Essential Cambodia

A morning visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Khmer Rouge Killing Fields is a sobering start to day two. Please consider the fact these exhibits are quite graphic, and might be upsetting to some visitors. There’ll be a stop after this to visit the PSE (Pour Un Sourire d’Enfant), which provides support for underprivileged Cambodian children.

Lunch (payment not provided) at Le Lotus Blanc, where you can support the chef-training of some of these children as their guest before commencing a short sightseeing tour. In the evening, you’ll visit the home of a local family to experience a traditional home-cooked meal. Overnight accommodation in Phnom Penh.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

The first activity today is a half-day cooking class. Learn to prepare genuine Khmer cuisine at La Rose in an authentic Khmer setting. Browse the market, meet stall holders and buy fresh produce to use in the meals you cook. The chef will show you how to cook several Khmer dishes. In the afternoon, drive to Koh Dach Island and begin a thrilling trip along the Mekong River to see the time-honoured traditions of a Khmer weaving village. Admire the villagers making dyes and weaving silk on old looms. Become immersed in the local lifestyle as wander through the village until your return trip back to the hotel. Overnight accommodation in Phnom Penh.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Following breakfast, drive to Siem Reap. Along the way witness the da-to-day life of local people in the countryside. En-route stop-off at Kampong Kdei Bridge, once the world’s longest corbel-arch stone bridge, comprising more than twenty narrow arches and spanning 285 feet. Amazingly, it dates back to the 12th century and the reign of King Jayavarman VII, and is one of only a small number of empire-era Khmer bridges still around today. Check-in at hotel. Visit the Roluos temples in the afternoon. This group of temples dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries, and includes Preah Ko, Bakong & Lolei. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Today’s visit to the mighty Angkor Complex begins at Angkor Thom via the Southern Gate before exploring the ancient city. Proceed next to the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace. In the afternoon, see the amazing Angkor Wat itself. Marvel at its extraordinary architecture before stopping to experience a breathtaking sunset over the monuments. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Wake up and have breakfast before heading out to the enchanting 11th-century Temple of Shiva – Banteay Srei – and the Banteay Samre Temple. On the way back, stop by the Ta Prohm Temple, jungle-shrouded and atmospheric. In the afternoon, transfer to a local monastery and join the resident monks in a private good luck blessing and ceremony to wish good health and safe travels, followed by the tying of sacred thread around your wrist. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Morning spent at leisure until time to transfer to the airport for departure flight

Meals Included: Breakfast