Around Cambodia

Prices 15 days from £2,290pp

DAYS 1-2 FLY TO PHNOM PENH

Fly overnight to Cambodia's captivating capital Phnom Penh. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 3 EXPLORE PHNOM PENH

A somewhat European city of airy boulevards and colonial villas, scarred still by the events of 1975, Phnom Penh has been engulfed by energy and optimism making it a pleasurable place to be. Today's visits include a cyclo ride to the magnificent Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, before reflecting on the past at the harrowing Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields. Sunset at hilltop Wat Phnom rounds off the day.

DAY 4 KEP AND KAMPOT

Depart for the beach town of Kep, stopping en route at Tonle Bati, a peaceful site of Angkorera temples. Travel on to a pepper farm to learn about the renowned Kampot pepper. Take a boat ride out to Koh Thonsay where you can spend a few hours relaxing on the beach before returning to Kep.

DAY 5 COASTAL SIHANOUKVILLE

Visit the impressive cave temple of Phnom Chhnork before travelling to Kampot for a walking tour. A charming riverside town, Kampot has a wealth of colonial architecture to discover. Travel to Sihanoukville, Cambodia's premier beach resort. Head up to the summit of Victory Hill for late afternoon views down over the city and Gulf of Thailand.

DAY 6 SIHANOUKVILLE AT LEISURE

Spend the day at leisure - explore this lively town or just hit the beach for total relaxation. A delicious group lunch at a local restaurant is included.

DAY 7 RETURN TO PHNOM PENH

Return to Phnom Penh and spend the day at leisure.

DAY 8 DISCOVER BATTAMBANG

Journey north to Battambang stopping at the former capital city Udong, a potters' village and Touch Hill. Set in some of the country's most beautiful landscapes, Battambang is also home to Cambodia's grandest colonial architecture.

DAY 9 LA MAISON DE COCO

Head out of town to the 12th century Prasat Banan Temple and admire the breathtaking hilltop views. Return to Battambang and take a stroll through the village of Wat Kor, then explore a local house for a glimpse of traditional Khmer life. Visit a local NGO, La Maison de Coco, where traditional skills such as weaving are taught to locals before a visit to Phnom Sampov to see the bat cave.

DAY 10 THE NATIONAL SILK CENTRE

Begin the journey towards Siem Reap, stopping in Puok District to visit the National Silk Centre. Learn about the cultivation of silk, from the planting of mulberry trees used to raise the silkworms to the harvesting of silk threads. Observe the artisans using the dyed and treated silk threads to create beautiful products in the workshops. On arrival in Siem Reap the rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 11 MAJESTIC ANGKOR TEMPLES

Rising early, journey to the old city of Angkor Thom and pass through the magnificent South Gate flanked by 54 gods and demons. At Angkor Thom's centre is the enigmatic Bayon, a breath-taking temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. Also admire the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm before the rest of the day is dedicated to Angkor Wat, the most magnificent, and best preserved of all of Angkor's treasures. This evening enjoy a rollicking performance of the Phare Cambodian Circus.

DAY 12 SUNSET OVER ANGKOR THOM

Journey to Kbal Spean to see the intricate stone carvings of Hindu gods and sacred linga carved into the river bed and banks. Continue on to the captivating Banteay Srei - a richly embellished Hindu temple constructed in rose sandstone. The work is so intricate it is said that it could only have been carved by the hand of a woman. Later, take a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the ancient Khmer water systems.

DAY 13 TONLE SAP LAKE

High Water Season (Aug to Feb) Enjoy a morning cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting the floating village of Kampong Kleng and observing the way of life of these lake communities. Back on dry land visit Beng Mealea, a mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Return to Siem Reap via Artisan D'Angkor, an organisation working to revive traditional Khmer arts and crafts. This evening sit down to dinner and the Apsara dance show.

DAYS 14-15 FLY SIEM REAP TO UK

Grab your last minute souvenirs before boarding an overnight flight to the UK, arriving home the following day.

From £2,290 per person

Please contact us for alternative dates, durations and departure airports. Prices shown are for guidance only and are subject to availability.

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