Temples and Beaches of Cambodia-11 Days

Halal Tourism (Cambodia)

Phnom Penh, April 18th, 2023 —

Discover the top attractions in Cambodia on this private tour. Begin your tour in Siem Reap with a personalized excursion to the magnificent Angkor Wat temples. Next, take a custom bike trip in Battambang to explore its markets and architecture, and meet local families in the idyllic countryside. Visit the historic Wat Banan Temple with an expert where you will see panoramic views of the lush Cambodian countryside. At your next stop in Phnom Penh, discover examples of fine Khmer architecture and learn about the country’s past during the time of the Khmer Rouge. End your tour on the pristine beaches of Koh Rong, sunbathing and relaxing by the beautiful Gulf of Thailand.

With top-notch VIP service everywhere you travel, plush accommodations and experienced, local guides, customize this Cambodia trip to suit your interests and pace!

Itinerary Summary

DAY PLACE HIGHLIGHTS
1 – 4 Siem Reap Angkor Wat Temple Complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tonle Sap Lake, Khmer Architecture, Rice Fields
4 – 6 Battambang Tiny Villages, Tonle Sap Lake, Rice Fields, Cambodian Rice Bowl
6 – 8 Phnom Penh Cambodia’s Capital, Royal Palace, Riverside Promenade, Colonial Architecture
8 – 11 Koh Rong Archipelago Untouched beaches, Water sports, Island hopping
11 – 11 Phnom Penh Cambodia’s Capital, Royal Palace, Riverside Promenade, Colonial Architecture

Itinerary Details

Day 1-4

International Arrival

As soon as you disembark, our representative will meet you at the end of the aerobridge holding a signboard with your name. Our representative will assist you with immigration procedures. After clearing immigration you will be escorted to the baggage claim to collect your luggage and introduce you to your guide who will be waiting outside the terminal.

Your English, Malay and Arabic speaking guide will accompany you from Siem Reap airport to your hotel in a private vehicle

 Siem Reap

3 Nights

Siem Reap is a most marvellous window to the world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Temple complex, with its fascinating Khmer architecture in varying states of preservation.

Included Activities

Personalized Tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm Temples

Explore the ancient wonders of Khmer temples within the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap. Visit the temple of Ta Phrom, many parts of which have been taken over by the surrounding jungle, thus creating an eerie atmosphere. It was popularized by the Hollywood movie Tomb Raider. A short drive away is the 11th century Ta Keo, an unfinished mountain temple built completely out of sandstone. It has five sanctuaries on top that offer fantastic panoramas of the surroundings. Continue on to the sprawling walled city of Angkor Thom, highlighted by the mesmerizing Bayon temple, adorned with smiling faces, with maze tunnels. You can admire well-preserved intricate carvings at the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. Later, following a leisurely lunch break in your hotel, enter the rear gate of the famed 12th century Angkor Wat. Considered to be the world’s largest religious building, this grand structure represents the universe with its central tower symbolizing Mount Meru. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Personalized Tour: Khmer Bites After Dark

Discover Cambodia’s famed Khmer cuisine on a tuk tuk ride or Private Car across Siem Reap. Early in the evening, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to  Halal restaurants and food stalls around town. You will stop and walk through the alleyways and streets surrounding the old market area, sampling local dishes as you pass through. Back in your tuk tuk or Private Car, make your way to Angkor Kyung Yu road, or Road 60, which is always busy with street food stalls set apart from tourist bars. Enjoy the vibrant ambiance alongside tourists and local families who step out to dine in the evening. You’ll find a range of exotic fruits to taste! End your evening with a traditional Cambodian tipple and then return to your hotel. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 1700 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Meal Included: Food & Beverages; Fitness Level: Easy)

Day 4-6
Your chauffeur will drive you from Siem Reap to Battambang in a private vehicle (Duration: 3 hrs). A guide will accompany you on this drive.

Battambang

2 Nights

Battambang is a province in the ‘heart of the Cambodian rice bowl’. This quaint quiet town in the northwest of the country, is surrounded by rice fields and tiny villages, and a mere 40 km west of the famous Tonle Sap Lake.

Included Activities

Idyllic Battambang Bike Excursion

After coffee and a short briefing at Kinyei Café, set out to explore Battambang on a mountain bike. In the early morning haze, notice locals draped in Krama scarves. After a brief stop at the fish market, pass by neo-Khmer buildings next to colonial structures, including Sala Khaet (governor’s residence). Stop on a bridge across Battambang’s meandering Sangae river and admire the architectural vestige of old shops, colonial villas and mosques. See kids heading to school and boats tootling down the river. Soak in the scenic surrounds of palm-fringed country roads, and the lush paddies around. Get introduced to Cambodian greetings courtesy of your guide. Meet with generations of families working on the production of prahok (fermented fish paste), rice paper, rice noodles, banana chips, dried fruits, and Battambang’s famous rice cakes. Break to nibble on local snacks such as bamboo sticky rice treats and seasonal fruits before returning to your hotel. (Half Day; Time of day: 0700 hrs; Duration: 4 hrs; Distance: 18 miles; Private Activity & Transfer.

