Explore the trail of Cambodian civilisation. Start from Phnom Penh-the present capital city- to Sombor Prei Kuk in Kampong Thom town where an ancient Khmer Kingdom flourished during the 6th century before the power was transfered to Angkor Wat. The tour ends at Siem Reap where you will marvel at the magnificence of Khmer art and architecture at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon and many more.

Destination:	Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kompong Thom, Siem Reap – Cambodia
Activity:	Arts & Culture, Historic sites / Temple visits
Price:	start from $842 per person
Duration:	8 Days / 7 Nights

Tour Rates* (Price/Person) in U.S. Dollars
Period	Single	Double	Triple	Group 4-6	Single Supplement
Standard Package
12 Jul 2009 – 30 Sep 2009	1,366	842	733	N/A	N/A
Superior Package
12 Jul 2009 – 30 Sep 2009	1,516	909	799	N/A	N/A
Deluxe Package
12 Jul 2009 – 30 Sep 2009	1,768	1,062	941	N/A	N/A

Rates include 7% VAT tax and 10% hotel service charge. Major credit cards accepted. No extra charge, no minimum

Note: Booking should be made at least 7 days in advance. The Triple rates are based on a twin sharing room with an extra bed for the third person.

Itinerary

Day 1 Phnom Penh (Lunch)

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport, after luggage collection, immigration and customs clearance, meet with our representative for transfer to the hotel. After that, take a brief rest before lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, sightseeing to the historical sites in Phnom Penh.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2  Phnom Penh (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, sightseeing in the city including visit to Tuol Sleng Museum, Russian Market. National Museum, the Central Market and the Wat Ounalom. Lunch is provided at local restaurant.  Late afternoon, sunset cruise on Mekong river and Tonle Sap. Dinner by own arrangement.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 3 Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham – Kompong Thom (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kampong Cham (124 km – 2 hour drive) and have a brief tour of the town to view a trace of colonial architecture.  Lunch at local restaurant and continue the journey to Kampong Thom.

Dinner and overnight in Kampong Thom.

Day 4 Kompong Thom – Sambor Prei Kuk – Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch)

Check out from the hotel and have breakfast at a local restaurant. Proceed to Sambor Prei Kuk (28 kms – 40 minute drive), the pre-angkorian site (7th Century). Picnic lunch by the temple ruins. Continue to Siem Reap for another 175 kms, en route visit Beng Mealea. Arrive in Siem Reap in the late afternoon. Dinner by own arrangement.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5  Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Breakfast in the hotel. Start the Angkor tour at the South Gate of Angkor Thom: the Bayon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit Ta Phrom and Angkor Wat for a sunset watch. Dinner and watch Apsara Dance Show.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6 Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast at the hotel, tour ancient shrines around the town such as Prasat Kravan – Eastern Mebon – Ta Som – Neak Pean – Preah Khan Temples – Banteay Kdei. Lunch at a local restaurant. End of the day, watch the sunset at Phnom Bakeng Shrine on a hilltop (Elephant ride up to the hill is included).

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7 Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive out of town to visit the holy stream of Kbal Spean. Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing the journey to Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. Dinner by own arrangement.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8  Siem Reap (Breakfast/ Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. Lunch at a local restaurant. After that, visit the “Chantiers Ecoles – Les Artisans d’Angkor” which provides training to young Cambodians in an effort to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone-carving and wood-sculpting and Puok Silkfarm.  Transfer to Siem Reap flight for departure.

Price Includes:

• Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle with local English speaking guide.
• Admission fee(s) where applicable
• Bottled drinking water during the tour
• Elephant ride at Bakeng Hill
• Meals as indicated in the program on food only
• Accommodation at mentioned hotels or similar with daily breakfast at the hotel

Price Excludes:

• International air ticket to Siem Reap
• Any sightseeing other than mentioned in the program
• Any meals that not mentioned in the program
• Drinks and beverages during meals
• Cambodian visa
• Airport taxes both international (Siem Reap airport tax: 25 USD) or domestic (if any)
• Any personal expenses
• Travel and Health Insurance
• This program does not include an international air ticket to Cambodia. We suggest our customers contact their local travel agencies for best price. However, if you plan to arrive in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh from Bangkok (Thailand), we can arrange the air ticket for you upon request.

