Hidden Dynasties


	Temple Complex in Angkor [Full Image]

Cambodia offers one of the richest cultural legacies in South East Asia and this trip combines a wonderful contrast with visits to Phnom Penh, the capital, and the spectacular fabled city of Angkor, the eighth wonder of the world. Phnom Penh, once considered one of the most beautiful cities of the Orient, has an exciting feel with reminders of Cambodia's violent past. We visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a testament to the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge, before moving on to the killing fields of Choeung Ek. The hidden city of Angkor, the spectacular ancient capital of the powerful Khmer Dynasty and home to the greatest number of religious monuments in the world, is the main attraction for visitors. In a forest setting, its one hundred or so temples - only rediscovered in the 19th century, and since reclaimed from the lush tropical vegetation, are shrouded in mystery and splendour at dawn and sunset.

Details

Price Includes

(MT-3246-P)

5 Breakfasts

All activities + entrance fees as per itinerary

Fully escorted tour. Kumuka Tour Leader and/or Local Guide

Sightseeing as specified

Price Excludes

Flights, All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, visas, pre-tour and post-tour accommodation.

Suitability / Level

Gentle

Theme

Small Group Travel (Click to Search All)

Max Group Size

Itinerary & Highlights

Day 1: Phnom Penh. Our first day is a get together day, designed for you to meet all the other tour guests who will have come from different destinations around the world. Phnom Penh is Cambodia's capital city with a population of just over half a million people and your tour leader will take this opportunity to describe your stay in Cambodia. Our base for the next two evenings is the Star Royal Hotel, a clean spacious hotel overlooking the Tonle Sap river, with a terrace restaurant. The Royal Palace is right next-door and at the "Correspondents" Club at Sisiwath Quay, you can choose to dine on the third floor with gorgeous views of the Tonle Sap River. Breakfast.

Day 2: Phnom Penh. The morning is reserved for a visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum followed by the Choeung Ek - known throughout the world as the Killing Fields. Most people have some idea of Cambodia?s unhappy history but this is where it really hits home. The museum used to be the Tuol Svay Prey High School but under the dictator Pol Pot it was turned into a hideous place of detention and torture. It is now a silent testament to the horrors that Cambodians suffered not so long ago. From the museum we go the Choeung Ek where 17,000 people were taken from the detention centre and slain. The mass graves were opened in 1980 and 8,000 skulls are now arranged and visible behind glass in the Memorial Stupa. Some graves have been left opened. We return to Phnom Penh for an optional tour starting with the Royal Palace. This was built in 1813. You will see the breathtaking Silver Pagoda, which has a floor, covered with 5,000 silver tiles and is approached up an Italian marble staircase. Inside the pagoda is the Emerald Buddha and a Buddha made of gold covered in thousands of diamonds. Then it's on to the Independence Monument, which was put, up in 1958 and now also serves as a war memorial. We finish our sightseeing at the Wat Phom a temple on top of a tree-covered 27metre high knoll. Why not end the day with dinner at the Foreign Correspondents Club at Sisiwath Quay. You can choose to dine on the third floor with views of the Tonle Sap River. Breakfast.

Day 3: Siem Reap (Angkor Wat). Today is an early start, as we take a Private Vehicle from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. After checking in to our hotel we set off for our first sight of the Temples of Angkor. The highlight of this initial visit is to climb the temple of Phnom Bakeng and watch the sun set. Then it's back to Siem Reap - a lively city with plenty of restaurants to choose from and afterwards you can try out the nightlife in the bars and clubs. Breakfast.

Days 4-5: Angkor Wat Complex. The following day we get up to see the spectacular sunrise. There is transport laid on for you before breakfast. Then the rest of today is temple day. After breakfast a local guide gives us a tour of the temples. Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the temples of Angkor was the imperial centre of Cambodia from the 9th to the 14th centuries at the high point of the ancient Khmer empire. The buildings are set in acres of jungle land and, after Phnom Penh became Cambodia's capital, sank into oblivion for a number of centuries. Other sights you will see include Angkor Thom, a fortified city, the Bayon, a mysterious place decorated with 200 smiling faces and other astonishing buildings and ceremonial terraces. With 100 temples and buildings to see at Angkor you have today for a return trip to this magical place. Things to look out for are Bakong, which has an active Buddhist monastery, and the Terrace of the Elephants. And finally we have our last meal together and a chance to share our experiences. The tour ends today after breakfast on the last day and you take home some incredible holiday memories from 4 of the most amazing countries that you are likely to visit. 2 Breakfasts.

Day 6: Siem Reap. This tour will finish after breakfast.

Accommodation & Centre Details

Hotels (5 Nights).

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a very high standard. All accommodation is in comfortable tourist class accommodation. Depending on the tour, this ranges from overnight sleeper train or cruise boat through to delightful lodges and excellent hotels (generally 3 star or above).

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable.

In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it before when you check out of the hotel.

Hidden Dynasties

Temple Complex in Angkor

Details

Itinerary & Highlights

Accommodation & Centre Details

Holidays Extras