| HIGHLIGHTS: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Bangkok
Our journey of discovery begins in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, where we spend the day exploring this re - emerging city and visiting the sad and sobering 'killing fields' of Choeung Ek. Our travels then continue by bus around South East Asia's largest freshwater lake to Siem Reap. From here we'll explore what is regarded as one of the world's greatest archaeological monuments, the magnificent Angkor temple complexes. Our adventure is by no means over yet as we travel to the Cambodian/Thai border town of Poipet over rough, undeveloped roads in local mini - vans and continue on to exciting Bangkok and journey's end in the relative comfort of an air - conditioned local coach.
Day 1 Phnom Penh. Your trip starts today with your arrival in Phnom Penh. No activities are planned until your evening group meeting, so you may arrive at any time. Please check the noticeboard in the hotel lobby, located on the ground floor, for a notice containing details of your tour. This will advise you of your tour guide's name, telephone number and the time and location of your group meeting. Normally this meeting takes place around 6pm. Until your meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Cambodia has to offer. Make sure that you take a hotel business card so that you will be able to find your way back to the hotel.
Day 2 Phnom Penh. In the 1950s and 1960s, Phnom Penh was one of the finest cities in South East Asia. Despite the wide scale destruction that took place after the Khmer Rouge emptied the city in 1975, Phnom Penh still manages to exude some colonial charm from a bygone era. This is particularly so down on the palm - fringed riverfront where a number of French - era shops and villas still exist and the spires of the Royal Palace pierce the skyline. This morning we travel by cyclo for a sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh to include the Royal Palace and the infamous Tuol Sleng Prison. Also known as Security Prison 21 (S21), Tuol Sleng is a former high school that was transformed into a detention and interrogation centre. An estimated 14,000 to 20,000 Cambodians accused of being traitors were tortured to death or sent to their execution from here. We then join our bus to visit another reminder of the Khmer Rouge atrocities. Just as horrifying, the Choeung Ek killing fields are situated 15 kiLometres southwest of Phnom Penh and an estimated 17,000 people met their death at the hands of the Khmer Rouge here, most clubbed to death to save ammunition. A stupa - like tower of skulls was erected here in 1988 as a reminder of the atrocities that took place. After this sobering morning we visit the Central Market. Located in an old French colonial building, it's a good place to look for clothing or sarongs before having the rest of the day exploring Phnom Penh city by ourselves. There's plenty to see including the Silver Pagoda, the temple of Wat Phnom, the National Museum and the French Quarter.
Day 3 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap. We leave Phnom Penh this morning by private bus and make our way to Siem Reap. We follow the TOnlE Sap River passing through fishing villages before crossing over and travelling through farming communities. The TOnlE Sap River flows into the shallow TOnlE Sap Lake, the largest of Southeast Asia's lakes. Numerous streams feed it and it then drains by the TOnlE Sap River west to the Mekong River. During the wet monsoon season of June to November, the high waters of the Mekong River reverse the flow of the TOnlE Sap River and increase the size of the lake from about 2600 to 10,400 square kiLometres. As it begins to recede again, the lake's huge stocks of fish are easily trapped in nets and bamboo traps or simply caught in the branches of trees. Late this afternoon we catch our first glimpse of what we've come here for when we drive out to the magnificent Angkor temple complex to watch the sunset from one of the amazing structures; Phnom Bakheng, Pre Rup temple, Sras Srong, Phnom Krom or Phnom Bok.
Day 4 Siem Reap. The magnificent Angkor complex of temples is without doubt one of the most astounding archaeological sites in the world. Scattered over an area of 200 square kiLometres, only Egypt's Nile Valley can compare to this vast array of ancient monuments. The ancient city of Angkor served as the royal centre from which a dynasty of Khmer kings ruled one of the largest, most prosperous and sophisticated kingdoms in the history of South East Asia. With a history covering over 600 years from 802AD to 1432, at the height of their power the kings of Angkor ruled over a territory that extended from the tip of the Indochinese peninsula, northward to Yunnan and from Vietnam, westward to the Bay of Bengal. Our local tour guide will take us on an informative day long tour of Angkor visiting the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Elephant Terrace, Baphoun, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Prohm and of course, the fabulous Angkor Wat.
Day 5 Siem Reap. Today has been set aside to allow us to do some exploring on our own. We have the option this morning of visiting the rose - coloured Banteay Srei Temple or returning to Angkor to wander through the ruins at leisure. Banteay Srei is located about 30 kiLometres north of Siem Reap over a very rough and dusty road and is considered to be the best preserved of all of Cambodia's temples. However, if you are feeling a little 'templed - out' you might like to consider hiring a local site guide instead and going out into the countryside to discover facets of rural life that have changed little since the kings of Angkor ruled over the land. A local site guide won't cost you much and he or she will take you around the villages and explain local industries and the peoples' way of life. Ask your tour guide to help to arrange any of the above optional tours. Siem Reap can also be an interesting town and an enjoyable afternoon can be spent wandering around the town visiting its market, shops and restaurants.
Day 6 Siem Reap - Bangkok. Just when you thought it time to relax, we sling our packs (and ourselves) into local mini - vans for an adventurous, and bumpy, three to four - hour road journey to the Cambodian/Thai border town of Poipet. After we've made the crossing and shaken off the dust, we continue on to the Thai border town of Aranya Prathet and stop for lunch. The final leg of our overland journey is made in the relative comfort of the local bus to Bangkok. The drive from Aranya Prathet to Bangkok should take us no more than 4.5 hours arriving late afternoon.
Day 7 - 8 Bangkok. Bangkok is home to some of Asia's most elaborately adorned temples and the modern city's sights and attractions are so numerous you won't know where to begin. So we'll give you a helping hand and introduce you to some of Bangkok's most famous sights on a short walking tour, including a visit to the impressive Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. The remainder of the day is free for us to further explore this vibrant city and the new, elevated Skytrain service now makes it easier than ever to get around the city centre by avoiding the nasty traffic snarls in the streets below. Needless to say, Bangkok is a great place to shop for bargains and the city has a mind - boggling array of exotic restaurants and 'entertaining' nightclubs for you to relax in and reflect on your journey. Your tour ends after breakfast on Wednesday morning.
Uncover the mysteries of Cambodia's ancient Khmer civilization and go on an exciting overland journey to fabulous Bangkok 8 day tour departing Phnom Penh. 7 nights accommodation in hotels. 7 breakfasts.Gecko's expert English-speaking local tour guide throughout the tour, and professional local site guides at some sites.Cyclo sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh including the Royal Palace and Tuol Sleng Prison.Visit to the Angkor complex: Angkor Wat, South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Elephant Terrace, Baphoun, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Leper King and Ta Prohm.Sightseeing including entrance fees where relevant. Walking tour of Bangkok - the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha
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