5-Day Cambodia Heritage Tour with Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh Cruise

Welcome to Siem Reap - Cambodia!

On your arrival at SAI - Siem Reap International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our local representative/driver and transferred to your hotel. The journey from the airport to Siem Reap city center is approximately 45 km and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by road. Enjoy the scenic views along the way. Siem Reap is known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cambodia, with fabulous temples, religious sites, and lively day and night entertainment.

Check in at the hotel and freshen up.

Lunch is at your own account, after which you will proceed on your half-day city tour to discover the best-kept known secrets of Siem Reap.

Pick up from the hotel and proceed to Wat Thmey Pagoda to see one of the killing fields, where more than 8,000 people were murdered and buried during the rule of the Pol Pot regime from 1975 to 1979. Bones and skulls collected from different graves are kept in a memorial stupa, representing one of the saddest memories for the local people of Cambodia and honoring the victims.

Visit Preah Chek Temple, a significant spiritual site housing two revered statues of the Naga deities. It is a place where many locals come to pray for good fortune and blessings.

Continue to Ya Tep Shrine, enjoy a view of the Royal Residence, and visit Wat Preah Phromrath.

Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in a hotel in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Phnom Kulen National Park in Kulen Mountain. The national park is about 50 km from Siem Reap town and is a popular destination for both visitors and locals. Phnom Kulen is considered a sacred site by most Cambodians, and many Buddhists and Hindus make a pilgrimage to the mountain.

Lunch at a local restaurant on the mountain. Enjoy Khmer dishes and fresh coconut juice.

Visit Preah Ang Thom. The Buddhist pagoda here, called Preah Ang Thom, is home to the largest Reclining Buddha statue in Cambodia. The temple was built in the 16th century and is a sacred place for worshipping the God of the Mountain. There are also two large Cham Pa trees near the temple.

At the Kbal Spean River, you can see the "River of a Thousand Lingas." Here, you will find ornate carvings of lingams - the phallic symbol of Shiva. You will also see motifs of animals and other Hindu gods such as Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Laksmi, Hanuman, and Rama.

After the tour, return to your hotel to refresh. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in a hotel in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, the tour begins with a visit to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom from the 12th century. See the South Gate, with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, then continue to Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. You will also visit Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Continue to Ta Prohm Temple, one of the area's most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm was once used as a filming location for the famous Hollywood movies Tomb Raider and Transformer III.

Lunch at a local restaurant within the area, followed by a short walk to see Sra Srang Pond, which was built in the late 12th century for royal bathing.

In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1992 because of its workmanship and ancient architecture. It features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, running along the outer gallery walls and narrating stories from Hindu mythology.

After a day filled with adventure and exploration, relax with a soothing spa experience. Enjoy a traditional Khmer massage to relieve tension and rejuvenate your body.

Dinner is served while you watch the Apsara Cultural Dance Show and discover Cambodia's cultural heritage through a breathtaking mix of traditional music, dazzling dances, and enchanting tales. After the show, return to the hotel.

Overnight in a hotel in Siem Reap.

Have an early breakfast at the hotel and check out. Today, you will be picked up at 8:00 am to travel to Phnom Penh City. This is a 6-hour overland journey, so sit back and enjoy the scenery along the way.

Lunch at a local restaurant en route to Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, your first stop is the iconic Independence Monument for a brief walk and photos. This lotus-shaped stupa was built to celebrate Cambodia's liberation from French rule. Then head to Central Market, a famous Art Deco landmark. Your guide can help you navigate the bustling stalls beneath the massive central dome, where you can browse jewelry, clothing, local handicrafts, and souvenirs.

A short drive away, continue to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Your guide will lead you through the beautifully manicured grounds of the Royal Palace. Explore the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, famous for its floor of more than 5,000 silver tiles, unique Buddha statues, and vibrant murals.

Your last stop is the Mekong River for a sunset dinner dhow cruise. Your driver will transfer you to the riverside promenade to board the boat. Relax on deck as you cruise past the junction of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, watching the city skyline light up as the sun sets and perfectly wraps up your day. After the tour, you will be dropped at your hotel or, if you prefer, at the riverside to enjoy your last night in Phnom Penh.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free at leisure. The rest of the day is yours to explore Phnom Penh at your own pace until your transfer to the airport for your onward journey to your next destination.