Hotels used in the package:

• Standard Package: Goldiana Hotel / Stung Sen Royal Garden / Damnak Angkor Resort & Spa or Princess Angkor Hotel
• Superior Package: Stung Sen Royal Garden/ FCC Hotel / Tara Angkor Hotel
• Deluxe Pacakge: Amanjaya Hotel / Stung Sen Royal Garden / Angkor Village Hotel or Angkor Village Resort

Note:

• Visas are required to enter Cambodia. This can be obtained upon arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Airport for USD 20 and 1 passport sized photo per person.
• For your information, the airport tax at Phnom Phen Airport is 20 USD per each person.
• Please ensure you take comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and drink plenty of water. The most commonly accepted currency in Cambodia is the USD.
• Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond your visit.

About the Package

The changing city
Ever since the civil war ended in December 1998, more and more tourists have flocked to Cambodia, but not Phnom Pehn. Most of them opt for Siem Reap to watch the world wonder. Indeed, if you are curious to know how the war-torn capital progresses after years of a brutal war, Phnom Penh has some places worth your sight.

For the good part of the city, several areas have been renovated and redeveloped to make the landscape look pleasant and relaxing. The city’s waterfront, for example, is decorated with trees and a long concrete pavement. There are several genres of cafes and restaurants in colonial style buildings along the riverfront. For another perspective of the city, stroll down the city streets to watch local trades, from modern supermarkets and boutiques to street stalls.

Visit the lost empire
Visitors are amazed at the scale of Angkor City. The complex covers around 400 square kilometers and comprises over 100 monuments and edifices of temples, sculptures, statues and incomparable bas-relief that have withstood the ravages of time.
The enormous temple complexes had been expanded to the large area by successive kings. The architectural style of Angkor is largely based on Indian (Hindu) cosmology to symbolize the center of the universe and mixed with Chinese and local architecture. At the fall of the Empire, the jungle reclaimed the decaying ruins until being rediscovered in 1861.

Kbal Spean
Kbal Spean or the River of a Thousand Lingas is relatively new to many tourists due to its rugged terrain. Located on the holy mountain of Phnom Kulen, these 11th century riverbed rock carvings are popular among young travelers who are looking for off-the beaten track places. Set in a secluded forest, about half an hour of walking will gradually unfold a gallery of fine rock carvings something like a Brahma pantheon. This includes carvings of Vishnu reclining by a Naga (a giant serpent with multiple heads), Lakshmi, Rama and Hanuman. In the middle of the stream lie thousands of sculpted lingas or phallic images and a large underwater representation of a yoni (womb). These sculptures were lavishly made with a specific purpose -the lingas in the riverbed were to bless the stream of Kbal Spean that flows down through the city of Angkor. Non-slippery shoes are recommended for treks here.

Besides the riverbed carvings, one might still want to make additional excursions to the temples or prasats on Kulen Mountain. These are sturdy stone temples built in the 9th century. Some of them show traces of stucco and carvings that are rewarding to explorers after a long journey. A good physical condition, packed foods and water and a local guide are essential.

Bakong Temple
This Hindu monument was built by Indravarman I a year after Preah Ko Tower. It is another example of sandstone mountain hill with the five superposed terraces representing Mount Meru. It was discovered by Henri Marchal in 1936. The temple has been compleately restored stone by stone. It’s the nicest of the Rolous temples for its atmosphere as it was lost in the jungle. About 7000 inhabitants lived in the Bakong area at the time of Indravarman I.

Bayon
The eeriness and mystery that looms over Angkor Thom is enhanced even more by the hazy appearance of Bayon with its carved heads of Jayavaraman VII (accredited for constructing the city) jutting from the top of the building. Each of the 54 towers surrounding the edifice depict smiling faces of the king portrayed as Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara (Buddha), which may appear somewhat ominous to modern eyes.

Sculptured Terraces
Connected with the face towers of Bayon is the royal grounds and the 300-meter long Elephant Terrace and Leper King Terrace, each magnificently decorated with sculptures and bas relief of mythical garuda (half-man, half-bird), nagas (serpents), demons, gods and other creatures from Hindu mythology. These barren terraces once housed the pavilions of Khmer kings.

Ta Phrom; temple of memory
The temple complex of Ta Prohm and Preah Khan are filled with memory. Built during the 12th century, the temples were dedicated to King Jayavarman VII’s parents. At Ta Prohm, the temple ruins are invaded by trees and deliberately left in the same conditions as it was found in 1860. To explore Ta Phrom is to climb over piles of fallen sandstone blocks or sift through narrow passages-some parts of the temple are in accessible. Despite these difficulties, this sanctuary is considered by many as the most romantic site in Angkor. Another temple complex near Ta Phrom is Preah Khan in which its buildings were used as religious university, residence and hospitals.