Cambodia

Starting Price:	$3,192.00
Trip Length:	10 days
Includes airfare allowance from New York

Interests:

Off the Beaten Path

Rabbit Island

Angkor Wat

Royal Palace

Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Kep

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

With the jaw dropping temples of Angkor Wat, the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake and Phnom Penh’s museums, markets and vogue riverfront, this tour includes Cambodia’s most popular destinations. After visiting these highlights, enjoy the coastal town of Kep. In recent years, Kep has been re-invigorated and remains famous for its fresh seafood and its absolute must-try Kep Krab, a dish straight from the ocean to your plate! Just a short boat ride from the town, explore Rabbit Island, a great destination to see some of the local fishing villages and stroll along its undeveloped beaches.

Lose yourself in remote ‘jungle temples’ and experience an innovative but challenging way of life on a boat trip through a floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake. The highlight of this tour, and perhaps any tour to all of Cambodia, is the spectacular Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world that boasts a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops Pyramid in Egypt. Beyond the archaeological attractions, lush green countryside rich with culture and tradition and shy but friendly locals welcome you with their warm smiles.

Phnom Penh has plenty of attractions to visit, beginning with a tour of the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, the Aspara Arts Association and the local market, where one can find hand woven silks, silver, gems and antiques. Phnom Penh is also the site of some more somber attractions, including the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, which is essential to understanding the pain of Cambodia’s past. On the other hand, the city’s waterfront has been the site of many recent renovations and now boasts several al fresco restaurants and bars that have nice views across the Mekong, making the area one of region’s “places to be.”

For secluded white sandy beaches and no development except for a few rustic bungalows, Rabbit Island is just a 30 minute boat ride from Kep and worth a day trip for those seeking some serenity. Kep is surrounded by picturesque, jungle covered mountains and beautiful views to Phu Quoc and Rabbit Islands. The drive to Kep, from Phnom Penh, also offers beautiful countryside vistas, as well as some charming attractions like 12th century temples, cave temples and aromatic pepper farms.

This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3 star, 4 star, 5 star and Deluxe hotels.

This tour includes airfare allowance from New York, on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via New York; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Visited Cities:
Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kep

Day 1

Overnight international flight to Siem Reap.

Day 2

Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel for the evening.

Day 3

Afternoon tour of the Angkor Thom with your private guide. You will visit the sprawling Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the enchanting Bayon. This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very center of Angkor Thom City and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs, but the main features are the towers each with 3 or 4 gently smiling faces, over 200 in total.

Continue to Sre Rup Temple. Built in 961, the boldness of the architectural design is superb and gives the temple fine balance, scale and proportion. The temple is close in style to the East Mabon, although it was built several years later.

Day 4

Morning visit to Angkor Wat with your private guide. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides, each telling a story, but the most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea Milk, which is located on the east wing – your guide will explain the mystical tale behind it.

Afternoon transfer by rickshaw, to visit Preah Khan. This extensive monastic complex, which covers over 130 acres, was built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. Continue to visit Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its re-discovery by the French. Surrounded by jungle, it remains a labyrinth of stone hallways that have become overgrown with roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelope the stone like tentacles.

Day 5

Morning transfer to Tonle Sap Lake with a private boat and guide. This lake is the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia and is the heart of the Cambodian fishing industry and the lifeblood for millions of Khmers living on and around it. You will board a comfortable boat to see the true way of life in one of the floating villages of the Tonle Sap. Here you can see how Khmers and Vietnamese live and work side by side.

Afternoon visit to Banteay Srei, “the Women’s Citadel”, a tiny, enchanting temple, which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor and in the words of H.W. Ponder, is “a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest.” Continue to Banteay Samre, another Hindu temple, before returning to the city for an evening at leisure.

Day 6

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Embark on an afternoon cyclo tour to visit the Royal Palace, which was built in 1866 and is comprised of numerous structures, one of which is the popular Silver Pagoda. Constructed with over 5,000 silver tiles, this building also houses a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha that is decorated with 9584 diamonds and is one of Cambodia’s national treasures.

Continue to take a boat along the Mekong River, which offers magnificent views of the Phnom Penh Riverfront, the Royal Palace, Wat Ounalom and the ever-changing skyline. Cruise to the point where the Tonle Sap meets the Mekong and be sure to have your camera on hand, as spectacular sunsets are common here.

Day 7

Morning visit to the Apsara Arts Association, a local non-governmental organization whose aim is to see Cambodian arts and culture become more valued and popular in Cambodia after having been destroyed by the ravages of war. Continue to visit the National Museum, A Khmer temple inspired building that houses the world’s largest collection of Khmer art sculptures, ceramics and bronzes. Although the emphasis is on Angkorian artifacts, there is also a good collection of pieces from later periods, including a special exhibition on post-Angkorian Buddha figures.

