Overview
A journey into Siem Reap reveals Cambodia’s most iconic ancient temples and a rich blend of culture and local life, where guests are welcomed on arrival by an English-speaking guide and transferred to the hotel for check-in and rest, with an optional visit to Kampong Phluk floating village on Tonle Sap Lake featuring a scenic boat ride and peaceful rowboat experience through flooded forest landscapes, while evenings offer time to explore the night market and enjoy local street food at leisure, followed by a full day discovering the Angkor Archaeological Park including an early sunrise at Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple with its rich history and iconic stone faces, ending with a traditional Apsara dinner show, before the final morning visits Artisan d’Angkor workshops, Wat Bo pagoda, and the Old Market for souvenir shopping ahead of a relaxed departure transfer.
About this tour: Essence of Siem Reap
4 day(s) 3 night(s)
Aprox duration
Itinerary
Expand AllSee all our itinerary to learn more about our experience.
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Arrival – Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Welcome to Cambodia. (IATA Siem Reap–Angkor Int’l Airport Code: SAI)
Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport by afternoon flight? Meet your driver only and transfer to hotel for relaxing. Note: Official check-in time at 2:00pm.
Siem Reap is the gateway to the world’s most spectacular ancient temples, dating from 8th-13th centuries with their countless sculptured decorations and former Khmer capitals.
Lunch and dinner are on your own account.
Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.
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Siem Reap
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Get up early for an eye-catching sunrise around 5:30am (depending on season) at Angkor Wat, then you will have a refreshment fruit and coffee before jumping into the discovery of the temple during less visitors.
Then you will visit Angkor Wat that was built in 1113-1150. The structure is said to be one of the world’s largest religious monuments. It appears to have been both the state temple and mausoleum, dedicating to the god Vishnu, then for Buddhists. The temple is famous for bas-reliefs encircling the temple wall depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and the historical wars of the King. The central tower reaches a height of 65 meters where you may also climb up and enjoy a breathtaking view. Angkor Wat symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people and graces every Cambodia's flag.
Heading back to hotel for your main breakfast and relaxing from the balance morning.
The balanced morning if you are interested, option to visit Neak Pean Temple, means "The entwined serpents" and Preah Khan Temple, meaning "Royal Sword" which was the central Buddhist temple (no extra charge).
Lunch is on your own account.
Afternoon, you take a shady walk along the tall tree-lined avenues and explore the beautiful Ta Prohm temple. The huge roots of giant trees and vines make this temple unique and famous. The temple is so peaceful and restored to nature that it was even used as a filming location for Angelina Jolie's film ``Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.''
You will visit the last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom is literally "Great City" which was established in the early 12th century. Enter the capital through South Gate with its impressive sandstone carving, then continue to Bayon Temple sits at the heart of the capital. Its masterpiece consists of 54 standing towers with four huge smiling faces, and its outer gallery contains about 11000 bas-reliefs depicting heroic historical tales as well as scenes of Khmer daily life in that civilization.
If you are interested, it is an option for climbing up at Bakheng Temple which is situated on a hill and provides panoramic & sunset views with the fresh air of nature. (Note: Upper levels of the temple may be restricted during certain times because of the limited number of travelers), (no extra charge).
After visiting these magnificent temples, tonight you will have a well-deserved dinner at local restaurant with a traditional Apsara and the traditional dance show which you will enjoy during your dinner.
Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.
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Siem Reap
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, drive passing along the local village where you can see how rural life is.
Along paddy fields and sugar palm trees of the countryside, you will have a fabulous experience riding on an ox-cart, a great opportunity to get an insight into village life in Cambodia by a traditional transportation. This is a fun and engaging adventure that allows you to see rural life during the slow phase.
Upon arrival at the lake inlet, get on a private wooden boat from Kampong Phluk’s pier to visit the floating village on Tonle Sap lake.
A short stop and ride on a rowboat through an impressive, flooded forest where you can enjoy paddling beneath shady trees makes you feel breathtaking with its romantic atmosphere; you may also taste local snack on board. Then the boat drives downstream onto the great lake of Tonle Sap where it offers you a close look at the submerged forest. (Note: Kampong Phluk may fully flood between Sep-Nov alternative floating village at Chong Kneas can be arranged instead during low water level.)
Heading back to the town for your own lunch and relax during midday.
Afternoon, it is an option to relax at hotel, or you want to explore the city tour as below, no extra charge.
You will visit Artisan d'Angkor, a complete site of the arts and crafts school will take you through the various training and production workshops. Continue to visit Angkor Silk Farm center of Puok where you will discover the various stages involved in Silk production.
Stop to visit a historical significance of Wat Bo pagoda is among the oldest Buddhist temples in Siem Reap. It played an essential role in Cambodia’s spiritual and cultural preservation. If you are lucky to see 19th-century frescoes depicting the Reamker (Khmer version of the Ramayana).
Dinner is on your own account.
Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.
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Siem Reap – Departure
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
After breakfast at hotel, the day is free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight. (Note: Official check-out time at 12:00 mid-day, you still use hotel’s amenity beside room even you checked-out)