Mythical Cambodia: From Angkor to Koh Rong Island

Today, discover the ruins of the Angkor complex in a different way as you leave the bustling streets of Siem Reap behind and cycle along quieter, tree-lined roads. You'll visit Angkor Wat , originally built in the first half of the 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a spiritual home for the Hindu god Vishnu.

Continue your visit to the Bayon Temple , unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. You cycle towards Ta Prohm , perhaps better known as "Tomb Raider." This magnificent jungle temple is considered one of the jewels of Angkor, with its giant tree roots intertwined among the temple's enormous stone blocks, giving us the impression of "the forgotten city."

Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your free time to relax and explore the hotel's surroundings. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, you depart for Kbal Spean, north of Angkor. In the 11th century, hermits carved the sandstone bed of the river that fed Angkor, depicting "lingas," or phallic symbols representing fertility. You will reach the site after a 45-minute walk through the forest. The tour continues with Banteay Srei (the "Citadel of Women"), dedicated to Shiva, whose architecture and pink sandstone sculptures constitute a masterpiece of Khmer art. On the return journey, you will visit Sra Srang, the "Ablution Pool," and the Buddhist temples of Banteay Kdei and Banteay Samre.

Notes:

This is a 1.5 km uphill trek through the forest to reach Kbal Spean waterfall. We suggest bringing a small fan or mosquito repellent. The best time to visit Kbal Spean is between July and December. Visitors between January and June (especially in March and April) will be disappointed to find very little water.

Much more than the gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor, the charming provincial town of Siem Reap is defined by a collection of rural villages where life is simple and slow and where people live close to their farmland and rice paddies.

Today, spend half a day exploring the Khmer countryside on the back of a modern Italian Vespa . Start your day with a visit to APOPO , a demining organization that develops and uses hero rats to sniff out deadly explosives. Follow the backroads and alleyways that lead you away from the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap and discover what makes Khmer culture and the countryside so rich and fascinating. Visit a stunning and peaceful local pagoda to learn about the Khmer spiritual belief systems. Receive a blessing from the monks —in true tradition, sit on rugs while the monks chant blessings and sprinkle you with holy water and flowers—a traditional way believed to convey the good fortune of the gods.

The highlights of this trip include strolling through the village to meet the locals and gain a fascinating insight into their daily lives, which have changed very little since the time of the temples. You'll have the opportunity to chat with a family of rattan weavers and enjoy delicious sticky rice grilled in bamboo.

Complete your experience in a Reap family home.

Travel by private car with your driver from Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Sihanoukville pier. From there, you will take a shared speedboat to Koh Rong/Koh Rong Sanloem Island for a 45-minute to 1-hour beach holiday.

Koh Rong Island and Koh Rong Sanloem are located off the coast of Sihanoukville Bay , which is one of the paradise islands in the Gulf of Thailand in Southeast Asia. A total of 43km of beaches line the coast, framing a wooded and hilly interior. Several bays lend an authentic and secluded character to the coastline, while the forests, composed of palm trees and large deciduous trees, thrive on the rugged terrain, which reaches an altitude of 320 meters. Here you'll find numerous white sand beaches and turquoise waters : Soksan, Pagoda Beach, Cononut, Saracen Bay, and more.

Night in Koh Rong/Koh Rong Sanloem.

Free day at the beach or pool.

Night in Koh Rong/ Koh Rong Sanloem

Free day at the beach or pool.

Night in Koh Rong/ Koh Rong Sanloem

Breakfast at your hotel; the morning is free until your speedboat transfer to Phnom Penh. In the afternoon, transfer by private car (without a guide) to Phnom Penh.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

1. Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh: 150km -3h

Breakfast at the hotel

Begin your day with a visit to the Royal Palace , originally built in 1866 by the grandfather of the current King of Cambodia. The palace is a complex of splendid royal buildings with classic Khmer roofs, ornate gilding, and an intricate layout of defensive walls, showcasing a rich blend of Khmer architecture with a subtle French influence. Head to the nearby Silver Pagoda, home to numerous national treasures, including many gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Perched within the Royal Palace grounds, it is the most sacred temple in the country. Next, you will visit Wat Phnom, a pagoda built on an artificial hill and crowned by a monastery that houses sacred relics.

You will then have time to visit the Tuol Tumpoung market (known as the "Russian market"), where you will find many souvenirs, antiques, and fabrics .

Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to Phnom Penh airport for the return flight.

The room is available until noon only.