Cambodia

Starting Price:	$3,115.00
Trip Length:	11 days
Includes airfare allowance from New York

Interests:

Ancient Ruins

Angkor Wat

Rural village near Battambang

Royal Palace

Siem Reap with Overland to Battambang and Phnom Penh

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

After enjoying the traditional highlights of Cambodia, let Yampu guide you on an overland road trip to the lesser travelled, yet beautiful, provincial capital of Battambang in the remote northwest. This tour also includes a visit to Phnom Penh to offer insight into some of the more recent history, from the arts and culture to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge.

Meander through the amazing complex of ancient temples and structures that comprise the enormous Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world that boasts a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops Pyramid in Egypt. Before hitting the road for Battambang, enjoy a day on the waters of the tranquil Tonle Sap Lake to visit some of the floating villages. Driving to Battambang will then allow you to see more of the rural landscapes and villages of Cambodia, with some unique stops along the way, like a visit to a local non-governmental organization that promotes community development and the revival of Khmer culture through educating and support at-risk youths.

Once in Battambang, you will have plenty of opportunities for local interactions and excursions to enjoy the picturesque countryside. Once having sufficiently explored, you will stop at a few more attractions on the way to Phnom Penh, which has many attractions to visit, including the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and the Aspara Arts Museum. 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.”

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. Due to limited accommodations in Battambang, we can only offer the best available 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, Battambang, Phnom Penh

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 departure from Siem Reap to Battambang. On the way, there is a famous stone carving village, called Phnom Cheng Cheang, where you can stop to see various types of sandstone carved into anything from giant sitting Buddhas to mortar and pestles.

Continue to make a short visit to a local non-governmental organization called Phar Ponleu Selpak. The group aims to support community development and provide social and educational help to children through the revival of Khmer culture. They originally spawned from one of the many refugee camps along the Thai border as a way to boost morale and offer some hope. They focus on rehabilitating street kids, orphans, high risk children and their families. Continue to Battambang for the evening.

Day 7

This morning you will take a local Remork (also known as Tuk-Tuk – a form of auto rickshaw) to explore the stunning countryside to the north, following a scenic river road. Along the way, you can see the beautiful Cambodian countryside and daily life up close with many opportunities for photos and local interactions. You can also see some local industries, such as rice paper, Khmer Snacks and rice wine making. Take a brief stop to explore the 11th century temple of Wat Ek Phnom before returning to Battambang via a different route.

Afternoon tour of the ancient cultural village of Watko to see some of the beautiful early 20th century Khmer wooden houses, where you will have a chance to interact with the local families. Then, take a short, but scenic, ride on Battambang’s most famous form of transportation; the unique and creative mode of tansport that consists of a bamboo platform, a small engine and a simple chassis. It rides the railway picking up and dropping off passengers, cargo, animals and motorcycles along the way. Cambodia is currently in the process of upgrading its rail system and when the Battambang tracks are replaced, the Bamboo Train will likely become lost to the ages.

Day 8

Depart Battambang for Phnom Penh. On the way, visit a local pottery village and take a boat to a floating village at Kampong Chhnang. Continue towards Phnom Penh and make another short stop at Oudong, the abandoned Royal Capital or “City of Past Kings,” which was the 17th century capital of the Khmer Empire. Today, several temples and religious structures dot the ridgeline and stupas containing the remains of several great Khmer Kings can be found throughout. Finally, continue to Phnom Penh and check into your hotel for the evening.

Day 9

Morning at leisure to relax or explore some of the city. Then, 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 10

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 11

Transfer to the airport 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
Battambang
Standard	La Villa, Bambu Hotel, Phka Villa, or similar
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

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

11 days , from $3115

Occupancy Type	3-Star	4-Star	5-Star	Deluxe
Double	$3115	$3536	$4348	$7204
Single	$4314	$5232	$6711	$11411

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

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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