Definitely Unique Siem Reap with Battambang 8 Nights / 9 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 | Siem Reap – Arrival

Meal: None
Upon your arrival at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, you will be greeted by our friendly escort guide and driver then transfers directly (approx. 1 hour) to a booked hotel for check in and have your own free time.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 2 | Fully Guided Angkor Discovery & Traditional Gondola Sunset

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. We’re journeying out (or tuk tuk) of hotel at 8.00am to the South Gate of Angkor Thom atop 4 giant faces that religiously represents compassion, sympathy, equanimity and charity. Stroll around Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, terrace of leper king and terrace of elephant. Resume the journey to visit Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning, amazing tree roots where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.

Enjoy Khmer set lunch at a selected local restaurant near temples.

Afternoon, continue to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest unrivaled monument in the world. Built by Suryavarman II in 12th Century, Angkor Wat is considered as one of the top destinations in Asia and is a must-see in your lifetime. Learning from your tour guide the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire when it dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia.

Next, we’re heading to Angkor Thom where we will embark a traditional gondola which slowly glides along the moat (Tonle Om) and enjoy finger canapé, immerse yourselves with the serenity among the stunning nature of Angkor which the moment seems date back to the old time of Angkor Kingdom while the picturesque sunset with golden color fading at horizon.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 3 | Angkor Balloon Sunrise & Beautiful Banteay Srei

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. We’re leaving hotel a bit early at 5.15am through the cool morning of Angkor jungle to Angkor Balloon site where we process to embark Angkor balloon (share balloon) for the spectacular sunrise over the stunning scenery of Angkor while you’re enjoying taking the photos of the sun rising up at the gold-red sky. The balloon generally takes 10 minutes for the sightseeing soaring over the sky about 200 meter high and descent slowly down to the ground.

Return hotel for breakfast and have your own free time.

Afternoon,  we leave hotel again to stroll at Preah Dak village to observe local people making the famous steaming-rice cake which hides coconut milk inside that you have a chance to grab a few bites before continuing to unlock the intricately carved, beautiful red-pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei – considered to be a Jewel of Khmer art which features elaborate decorations and its finest details. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a “precious gem”.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 4 | Vermicelli Tasting & Phnom Kulen Waterfalls

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. With our experienced tour guide, we drive to Preah Dak village where we will be greeted by a local family at her house then they invite you to observe daily works of producing Khmer vermicelli in a remarkable processing before it is sold to the market nearby. You’ll also have chances to sample the freshly made vermicelli mixing up with delicate soup and fresh vegetables.

Next, goodbye to the family and we make our way to Phnom Kulen where you see the famous beautiful waterfalls. Phnom Kulen is regarded as the holy mountain for religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists and was the significant home of the ancient Khmer Empire when King Jayavarma II proclaimed independence from Java in 804 CE. The journey provides nice views of rice paddies, countryside dotting with palm trees and cattle.

Enjoy the walking tour to see the giant reclining Buddha statue on the hilltop along with breathtaking, spectacular views and learn from your tour guide about historical site. Resume walking within the jungle to witness religious Hindu of the riverbed of 1000 linga carvings, next we move to observe the sacred ground-pool before we head to relax near the waterfall. From then, it is your own free time for cooling down, swimming and enjoying local lunch followed by fresh coconut juice

Afternoon, we drive back to Siem Reap and on the way, we stop for a visit at palm sugar village and other various local handicraft souvenirs.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 5 | Tonle Sap Lake, City Tour & Traditional Apsara Show

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast is at hotel. We set off hotel at 8.30am for countryside sightseeing along with a visit at local market to see interesting trades before resuming our journey to Kompong Phluk village of Tonle Sap Lake. We process to take a boat trip along canal toward the centre of Kompong Phluk then the boat slows down to let you enjoy the surrounding admired by amazing houses atop high poles, come across the highlight of fishing activities as well as see people selling fruits/vegetable/meats on their boats, you sometimes see kids in their student uniforms coming back from their classes. Witness how life works on the water and how people make the lake as home then we embark on a canoe to explore the pleasant mangroves, enjoy the serenity while taking picturesque photos and you may see a few waterbirds. Continue by our main boat to see the great lake of Tonle Sap, learn from your tour guide about Tonle Sap ecosystem and its rich biosphere reserve.

Return Siem Reap city to enjoy tasty Khmer set lunch at Khmer wooden house restaurant.

Afternoon, we go for guided orientation at the finest Artisan Angkor wood/stone carving center which displays various defined handicrafts and silk products, continue to stroll around old market to see interesting daily trade as well as bargaining for local handmade products, paintings, lacquers, carvings, clothes, traditional crafts and so on, and you can also go to Royal Residence Garden for walking and breathtaking.

