Cambodia Archeological Tour 11 Days

This special 11-day tour is designed to start in the capital Phnom Penh, then proceed to Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom, which are still less-visited paths in Cambodia with their unspoiled beautiful scenery, Pre-Angkorian temples…The journey continues to Siem Reap with visits to beloved and hidden alcoves of monuments such as Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Phrom, Banteay Srei and 1,000 lingas river. The tour is ended in Battambang, a quiet town with many charming colonial buildings near the Thai Border.

Day 1: Phnom Penh arrival (B, L, G)

Arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be met and driven to your hotel. If time permits, you will visit the Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda and the magnificent National Museum And visit the central Market. You’ll overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh (B, L, G)

After breakfast at hotel, you will visit the Ta Prohm temple and the Yeay Peau temple dating from 12th century. You will then continue to the Silk weaving village and the Prasat Neang Khmao, the temple of the Black Virgin. After lunch, you will visit the Toul Sleng Museum and have free time for shopping at Russian Market. You will spend the night in a hotel.

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Day 3: Phnom Penh/Kampong Cham/Kampong Thom (B, L, D, G)

This morning, an early drive will take you to Kompong Cham with visit to Wat Nokhor with its ancient temple and modern style pagoda dating from 12th century en-routes. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will continue to Kompong Thom. Along the way, you will visit Wat Kohear Nokor and discover a local village and its pagoda where you can observe the daily life of the monks. You will also visit the Phum Prasat with its single ancient temple. Arriving in Kampong Thom in the late afternoon, you will check in your hotel and have dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 4: Kampong Thom/Sambor Prei Kuk/Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast at a local restaurant, you will departure to visit Prasat Sambor Prei Kuk, pre-Angkorian site dating from the 7th Century. The complex of Ishanapura is composed of 4 groups of temples. These are among the most ancient surviving examples of Khmer architecture.

Picnic lunch will be served on site before continuing to Siem Reap by road (200 km, the last 70 km are under construction). Arriving in Siem Reap in the late afternoon, you will have free time at leisure. You will spend the night in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll begin with a visit to Angkor Thom, starting with the Bayon. Your next visit will be to the Elephant and Leper Emperor Terraces, followed by the Baphoun Temple, which is now nearing the end of an eight-year multi-million dollar restoration programme.

In the afternoon, you will be devoted to the Angkor Temple complex, of which Angkor Wat is a key element. You’ll explore Angkor Wat itself, the largest, and for most people, the most impressive temple in the complex. As dusk nears, a walk to the summit of Phnom Bakheng Hill will afford a panorama of the whole complex lit by the rays of the setting sun, weather permitting of course. Your overnight accommodation will be in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Siem Reap/Beng Mealea/Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will drive you 50km through the countryside, the rice fields alongside the Kulen Mountain range to Beng Mealea Temple complex. Beng Mealea is almost the size of Angkor Wat and is one of the largest ensembles build during Khmer reign and still seldom visited. You’ll have a picnic lunch and drive back to Siem Reap in the afternoon. Return with a stop by at one more famous temple of Bantey Srey “the Citadel of Women”. This small pink sandstone temple (late 10th century) is considered as the crown jewel of classical Khmer art with the delicate beauty of its carvings. You’ll overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will drive to the Kulen range and take a walk through the forest (45 minutes) to reach Kbal Spean, the “River of 1.000 Lingas” where the symbol of the Hindu god Shiva has been repeatedly chiseled into the rocky riverbed.

After lunch, you’ll continue to visit the famous temple of Bantey Srey “the Citadel of Women”. This small pink sandstone temple (late 10th century) is considered as the crown jewel of classical Khmer art with the delicate beauty of its carvings. Continue to Bantey Samre (mid 12th century), which has been admirably restored. You’ll overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap/Battambang (B, L, G)

In the morning, you will be transferred to the boat pier where you will embark a wooden boat. The boat will cruise along the wonderful Tonle Sap Lake and reach the Sangker river leading up to Battambang. You will stop en-route at PrekTuol and transfer into a smaller boat where you will enjoy a guided tour by an experienced ornithologist from the Osmose organization and observe the numerous birds in their natural habitat.

Lunch will be served a lunch box or in a traditional house of the floating village of Prek Tuol. You will then continue cruise up-river to Battambang to arrive in the afternoon. After check-in at hotel, you will have a short tour of Battambang to discover this charming town, with its gardens, and numerous colonial buildings, if time permits. You will spend the night in Battambang.

Day 9: Battambang (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will drive to the Take Bamboo Train to the stop at station near Ancient house for a short visit. You will climb the 337 steps (80 m high) to reach the temple (10-min. walk), visit the Prasat Bannon temple (XII c.) and enjoy the breathtaking view over the surrounding plains. Return to Battambang and lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Wat Ek Phnom, a nice 11th century temple which offers a very peaceful atmosphere in the countryside, surrounded by trees and lily ponds. Return to Battambang and visit of a local museum that hosts some interesting pieces such as some carved lintels originating from the surrounding temples, and some stone or wooden Buddha statues. You’ll overnight at hotel in Battambang.

Day 10: Battambang/Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast in a local restaurant, you will have free time to wander around the town before your car arrives you take you back to Siem Reap. The rest of the day will be free. You will spend the night in Siem Reap.