Cambodia Loop, 10 days

On arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, you are greeted by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You may have free time to relax and catch your first glimpse of Phnom Penh. This bustling capital city of Cambodia  favorably located at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Tonle Bassac Rivers has long remained little more than a large village. However, it became the permanent capital of Cambodia since 1866 and had developed into a sizeable, largely French designed city, once known as the Pearl of Asia. The crossroads of cultures, peoples and worlds have made Phnom Penh on the edge of everything. We can find the Cambodian elements together with the Chinese and French influences in the gleaming temples, sidewalk coffee,  vibrant markets, and colonial structures and tree lined boulevards amidst the monumental Angkorian architecture. The cityscape undergoes rapid changes from the ashes to take its place among the hip capitals of the region, with an alluring cafe culture, bustling bars, world-class food scene and international chains of hotel.

Today we explore some major sights of Phnom Penh. The stunning Royal Palace complex is now home to the royal family, therefore  it is very close to the public. We walk across the beautiful royal gardens to see the Throne Hall where the king coronation  and the royal receptions are often  held.  The magnificent Silver Pagoda set at the northern palace ground would not to be missed. This country most sacred pagoda  is named  after some 5000 silver tiles covering the floor,  each weighing 1kg. Nearby this complex is the National Museum of Cambodia, a graceful terracotta structure inspired by temple architecture. This exquisite masterpiece with an inviting courtyard garden concentrates various incredible sandstone sculptures and intricate bronze objects from the  Angkor periods. The following stop is  Wat Phnom which dominates the skyline of Phnom Penh and  has an interesting legend about this city name. We come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge as we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a former high school turned into a centre for interrogation, torture, and death by the Khmer Rouge. Heading out of town,  we follow the same route of Tuol Sleng  prisoners  to the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek that is  an extermination camp for political prisoners. The painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge still can be seen at the memorial stupa.  We round off our day with a walk in the Central Market, a showcase of the local product richness. This flagship trade center of Phnom Penh was built in shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways crammed with  countless stalls of goods.

The northbound journey begins as we leave Phnom Penh and travel into the countryside of Cambodia. En route we make stop at Skuon, an important junction for  Kratie and Stung Treng in eastern direction and Kampong Thom  in northern turn. This small town is famous for  the tasty spiders that are sold around your stop. The spiders first used by locals against the rife starvation under the Khmer Rouge regime. You can have a look at food stands and sample an eight-legged snack. We head towards Kampong Thom where rice fields stretch out in the distance and surround sleepy villages. The roads begin to deteriorate as we leave the country path and drive towards  Sambor Prei Kuk. This mysterious ruin is dotted with hundred pre-angkor styled temples, which boast some of the oldest structures in Cambodia. These small temples are scattered throughout the forest in an area of 5sq km. We have a look at the archeological site where many structures are just mere remnants of their original building. Today we have plenty of time to explore the local life as we stroll around to Sombor Village. The guide will introduce you to the local villagers and their homestay facilities. The conditions are  simple, but this is a fantastic opportunity to experience everyday life in rural Cambodia. We will be the guests of a Khmer family and enjoy a traditional  dinner with our host family.

Upon leaving the village of our previous night,  we set for Siem Reap Town,  a gateway to the ruins of Angkor Temple Complex. This archeological site stretches over an forested area of some 400 square kilometers and contains the magnificent remains from the different capitals of the Khmer Empire between  802 AD and 1350 AD. They range from stunning architectural marvels to ordinary edifices full of rubble.  we start our exploration of the Angkor Temple Complex with Roluos Group which represents an early capital of the powerful  Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. This ancient capital was established by Jayavarman II and  served as the Khmer royal city for over 70 years under four successive kings. There are several remaining temples, including  Lo Lei, Preah Ko and Ba Kong, which are  mostly built by end of the ninth century.  The oldest temple of Preah Ko was dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu while Lo Lei was built in an artificial island, to honor the ancestors. We have a look at these two small temples before we pay a visit to Ba Kong, the first large mountain temples in Angkor.  We also  have some time free to  explore Siem Reap Town at your leisure. This urban center has grown up from a relatively small backwater town into the fastest growing settlement in Cambodia. The vibrant downtown is tightly packed with small eating spots, shop houses, and luminous bars, offering an interesting exploration.

The sunlight reflects a golden glow over the entire Angkor Complex. We start this day with Angkor Thom, an epic collection of striking structures, which is encompassed in quadrangle area. The best preserved South Gate comes in view with a causeway fringed with 54 demons and 54 gods pulling a giant snake. This scene is focusing on a famous Hindu story in bygone time. We walk through two ranges of status on a cosmic scale to the gate tower with colossal human faces carved in stone. The walkway will bring us an interesting  look close up at the Royal Enclosure where remains some  mysterious ruins, including the Royal Palace, Phimeanakas Temple, and  Royal Terraces. These structures built from perishable materials have long vanished. The climax of our visit is Bayon Temple  built in the centre of Angkor Thom. This enigmatic complex contains  54 towers, each topped off with the four faces of  Compassion Buddha. Upon leaving Angkor Thom Area , we take a short drive to  the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. The iconic monument  of the entire complex was built in the 12th century and reflects a perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry, bringing the pride and strength to all Khmers. The distinctive five towers of this temple are now emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. We stroll around this massive monument, unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs from Hindu mythology to the glories of the Khmer empire. The footsteps lead through the upper levels of the inner sanctuary to the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry. We round out day tour with a walk up the Pre Rup Temple to enjoy the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments.

