FLY TO SIEM REAP
Fly from Auckland to Singapore with Singapore Airlines. (Other options are available).
Fly from Singapore to Siem Reap with Singapore Airlines.
On arrival in Siem Reap you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.
- Breakfast.
- Departure Transfer by Private Car.
- Economy Class Flights.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check-in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car.
- Overnight Accommodation.
SIEM REAP - FULL DAY TOUR
You will be collected early from your hotel today to visit Phnom Bakheng.
This hilltop temple is most popular at sunset and, as the main temple of King Yasovarman, founder and namesake of Yasodharapura, it is a logical starting point for an exploration of the ancient city. From atop Phnom Bakheng, which requires walking up a wide, winding dirt road around the exterior of the 79m-high hill, you will be able to witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat.
Return to your hotel for your breakfast.
Return to the Angkor complex and visit Bayon, the temple at the center of Angkor Thom city, built by the last great king: Jayavarman VII. A tour of the city can begin at The Terrace of The Elephants and the Royal Palace enclosure. The forested grounds are beautiful in the morning.
Take a stroll around the lower galleries of carvings of Bayon, which depict fascinating scenes of life from the late 11th century, then find a quiet spot on the exterior of the temple to appreciate the 52 towers featuring faces of the Buddha looking out into the jungle around you.
You will have a break time for lunch in a local restaurant (own account) before continue to Ta Prohm, the temple made famous by the Angelina Jolie film Tomb Raider, which is otherwise best known for the trees and vines growing atop the temple walls. The temple is a perfect example of how nature has crept in and reclaimed its land after the fall of the Angkorian Empire.
One nice feature of Angkor Wat is that the eight galleries of carvings (where you will spend much of your time) is within a covered, open-air enclosure, making this one of the few times that you will be protected from the sun. Furthermore, as the only west-facing temple, Angkor Wat is best to visit (and photograph) in the late afternoon, arriving around 2:30 - 3pm, enjoying the uppermost platform around 5:00pm, and walking out as the guards begin corralling visitors out of the complex at 5:30pm.
Exiting the temple with the setting sun shining on the Vishnu image discovered beneath the temple’s central sanctuary is a magical sight to behold and a fitting end of your exploration of the temple built by King Suryavarman, whose name translates to “protected by the sun”.
Note: Should you wish to witness a sunset, there are limited options and they can be quite crowded. Consider finding a quiet place away from the crowds, such as atop the city wall beside the West or South gate of Angkor Thom, or Srah Srang. Be advised that a sunset will typically have you returning to town after 7:00pm.
With a treasure trove of photos and memories, return to town for the evening.
While you’ll want to visit the most iconic temples, including Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm, with hundreds of years of temples to choose from, your daily itinerary is highly customizable and will depend on whether you’re visiting the temples with a one-day, three-day, or seven-day park pass.
Beyond the suggestions below, talk with your guide about the best program for you. (Note: it would be impossible to visit all of the temples described below in one day. Realistically, one should aim for 2-3 major temples per day along with perhaps 1-2 minor temples along the way.)
While Angkor Wat is the crown jewel of the Angkor Park, visiting at sunrise often means sharing the view with thousands of other visitors.
Consider visiting nearby Phnom Bakheng instead. This hilltop temple is most popular at sunset and, as the main temple of King Yasovarman, founder and namesake of Yasodharapura, it is a logical starting point for an exploration of the ancient city.
From atop Phnom Bakheng, which requires walking up a wide, winding dirt road around the exterior of the 79m-high hill, you will be able to witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat.
Note: Your sunrise options from 05:00 until 07:30 are limited to Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, Pre Rup, and Srah Srang.
- Breakfast.
- Full Day Tour.
- Private Car, Driver & English Speaking Guide.
- Entrance Fees.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Lunch.
TONLE SAP - FULL DAY EXCURSION
See what life is like on Southeast Asia’s largest lake. Take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, cruising past mangrove forests and quiet waterways. Have lunch in a local house and learn about the traditional lifestyles of the people who call Tonle Sap their home.
Take a break from temple touring to experience authentic rural lifestyles.
Drive to the outskirts of Siem Reap, past expansive rice fields and through local villages where rice and fish can frequently be spotted drying alongside the road. Next, board a private wooden vessel for a boat trip along a canal that leads to the Tonle Sap Lake.
Cruise along the canal with houses on either side: depending on the time of the visit, the houses will either have immediate access to the water or stand perched on stilts high above the ground, a phenomena caused by the annual rising and receding waters of the Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest lake.
Pass by the boats and nets used by local fishermen, some of whom will be fishing in the waters through which the boat passes. Nearing the lake, see floating houses that move location with the annual ebb and flow of the lake’s waters.
Along the way, gain a better understanding of the local lifestyle with lunch in a family house. This is a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the way of life of the local people- sitting inside a stilted house while watching the boats pass outside.
With a full belly and a camera-full of remarkable images, return to Siem Reap in the afternoon.
Note: Due to fluctuating water levels on the lake and canals, the village visited will depend on the date and water levels at that time.
- Breakfast.
- Full Day Excursion.
- Private Car, Driver & English-speaking Guide.
- Lunch.
- Overnight Accommodation.
FLY TO PHNOM PENH - EVENING STREET FOOD EXCURSION
After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Fly from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap with Air Asia.
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.
This evening you will be collected from your hotel.
Stroll the streets of Phnom Penh just before sunset, when the shops and carts selling street eats start peddling their products in the cool afternoon air.
Your guide will collect the snacks as you go, from buffalo jerky to stir-fried corn, stopping after a while to enjoy them all at a colourful outdoor restaurant. With a variety of options available throughout the evening, you’re certain to discover and enjoy a number of new Cambodian eats!
You'll be collected from your hotel by Remork (a Cambodian tuk tuk) and transferred to the starting point of the walking tour. Begin near the southwest corner of the Royal Palace, an area famous for sun-dried buffalo jerky. From here walk south, past Wat Botom, stopping along the way to pick up additional take-away treats.
At the corner of Independence Park make some stir fried corn, customizing the dish to your taste: if you like, you maybe able to even cook it yourself! Take a stroll through the park where you will see local’s playing games and exercising on the way to an area with various street food stalls. Grab a table and enjoy the assortment of dishes you have picked up along the way.
Next, stroll a few blocks to a popular street side BBQ restaurant, where flame-grilled fish, frogs, and other local delicacies are available. A local guide will help order a well-balanced meal. Finally, walk to a nearby “street bar” that serves creative cocktails with local ingredients and often has live Cambodian music!
Return to the hotel by Remork or stay and explore the nearby bars of this vibrant nightlife area.
- Breakfast.
- Departure Transfer by Private Car.
- Economy Class Flights.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check-in Baggage Allowance.
- Arrival Transfer by Private Car.
- Evening Tour.
- Private Remork, Driver & English Speaking Guide.
- Overnight Accommodation.
PHNOM PENH - FULL DAY EXCURSION
Get to know Phnom Penh, a vibrant city steeped in history.
Today you have a car, driver & guide at your disposal.
Begin in Phnom Penh with a visit to the Royal Palace in the city centre. Explore the majestic compound and step back in time to when the Kingdom flourished.
See the spectacular reception halls and historic royal costumes. The elegant Silver Pagoda, with its solid-silver floor, is a reminder of the prosperity of the former royal families.
Continue to the adjacent National Museum. Housed in a beautiful old building surrounded by tropical gardens, the museum is a tranquil oasis in the busy city centre. Go inside to see seemingly endless displays of art and artefacts dating back to the pre-Angkorian era.
Continue to the hill top pagoda of Wat Phnom, which offers fabulous views of the city below.
Explore the more recent history of Cambodia this afternoon. Visit Tuol Sleng Prison (S-21) and the Killing Fields at sites used by the Khmer Rouge regime when they ravaged the country in the 1970's and 80's.
The lasting effects of this tragic period are still being felt. Although the visits are sombre, knowing about this era is essential in helping to understand present-day Cambodia.
Before wrapping up the sightseeing in Phnom Penh, pay a visit to the Russian Market. This bustling bazaar earned its name in the 1980's as the expat Russian population often shopped here. These days it is stocked with everything from souvenirs to local handicrafts, silver jewellery and electronic goods.
Please note that all visitors to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum are required to wear modest clothing: no short pants or short skirts (knees must be covered) and no sleeveless shirts (shoulders must be covered). See-through clothing will also not be allowed.
- Breakfast.
- Full Day Tour.
- Private Car, Driver & English Speaking Guide.
- Overnight Accommodation.
- Entry Fees.
OUDONG - FULL DAY EXCURSION
This morning embark on a local boat cruise up the Tonle Sap River to Oudong, one of the country’s main waterways.
Pass riverside villages and fishermen on the way, gaining a deeper appreciation for the Cambodian’s reliance on rivers for transport and food. You will have a cocktail with appetizers during the boat trip and a BBQ lunch set with French red or white wine will be served on board.
Climb the stairs to the top of Oudong Mountain and enjoy magnificent views over the plains below. Your guide will explain the history of the area and its buildings as well as the religious culture of the Cambodian people. Take your time to soak in the magnificent views over the plains below.
Before heading back to Phnom Penh stop at the spectacular Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre. Your guide can explain more about the school of Vipassana (Insight Meditation) as you tour the centre, before taking part in a meditation class with one of the teachers.
Don’t forget to see the impressive jade Buddha, the mummified monk and the brightly painted walls telling the story of the Ramayana, the epic Sanskrit poem that decorates many pagodas seen around the country.
On the way back to Phnom Penh by car, you will also visit Kompong Luong, a village famous for its silversmiths. The traditional craft has been passed down from generation to generation. Watch as the skilled silversmiths create cups, bowls and other items using age-old techniques.
Oudong is a picturesque city with a long and noble history - it served as Cambodia’s capital and royal residence for more than 200 years.
Set below the twin peaks of Phnom Oudong, it is today considered an important sacred city, with many temples and shrines dotted across its lush canvas, including a series of ancient pagodas atop the mountain’s ridges.
These holy vantage points offer panoramic views over Oudong and the river beyond - most spectacular in the light of the setting sun.
- Breakfast.
- Full Day Tour.
- Private Car, Driver & English Speaking Guide.
- Entry Fees.
- Lunch.
- Overnight Accommodation.
TRAVEL TO KEP
You will be collected from your hotel in Phnom Penh and transferred by private car to your resort in Kep, on the Cambodian Riviera.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
- Breakfast.
- Transfer by Private Car.
- Overnight Accommodation.
KEP
Enjoy the days at leisure.
Knai Bang Chatt (meaning the halo around the Buddha’s head) is the only ‘luxury’ hotel in Kep and offers the chance to enjoy a relaxing seaside holiday in Cambodia after a tailor made tour of Cambodia.
Knai Bang Chatt offers understated luxury in a fabulous setting. Rooms are spacious but minimalist, decorated in earthy tones and accented with Khmer art and artefacts. The seafront setting is idyllic, with lawns surrounding a swimming pool and over-looked by two magnificent trees.
Just 18 uniquely designed rooms are set in three renovated villas, designed with large terraces open to views of the lawns, sea and islands.
In the 1950’s Kep was something of a glamorous seaside destination for the Cambodian elite who built large villas by the sea. During the Khmer Rouge era, these villas fell into a state of disrepair. Such was the fate of the 3 villas at Knai Bang Chatt.
- Breakfast.
- Overnight Accommodation.
FLY TO AUCKLAND
You will be collected from your hotel in Kep and transferred to the airport in Phnom Penh by private car for your onward flight.
Fly from Phnom Penh to Singapore with Singapore Airlines.
Fly from Singapore to Auckland with Singapore Airlines.
- Breakfast.
- Departure Transfer by Private Car.
- Economy Class Flight.
- Airline Taxes.
- Check in Baggage Allowance.
AUCKLAND
Arrive back in Auckland.
