Phnompenh - Battambang - Siemreap 8 Days 7 Nights

Spend your day exploring the countryside around Battambang on a bicycle visiting Cambodian families who produce traditional products (such as rice paper, dried bananas, bamboo sticky rice, and rice wine), made in the same way they have been for generations. You will learn first-hand about everyday life in rural communities which make up over 70% of Cambodia’s population. Lunch is served in the local restaurant 

Visit to the well preserved 11th century Angkorian temple of Prasat Phnom Banan, located atop a hill bearing the same name. After climbing the 350+ steps you are treated to a peaceful setting with superb views across the surrounding countryside.

End of the day with a visit to Phnom Sampeau, which is a massive limestone outcrop that is dissected by a number of caves some of which are more accessible than others. Some caves contain unexpected reminders of Cambodia’s turbulent history. Every evening at nightfall, thousands of bats make their way out of caves in the hillside to feed before returning at dawn. This natural phenomenon really is a "must see" for the visitor.

Free time for relaxing and arrange your own dinner 

Includes: Hotel, Transport, English speaking guide, Meals: breakfast & lunch, Entrance fees include biking; cold water, tissue.

Bid farewell to Battambang and drive 2.5 hours further northwest to the seldom visited province of Banteay Meanchey. This province is home to the ancient temple of Banteay Chhmar, which is also referred to as the “Fortress of the Cat”. This large temple is rarely visited by tourists due to its remoteness, thus it makes a refreshing change from the crowds at Angkor Wat. Severe looting has prevented archaeologists from understanding the temple and its function in detail, leaving its use to speculation. A low key community tourism project has recently been established in the village to help the poor people taking care of the temple to supplement their incomes.

Upon arrival, the local community will welcome you and members will join us to visit the temple explaining its history. Continue your transfer to Siem Reap arriving midafternoon.

Free time at leisure, Dinner by your own and overnight in Siem Reap 

Includes: Hotel, Transport, English Speaking Guide, Meals: breakfast and lunch, cold water/towel, entrance fees

Beat the crowd early morning by 07.00am; visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins.  The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

Lunch is well be served in the local restaurant 

Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal City Angkor Thom & Bayon. Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another one, until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit the surroundings of the complex including the Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place Area.

18.00: Explore Siem Reap Night by tuk tuk to experience Cambodia's nightlife in full, from the local people's customs to the activities geared to tourists. Walking through the food markets, enjoy dinner with local beer/soft drink in local beer garden, insect salad (if you are brave enough to try), visit night markets or you may want to try foot massage by fish (own account). At the end of the trip, take the short tuk tuk ride back to your hotel.

Note: If you are not familiar with local beer garden, dinner there will be replaced by set menu dinner at Crystal restaurant with Apsara performance.

Includes: Hotel, Transport,  English speaking guide, Meal: Breakfast & dinner; Temple entrance fee, Tuk Tuk, Water and Tissue.

Morning transfer out of the Siem Reap Town to a beautiful village in the countryside, you will start to walk through the village houses, witnessing very nice and different activities from the locals for their daily life. Just as some examples: how the locals wash vehicles, selling gasoline in whiskey bottles or the small shops where the locals sell food on the side of small streets.

On the way, you can take some fruits from the plants, enjoy a view of this wonderful area and interact with very kindly people in the village. Enjoy a 30-minute ox-cart ride through the rice paddies to reach one big local house and see how this family doing daily work such as making rice wine and handicraft works meanwhile a member of the family will offer you a fresh coconut and some homemade rice wine to taste.

Hop in your van for driving onward to the next destination, a floating community, arrive at the quay for embarking on a motorized boat to visit floating houses village offering an incredible natural phenomenon of making their lives from the lake in a respectful and meaningful way. This is a great chance to witness one of Cambodia and the world’s most amazing natural wonders. Drive back to Siem Reap. (Note***floating community is recommended from September to February)

Note: Optional Kayaking is available on request on Tonle Sap Lake at additional cost.

16.30: Visit Angkor National Museum where we can see the artifacts from the every part of Cambodia in the ancient time.
Time for our last dinner in the local restaurant 

Includes: Hotel, Transport, English speaking guide, Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner; Ox cart ride, Private boat, Water and Tissue.

Breakfast at hotel, meet the driver and transfer to airport (without guide) for your departure flight.

Includes: Transport, Water and Tissue.