Experience the Sangker River 8 Days

Day 1: Siem Reap Arrival (G)

Arriving at Siem Reap airport, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. After that, you will visit the Roluos Group: the Preah Ko, the temple-mountain of Bakong and the Lolei temple set in the middle of a former water reservoir or Baray. You will then return to Siem Reap town and discover the "Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor" which provides training to young Cambodians in an effort to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and wood sculpting. You’ll overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll begin with a visit to Angkor Thom, starting with the Bayon, a bizarre structure of several architectural changes reflecting a switch from Hinduism (the foundations) to Buddhism (the superstructure). Your next visit will be to the Elephant and Leper Emperor Terraces, followed by the Baphoun Temple, which is now nearing the end of an eight-year multi-million dollar restoration programme.

In the afternoon, you will be devoted to the Angkor Temple complex, of which Angkor Wat is a key element. You’ll explore Angkor Wat itself, the largest, and for most people, the most impressive temple in the complex. As dusk nears, a walk to the summit of Phnom Bakheng Hill will afford a panorama of the whole complex lit by the rays of the setting sun, weather permitting of course. Your overnight accommodation will be in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will explore the monastic complex of Preah Khan whose name means ‘Sacred Sword’, the small island temple of Neak Pean, a Himalayan-style lake and sanctuary and then Ta Som.

After lunch, you’ll continue to visit the twin temples of Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda (early 12th century), the unfinished temple-mountain of Ta Keo, the Srah Srang holy pond, Bantey Kdei and then the scenic Ta Prohm monastery, Ta Prohm, strangled by massive tree roots and typical of the condition of the whole complex when it was discovered in 1860 by French naturalist Henri Mouhot. You’ll overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will drive to the Kulen range and take a walk through the forest (45 minutes) to reach Kbal Spean, the “River of 1.000 Lingas” where the symbol of the Hindu god Shiva has been repeatedly chiseled into the rocky riverbed.

After lunch, you’ll continue to visit the famous temple of Bantey Srey “the Citadel of Women”. This small pink sandstone temple (late 10th century) is considered as the crown jewel of classical Khmer art with the delicate beauty of its carvings. Continue to Bantey Samre (mid 12th century), which has been admirably restored. You’ll overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Siem Reap/Battambang (B, L, G)
In the morning, you will be transferred to the boat pier where you will embark a wooden boat. The boat will cruise along the wonderful Tonle Sap Lake and reach the Sangker river leading up to Battambang. You will stop en-route at PrekTuol and transfer into a smaller boat where you will enjoy a guided tour by an experienced ornithologist from the Osmose organization and observe the numerous birds in their natural habitat. Lunch will be served with picnic lunch box or in a traditional house of the floating village of Prek Tuol. Continue up-river to Battambang to arrive in the afternoon. After check-in at hotel, you will be free at leisure. You will spend the night in a hotel in Battambang.

Day 6: Battambang (B, L, G)

After breakfast at hotel, you will drive to the Take Bamboo Train to the stop at station near Ancient house for a short visit. You will climb the 337 steps (80 m high) to reach the temple (10-min. walk), visit the Prasat Bannon temple (XII c.) and enjoy the breathtaking view over the surrounding plains. Return to Battambang and lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Wat Ek Phnom, a nice 11th century temple which offers a very peaceful atmosphere in the countryside, surrounded by trees and lily ponds. Return to Battambang and visit of a local museum that hosts some interesting pieces such as some carved lintels originating from the surrounding temples, and some stone or wooden Buddha statues. You’ll overnight at hotel in Battambang.

Day 7: Battambang/Phnom Penh (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Phnom Penh. On arrival, you will be met and driven to your hotel. In the afternoon, city tour including the visit of the Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda and the magnificent National Museum And visit the central Market and the Russian Market if time permit. You’ll overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 8: Phnom Penh Departure (B, DP)

After breakfast, you’ll be free until your driver arrives to take you to Phnom Penh International airport for your departure flight. Tour ends.