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PAST AND PRESENT CAPITALS

CAMBODIA

TRAVEL DOSSIER

A 5 day / 4 night specialised overland program encompassing the modern capital Phnom Penh and the historical capital of Angkor and Siem Reap.

/ Summary

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Past and Present Capitals 5 day / 4 night travel program PRIVATE TOURING

This immersive itinerary is well suited to first time visitors with a little extra time to delve deeper into Cambodia’s history and heritage. Embark on a journey taking you through the country’s recent turbulent past, visiting the deeply moving Khmer Rouge sites in Phnom Penh combined with the magnificent Royal Palace and colourful Ounalom Pagoda. Learn about Cambodia’s rich performing arts at a local training academy before venturing north to Siem Reap to discover its rich ancient past at one of the world’s great archaeological sites. Angkor is a site visitors never forget and this itinerary covers all the highlights, combining it with an energetic performance at renowned Phare Circus and a visit to the authentic stilted Khmer Tonle Sap community of Kompong Khleang.

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National Museum

Arrive at Phnom Penh Airport and be welcomed by our local Travel Expert who will escort you to your hotel.

In the afternoon we commence our touring with a visit to the Royal Palace, which was built in 1866 by King Norodom. The Palace is actually a number of structures within a pagoda-style compound. Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morokat) located within the Royal Palace compound, the Silver Pagoda is so names because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures are a solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9, 584 diamonds and weighing 90kilos and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha.

Note: During the visit of the Royal Place and Silver Pagoda, visitors are required to wear proper attire, covering shoulders and knees as this temple is still considered as a sacred site (no short, miniskirt or short trousers).

Nearby we visit the National Museum, which houses Khmer art especially, sculptures, from different periods of Cambodian history, 19th century dance costumes, royal barges and palanquins. Over 5000 objects are on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artifacts, most notably the legendary status of the ‘leper King.’ Though the emphasis is on Angkorian artifacts, there is also a good collection of pieces from later periods, including a special exhibition of post-Angkorian Buddha figures.

Evening at leisure or take a recommendation from your Travel Expert on where to dine in town tonight.

Note: We try to avoid fixing a time and order visits well in advance as our Travel Expert will consider crowds, traffic and any other pending disruption on the day to ensure any access is during quieter and more peaceful periods to ensure a more personable experience of the site being visited. Our ‘general rule’ is that immediate opening time or just prior to closing to last visitors is the optimum time to visit certain locations otherwise crowded during much of the day..

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Buddist nun outside the Royal Palace

This morning we pay a visit to Champey Academy of Arts (CAA) - one of the local professional and non-profit schools in Phnom Penh working on Cambodian traditional performing arts training program.

Established in January 2013 with the idea of keeping up Khmer traditional performing arts work, the facility’s vision is to see such knowledge passed through to the next generation and beyond.

Through their ‘Fast-Free-Professional (FFP)’ training program on traditional dance, music and drawing/painting classes, the centre strongly believes the students can spend approximately 50% of their time training to still produce excellent results.

Thereafter we visit Ounalom Pagoda which is located on the riverfront (about 200m north of the Royal Palace) and is reputedly the oldest Buddhist foundation in the city, probably predating the abandonment of the capital at Angkor in the 15th century. The founding date is variously cited as 1422 and 1443. This Wat is the home to the Buddhist patriarch of Phnom Penh and is held in great reverence.

From there we hop on a rickshaw, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a fun way to explore this lively city to Wat Phnom passing by the colonial quarter, Central Market and Post Office.

We stop off at Wat Phnom, the founding place of the city on a small hilltop head to the riverside area of Phnom Penh, a pleasant French style promenade that is ideal for people watching.

After a quick lunch stop we vsit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former high school chronicling the Cambodian genocide. Under the Khmer Rouge, Tuol Sleng was transformed from a school into Security prison 21 (S-21), a place in which some of the most violent atrocities of the Pol Pot’s regime were perpetrated.

Originally named Chao Ponhea Yat High School, the complex includes five buildings in total. Several months after the Khemer Rouge took power in 1975, they implemented measures to convert the high school into a high-security facility.

Between 1975 and 1979 it is estimated that over 15,000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng. The prison held between 1,000 and 1,500 occupants along with a large security force.

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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

The Killing Fields

Then continue to drive out to the Killing Fields (Cheung Ek), a profoundly moving but depressing experience. After thousands of Cambodians were tortured and imprisoned in Toul Sleng they were then moved to the extermination camps at Choeng Ek where they were bludgeoned to death.

Those murdered by the brutal regime were buried in mass graves and today over 8,000 skulls are displayed behind the glass of a memorial stupa, erected in 1988 to honour those who died.

Note: Audio guide is not included. Please be advised that traffic congestion out to Cheung Ek can be particularly heavy and the journey time may be prolonged. Your Travel Expert will be pleased to make the best recommendation on the day.

If time permits visit the Russian Market (Phsa Toul Tom Pong), a lively outdoor market where you will find antiquities, silver and gold jewellery, gems, silk, kramars, stone and wood carvings, as well as T-Shirts, CDs and other souvenirs.

Return to your hotel thereafter.

Dinner this evening is at the refined Malis Restaurant., created out of the desire and passion to restore Cambodian cuisine to its former glory and put the country back on the map as a culinary destination.