Evening, we leave to enjoy tasty dinner followed by traditional Apsara dance performance at a selected local restaurant.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 6 | Unique Village Experience & Phare Cambodian Circus

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast is at hotel. We start the tour at 8.30am to a remote countryside village, the journey passes interesting city highlight and huge beautiful rice paddies dotting with palm trees and cattle in the fields. We will visit a local market to observe interesting trade exchanges before arriving in the village, next have some fun on the oxcart ride through the village to get interaction along with “Hello” from friendly kids. Disembark the cart, you’ll be greeted by a host family then we get involved with rural activities such as rice planting or harvesting or growing vegetables or making roof of palm leaves depending on the season of the year. These rural village activities are most unique, memorable experience in your trip to Cambodia. Return to the family’s house, stroll round to see the surrounding which admired by routine, lifestyle, culture, customs and superstitions, enjoy lunch followed by tropical fruits and get refreshed by coconut juice.

Afternoon, we say goodbye to the host then we make our way to a Buddhist pagoda in a village where you stroll around to learn from your guide about Pagoda and Buddhism as well as daily life of saffron monks. By the following time, you will prepare to receive special water blessing which is ritually practiced from the ancient time and it is religiously believed to bring good fortune to life as well as getting rid out of bad evil while you’re being poured holy water with chanting sacred words from monk and it is fully accomplished by a wishing red tie at the end.

Evening, our team transfers to have delicious Khmer set dinner at famous Chanrey Tree, a beautiful setting with garden by the riverside before we’re going to watch unique Phare Circus performance (Seat B) which is unlike any other circus in the world: theater, story, dance, high-energy music and circus arts.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 7 | Fully Guided Day Trip to Battambang with Bamboo Train

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is at hotel. We leave Siem Reap at 5.45am then we drive with 2 ½ to Battambang Province. Arrived in Battambang and have breakfast and coffee (your own account) at a local restaurant before we head out to experience some fun on the famous bamboo train in Battambang, cruising on the track of the train rail while enjoying the highlight of rural landscape. Continue to wander around the infamous Prohoc market “Fermented Fish Market”, observe rice paper making, have chances to try the taste of Cambodian rice wine and learn how it is made before drive to visit ancient temple of Wat Ek Phnom – an Angkorain temple built in the 11th century.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon, continue our journey to visit traditional wooden house which was built a century ago during French Era and have a short tour that reveals a very interesting background regarding to its history. Continue our journey to Phnom Sampov where you enjoy the active walking at the top of the mountain to witness the killing caves and visit hidden caves of Battambang. Next, we wait at hillside to watch thousands of bats flying back to their caves in the red sky while the sun is setting down. Finally, we drive back and arrive in Siem Reap around 8.30 – 9.00pm.

Overnight in Siem Reap

*Alternative Day Trip for you: Kulen Elephant Forest
Our driver (no guide) will pick you up at 7.40am from hotel’s lobby then transfers to Kulen elephant forest’s office in Siem Reap town. Next, the shuttle minivan will leave at 8.00am with an hour drive to the Kulen Elephant forest which locates at the base of Kulen Mountain range. Once at the reserve, you will spend time to learn from the local tour guide to get understanding the way of elephants live, play and roam as well as knowing how they are being well taken care mostly through their natural habitat, observing their relationships and behaviors. At noon, retire to base camp and enjoy a traditional meal before heading back to Siem Reap (approx. 2.00pm). You will then get picked up by our driver from Kulen elephant forest’s office to hotel then it is your own leisure.

Day 8 | APOPO Visitor Center & Cambodia Water Blessing

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. We leave hotel at 9.30am then we’re heading to APOPO Visitor Center for an hour guided tour – where you experience the realities of humanitarian demining and how we train rats to save lives. You will learn about landmines, how we clear them, and see a live demo of the HeroRATs. Learn about how Cambodia became one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. Return hotel for breakfast and have your own free time.

Our team will pick you up at 3.00pm (or 2.30pm) from your hotel’s lobby then heading out to a Buddhist Pagoda where the tour guide escort you to see the pagoda, explain you more about daily life of Buddhist monks, culture, Cambodian religion and how monks leave in the early morning to search for alms giving.

Next, we respectfully invite a Buddhist monk and provide an offer-gift to him to get prepared ritual water blessing. Once you changed clothes and get ready, let’s get started.

A longer ritual that involves vessels of blessed water being poured over your head by monks. Saffron monks prosperously chant to wish you good luck, safe travel, healthy harmony and longevity. It is a way to cleanse yourself, peaceful mind and receive a sacred Buddhist blessing at an ancient pagoda. This traditional water blessing is fully accomplished by a wishing red tie at the end.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 9 | Siem Reap – Departure

Meal: Breakfast

Breakfast is at hotel. Simply enjoy the rest of free time in Siem Reap before our team picks you up from hotel’s lobby and transfers to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport for your flight to the next destination.

Thank You and Goodbye to Beautiful Cambodia