5-Nights Cambodia Essentials: Phnom Penh and Siem Reap from $1,165

Avanti Destinations: Cambodia Essentials

Day 1 Arrive Phnom Penh
Arrival in Phnom Penh.

Transfer.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Centrally Located Hotel In Phnom Penh, ()

Day 2 Phnom Penh
Excursion to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum
Explore a dark chapter in the history of Cambodia with visits to the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. The Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide) was formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, then in 1975 it became the main torture and interrogation centre under the Khmer Rouge. It was known as Security Prison 21 or just S-21. The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek were where many people who were tortured in the S-21 prison were brought to be executed. Many mass graves were found in this area.

Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Explore Phnom Penh, a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras; today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendors hawk their wares, and pedestrians go about their business. Start the tour with an insight into Cambodia's cultural heritage with a visit to the Royal Palace, still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi and the adjacent Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant National Museum, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's two great markets, the Central Market, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building or the sprawling Russian Market, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from Cds and Dvds to silks, crafts, jewellery and more.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Centrally Located Hotel In Phnom Penh, (B)

Day 3 Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Transfer

Flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Transfer

Sightseeing in Angkor - Visit Angkor Thom
The fortified city of Angkor Thom covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats; the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down from every angle.

Visit Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

Visit a temple for sunset
Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.

Centrally Located Hotel In Siem Reap, (B)

Day 4 Siem Reap
Sightseeing in Angkor - Visit Angkor Wat
The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. Upon entering the main structure, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface of the temple, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted from the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.

Visit Banteay Samre
Banteay Samre is a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu.

Visit Banteay Srei Temple
Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, Banteay Srei is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, wondrous atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favourite with visitors.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Centrally Located Hotel In Siem Reap, (B)

Day 5 Siem Reap
Sightseeing in Angkor - Visit Prasat Kravan
Prasat Kravan: the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls.

Visit Banteay Kdei Temple
A massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century, Banteay Kdei is surrounded by four concentric walls, the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 metres.

Visit Sras Srang
Sras Srang is a basin east of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple.

Excursion by boat to Chong Kneas floating village for a short market visit

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Centrally Located Hotel In Siem Reap, (B)

Day 6 Siem Reap
Transfer to the airport to continue on to your next Avanti destination!

Centrally Located Hotel In Siem Reap, (B)