Land of the Khmers

Duration: 14 Days/13 Nights
Routing: Phnom Penh - Banlung - Battambang - Siem Reap

Explore the Khmer heartland from the cradle of Cambodian civilization in the south to the jungle mountains of the north-eastern Khmer tribes. Travel north-west to explore a former Khmer Rouge stronghold before returning east - 12 centuries - to the great Angkorian Era.

Upon your arrival in Phnom Penh, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. 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: None
Accommodation: See Below
Featured Attractions: Phnom Penh, National Museum, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Takeo Province. Takeo province is often overlooked by tourists but ranks among the most visited provinces for Cambodians. It is widely believed that Takeo may have been an important seat of civilization since as early as 400 BC.

Enjoy a boat ride to Phnom Da and Asram Maharosei temples. Phnom Da is possibly the oldest standing site in Cambodia. Asram Maharosei is constructed in an Indian style, unlike any other in the country. Visit the manmade caves which lead to holy shrines. Return to Phnom Penh for overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Banlung, the capital of Rattanakiri province, nicknamed “The Red City” because of the abundance of Laterite. Upon arrival in Banlung, check into the guesthouse. Today your guide will take you to see the extraordinary lake inside an extinct volcano at Yeak Laom. Gaze over 5m deep through crystal clear water. The lush jungle surrounding provides a tranquil environment that you may not want to leave!

Return to Banlung for dinner and overnight.

Today, after breakfast, your guide will take you to visit some stunning natural attractions in the area. Ou Chum and Thmo Da waterfalls are beautiful spots to relax. Explore the nearby natural caves. Next, enjoy a boat ride to the graveyards of the Kachoun tribe. Your guide will relate to you the special customs and history of this site. Animism is more prevalent than Buddhism here; therefore, the dead are buried, rather than cremated.

Return to Banlung for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at the guesthouse, your guide will take you to the village of Taveng in the northern area of the province. Here lies Virachay National Park. As we go north to Taveng, we cross different types of landscapes: primary forest, bamboo forest and “African” bush. Stop at a few nice Kreung villages located quite far away in the forest. The Kreung people have the peculiar custom of erecting bachelor houses standing on very long bamboo poles, these houses will remain so till the young man finds a wife, then they are destroyed. Visit a Brou village. The Brou are a Mon-Khmer people scattered in small pockets in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, scattered by the southward movements of the Tais from China centuries ago.

Return to Banlung for dinner and overnight.

Enjoy breakfast at the guesthouse and go with your guide to visit a Rubber Tree Plantation. The French planted numerous rubber trees that are still alive and in use today! Also visit the Gem mines. Many local people earn incomes from hand-digging various precious stones. Be careful of the holes! Then travel to relax at the Bai Srog Waterfall, a seven-tiered fall in the middle of the jungle. Enjoy a swim if you wish.

Return to Banlung for dinner and overnight.

Today will be a real treat! After breakfast journey with your guide on an Elephant Ride! View jungle scenery on the back of one of these fascinating creatures. Next visit a local market, where minority peoples come to sell their handmade products. Great idea for last minute souvenirs!

Transfer with your guide to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. When you arrive in Phnom Penh, transfer to your hotel and spend the remainder of your day at leisure.

After breakfast, travel with your guide to Wat Ek. This 10th 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.

Continue to Battambang for check-in and overnight.

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

Travel by boat from Battambang to Siem Reap. Meet your guide and transfer to hotel. You have free time upon your arrival in Siem Reap. Explore this charming town!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: See Below
Featured Attractions: Boat Trip

In morning, meet your guide and begin 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.

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 9th 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
Accommodation: See Below
Featured Attractions: Preah Ko Temple, Bakong Temple, Lolei Temple, Banteai Srei, Phnom Bakheng Temple, Prasat Kravan, East Mebon Temple, Pre Rup Temple, Takeo

After breakfast visit:

Chong Kneas Floating Village, an entire community built on boats. Its position changes depending on the season. Sights of interest include a floating school, gas station and grocery store!

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 11th 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: Chong Kneas Floating Village, Phimeanakas, Northern and Southern Khleangs, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants, Leper King Terrace, Angkor Wat

In the morning, drive out to the mythical birthplace of the Khmer Empire and source of the Siem Reap River.

Phnom Kulen is the most sacred mountain in Cambodia as it was here that Jayavarman II declared independence from Java. At the top of the mountain is a wat with a large reclining Buddha carved in sandstone.
Kbal Spean, or River of a Thousand Lingas, is a riverbed full of carvings, mostly of lingas (the Hindu symbol of masculinity) and gods. Bathing in the river is believed to bring fertility and good luck.

In the afternoon return to Angkor to visit:

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.
Banteay Samre lies at the corner of the Eastern Baray. It contains a central temple and two libraries.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: See Below
Featured Attractions: Phnom Kulen, Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre

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

After breakfast you will have time at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to your next destination.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Featured Attractions: None