Heading out of the town we drive beyond the towering Angkor Complex  to Banteay Srey Temple. This intricately carved temple despite the lack in size is still a jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The architecture style features a mixture of the archaic concept and the innovative materials since Banteay Srey Temple  was largely built from sandstone in pinkish hue, with brick and laterite used for the enclosure walls and some structural elements. We stroll around this beautiful landmark and admire the marvelous sculpture at every step. Upon leaving Banteay Srey , we keep driving to see Banteay Samre, which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and  Krishna. Today we also have time to visit Prasat Kravan with a line of five brick towers, and Srah Srang which was once used for the royal baths and the ritual bathing. The following stop is Banteay Kdei Temple, a monastic complex of  enclosure walls, concentric galleries and towers. We venture into the jungle where Ta Prohm Temple is standing.  This famous structure is relatively untouched for centuries by its secluded location. There are enormous fig trees and creepers which embrace themselves in temple stone foundation, giving it a distinctive feature. The sightseeing also includes Neak Pean, which is originally designed for the medical purposes with four connected pools representing water, earth, fire and  wind. We continue onto  Preah Khan , a good counterpoint to Ta Prohm Temple.  The large ruin of Preah Khan was all but partly destroyed by the climate impact. However, it is till interesting to walk around, exploring the legends, towered enclosures and  shoulder hugging corridors.

The following destination of our journey is  Battambang Town in northwestern Cambodia. We travel along the main road bordering Tonle Sap Lake  and make stop to see Angkor silk farm, Carving Village  and Sisophon Market. On arrival in Battambang, we check in our hotel before we head out to explore Phnom Banan, one of the famous sites in Battambang. This hill trop sanctuary is still  keeping  its old date architecture although it has fallen victim to massive looting. The long staircase uphill requires some physical preparation; however, the beautiful view of the winding Sangker River set amidst sugar palm trees, rice fields and small villages make the hardship all worthwhile. You also have an option to try a bamboo train ride at nearby rails. The villagers have built the simple train with poles that rolled along a bamboo and wooden platform, but have now been replaced by engine to maximize the travel speed.  We drive back to Battambang Town and spend our time walking along the main street, where are arty boutique hotels, quirky cafés and innovative restaurants. The urban modernity and the colonial structures intertwine to give this second largest city of Cambodia a unique charm. The fascination is not just in the architectural heritage but in the stunning surrounding countryside which is ideal for an enjoyable escape from the boom and hustle of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

The cycling excursion seems a perfect way to explore the scenic countryside surrounding Battambang Town. Today we ride our bike to Wat Kor where we can see the local villagers maintaining their cultural values. The orchard gardens surround Khmer heritage houses made with rare hardwood. We continue onto Wat Ek Phnom, an angkorian temple built along the Sangkae River. This temple is hidden behind a colourful modern pagoda and still remains some beautiful carvings. Upon leaving this site, we continue cycling and pass by several industry cottages. There are some stops to see local people making rice paper , Khmer scarf, dried bananas, and fish paste. These village workers mostly speak their local language, however your guide helps you communicate and experience how they earn their life. We leave our bike and stretch our legs on a tuk tuk drive to Phnom Sompov Mountain. The challenge begins as we venture into this mountain on a walk uphill, to catch the stunning views and see the infamous killing cave, where many people were forced to die under the Khmer Rouge regime. Along the walkway, we may see many monkeys jumping through the trees and playing on the ground. They are not unique inhabitants in place as millions of bats can be seen at dusk. These flying animals make for an amazing and long line when they get out from the cave to feed on mosquitoes and insects at the nearby lake.

Upon leaving Battambang Town, we start our drive back to Phnom penh. En route, we enjoy a boat trip to explore Tonle Sap Lake, one of the largest natural fresh water bodies in Southeast Asia. The traditional boat navigates along this large lake to Kompong Chhnang floating village where are everything from schools, shop houses to police station. This enjoyable stop gives a good insight into the lifestyle of local people who call this grand lake their home and mostly rely on the lake for their livelihood. We keep on our journey to Phnom Penh, with stopover at Kampong Luoung where the silversmiths are seen fashioning silver objects from delicate chicken and fish boxes to large fruit shaped bowls. They have practiced this skill for generations, making for the main local industry. We arrive in Phnom Penh by late afternoon and check in our hotel. There are several captivating areas for your last evening in Cambodia. The riverfront seems the best place crammed with bars and nightlife venues. You have free time this evening to browse from rooftop bars to sidewalk cafes and colonial style restaurants, feasting on a delicious dinner at one place and indulging in a cocktail at another. The bustling riverside area also houses the Phnom Penh night market that takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. This open-air market offers a large array of Cambodian treasures in festive atmosphere. You can try your hand at bargaining in shopping area, sample many tasty local foods and enjoy the traditional Cambodian dance performances, a musical fusion of historical, well-worn dance steps and modern Cambodian sounds.

The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to  Phnom Penh Airport for your departure. There are no activities planned for the final day. You may have free time to continue your exploration of Phnom Penh City, do your last shopping or simply look back upon your trip images before your airport transfer.