Day Trip to Wat Banan

Visit Wat Banan Temple, about 25km south of Battambang town…rather like a smaller replica of the more illustrious Angkor Wat. This Angkor era ancient temple sits atop a 400m high hill (near the ‘killing caves’) close to the Sangker river, depicting architecture of the mid-11th and end-12th centuries. Prepare to climb over 350 steep steps to the hill top for stunning 360 degree panoramic views. Wat Banan with its 5 towers, was once thought to be a prototype for Angkor Wat, although now dismissed by most scholars who date the structure later than Angkor. Nearby, see Wat Ek Phnom as well. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before visiting Wat Phnom Sampov…see local life along the Sangker River. Drive back to your hotel before dinner time.

Battambang: Private Banan Hill Temple and Wat Ek Phnom Tour | GetYourGuide

Day 6-8

Your chauffeur will drive you from Battambang to Phnom Penh in a private vehicle (Duration: 5 hrs). A guide will accompany you on this drive.

Phnom Penh

2 Nights

Phnom Penh offers a heady mix of bustling city life and a sincere cultural experience. Once revered as the Pearl of Asia, this lovely French colonial city suffered significantly at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Yet, you can still find relics from the city’s golden era around every corner, from the sparkling spires of the Royal Palace and friendly saffron-clad monks, to the picturesque waterfront and architectural gems of a bygone era. Phnom Penh has risen from its ashes like the proverbial phoenix in the last few decades has become a harmonious blend of the past and present, tempered with delicious Khmer, Malay and Arabic cuisine.

Included Activities

Personalized Tour of Killing Fields

Head out of Phnom Penh to visit a couple of historical sites that are sombre reminders of Cambodia’s dark past. Start your tour at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Named S-21 by the Khmer Rouge, this facility was a high school that turned into a prison where thousands of people were tortured, interrogated, and executed. Stepping into some of the rooms that were formerly prison cells, you can see portraits and documents of prisoners. Learn about the turbulent reign of Khmer Rouge’s notorious leader Pol Pot. Next, continue to the infamous Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, one among the hundreds of ‘Killing Fields’ across Cambodia. Set amid lush gardens punctuated by ponds, this memorial site has mass graves and collections of victims’ belongings. A central pagoda is filled with recovered skulls and bones encased in a large glass tower. Return to your accommodations with a new understanding of the efforts made by Cambodians to recover from the hardest of times. (Duration: 4 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness level: Easy; Kindly dress conservatively and maintain a respectful demeanor when visiting the Toul Slend Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields)

Highlights of Phnom Penh

Explore the finest examples of Khmer architecture with this marvellous city tour. The Royal Palace is a grand building overlooking a tranquil plaza and still houses Cambodia’s royalty, King Sihamoni. On the south side of the palace lies the Silver Pagoda, which is aptly named as it has been crafted out of 5,329 solid silver tiles. Wander along to Wat Preah Keo Morakot, the Buddhist temple where Royal ceremonies are performed, or Wat Phnom, the namesake of the city. You can also visit The National Museum, which houses many fascinating and historical relics, and King Ang Duong Stupa, the burial site of King Norodom Sihanouk, the 20th century monarch. To respect local customs, please dress conservatively.

Day 8-11

Your chauffeur will drive you from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville in a private vehicle (Duration: 5 hrs). A guide will accompany you on this drive.

Board the shared ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Archipelago (Duration: 45 Mins).

Koh Rong Archipelago

3 Nights

Discover the jewel in the crown of Cambodian beach paradises! Beautifully framed by soft, snowy sand, the gentle waters of the Indian Ocean turn from emerald to turquoise and radiant blue, as the seasons change in the Gulf of Thailand. Here, rest and relaxation are guaranteed. Sunbathe your days away on the glorious beach or set out to explore the incredible underwater world armed with your snorkel or diving gear. Plenty of adventures await, from canoeing in the shallow waters to trekking in the thick jungles. In the evenings, Koh Rong delights with its special charm when, under the starlit sky, bright plankton light up the beach like a thousand glowing candles. Swim out to one of the protected coves at night with the gently lapping waves to keep you warm. With each stroke, the planktons move to lend endless sparkle to the dark water, making your time absolutely magical!

Day 11-11

Shared Ferry from Koh Rong to Sihanoukville (1 hr)

Drive from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh (227 km, 5 hrs)

Phnom Penh

0 Nights

Phnom Penh offers a heady mix of bustling city life and a sincere cultural experience. It’s a harmonious blend of the past and present, tempered with  Halal delicious Khmer, Malay and Araic cuisine.