Cambodia Road Trip

Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Routing: Siem Reap - Battambang - Phnom Penh

Discover ancient Angkor and explore the Khmer country-side by boat and improvised rail transport. Experience the life of the Khmers from the majestic Angkorian Era to the time of the Khmer Rouge and today.

In the early morning, meet your guide and transfer to your accommodation before beginning your expedition into the early Khmer Empire at Rolous.

Hariharalaya (last Kingdom before Angkor 9th century)
Preah Ko, 879 AD, erected by Indravarman I to deify his ancestors. The reliefs on the front towers relate to male gods and the rear ones are devoted to females.
Bakong, 881 AD. Indravarman I created this sandstone temple, devoted to Shiva, in the Mt. Meru (quincuncial or five-mountain) style representing the Hindu idea of the universe.
Lolei, 893 AD, was built on an island in a reservoir. There are beautiful sandstone carvings in the temple's niches.
Banteay Srei, 967 AD, is the jewel in the crown of the Angkor temples. The most beautiful and intricate carvings reside here in this outlying temple.

In the afternoon, following the migration of the Khmer capitols, travel back into the Angkor area.

Second Angkor capital (early classical period, 10th century)
Prasat Kravan, 921 AD. Unusual in that is was not constructed by royalty. Many sandstone carvings of Vishnu relate myths of his incarnations.
East Mebon, 952 AD, is a temple made on an island in a former reservoir. The base of the temple is guarded at the corners by stone elephants.
Pre Rup, 961 AD, was erected by Rajendravarman II in the quincuncial style. Pieces of the original plaster still remain on one of the towers. Beautiful lintel carvings are also a highlight.
Takeo, beginning of 11 th century, is the first Angkorian structure built entirely of sandstone. It seems more spartan than other temples as its decoration was never completed because the sandstone proved to be particularly hard.

First Angkor capital (King Yasovarman, 889-900)
Phnom Bakheng, end of 9 th century. This mountain-top temple is an excellent place to view the sunset. One can catch a glimpse of Angkor Wat from here as well.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: See Below
Featured Attractions: Preah Ko Temple, Bakong Temple, Lolei Temple, Banteay Srei, Phnom Bakheng Temple, Prasat Kravan, East Mebon Temple, Pre Rup Temple, Takeo

After breakfast visit:

Third Angkor capital (11th century)
Baphuon, middle of 11th century, built in the ever-present Mt. Meru style. This was the center of the city before the construction of Angkor Thom. On the west side of the temple is a huge reclining Buddha of brick.
Phimeanakas, early 11th century, also known as the Celestial Palace. This former residence of kings is memorable for its two large bathing ponds. The smaller one was for the king. The larger pond was for his wives.
Northern & Southern Khleang, beginning 11 th century, are called “The Storerooms”, but the title hardly does them justice. There are many beautiful carvings and are believed to have been built to receive foreign dignitaries.

Kingdom of Jayavarman VII (1181-1219)
Terrace of the Elephants, end of 12th century, was built as a reviewing stand for the king to view ceremonies and parades. It is marked by splendid carvings of elephants and celestial dancers.
Terrace of Leper King, end of 12th century, contains an unusual statue that was believed to have been of an Angkorian king who had leprosy. Now it is widely held that the statue is of the Yama, the god of death.

Afternoon:

Kingdom of Suryavarman II (1113-1150)
Angkor Wat, first half of 12th century, is the most famous sight in all of Cambodia. This temple maintains some of the most breathtaking murals in the entire complex. Panoramic views from the top afford views to other temples. The upper reaches of the complex represent the Hindu idea of heaven.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: See Below
Featured Attractions: Phimeanakas, Northern and Southern Khleangs, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants, Leper King Terrace, Angkor Wat

After breakfast spend the day exploring the monuments of the last great Angkorian king.

Kingdom of Jayavarman VII (1181-1219)
The South Gate of Angkor Thom is an awesome sight. Giants and Gods line the road leading up to the gate. The Gate itself is crowned with four large faces facing in the cardinal directions.
Bayon, late 12th century, is one of the most popular attractions in Angkor. This large temple contains many well-preserved bas-reliefs and carvings of a benevolent face.
Ta Prohm, early 13th century, has been left to be reclaimed by the jungle. Trees grow out of some walls and ceilings. The overgrowth of vegetation and the mazelike interior lead one to feel like a true explorer.
Preah Khan is full of mysterious passageways and spectacular sights of mammoth trees erupting from sandstone walls.
Neak Pean, end of 12th century, consists of a central pool and four peripheral pools once used for purification rites. An island in the central pool contains a tower encircled by two nagas (divine river serpents).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Featured Attractions: Bayon, South Gate, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Neak Pean

In the morning, take a boat from Siem Reap to Battambang. On the way, visit the floating fishing villages of Chong Kneas and Prek Tuol. The locations of the villages vary depending on the season and the fish populations. See the floating school, gas station and grocery store!

In Battambang, transfer to your hotel and enjoy your evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Teo
Featured Attractions: Chong Kneas, Prek Tuol, Battambang

After breakfast, travel with your guide to Wat Ek. This 10 th century temple lies at the end of an attractive winding road along the Sangker River.

Next, visit Phnom Samphou. In the past, this was one of the government's strongholds against the Khmer Rouge. At the summit is a wat and a stupa. Also travel through nearby Laan Thom and Laan Kirirum caves. Laan Thom cave contains a reclining Buddha. The contents of Lann Kirirum cave are more sinister. It was used as a mass grave by the Khmer Rouge.

Return to Battambang for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Teo
Featured Attractions: Wat Ek, Phnom Samphou, Laan Thom and Laan Kirirum Caves

After breakfast, leave Battambang. Arrive at Phnom Proset, which has been a holy place for centuries. At the top of the steep hill is a fairly old but remodeled temple featuring lots of garish garden statuary.

Down below the hilltop in a fold of rock rests a massive reclining Buddha. A bit further down the hillside path sits a small, old temple made out of hard yellow brick, with nicely carved sandstone lintels. This roofless ruin, with trees growing through the walls, is Prasat Ruong, the “temple of the mountain cave”. Aptly named, the walls conceal, protect and enshrine an entrance to a cave which leads down into the hill. You can follow the cave down for about 50 meters, but the caretaker claims that it used to go all the way from the hill to Thailand.

Next, drive to the railway and experience the "local" rail transportation - a platform, 2 iron axles and a 45-horsepower gasoline engine. Experience a unique way to enjoy the surroundings, sitting on one of these trolleys, watching the metal sleeper trains whiz by just a foot under your nose. The platform itself resonates with the vibrations of the rails, the broad expanse of Cambodian countryside spread out around you. Finally you will arrive at Pochentong railway station in Phnom Penh.

Check in to your accommodation and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: See Below
Featured Attractions: Phnom Proset, Prasat Ruong, "Local" rail transportation

During the day visit the National Museum. Many ancient statuaries and artifacts of the Angkor Empire and Pre-Angkorian civilizations are housed here. Original carvings and statues from Angkor Wat are also featured in the collection.

Continue to the Royal Palace of HRH King Norodom Sihamoni. Tourists are not allowed into the monarchy's private quarters, but you can visit the Silver Pagoda, so named because of the 5000 silver tiles (each weighing 1kg) in the floor of the temple. Also on display is the holiest Buddha image in Cambodia, Preah Keo (the Emerald Buddha).

Transfer to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Formerly a high school, the Khmer Rouge renamed it S-21, and used it as a holding and torture facility for "enemies" of the regime.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: See Below
Featured Attractions: National Museum, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Spend the day at leisure until flight to your next destination

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None