5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS THE ESSENCE OF CAMBODIA

Welcome to Phnom Penh – the city retains its traditional Khmer and colonial styles with French villas and large tree-line sidewalk. Pick up and transfer to check in hotel. After the short rest you will visit the impressive colorful Khmer-style royal palace complex build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom. Nearby is Silver pagoda (the emerald Buddha temple), where contain plenty of Buddha Statues decorated and made by gold, diamond, gemstone and silver. We will stop at Independence monument, and we pass through the river-front park where 4 rivers met at a junction including mystical Mekong. Walk up to sacred hill Phnom Daun Penh – also the name of a pagoda and name of the capital nowadays. Last visit Central Market, a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. Initial design and layouts are from French architect Louis Chauchon. Enjoy the nighttime and overnight in Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at hotel, in the morning we visit Tuol Sleng prison now is Genocide Museum, the most secret part of the Khmer Rouge regime. It’s also called S-21 (abbreviated for Security Office 21), Khmer Rouge's premier security camp, specifically designed for the interrogation and extermination of anti-Angkor elements. Leave the relics of the bad history of Cambodia we will go shopping around Russian market, enjoy the bustling daily activities of the locals. Heading to airport for departure to Siem Reap

Welcome to Cambodia - Siem Reap, the treasures of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Pick up by tour guide and transfer to check in hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast at hotel, explore South Gate of Angkor Thom known as Big Angkor, 3km² walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire, the famous Bayon Temple was an architectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century. Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half meter tall, 300-meter-long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and gradual that spans the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon - huge temple mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace Area and Phimeanakas - impressive rite and sandstone pyramid. Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants, a double terrace wall with deeply carved nags, demons and other mythological beings. Lastly you will visit Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty! Giant trees have grown here for centuries.

Afternoon visit Angkor Wat Temple, the founder of the temple was Suryavarman II who reined Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century to dedicate to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. It is time for a romantic sunset view. Have funny time at bars and pubs at Angkor night market! Overnight in Siem Reap

After breakfast, we visit Small Circuit including visit Prasat Kravan was originally constructed by noblemen rather than a king. Banteay Kdei was built in sandstone, which has deteriorated quite badly. However, there remain some very beautiful lintels and pediments. Srah Srang is a royal pool was the King's bathing pond, where he washed with his many concubines each day.  Takeo - King Suryavarman I commissioned this temple in the 10th Century, but it was never completed so has no elaborate decoration like its contemporaries. It is a pyramid on 5 levels and is dedicated to Shiva. Thommanon - small attractive temple in very good condition, built at the same time as Angkor Wat. Chau Say Tevoda was built during the second quarter of the 12th century opposite Thommanon, it was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

Afternoon overland trip to visit the highlights of the Grand Circuit including: Preah Khan - meaning The Sacred Sword, this temple was also built by Jayawarman VII and is famous for its immensely long cruciform corridors and delicate carvings. Neak Pean - This temple is a delicate highlight of Khmer art. Built by Jayavarman VII, this temple is the perfect representation of the heavens on earth. Ta Som was a small classic Bayon style monastic complex consisting of a relatively flat enclosure. East Mebon was built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman; this temple was situated on a small island in the middle of the Oriental, or Eastern, Baray. Last visit Pre Rup was built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman. Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast at hotel, morning we drive to Tonle Lake to get a taste of life ruled by monsoonal rains and water-based agriculture on and around one of the most productive bodies of fresh water in the world. Walk through the lovely Pour Krom village to get a feel of authentic Khmer rural life. Proceed to Chong Kneas and embark on a cruise to see floating villages moving in and out due to the varying water level. Over time, the floating community has evolved to have almost everything villages on land have, including schools and spiritual structures. En route back to town, we have a chance to visit Les Artisan D’angkor, the Rebirth of Khmer Arts, or Senteur D’angkor, the realm of Khmer scents. We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market”, where anything and everything is for sale. Straight to Siemreap airport for your departure