Renowned for its fresh seasonal produce, delicate flavours and generous hospitality Master Chef Luu Meng and his team, have revived Cambodian cuisine from the past, adapted it to the present and preserving it for the future

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Victory Gate, Angkor Thom

Transfer with guide to Phnom Penh airport for your flight to Siem Reap :

PNH-REP by K6 105 at 10h25-11h10

Note: Schedule is subject to change according to airline policy. Flight details have been added here merely as a reference.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, welcome by our Travel Expert and transfer to check-in at your hotel.

In the afternoon we commence our program to the fabled temples of Angkor with the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom - the last capital of the Khmers, with it’s South Gate of Angkor Thom, Baphoun temple, Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, culminating in a later afternoon exploration of the famed Bayon temple.

This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very centre of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs but the highlight is the “faces”, more than 200 of them, silent but with the famous half-smile playing on their lips. PJ de Beerski wrote of them; “godliness in the majesty and the size, mystery in the expression.”

We explore, gaze in wonder and ponder the mysteries of the temple and the life it once held within its walls until the sky starts to fall dark and the temple is taken by the jungle for the night.

Note: During the visit of the Baphoun temple, visitors are required to wear proper attire, covering shoulders and knees as this temple is still considered a sacred site (no shorts, miniskirt or short trousers).

Return to your hotel thereafter.

In the evening there is the option to see Phare, the Cambodian Circus.

Uniquely Cambodian, daringly modern this is Siem Reap's most unique, authentic, top rated evening entertainment. More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent. It is highly recommended.

Daily show: starts at 20h00 to 21h00 We recommend an early dinner prior to the commencement of the show.

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Angkor Wat at dawn

As the roosters begin to crow, we journey out to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, the most important religious monument in Cambodia. If you are early enough watch the sun rise over the triple towers of Angkor Wat before taking a short breakfast at a local restaurant or picnic breakfast from hotel, then continue to visit the temple in the morning light.

The largest temple in the world, with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt Angkor Wat is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build. It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king. It has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks and is well preserved. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story.

The most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, which is located on the east wing. In it the Naga serpent, is twisted by demons and gods to spurt out the elixir of life.

Note: During the visit of the Bakan tower of Angkor Wat temple, visitors are required to wear a proper attire, covering shoulders and knees as this temple is still considered as a sacred site (no short, miniskirt or short trousers). Children under twelve years old are not allowed to climb up this tower. It will be closed on the Buddhist Sabbath Days, the Buddhist religious days, four days a month in accordance with the Lunar Calendar.

In the mid morning we drive further afield to visit Banteay Srei; ‘the Womans Citadel’ - a tiny, enchanting temple, which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the tenth century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the carved male and female figures in the niches are exquisitely executed in both style and proportion. This is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor and in the words of H.W. Ponder, is “a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest.”

Stops will be made at other temples (Banteay Samre, Ta Keo, Pre Rup) based on timing on the day.

Return to hotel to freshen up and a relaxed lunch.

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Ta Phrom temple

Guardians of Banteay Srei

In the afternoon continue to visit Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its “re-discovery” by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelop the stone like tentacles. It is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Historians have noted its mystical charm.

In the late afternoon we travel along the moated water way of Angkor Thom where history, nature and culture come alive. We depart by Khmer style gondola boat from the west gate to the south gate via the Royal Secret Path and City Guard Post, stopping to enjoy sunset at Prasat Chrung the Northwestern gate of Angkor Thom.

For the active and more adventurous, it is possible to walk the 1.5kms along the ramparts of the wall to the Western Gate where the vehicle can transfer you back to your hotel. Please discuss with your Travel Expert so arrangements can be made in advance.

This evening we embark on an exploration of Siem Reap township. Hop on a motorised Remok with your Travel expert and weave through the busy, charming streets of the old town for a wander through the local night market followed by a pre dinner drink at one of the many cool Khmer bars.

Dinner tonight will be at Jomno beside the river. This modern Khmer restaurant takes street food to another level with its young chef elevating it to fine cuisine, now widely recognised within the kingdom

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Kompong Khleang

This morning, we take a boat trip to visit floating village at Kompong Khleang.

It is located on the northern lake-edge about 35 km east of Siem Reap, more remote and less touristic than Kampong Phluk. Visitors to Kampong Khleang during the dry season are universally awestruck by the forest of stilted houses rising up to 10 meters in the air. In the wet season the waters rise to within one or two meters of the buildings.

Like Kampong Phluk, Kampong Khleang is a permanent community within the floodplain of the Lake, with an economy based in fishing and surrounded by flooded forest. But Kampong Khleang is significantly larger with near 10 times the population of Kampong Phluk, making it the largest community on the Lake.

Note: This is a full morning excursion and can only be included for those that have an afternoon or evening flight out.

Return to your hotel before midday for check out and lunch.

In the afternoon transfer out to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to your next destination.

PROGRAM CONCLUDES

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Ta Phrom temple

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PAST AND PRESENT CAPITALS

CAMBODIA

TRAVEL DOSSIER

Travel Designer Insights

The focus on the two main centres of Cambodia provides the visitor a greater understanding on the country’s vast historical and cultural background as well as its more recent tragic past. Whilst this program encompasses the main sites it also builds in a mix of lesser visited locations to broaden the scope of what is certainly more in-depth than a highlights tour.

Click to hear your Travel Designer discuss the merits
and attractions of this Program