Discover Cambodia’s impressive and tumultuous history as well as some amazing architecture, secluded beaches and ancient temples on Travel Talk’s 6-Day Essential Cambodia tour.
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
Welcome to Bangkok! At the airport terminal keep your eyes open for the Travel Talk sign, as we pick you up from the airport and take you to our Bangkok hotel. Gather round in the hotel lobby at 6:30pm as we meet both the other tour members and the guide. Listen up for a fast and informal meeting with the leader including registration and a short brief about the adventures ahead and information about Thailand and Cambodia. After the meeting, you can join the optional group dinner.
Day 2: Bangkok, Siem Reap
We set off in the morning for the border of Thailand and Cambodia, stopping for lunch before crossing into the home of the Ancient Khmers. We drive through rice fields, and sugar palm, arriving in the town of Siem Reap in the afternoon. Perhaps a quick massage to ease away the aches of the day or simply relax around the hotel pool before setting off into town to explore the famous 'Pub Street' with its energetic night life.
Day 3: Siem Reap, Angkor Wat
After an early breakfast we head straight to Ta Prohm. It is often referred to as the “Jungle” or “Tomb Raider” temple due to the number of huge ancient trees whose roots have wrapped themselves around the towers and doorways. We continue to the lesser-known Ta Nei temple, hidden away in the jungle. We then enter the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom at the Victory gate. We then are able to walk around 1km on the top of the wall to the “Gate of Death” and afterwards visit the sights of Angkor Thom including the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. We then return to the hotel for lunch and a respite from the heat. In the afternoon we drive out to Banteay Srey Temple which has the most intricate of carvings carved into pink sandstone and is simply beautiful! We finish the day watching the sun melt into the rice fields from the crematorium temple Pre Rup.
Day 4: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh
After checking out from the hotel we leave Siem Reap for Phnom Penh. We make our first stop at Spean Praptos, one of the longest bridges from the Angkorian period and has survived remarkably well! From here the road is lined with local homes and surrounded by rice fields so there is plenty of local life to along the way. We'll make a stop for a lunch along the way before arriving at Skoun, a transport hub where many travellers stop to pick up a tasty 8-legged snack, as deep-fried tarantulas are the specialty here. We then continue to the capital where we check into our hotel and set off to explore the vibrant nightlife scene.
Day 5: Phnom Penh City Tour
This morning we take a look at the ugly side of this wonderful county’s recent past. The genocidal Khmer Rouge brought the country and its people to their knees in the 1970’s. We visit S21, a former high school that was used as a torture and interrogation centre. Of the 17,000 people who passed through its gates, only 7 survived to tell the tale. We then continue to Cheung Ek, also known as the Killing Fields, to try and make sense of the madness. After an intense morning it’s time to return to the city. This afternoon we visit the Royal Palace. This is the everyday residence of King Sihamoni and is one of the most striking structures in the city. We continue on foot to the National Museum, home to the finest collection of Angkorian sculpture anywhere on the planet. We are shown around by a local specialist who will introduce us to the Gods whose worship left the world the legacy of Angkor. The evening is free for you to explore.
Day 6: Phnom Penh
Our trip will end after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast, and check-out of the hotel in Phnom Penh at 11:00am. Before your flight we bus you back to the airport and bid you safe travels.
What is Included
- Accommodation: 4 and 3 star hotels
- Meals: 4 breakfasts
- Transportation: Air-conditioned non-smoking coach or mini-bus
- Guide: Services of experienced guide licenced by the Ministry of Tourism
Price
- £467/per person
