Explore the myth and mystery of Angkor Wat – one of the world’s greatest structures. Dozens of century-old temple ruins and meticulously carved statues. Travel overland across Thailand-Cambodia border to Siem Reap in a private car passing an evergreen countryside. Cycle along the river to visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom and cruise Tonle Sap Lake to Phnom Penh. Extend the journey to Koh Kong the rapid developed border town between Thailand and Cambodia.

Destination:	Siem Reap, Cambodia
Activity:	Arts & Culture, Boat travel, Historical sites, Nature & Adventure
Price:	start from $1077 per person
Duration:	10 Days / 9 Nights

Tour Rates* (Price/Person) in U.S. Dollars
Period	Single	Double	Triple	Group 4-6	Single Supplement
12 Jul 2009 – 30 Sep 2009	1,566	1,077	896	N/A	N/A
1 Oct 2009 – 31 Oct 2009	1,768	1,092	908	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 Bangkok - Siem Reap (Lunch)

Depart Bangkok early in the morning (about 5 am) to drive to the Thai-Cambodia border of Arunyaprathet. Cross the border and meet with our representative for transfer to Siem Reap with lunch en route.  Arrive Siem Reap in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Angkor Home Hotel.

Day 2  Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast at the hotel, take a bicycle tour to explore Angkor Thom city to visit Bayon, Baphuon, Elephant and Leper King Terraces.  After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to  Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Mebon Oriental and Pre Rup. Dinner at a local restaurant and watch Apsara Dance.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Angkor Home Hotel.

Day 3  Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel. After that visit various temples in Roulous Temple Complex, including Preah Ko Tower, Lolei Tower, Bakong Temple.  Lunch at a restaurant and followed by visit to Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm, Prasat Kravan and end of the day at Phnom Bakeng to watch the sunset (Elephant ride up to the hill is included)

Overnight in Siem Reap at Angkor Home Hotel.

Day 4  Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel, then departs for Kban Spean, the impressive and well-preserved Hindu sculptures in the riverbed rock carvings from the 11^th century.  Picnic lunch en route.  After lunch return to Siem Reap to visit Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre and the magnificent Angkor Wat.

Overnight in Siem Reap at Angkor Home Hotel.

Day 5  Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (Breakfast, Lunch)

After an early breakfast, transfer to Tonle Sap lake to take a speed boat to Phnom Penh. The boat trip takes around 4-5 hours during the rainy season and 6-7 hours during the dry season.  Arrive in Phnom Penh, lunch at a restaurant and check in at the hotel.  Rest of the day is free at own leisure.

Overnight in Phnom Penh at Godiana Phnom Penh Hotel.

Day 6 Phnom Penh (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast at the hotel. Full day sightseeing in Phnom Penh including visit to national museum, royal palace, Silver pagoda.  Lunch at restaurant then continue the visit to Phnom Temple and the Central Market before returning to hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh at Godiana Phnom Penh Hotel.

Day 7 Phnom Penh (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Killing field and Toul sleng Museum of the Genocide. Lunch at a restaurant and the rest of the day free at leisure

Overnight in Phnom Penh at Godiana Phnom Penh Hotel.

Day 8 Phnom Penh - Koh Kong (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart for Koh Kong by road on the 300 km journey.  Visit Tatai waterfall en route with picnic lunch.  Arrive in Koh Kong, visit Victory Monument, Khun Chhang Stupa and Phas Leu Market.

Overnight in Koh Kong at Koh Kong Resort.

Day 9 Koh Kong (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel then take a boat trip to Koh Kong Island for fantastic beaches and relaxation. Visit fishing village, mangrove forest, and waterfall on the island as well as visit the Dolphin area.  Picnic lunch is provided.  Return to the hotel in the afternoon and rest of the day is free at own leisure.

Overnight at the hotel Koh Kong Resort.

Day 10 Koh Kong - Trat – Bangkok (Breakfast)

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the border for border crossing to Trat Province, Thailand, and continue to the airport for departure flight back to Bangkok (recommended flight – Bangkok Airways flight PG 311 at 09:50)

Price Includes:

• All transfer and land transportation in private vehicles as mentioned in the program
• Local English or French speaking guide
• Entrance fees and sightseeing as specified in the program
• 4 night accommodation in Siem Reap based on twin sharing at your selected hotel
• 3 night accommodation in Phom Penh based on twin sharing at your selected hotel
• 2 night accommodation in Koh Kong based on twin sharing at the hotel
• All meals at the local restaurant as mentioned in the program
• Personal accident insurance

Price Excludes:

• Cambodia visa fee: US$ 20.00 per person
• Meals and services not mentioned in the program
• Beverage during meals
• Personal expenses
• Air ticket from Trat to Bangkok

Flight schedule from Trat to Bangkok by Bangkok Airways (PG):

• Daily Trat – Bangkok PG 311 at 0940-1030
• Daily Trat – Bangkok PG 317 at 1720-1810

Visa Information:

• Visas are required to enter Cambodia. This can be obtained upon arrival at the Thailand-Cambodia border checkpoint (Poi Pet) for USD 20 and 1 passport sized photo per person.
• Additional passport sized photos are required for the Angkor Temple Pass.
• 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.

About the Package

Phnom Penh: 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 Pehn 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, strol down the city streets to watch local trades, from modern supermarkets and boutiques to street stalls.For the bad past of the city, take a day tour to Tuol Sleng Museum of the Genocide, a former high school converted to a torture camp during the civil war. The photos and torture machines displayed at the meseum are spine-chilling reminders of the brutality of the civil war. The night trip at bars and night clubs offers an interesting aspect of the captial city. However, it’s wise to stay with the crowds and never walk alone after dark – night-time robberies are common.

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.

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.

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.

Incomparable carvings of Rolous Temples
Twelve Kilometers from Siem Reap in another ancient capital of Angkor named Rolous. The city was built in the late ninth century and considered the origin of the Khmer’s art. The remaining structures consists of Preah Ko Towers, Rolei towers and a mountain temple of Bakong, which are still in remarkable condition. The sandstone buildings are intricately decorated with deities in niches and lintels. However, the most complex decoration is presented on the false doors and windows, pillars, doorframes and lintels that are elaborately carved in various figures of Hindu Gods, monsters, guardians and angels. These pieces of art are a testament to Khmers’ artistic ingenuity.

Koh Kong
Tucked away in the southerwest corner of Cambodia, Koh Kong was once a small bustling town well known for its prosperous logging business. Since the departure of loggers, the town becomes a place where travellers stop over for a night or two before heading to Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong Island and Thailand (border crossing at Cham Yeam and Ban Hat Lek on the Thai side). If you have a couple of days to spare, it’s worth visiting Cardamom Mountains for a boat trip along a gorgeous river and a stunning lush green forest. Or you can opt for a 30 minute boat ride to Koh Kong Island. The island boosts several pristine white sand beaches and clear water during the dry season.