Afternoon visit to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, which is essential for first time visitors to Cambodia. During the Pol Pot regime, Toul Sleng, formerly a high school, was converted to a detention center known for interrogation and torture of prisoners before being transferred to the “Killing Fields." Enjoy a bit of local shopping at the Toul Tom Pong Market, before visiting the fields at Cheung Ek. Today, the site is a memorial for Cambodians and visitors to pay their respect for those lost. A memorial stupa has been erected and displays over 5,000 human skulls, bones and clothes of the victims. The visit is a profoundly moving, but depressing experience.

Day 8

Morning departure for Kep (if you would prefer spending your last few days relaxing at the beach, your travel consultant can arrange an alternate itinerary ending in Sihanoukville). Driving out of the city, you will pass many garment factories which soon give way to quaint villages and scenic agricultural land. Your first stop along the way will be at Tonle Bati, a small lake that is home to the 12th century temples Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau. Marvel at the well preserved architecture, bas reliefs and other carvings.

Continue to the Kampong Trach Caves just outside of Kep. En route, you will drive through some beautiful, peaceful, green countryside before arriving at the spectacular limestone caves. The caves are quite spectacular, as small shrines and stupas appear before you as you explore deeper into the mountain. Afterwards, continue to drive a short distance to the coastal town of Kep. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening to explore the town or relax at your leisure.

Day 9

Transfer to the pier for a short boat ride (20-30 minutes) across the bay to the small, beautiful, and undeveloped island of Koh Tonsai or Rabbit Island. There is a walking track that circumnavigates the island passing small fishing villages and farm land; there are also some crude trenches and bunkers left from past conflicts. This beautiful walk takes around 2.5 – 3 hours along beaches and flat jungle trails and offers some great photo opportunities.

Alternatively, you can take this time to ramble and explore the island and its lovely beaches at your own leisure; snorkeling equipment will be at your disposal if you wish to explore the waters. A seafood barbeque will be prepared for lunch and you will have more time to relax in a hammock, swim or explore before heading back to Kep by mid afternoon.

Day 10

Before departing town this morning, take a short drive along the scenic coastal road to see the remnants of some once glorious 1960’s villas that preserve the memory of a progressive and modern Cambodia, before the Khmer Rouge regime. Also a great hive of activity is the famous Kep Crab market, which is great for a brief stop to experience some local interaction, before continuing to Kampot.

On the way to Kampot you will visit a local Starling Pepper Farm. Pepper has been cultivated in Cambodia for more than a millennia and is one of the nation’s chief exports that has its own unique place within the region’s rich history. Depending on the season, you can also make a stop at one of the many salt flats that can be found in the area. Continue your drive to Phnom Penh for your flight home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Siem Reap
3-star	Royal Bay Inn, Prince D'Angkor, or similar
4-star	Borei Angkor, Victoria Angkor Resort, or similar
5-star	Raffles Le Royal & Grand Angkor, Sofitel Phokeethra PNH, Heritage Suites or similar
Deluxe	Amansara Resort
Phnom Penh
3-star	Juliana Hotel, Phnom Penh Hotel, or similar
4-star	Amanjaya Pancam, Sunway, or similar
5-star	Raffles Le Royal & Grand Angkor , Sofitel Phokeethra PNH, or similar
Kep
3-star	Champey Inn, or similar
4-star	Knai Bang Chatt - Garden View Room, or similar
5-star	Knai Bang Chatt - Sea View Room, or similar

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

10 days , from $3192

Occupancy Type	3-Star	4-Star	5-Star	Deluxe
Double	$3192	$3859	$4832	$7688
Single	$4246	$5674	$7459	$12159

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Price Includes:

International airfare from New York to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to New York

Domestic airfare from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Hotel accommodation including continental or buffet breakfast

Private transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling

Private guided tours in English including all entrance fees

Bottled water and cool towels provided for transfers and sightseeing

Cambodian government tax and service charge

Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote)

Notes:

Additional supplements may apply between 19 December – 8 January.
Additional supplements may apply for mandatory Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners
For citizens of most countries including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and members of the EU, a valid passport with at least six months validity remaining is required to enter Cambodia. Visitors also require a Cambodia visa, which may be processed online, in person at your country’s Cambodian Embassy, or at the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and at all major border crossings.
Although yellow fever is not a disease risk in Cambodia, the government requires travelers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Besides this, there are no other vaccine requirements, although it is wise to be up to date on your routine inoculations. All travelers should consult their physician or a travel health clinic with plenty of time before their departure date.

Malaria is present throughout the country, except at the temple complex at Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, and around Lake Tonle Sap. If you will be visiting an area of Cambodia with malaria, you will need to discuss the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with your physician.

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