Life & Hope Association, the Centre for Khmer Studies, which has an excellent resource library. It is also home to the annual Giant Puppet Project, which occurs during January/February each year.

Walk in & look around, the grounds are beautiful. It is okay to speak to the monks when you see them, don’t be shy. Just be polite & they will be happy to show you around in their Pagoda & to explain their living conditions. Most of them are well educated & will also be able to tell you more about the Buddhist rules & way of living.

You will receive a blessing performed by a monk to cleanse your spirit from which you will take away a small red ribbon tied around your wrist to protect you for the rest of your travels.

Later in the afternoon, 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 thousands-year-old artefacts 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 artefacts here is cutting edge.

After an explanatory film screening called Story behind the Legend, you are pointed toward the galleries.

Enter the Zen-like Gallery of a Thousand Buddhas, which has a fine collection of images.

This is the only gallery that is just one 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 and short films through maze-like rooms explaining Angkorian history. The styles of figurines precede the trademark Angkor style, and there's 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 and 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 temples 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 includes 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 & headdresses, 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.

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 and 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 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.

The Phare experience begins from the moment you approach the venue in Siem Reap. You will see larger-than-life images of 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 maybe, you want to discover the Pub Street? (if you do, then you will have to find your own way back to the hotel).

Early morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed to explore the hidden trails of Angkor as you set off by bicycle along ancient city walls & through hidden jungle temples, often free from other visitors due to their remote accessibility.  

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 of Angkor, is wonderfully well preserved & many of its carvings are three-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 & has entrances at the east & west, with the east approached by a causeway. Of interest are the lavishly decorated libraries & the three 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.

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 three tiers carrying five square shrines 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 (Lunch not included - direct payment), complete with ornate wood furnishings cut from Cambodia’s forests, near the entrance to 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 landmines alone & established the Museum.

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

Then, proceed to the 12^th century Banteay Kdei, a massive Buddhist monastery from the latter part of, is surrounded by four concentric walls. Banteay Kdei, meaning "A Citadel of Chambers", also known as "Citadel of Monks' cells", is a Buddhist temple in Angkor. Each of its four entrances is decorated with garudas, which hold aloft one of Jayavarman VII’s favourite themes: the four faces of Avalokiteshvara. The outer wall of Banteay Kdei measures 500m by 700m. 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, Ta Prohm is 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.

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 &interact with family members.

Morning in time, you will be met by the Journeys Rep / Driver & transferred to Terminal? - Siem Reap International Airport for the short flight to Phnom Penh.

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, you will be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area & discuss the program for Phnom Penh. You will be introduced to the Tour-guide & immediately proceed for a sightseeing tour of this iconic city, straight from the Airport.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital - a hub for both the Khmer Empire & French colonialists, sits at the junction of the Mekong & Tonle Sap rivers. Cambodia’s capital can be an assault on the senses.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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, and is light years behind Bangkok.

Tuk tuk & Motorbikes whiz through laneways without a thought for pedestrians; markets exude pungent scents; and 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.

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.

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 & you are transferred to Sofitel Phnom Penh & Check-in.

The stunning 12 storey colonial style Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra with its riverside setting amongst landscaped gardens in the old quarter of the city close to key attractions, embassies & the central business district, offers French luxury & local cuisine in the world's most exciting city.

Later in the evening, your Khmer discovery continues.

Meet the Journeys Rep / Driver & proceed to Sovanna Phoum Theatre & Art Gallery to enjoy the 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).

After the Show, 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 4 Rivers Floating Lodge.

If you want to see the real Cambodia, get off the beaten path. While the popular tourist destinations in Cambodia have incredible features of their own, it is the road-less-traveled that will really inspire you & make your trip unforgettable. Apart from immersing yourself in its rich culture & history, you might want to indulge in nature as well. To get a glimpse of the unknown, all you have to do is visit Koh Kong.

It is no wonder that the New York Times has recognized Koh Kong as an “emerging eco-tourism destination” in Asia. This pristine province is home to a treasure trove of natural beauty & outdoor adventure.

Although off the beaten path, Koh Kong isn’t “out of the way”. Situated in the south west corner of Cambodia, bordering Thailand, Koh Kong is actually quite a conveniently located.

