Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour Begins with Banteay Kdei Temple

Banteay Kdei - After purchasing the Angkor Pass, the tour begins at Banteay Kdei temple, meaning “A Citadel of Chambers,” constructed in the mid-12th to early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist temple. It is situated southeast of Ta Prohm and east of the Angkor Thom capital. A local guide will provide detailed explanations on-site.

Pre Rup - Following Banteay Kdei, the tour proceeds to Pre Rup temple, a stunning brick temple completed in 961 by King Yasovarman I and dedicated to the god Shiva. The local guide will offer more insights on-site.

Banteay Samre - After Pre Rup, the journey continues to Banteay Samre temple (បន្ទាយសំរែ), built during the reigns of Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century. It is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style.

Banteay Srei - After exploring Banteay Samre, enjoy a scenic drive with local activities for about 45 minutes to reach a magnificent 10th-century pink temple. A professional tour guide will provide detailed explanations during the one-hour temple tour. The tour then stops by a local palm sugar producer, where the guide will explain the sugar palm production process before heading to lunch.

Kompong Phluk - Kompong Phluk, located on Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, expands to 10,000 square kilometers during the wet season and contracts to about 3,000 square kilometers in the dry season. It is bordered by five Cambodian provinces: Kompong Thom, Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat, and Kompong Chhnang. The lake experiences seasonal water flow changes: from May to October, water flows from the Mekong to Tonle Sap, and from November to April, it flows back. Tonle Sap is home to thousands of bird species and hundreds of fish varieties, supporting local and regional economies. Visitors can explore fishing and floating villages on a boat trip, observe local fishing activities, and enjoy a stunning sunset. A local guide will provide additional insights during the trip.

Day 2 Begins with Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat - Guests will be picked up at the hotel at 5 am for a 30-minute drive to Angkor Wat to witness a breathtaking sunrise. Angkor Wat’s sunrise has become the most popular spot in Siem Reap. After the sunrise, the guide will lead an exploration of Angkor’s details.

Angkor Thom - After a memorable visit to Angkor Wat, the tour heads to Angkor Thom Capital, a 10-minute drive away. There will be a stop at the South Gate for photos before visiting the main temples in Angkor Thom. Following Angkor Thom, the tour visits Bayon temples (Smiling Temples), built in the late 12th or early 13th century by Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, located in the center of Angkor Thom Capital. Bayon is highly favored by tourists and ranks highly on TripAdvisor alongside Angkor Wat due to its smiling faces. The local guide will provide more details during the visit.

Ta Prohm - After exploring Angkor Thom Capital, the tour proceeds to Ta Prohm, a 15-minute drive away, with a stop at a stone bridge to admire a lovely tree growing on top. Lunch will be near the Royal swimming pool before exploring Ta Prohm, meaning “Ancestors of Brahma,” built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist temple. Ta Prohm is famously known as the “Tomb Raider temple” after the film was shot there. The tour guide will share more details during the visit.

Day 3 Begins with the Jungle Temple

Beng Mealea - The guide and driver will meet guests at 9 am to proceed to Beng Mealea, a 1.5-hour journey showcasing local activities. A stop will be made at a store selling bamboo sticky rice, known locally as “Kalan,” a source of income for local families. Beng Mealea, meaning “lotus pond,” was built in the early 12th century by Hindu King Suryavarman II. Known as the Great Jungle Temple, it is unique due to its partial collapse and tree growth within and around the temple. Visitors will experience peace while exploring, especially with fewer tourists around. A professional tour guide will provide detailed insights.

Bakong - After visiting Beng Mealea, the tour heads to the beautiful ancient Khmer Capital city (Hariharalaya) and Bakong temple. Built in the 9th century by Shiva King Indravarman I, Bakong is located in what is now called Rolous. Bakong’s pyramid shape has earned it the nickname “Pyramid temple.” The tour guide will share fascinating historical insights.

Preah Ko - Following Bakong, the tour visits Preah Ko, meaning “The Sacred Bull,” the first temple built in the ancient city of Hariharalaya in 879 by Hindu King Indravarman I, dedicated to the god Shiva. More details will be provided by the local guide.

Day 4 Begins with Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Province - Preah Vihear, beautifully located along the Cambodia-Thailand border, was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008 after a territorial conflict between Cambodian and Thai armies, which ended in 2011 with Cambodia’s victory at the ICJ. Built by three kings over 300 years, Yasovarman I (889-910) in 893, Suryavarman I (1002-1049), and completed by King Suryavarman II (1113-1150), known for building Angkor Wat, it is situated atop Dangrek Mountain, 550 meters high. The temple symbolizes the sacred mountain “Meru,” the abode of all Hindu gods. The drive from Siem Reap passes through local villages and plantations, taking around 3 hours each way.

