Authentic Cambodia is a discovery holiday package in Cambodia bringing our fellow travellers back in time for 9 days, 8 nights. We travel the charming Phnom Penh Capital City and the fabled temples of Angkor. We also follow some off-the-tourist-track to discover the less-visited sites which helped to shape up the history and culture of Cambodia.

 The pace of the trip is moderate. The accommodations chosen are of 2* or 3* standards. The tour activities include walking, culture-exploring, river cruising. Authentic Cambodia is surely a complete adventure back in time to gain in-depth knowledge of Cambodia.

Day1 Arrive in Phnom Penh
Day2 Phnom Penh - Tonle Batie – Phnom Penh (B)
Day3 Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham (B)
Day4 Kampong Cham - Kampong Thom (B)
Day5 Kamthom – Beng Mealea – Siem Reap (B)
Day6 Siem Reap (B)
Day7 Siem Reap (B)
Day8 Siem Reap (B)
Day9 Depart Siem Reap (B)

What’s included?
English-speaking guide
Transportation as on the tour itinerary;
Boat trip on the Tonle Sap as per itinerary;
Accommodations on twin-shared basis as indicated in the program;
Meals as indicated in the program: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner;
All admission fees during guided times in the program;

What’s not included?
Insurance of any types;
Airfares;
International and domestic airport taxes;
Compulsory dinners on Dec 31st and Dec 24th;
Drinks or personal expenses;
Others not specified in the included services as above;

Day 1 Arrive in Phnom Penh
Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport, welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, we visit the Victory Monument and the National Museum, the Royal Palace built by the French in 1866 on the site of the old town, and Silver Pagoda which located within the Royal Palace Complex, Wat Phnom Temple where Phnom Penh got its name from.
Free time for dinner.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2 Phnom Penh - Tonle Batie – Phnom Penh (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today, we leave Phnom Penh driving through the countryside to Tonle Batie to visit the laterite temple of Ta Prohm, built by King Jayavarman VII ( ruled 1181 – 1219), nearby is the 6th century Khmer Shrine. The main sanctuary consists of five chambers, each of which is a linga. Then, visit Yeay Peau temple, named after King Ta Prohm's mother, located 150m north of Ta Prohm. Later in the afternoon, we travel our way back to Phnnom Penh for a 1-hour Mekong sunset cruise.
Free time for lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 03 Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We travel our way through the countryside to Kampong Cham. This province is located 120 km, north of Phnom Penh. The road conditions are fairly good. Upon arrival, we have a short tour of Kampong Cham colonial architecture. Then, continue onto Wat Nokor with its ancient temple and modern style pagoda (12th century).

In the afternoon, we have a tour of a rubber plantation in the region. Travel back to the hotel in late afternoon.
Free time for lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Kampong Cham.

Day 04 Kampong Cham - Kampong Thom (B)
Breakfast at a local restaurant.
Continue our journey to Kampong Thom. On the way, we visit Wat Kohear Nokor (11th Century) and Phum Prasat.

In the afternoon, visit to Sambo Prei Kuk temples, known as the ancient capital of Chenla with its 100 temples dating from the Pre-Angkorian Era.
Free time for lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Kampong Thom.

Day 05 Kampong Thom - Beng Mealea - Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at local restaurant.
Leaving Kampong Thom, we take the 3-hour road trip through Khmer villages and rice fields to Beng Mealea, a sprawling jungle temple covering one square kilometre. The temple is newly discovered and largely encroached by vegetation. Constructed with Angkor Wat style, the temple is located 60 km from Siem Reap.

We arrive in Siem Reap in late afternoon, check into our hotel and enjoy free time at leisure for the remainder of the day.
Free time for lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Ruins of Beng Mealea Temple, Cambodia

Day 06 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
We start our tour with a drive through scenic countryside to Roluos. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned from A.D 877-89), were among the earliest temples built by the Khmers. These temples marked the beginning of Khmer Classical Arts. At Roluos, we tour the temples of Preah Ko (erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century and dedicated by the King to his ancestors), Bakong (the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples with a Buddisht monastery) and Lolei (built on an islet in the centre of a large reservoir by Yasovarman I, the founder of the first city at Angkor). At mid day, travel back to town for refreshment.

In the afternoon, we continue our exploration of the temples of Angkor. We visit Prasat Kravan (with unique brick sculptures), Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, and the "Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup until sunset.
Free time for lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

The Pre Rup Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 07 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
Our tour starts with the fresh air of the forest in which nestles the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). We start our walking tour with the South Gate (with huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

The afternoon is dedicated to the much celebrated of the Angkor temples: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares. The five majestic towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of Classical Khmer Arts and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moats symbolize the ocean beyond. In late afternoon, we hike up to the top of Phnom Bakkheng Hill for the stunning panoramic view of sunset over the Western Baray, Angkor Wat and the countryside.
Free time for lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

The Naga at the South Gate of Angkor Thom

Day 08 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning, we set out to Banteay Srei temple (10th century) where women prayed in the old days, regarded as the jewel in the treasure of Classical Khmer Arts. Then, continue our discovery to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. On the way back to town, we get lost in the fabled world of Ta Prohm jungle-clad temple.

In the afternoon, we set out on the open water of Tonle Sap, the Great Lake to learn about the life of the fishing community who inhabit in the floating village of Chong Khneas.
Free time for lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

A saffron-clad Buddhist monk at Banteay Samre Temple

Day 09 Depart Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Siem Reap airport for your departure flight. We trust you had a great adventure trip in the hidden gems of Cambodia with Paradissa.