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3 Days / 2 nights - Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a small colonial town just north of Southeast Asia’s largest lake, Tonle Sap. The town itself is charming and pleasant to roam around, with some fine examples of French colonial architecture, though modern developments have been swift here in recent years since the demise of the Khmer Rouge. Now that the town is safe again, visitors have been flocking in, using it as a base for visits to nearby Angkor ruins. The most famous of the entire temple complex must be Angkor Wat. It was built under King Suryavarman II, who reigned from 1113 to 1150, who intended the temple to present him to his people as the incarnation of Vishnu, an Indian god. When most of Angkor was abandoned in the 15th century, the temples were gradually cloaked by forest until they were uncovered by French naturalist Henri Mouhot in 1861. The jungle setting and silence enhance the mystery of the temples and many of them remain in good condition. Some are under restoration and visitors can get a first-hand look at the painstaking efforts underway to preserve the relics.
Day 1: Siem Reap
Arrive in Siem Reap. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your Hotel.
Explore the ancient city of Angkor by entering Angkor Thom via the South Gate. Continue the journey by viewing the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace. In the afternoon, visit the epic Angkor Wat, viewing its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs. End the day with a spectacular sunset viewed from the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng.
Day 2: Siem Reap (B)
This morning, proceed to the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva – Banteay Srei – and the Banteay Samre temple. On the way back, stop at the three-tiered temple hill of Pre Rup. Their view the Bantey Kdei with it’s rarely seen sculpted female deities, the Lake of Srah Sran, and the impressive Ta Phrohm Temple which is dramatically enveloped by jungle. Also visit the Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevada, and Thommanon temples before returning to your hotel.
Day 3: Siem Reap (B)
Today, you will be transferred to the airport to connect your onwards flight.
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3 Days / 2 Nights - Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia‘s capital retains an undeniable charm despite its tumultuous and often violent past. The crumbling colonial architecture makes an attractive backdrop to bustling street side cafes and the redeveloped riverfront precinct – a particularly lively part of town on Friday and Saturday nights. The city has several impressive wats (temple-monasteries), including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and Wat Moha Montrei. Pride of place goes to the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in Cambodia where artefacts embodying the richness of Khmer culture were preserved by the Khmer Rouge.
Day 1: Phnom Penh
Arrive in the morning in Phnom Penh. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your Hotel.
Afternoon, you will be taken for a sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh visiting some of the capital’s most impressive sites, including the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda containing the Emerald Buddha statue, the Royal Palace and Phnom Penh’s oldest shrine, Wat Phnom.
Day 2: Phnom Penh (B)
You will be taken this morning for a tour of Killing Fields and Genocide Museum. Drive to the killing fields of Choeung Ek (16km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choueng Ek. They were often bludgeoned to death to avoid wasting precious bullets. Fragments of human bone and bits of cloth are scattered around the disinterred pits. Over 8,000 skulls, arranged by sex and age are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in 1988.
Return to Phnom Penh to visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and turned into a prison known as security Prison (S-21). It soon became the largest such centre of detention and torture in the country. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeung Ek to be executed; detainees who died during the torture were buried in mass graves in the prison ground. Room after room the museum displays photographs of men, women and children covering the walls from floor to ceiling; virtually all the people pictured here were later killed.
From here, visit the Russian Market (Psah Tuol Thom Pong), a lively outdoor market where you will find antiques, silver and gold jewellery, gems, silk, kramas, stone and wood carvings, as well as T-Shirts, CDs and other souvenirs. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own.
Day 3: Phnom Penh
Today, you will be transferred to the airport to connect your onward flight.
Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.