Drive to Koh Kong, a province in southwest Cambodia, with a vast undeveloped coastline & a rugged interior encompassing part of the Cardamom Mountains' rainforest. The forested, hilly Koh Kong Island is lined with tropical beaches, mangroves & small fishing villages. Southeast Asia’s greatest natural virgin forest & wildlife habitat that have never been fully explored - Cardamom Mountains - the Last True Wilderness.

Staying at 4 Rivers Floating Lodge will let you have access to the lush Kravanh Mountains or Cardamom Mountains to truly experience nature at its finest. You will also experience the pristine waters of river Tatai surrounded by beautiful forests, filled with aquatic life.

Situated along the River & overlooking the Cardamom Mountains, a peaceful & private sanctuary awaits at this luxury Eco lodge accessible by boat only.

Arrive at the private Embarking Dock & hop aboard the riverboat. Meander through the ancient mangrove forest through the estuary & reach the Lodge. Check-in.

If eco-tourism conjures up visions of uncomfortable beds, leaky tents & songs round a campfire, 4 Rivers is not for you. To present you with the perfect vacation, the Lodge offers top-of-the-line luxury in harmony with Mother Nature in unspoilt surroundings that will impress you with an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colours & images.

4 Rivers Floating Lodge is an environmentally friendly glamping Resort built on a river in the middle of the jungle of the Cardamoms.

With their inspiration from the safari veldt of Africa's game parks, each of the 12 huge 45sqm tented villas are built on a pontoon, making them the first floating Tents in the world & a rare camping destination.

A space age wonder combining luxury with practicality, cocooned in comfort featuring top-quality eco-friendly furnishings & decoration (to help minimize their carbon footprint), each Tent has flat-screen television, DVD player, mini-bar & a bathroom with a wooden bath. With lush carpets & large ventilated windows, the spacious Tents come fully equipped with modern amenities. You will find local materials used in the handcrafted furniture. From toothbrushes to the clever wastewater treatment system, each feature is carefully designed with the aim of protecting the environment & sustaining the region’s natural resources.

Tucked away in the seclusion of the Cardamom Mountains region, in the richest virgin rainforest of Southeast Asia, Mother Nature quietly beckons you to explore its wonders.

The 4 Rivers Floating Lodge is just a stone’s throw away from exotic wildlife, such as the rare Javan rhinoceroses, the wild Indochinese tigers & the majestic Asian elephants. Not to mention, the lush greens & colorful wildflowers in the background.

You can wake up to panoramic views of the river & forest as you lie snuggled in bed; pampering yourself with a hot bath after a tiring day of trekking; catch up on your favorite movie on DVD; take a refreshing dip in the Tatai river & as the day draws to a close, lounge on your private balcony with a drink from the mini bar as you watch the glorious sunset.

Arrive at the Eco Lodge & Check-in.

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

The Cardamom Mountains are the perfect place to go jungle trekking in Cambodia.

After an early coffee in the restaurant, set off on a Rainforest Symphony - the dawn Jungle Trek which offers a taste of the true jungle, an opportunity to observe small wildlife & have the added bonus of a morning exercise.

Accompanied by a friendly & safety-conscious Tour-guide, kayak upstream in the small channel right behind the Lodge.

Enjoy the sights & sounds of the jungle as you venture into the undergrowth with your camera explore the natural surroundings by boat & on foot, experiencing the beauty & remoteness of one of the world's largest rainforests. It provides a sense of achievement & the chance to cool off in beautiful surroundings.

Arrive at the hiking point & the climb starts shortly after on a fairly steep path for about an hour. You will hike through the forest & come across wildlife. There are snakes, scorpions & spiders on the trek; some are poisonous. However animals are shy & avoid human contact. Respect for nature and a live & let live policy are adopted.

Reach the clearing near the top, enjoy the views & walk back to the Lodge in time for a sumptuous breakfast.

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

Evening, be ready for another exciting ‘nature’ experience.

At 4.30 pm, embark on an unforgettable 3 hour Sunset Cruise along the Cardamoms up the Tatai, enjoying the cool evening breeze with a refreshing sundowner as you glide along the jungle waters, feeling a million miles away from everywhere.