Koh Ker Temple - After Preah Vihear, the tour drives 2 hours to Koh Ker, passing various local plantations such as tapioca, mango, pepper, and banana. Koh Ker, an ancient Khmer Capital city from 921-944, was ruled by King Jayavarman V from 921-942 and his son Harshavarman II from 942-944. Known as the Cambodian Pyramid temple, it stands 36 meters high with an impressive shrine featuring two-meter-high Lingas. The guide will provide more information during the tour. Visitors can climb to the top for a beautiful view and fresh air. After Koh Ker, the tour visits Prasad Pram’s five towers, notable for trees growing atop the temple. Koh Ker offers a quiet, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Day 5 Begins with Banteay Chhmar Temple

Banteay Chhmar - Meeting at the hotel at 8:00 am, the tour proceeds to Banteay Chhmar temples, located in Banteay Meanchey province, about 150 km from Siem Reap city. The journey takes at least two and a half hours along road N6, heading west of Siem Reap, showcasing local activities, rice fields, and beautiful landscapes. Fluent English-speaking drivers/guides will explain everything seen on the road to Banteay Chhmar temple. Completed during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, like Angkor Thom Capital in the late 12th to early 13th century, Banteay Chhmar was built by King Jayavarman VII to honor his son who predeceased him. Banteay Chhmar is an isolated yet unique temple with tree growth around it, making the tour interesting and unforgettable.

Battambang - After Banteay Chhmar, the tour drives directly to Battambang province to visit Battambang city, including Phsar Nut, the French quarter, Wat Domrey Sor pagoda, and in the late afternoon, the Bat Cave at Phnom Sampov. Before the Bat Cave, visitors will walk to the top of Phnom Sampov to visit some pagodas and the killing fields. Overnight stay in Battambang province.

Day 6 Begins with a Drive to Phnom Penh

Kampong Chhnang - After meeting at the hotel, the tour drives 3 hours to Kampong Chhnang province to visit the pottery center and floating village near the Krom market. After Kampong Chhnang, the tour continues to Phnom Penh for an overnight stay.

Phnom Penh - After the Kampong Chhnang tour, the journey proceeds to the capital, Phnom Penh, for an overnight stay.

Tour Around Phnom Penh

Royal Palace - The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, established in 1866, is a relatively recent addition to Khmer history. The seat of Khmer power was in or near Angkor, north of the Great Tonle Sap Lake, from 802 AD until the early 15th century. After the Khmer court moved from Angkor due to environmental and ecological issues, it first settled in Phnom Penh, then known as Krong Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol, in 1434 (or 1446) for several decades. By 1494, it had moved to Basan, then Longvek, and later Oudong. The capital returned to Phnom Penh in the 19th century, with no record or remnants of any Royal Palace prior to this time. In 1813, King Ang Chan (1796–1834) constructed Banteay Kev (the ‘Crystal Citadel’) on the site of the current Royal Palace. After Ang Chan, the capital was at Oudong until 1866 when his nephew, King Norodom, returned to Phnom Penh.

National Museum - The next stop is the National Museum. George Groslier (1887–1945), a historian, curator, and author, played a significant role in reviving interest in traditional Cambodian arts and crafts. He designed the building, which is today considered ‘traditional Khmer architecture.’ It is better described as a structure enlarged from Cambodian temple prototypes seen on ancient bas-reliefs and reinterpreted through colonial eyes to meet museum-size requirements. The foundation stone for the new museum was laid on 15 August 1917, and the completed museum was inaugurated during Khmer New Year on 13 April 1920 in the presence of H.M King Sisowath, François-Marius Baudouin, Résident-supérieur, and M. Groslier, director of Cambodian Arts, and Conservator of the museum. The original design was slightly altered in 1924 with extensions that added wings at either end of the eastern façade, making the building even more imposing.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - After the National Museum, the tour continues to Tuol Sleng Genocide Prison. Pol Pot converted Tuol Svay Prey High School into a prison and interrogation center in March or April 1976. From 1976 to 1979, an estimated 20,000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng. At any one time, the prison held between 1,000 and 1,500 prisoners, who were repeatedly tortured and coerced into naming family members and close associates, who were in turn arrested, tortured, and killed. In the early months of S-21’s existence, most victims were from the previous Lon Nol regime, including soldiers, government officials, academics, doctors, teachers, students, factory workers, monks, and engineers. Prisoners’ families were sometimes brought en masse to be interrogated and later executed at the Choeung Ek extermination center. After visiting the prison, the tour concludes, marking the end of the 7-day journey.

• Licensed tour guide for full 7 days
• Tour Option: Toyota Hiace, entrance fee and accommodation included
• Tour Option: Lexus SUV, entrance fee included
• Tour Option: Toyota Hiace, entrance fee included
• Tour Option: Lexus SUV, entrance fee and accommodation included

• Angkor Pass 3 Day 62$ per person, Koh Ker temple 15$ per person
• Preah Vihear temple 15$ per person, Boat tour to see Tonle Sap Lake 20$ per person
• Royal Polace 10$, National museum 10$ and S21 prison 5$
• Pick up Truck to go up to Preah Vihear temple 25$ per truck
• Banteay Chhmar 10$, Phnom Sampov 5$, Bamboo train 10$

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.