THE QUINTESSENTIAL CAMBODIA (4 Days/ 3 Nights)

THE QUINTESSENTIAL CAMBODIA (4 Days/ 3 Nights)

Cambodia has so much to offer to international traveler in terms of a rich cultural, natural and historical heritage. Not only are there the world renowned Angkor Wat complex and surrounding temples steeped in history and mystique, but for those who enjoy relaxing on tropical beaches. The country undoubtedly offers some of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches in the world. Offshore lie coral islands and exotic fish while inland indigenous flora and fauna, waterfalls, and tropical forests all await discovery....

DAY 1: SIEM REAP ARRIVAL

Arrival in the city of World Heritage, Angkor Wat. Our car and guide will pick you up at the airport then transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Siem Reap.

v Meals: NO

DAY 2: ANGKOR HISTORY PARK (B,L)

AM: We will start the day with the infamous and treasured legacy of Angkor Wat. The masterpiece and holy grail of the temples of Angkor, Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious building and an insurmountable legacy left by Suryavarman II. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, there is almost one kilometer of exquisitely detailed carvings which depict the intricacies of the Khmer empire through dramatic and humorous stories of love, life, war, religion and mythology, before accessing the inner complex to experience the powerful energy that this sublime temple inspires. Marvel at the quincunx of towers, admire the carvings and architectural detail of the complex as a whole, as it seemingly defies with its beauty and symmetry the fact that it’s a man-made creation almost 1000 years old.

We shall continue our visit Ta Prohm. Of Tombraider fame, Ta Prohm is an Angkorian treasure, and it’s going to stay that way. One of the most fascinating things about Ta Prohm (except for its size, beauty and pleasantly eerie atmosphere) is that today it can be appreciated perfectly as it would have been in its day, a mere 900 years ago, as it has been ‘left as it was found’ by the French explorers who discovered it in the 19^th century. Ta Prohm is a sight to behold, a veritable maze with gigantic golden trees strangling the stone foundations at every juncture, fine carvings, prominent galleries and a layout that will bring out the explorer in you.

PM: After lunch we commence our exploration of Angkor Thom. Known as the ‘Great City’, Angkor Thom was Jayavarman VII’s ultimate creation, his true expression of design excellence. Angkor Thom was an entire city built in the 12^th century which at one point was believed to house up to 150,000 people across an area of nine square kilometers and which thrived upon a complex system of agriculture and waterways. 5 magnificent gates which stand 23 metres high and are spiritually guarded by faces reminiscent of the Bayon, and we will enter through the Victory Gate, complete with a causeway with two emanating rows of Devas and Asuras, both of which are wrestling a powerful Naga. From here we will converge upon the centre of this extraordinary city, and begin to explore its elements, starting with the Elephant Terrace, a royal platform used as a viewing gallery for grandiose royal spectacles, decorated wonderfully with statues of elephants and perfect carvings. Adjacently sits the Terrace of the Leper King, decorated in much the same way but unique for possessing the statue of Yama (the Leper King), god of Death. From here we will proceed through the forest to Preah Palilay. Guarded by a large Buddha this is a small but beautiful temple from the 13^th century. Afterwards we will proceed to Phimeanakas, a 10^th century largely uncarved but beautifully constructed pyramid temple affording terrific views, before Baphuon, an imposing 50 metre tall temple dedicated to Shiva which houses one of the world’s largest reclining Buddhas. And finally to Bayon, arguably the most stunning of all the Temples of Angkor, adorned with 37 towers decorated with wonderful giant stone faces and beautifully decorated carvings throughout.

Finally we will proceed to Bakheng Hill, an iconic temple setting where we will admire the sun set over this ancient land, with views across the great Tonle Sap Lake, the West Baray, and of course, Angkor Wat.

v O/N in Siem Reap

v Meals: breakfast + lunch

DAY 3: SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH (B,D)

AM: After breakfast, transfer to the airport, boat port or bus station for departure to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check in.

PM: Visit Royal Palace. On the banks of the Mekong River, the Royal Palace was constructed in the 19^th century when the capital moved from Oudong to Phnom Penh, and has been the home for the Kings of Cambodia since 1866. The palace is a testament to Khmer architectural and aesthetic proficiency so prevalent in their royal and religious monuments. Within the royal palace is the Silver Pagoda, where Wat Preah Ko Royal Temple is located, housing Cambodia’s most revered national treasures such as gold Buddhas, a baccarat emerald Buddha, and even one Buddha statue decorated with a modest 9,584 diamonds. Then on toTuol Sleng, or S21, was initially a school in the centre of Phnom Penh which was later used by Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge to enslave, torture and kill all those suspected of treason or non-conformity to their ideology. Now it’s a museum which depicts this distressing period of history, where the cells, beds, torture equipment and photos that were used are still present today. We will finish the day at the Russian Market, named after the Russian influence over this market in the 1980s, there is a fine selection of traditional and modern goods on sale.

v O/N in Phnom Penh.

v Meals: breakfast

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH DEPARTURE (B)

AM: After breakfast, free leisure time until transfer to airport for your onward flight.

v Meal: breakfast

End of Tours.

Check in time : 1400-1500

Check out time : 1100-1200

All prices are valid 01 Oct 2011 – 20 Dec 2011 and 10 Jan 2012 – 31 Mar 2012 Tour price in USD net per person in group of
Tour Class	1pax	2pax	3-4pax	5-6pax	7-9pax	10-14pax	15+1pax	SGL sup
English speaking guide
3* standard
3* deluxe
4* standard
4* deluxe
5*
Japanese or French speaking guide
3* standard
3* deluxe
4* standard
4* deluxe
5*
Spanish / German / Russia speaking guide
3* standard
3* deluxe
4* standard
4* deluxe
5*

v Peak season 20 Dec – 10 Jan: price subject to change depend on hotel staying; Gala dinners are also compulsory by hotel 3* up.

v Hotel selected : see the last lines

INCLUSIVE OF ABOVE PRICES:

v Accommodation in TWN or DBL sharing room

v Private transportation as itinerary

v Local guide (SPOT)

v Meals: as mentioned B- breakfast; L- Lunch; D- Dinner

v Entrance fee as itinerary

v Boat cruise as itinerary

v 2 both of water daily with tour

EXCLUSIVE OF ABOVE PRICES:

v Visa

v All air ticket and airport tax

v Transportation from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap

v Other meals

v Drinks, tips, personal expenses

v Travel insurance

v Bank fee for transferring money.

v Others not mentioned above

ACCOMMODATION

City	Siem Reap	Phnom Penh	Battam Bang	Sihanouk Ville
3* standard	Majestic Angkor (Dlx) Casa Angkor (std)	Cardamom (sup) Hotel Castle (dlx)		Golden Sand (dlx)
3* Deluxe	Angkor Home (sup) Royal Empire (sup)	Imperior Gardent Villa Langka		Malibou
4* standard	Empress Angkor (sup) Ree Hotel (dlx) Somadevi Angkor (sup)	Phnom Penh (sup) Cambodiana (sup) Sunway (dlx)
4* Deluxe	Prince D’ Angkor (sup) Angkor Miracle (sup) Royal Bay Inn (sup)	Amanjaya (Junior suite) Himawary (		Sokha Beach (sup)
5*	Victoria Angkor (sup) Angkor Palace (sup)	Intercontinental (dlx)		Sokha Beach (dlx sea view)