Cambodia Highlights - 11 Days - Private

Your Cambodia adventure begins with your arrival in Phnom Penh. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation, where you can have a rest after the flight. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to visit the "Killing Fields" of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978, about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained, tortured and executed at this extermination camp. Next, visit the Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison), a former school used as a prison by Pol Pot's security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to Choeng Ek to be executed. In the afternoon, visit the Independence Monument for photo opportunities, then explore the Psa Thmey (New Market). Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, visit the National Museum, home to over 5,000 objects including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artifacts. Continue to the Royal Palace, the royal residence where the King of Cambodia and the royal families live. It's like a small town of royal dynasties. Next, visit the Silver Pagoda, a repository for cultural treasures such as a 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2,086 diamonds. Finally, visit Wat Phnom Temple, one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh, built in 1373 by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh. In the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers in Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, depart for Battambang by overland transfer (290 km, 4-5 hrs drive). Along the way, stop at a Silversmith village, pottery manufactories in Kompong Chhnang, and a fish market. Upon arrival in Battambang, check in at the hotel. Take a walk through the town to discover its beautiful colonial architecture, followed by a visit to the central market, Psanat. In the afternoon, enjoy an experience riding the bamboo train at Oudombong Village. Overnight in Battambang.

After breakfast, drive along the picturesque Sangker River to Wat Slaket Pagoda, the residence of the provincial Buddhist patriarch. Continue to visit Wat Ek Phnom and a market where Prahoc, the Cambodian fish paste, is made.In the afternoon, drive to Phnom Sampeou Mountain, steeped in legend and topped by Wat Sampeou and a group of caves used as "Killing caves" by the Khmer Rouge. We'll also visit natural caves, including a spectacular one where we'll wait 5-10 minutes to see millions of bats emerge. Return to Battambang town to freshen up. Overnight in Battambang.

After breakfast, transfer overland to Siem Reap, which takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Artisan D'Angkor, a handicraft center showcasing wood and stone carving processes. Then continue to Wat Thmey, also known as the Killing Field, which contains a unique glass-walled stupa holding the bones of Khmer Rouge victims. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, head out of town to the intricately carved and well-preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way, make a stop at the Preah Dark village. Then visit the Banteay Samre Temple, adorned with impressive reliefs depicting Vishnu and Krishna legends. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world, covering an area of 200 hectares and surrounded by a moat and exterior wall. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, visit the Angkor Thom complex, including the South Gate, Bayon Temple, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephants Terrace, and Terrace of the Leper King. Then explore Preah Khan temple, a huge, highly explorable monastic complex that served as a Buddhist monastery and school. In the afternoon, visit the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm, where enormous fig trees and creepers embrace the stone foundations. End the day with sunset views from the top of Phnom Bakheng. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, travel to Chansar, a local village. Enjoy an ox-cart ride and learn about the broom-making process from a local family. Take a guided walking tour to experience the rural way of life, try fishing and farming as the locals do. Enjoy a simple yet delicious lunch with the community. On the way back, stop at a local temple to receive a colorful blessing from a Buddhist monk. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, take a boat ride on the Tonle Sap, the largest permanent freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. See the floating village with its floating schools, police station, and other structures that move with the water levels. Transfer back to the hotel and enjoy free time. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Trip ends.