As the sun paints the sky with colors that change from brilliant blues to deep yellows, oranges, pinks & reds. Its spectacular lights, with the calm waters & the natural sounds of the surrounding forest to complement the romantic mood, you can sit back, relax & indulge your senses, with a glass of wine, on an unforgettable 4 Rivers Sunset Cruise.

Cruise the waters of Tatai River with a warm ocean breeze, as the descending darkness embraces you in the lush green of the forest & brings the misty mountains closer as the tropical sun dips to the horizon & transforms the skies into a spectacle showing off magnificent shades.

Toast the end of a perfect day in paradise as the sun’s flare dies down & the velvet darkness of the night descends …a prelude to a magical evening at 4 Rivers.

Return to the Lodge & enjoy a sumptuous dinner.

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

Early morning, Check-out & hop on the boat to transfer to the Pier at Koh Kong. You will be met by the Journeys driver & transferred to the private Six Senses jetty in Sihanoukville where you will board the Six Senses cruiser for the short crossing to Krabey Island to reach another iconic Eco-resort.

Step from your Speedboat onto the 30 acre (12-hectare) idyllic private island of Krabey off the south coast of Cambodia.

A gem of a tropical island hideaway, your very own back-to-nature tropical island Resort featuring just 40 private free-standing pool villas offering tranquility & comfort, set around natural landscaping that blend into the lush canopy of trees, fringed by a boardwalk that is a glorious fusion of land & water.

Upon arrival at Six Senses Resort mainland Reception, you will be greeted by your host with a welcome drink, assisted with Check-in & settling in to your Villa.

The spacious Six Senses Resort takes inspiration from the sacred Kbal Spean River, which nourishes the land & life around it, and incorporates calming ripple effects & light reflections in its design. A classic fisherman’s house is reflected in the design of the main lobby, lounge & sunset bar, while surrounding nature becomes a feature of the dining experience, inspiring decor elements that set the backdrop for contemporary Khmer dishes as well as regional and international cuisine.  

The expansive Six Senses that sits atop the island is inspired by the sacred Khmer Kbal Spean River & offers a wide range of holistic rejuvenation including Six Senses Integrated Wellness program which takes guests as deep as they want to go; from specialty treatments & selection of Cambodian healing treatments to multi-day rejuvenating journeys.

For a transformational experience, Six Senses Integrated Wellness program customizes activities to suit both active guests & guests who long to unwind & relax - taking in all that the unique destination has to offer; sport & leisure facilities, intimate private sand beach, ocean boardwalk, sky observatory & an outdoor main pool.

There are single & double treatment rooms, a meditation cave, an outdoor treatment area & a roof-top yoga sala. There is also an indoor aerial yoga studio & relaxation areas. The fitness center offers cardio & weight equipment and functional training elements for workouts across all fitness levels. The Alchemy Bar provides an intriguing setting for wellness workshops where guests are invited to discover the healing properties of the herbs, spices & other ingredients that go into creating spa products through a session of in-depth alchemy.

Taking inspiration from the sacred Kbal Spean River, here you can simply relax in the sauna, herbal steam tent and whirlpool, or de-stress with a traditional Khmer foot massage. Dive deeper into wellness with a selection of Cambodian healing treatments or multi-day wellness programs.

The well-appointed & comfortable villas with private plunge pools exemplifying the commitment to use sustainable material while embracing modern technology for total guest convenience & comfort.

Secluded within tropical surroundings, with airy & light indoors living space, the Villas feature Living rooms that include a day bed that can be adapted to an additional bed, while the master bedroom has a netting canopied bed with Naturalmat mattress, a generous en-suite bathtub & a private sundeck for leisurely alfresco dining. The ocean villas feature stunning sunset views.

Soak up the tranquillity of this tropical setting as you relax in the privacy of your villa, on the calm white beaches or out trying one of the many water activities.

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

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

There is nothing quite like waking up surrounded by the sounds & smells of both the jungle & ocean, in a tropical paradise so secluded it feels like you have stepped into the world of Robinson Crusoe.

This luxurious private island is the perfect setting to enjoy some well-earned R&R, where you can take advantage of a variety of activities & treatments across the island, or simply while away your time in the comfort of your private villa or lazing on the white sandy beach.

Full 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.

Hop on the Boat & transfer to the Jetty in Sihanoukville. You will be welcomed by The Journeys Rep / Driver who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Phnom Penh International Airport for the flight back home.  B

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