Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap
On arrival in Siem Reap, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel where you will check in for three nights. What better way to get rid of any jet-lag or fatigue than with a massage? You’ll enjoy a traditional Khmer massage before heading down to dinner, where you’ll taste the authentic food of Cambodia.
Day 2: Siem Reap
You’ll have an early start today as you set out to explore the temples of Angkor, starting at Ta Prohm - watching the sunrise pouring through the crumbling, tree covered structures is a magical way to start the day. Next you’ll move on to Srah Srang Baray, a landing platform adorned with guardian lions and naga balustrades where you’ll enjoy a lake front, champagne breakfast.
After breakfast, you’ll move on to Angkor Wat, the iconic 12th century temple that has over 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating its walls. Explore at your leisure, with your guide on hand to explain this huge complex and answer any questions you have.
For lunch, you’ll be heading to the Paul Durule School of Hotelry and Tourism; an NGO that provides young Cambodians with education and skills they need to forge a successful career. Lunch will include authentic Khmer specialities made by the trainee students.
You’ll spend the afternoon at leisure, whether you want to relax at the hotel or wander into Siem Reap for a look around the town. Dinner will be more delicious Cambodian fare, enjoyed as you watch Apsara dancers perform their unique dance.
Day 3: Siem Reap
After breakfast you’ll head out to the temples again, beginning with a visit to Banteay Srei, a beautiful temple made of soft pink stone that is found nowhere else in the Angkor complex. Continue on to Kbal Spean, an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site – you’ll trek 1.5km through dense jungle to find the “River of 1,000 Lingas”, where the riverbed is carved with images from Hindu scripture.
Enjoy a tasty picnic lunch before visiting the Golden Silk Pheach Farm; a local NGO that aims to revive ancient Khmer skills in the silk craft. It provides more than 100 jobs to local people and is a pretty site, covered with mulberry trees that attract the endemic yellow silkworm.
In the afternoon you’ll visit Angkor Thom, an ancient city that was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire. Inside you’ll find the Bayon Temple, where huge carved faces look down from the ornate towers. Finish the day by cruising around the moat of the Angkor Thom compound, watching the sun set as you enjoy a glass of champagne and canapes – make sure you raise a glass and toast your wonderful few days exploring Cambodia.
Day 4: Depart Siem Reap
After an early breakfast you’ll head out into the Cambodian countryside to visit the quiet temple of Beng Mealea - it’s completely overgrown and you can crawl through the ruins feeling like a real explorer!
Afterwards you’ll return to Siem Reap and be transferred to the airport in time to catch your onwards flight.
