Cambodia – Siem Reap culture & food exploration 4 days

4 Days

OVERVIEW

Siem Reap – the major tourist hub of Cabodia, is the gateway to the world famous Angkor Wat temple and the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. This “Culture & Food Exploration” tour in Siem Reap will bring the countless memorable experiences from the significant ruins of the captivating Angkor Complex, ancient temples scattered around this historic region and chance to learn & taste famous Khmer cuisine, to the exploration of many communities on floating houses/boats on Tonle Sap Lake

HIGHLIGHTS

- Admire and have the nice photos at the most famous temples: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Preah Khan, Banteay Srei…
- Interesting experience when exploring many communities on floating houses and boats, including schools, markets…by a boat cruise on Tonle Sap Lake
- Learn the local cuisine as well as taste the famous local food through the morning, evening street food tour and a cooking class

ITINERARY IN BRIEF

Day 1: Siem Reap arrival
Day 2: Siem Reap full day tour (B/L/-)
Day 3: Siem Reap full day tour (B/L/D)
Day 4: Siem Reap half day tour – Departure (B/L/-)

Included:
• Accommodation with daily breakfast in Siem Reap
• Local English speaking guides
• Private transfers and transportation on tours
• All entrance fees
• Set menu meals as specified without drinks (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
• Bottled water & cold towels on sightseeing days
• Special visits & arrangements as indicated

Excluded:
• Cambodia E-Visa
• Arival & Departure flight
• Hotel early check in /Late check out
• Overweight luggage
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Tips & gratuities
• Other services not listed in inclusive column

Day 1: Siem Reap arrival

Upon arrival at the international airport and after clearing immigration and customs meet with your guide with a welcome signboard and transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Siem Reap full day tour with Angkor Thom, Preah Khan temple, Tonle Sap Lake, Evening street Food Tour (B/L/D)

After breakfast, pick up at your hotel and drive to visit the walled city of Angkor Thom, the royal city itself, covering four square miles and located in the complex’s geographic centre. Its 50-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a former time which now seems so remote. We then go on to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, King’s Terrace and Royal Palace area.

Then continue to visit Preah Khan Temple. Built by King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Ongoing restorations at Preah Khan are intended to maintain and indeed its present condition. We will also see Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake, the temple of Ta Som, as well as the unique brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan. Taste local food for your lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, further our visit to a floating village at Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia. Upon arrival at a local pier, embark on a boat and cruise to discover many communities on floating houses and boats, including schools, markets, children playing and swimming, and fresh water aquariums with different fish species displayed – a wonderful example of floating village life.

Later, take a tuk-tuk ride (a local transport) or a motorbike (with driver) and you will be taken around Siem Reap to sample delicious Cambodian dishes in several different locations, from small family-run and local specialty restaurants to street-food stands at a busy night market outside of town. You will have chance to sample everything from Cambodian BBQ to frogs stuffed with kroeung, a fragrant curry paste that is one of the defining ingredients of Khmer cuisine. You will even throw in a few Cambodian beers if you’re so inclined. The evening tour is a fun way to get acquainted with Siem Reap and Cambodian food. Return to your hotel and overnight in Siem Reap

Day 3: Siem Reap full day tour with Angkor Wat, Morning street food tour, Banteay Srei, Land Mine Museum and Blessing Ceremony (B/L/-)

In the early morning at about 04:45, you may wish to wake up early and set out for Angkor Wat, in front of the water lily pond, enjoying the temple’s reflection and the sunrise over the complex. Then continue exploring the intricately carved remains of Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive temple sites. The temple still displays hundreds of fine carvings of Apsara and scenes from Hindu mythology. The Khmer constructed the temple between the 9th and 13th Centuries. Strolling around the massive hallways, you will find many small shrines still in use by the Cambodians.

After that you will be taken to one of Siem Reap’s colorful local markets, then head through rice paddies and temples to a village in the shadow of the Angkorian temples that’s home to a breakfast dish that’s part of Khmer folklore. There, we’ll visit noodle makers and home farmers and enjoy breakfast as a local before returning to your hotel for fresh-up. The tour is an entertaining and informative visit to Cambodia’s cultural heart. (Skip your breakfast at your hotel today).

This afternoon, drive to visit Banteay Srei, the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture. This is a small temple complex but with carvings, which are impressive. Then if interested, visit the Land Mine Museum, which tells you the story of landmines in Cambodia, how they have impacted the country’s past, present and will continue to impact its future. Then return to Siem Reap downtown and take part in a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey. Be back to your hotel and overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap half day tour with cooking class (B/L/-)

After breakfast, meet with your guide and drive to a local market and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the Khmer cuisine. After that head to a rural village and start a cooking class with demonstration and hands-on experience. You will make some typical Cambodian dishes and try your lunch with what you will have cooked.

This afternoon, transfer straight to the airport for your departure flight or to next destination. Trip ends in Siem Reap.