Let yourself be pampered while you explore one of the most fascinating and unexplored countries in the world. The luxurious Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is located just minutes from the world famous Angkor Wat temples while the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh allows you to visit the Royal Palace and the interesting Khmer Rouge sites, while enjoying its excellent service and sumptuous rooms.
Day 1 Siem Reap: Arrival, Orientation Tour and Dinner Dance Show
When you arrive at the airport in Siem Reap, you will be met by a Journeys Within representative just outside the airport exit doors and will be driven to the main part of town for a quick orientation tour. You will be given a quick introduction to the city, and the Journeys Within representative will point out the main roads, markets, some recommended restaurants and Wat Bo, before dropping you off at your hotel to check in.
In the evening enjoy a traditional Khmer dinner and dance show put on by Raffles.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – State Room
Day 2 Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunrise With Sala Kdei and Angkor Thom
Wake up early and head out to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat, taking some time to explore this temple during the cool morning hours and before the crowds arrive. Follow this with a very special breakfast outside of your hotel. Escaping the temple crowds, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast set amidst the grounds of a beautiful traditional wooden house, overlooking the royal bathing pool of Sra Srang.
In the afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city, and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple. Later in the afternoon, visit Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, two of the prettiest temples in the complex. Watch the sunset from inside Ta Prohm, or from the Angkor Wat promenade.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – State Room
Day 3 Siem Reap: Banteay Srei, Land Mine Museum and Tonle Sap
Set off with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple located just 30km beyond Angkor Wat. On your way back to town stop at the Land Mine Museum, a rather humble look at the land mine problem, past and present, in Cambodia.
After a rest or swim drive through rural Cambodia to the Tonle Sap Lake where you will take a boat ride to visit the floating village and a Cambodian fish farm. As the day ends choose to climb Phnom Krom and see the ancient ruins high on the hill and watch the sun set over the lake and rice fields below or relax and watch the sun disappear below the horizon from your boat on the lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – State Room
Day 4 Siem Reap: Hidden Temples, Market and Village House Unique Dining Experience
This morning your guide will meet you at the hotel at 7am and you will head into the temple complex, driving through the quiet of the morning to a special hidden road. Here you will find a smaller temple rarely visited by tourists. Despite being in the Angkor temple complex this is a quiet escape from the noise and bustle of some of the other temples. Once at the temple relax and do some exploring. When you’re ready to move on you can walk to a nearby Ta Keo Temple…climb to the top and enjoy the amazing views! From Ta Keo head to the Angkor Thom Gate and take a walk along the Angkor Thom wall. Again, no one visits this beautiful area and it’s quiet and peaceful. At the end of the wall you will get to the East Gate, which was used for taking dead bodies to be cremated in Angkorian times. A beautiful gate with Bayon faces you’ll be the only tourists there to see them. Return to your hotel for lunch or have your guide help you find a good spot to eat in town. Remember to take a look at our Cheat Sheet which lists a number of our favorite restaurant recommendations!
Take a walk around the Old Market where the locals and tourists shop side by side. Then pay a visit to Artisans d’Angkor to see their workshop in town. Here you will be taken on a short tour to see the students learning the skills needed to produce works of art in a variety of different materials before visiting their beautifully displayed shop.
You will be met at your hotel at 4pm and taken to the beautiful Kompheim village, located just outside Siem Reap. Here you can enjoy a short stroll through a traditional village with one of the local guides, finishing with sunset drinks at the beautiful and unique Village House. Relax and enjoy your very own private dining experience, surrounded by nothing but rice paddies and accompanied by traditional music. After enjoying your very special culinary experience, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 9pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – State Room
Day 5 Phnom Penh: Arrival and The Killing Fields
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for your private transfer to the airport, where you will arrive in time for your onward flight to Phnom Penh. (Siem Reap to Phnom Penh flight included.) Arrive in Phnom Penh where you will be met by an air conditioned van and driver and will be transferred to your hotel.
This afternoon, head to the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum where your guide will explain the history of the Khmer Rouge and walk you through the different museum displays. After watching the movie they show every day, continue on to the Choeung Ek Memorial, the site of one of the country’s many killing fields, where a memorial stupa and shallow pits remind visitors of the thousands killed under the Pol Pot Regime. There is an excellent audio headset on site which includes firsthand survivor stories, accounts from guards, traditional music, as well as a guided tour of the site. We recommend using this thoughtful and well-produced audio tour as most visitors to the Choeung Ek Memorial use the personalized headset tours, leaving the somber grounds quiet allowing for introspection. Your JW guide will be on hand if you would prefer to explore the site with them or have any additional questions after you have completed your audio tour. You will be transferred back to your hotel late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Raffles Hotel Le Royal – State Room
Day 6 Phnom Penh: City Tour of the Palace, National Museum, and Markets
This morning take a tour of the Royal Palace, which to this day is still the royal residence. See the amazing royal collection and the beautiful architecture before heading to the National Museum, where you will be taken around by a trained museum guide who will show you some wonderful pre-Angkorean pieces as well as a number of special pieces from the temples. After your cultural morning, enjoy lunch at Friends, a restaurant benefiting at-risk street children. After lunch your guide will take you to Central Market, reported to be the biggest domed market in the world, followed by a visit to the famous Russian Market where everything from souvenirs to car parts is on sale. Enjoy a shopping spree or just browse along with the locals who are out doing their shopping, before returning to your hotel mid-afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Raffles Hotel Le Royal – State Room
Day 7 Phnom Penh: Departure
This morning you will be transferred to the airport by your guide and driver for your onward flight .
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Rate: $ 2,375 per person based on 2 people traveling (double occupancy) with a single supplement of $ 1,940.
Price includes:
- Air tickets Siem Reap – Phnom Ponh
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips
