Classic Cambodia Tour 5 Days by Bus from Phnom Penh

Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival 

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, Asia Eyes Travel’s driver and tour guide will pick you up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh. 

Day 2: Phnom Penh’s Past & Present 

8:30 AM: We are going to visit the Royal Palace compound (closed for renovation and reopen on October 2022) build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Continue to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony. We will learn about the dark side of Cambodia – Its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Initially you visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture center.

At noon, we’ll visit Phsar Thmey “The Central Market”, a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. The four wings of this gigantic yellow dome are teeming with stalls that sell goods ranging from gold and silver, antique coins, money exchange, books, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, seafood and countless other products. Newt, we head to visit Wat Phnom “Mountain Pagoda” is a Buddhist temple that symbolizes the name of Phnom Penh, located on the hill. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1372 to house four statues of Buddha deposited here by the waters of the Mekong River and discovered by Lady Penh. Wat Phnom is the most popular place for local people come to play healthy spot or praying for their good luck as well as admire the sundown. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap

7:30 AM: Shuttle bus will pick you up to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap bus station, meet our driver and transfer to hotel for check-in.

Day 4: Angkor Highlight

We drive to Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire.

We begin to visit Bayon Temple. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king.

Photo stop at Terrace of the Leper King. Along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11th century.

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.

We journey out to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world’s largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.

Day 5: Siem Reap – Departure

We will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River. We will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the “village” move from place-to-place following water levels and current. And then ARTISAN D’ANGKOR has developed from the ambitious belief that it is possible to revive ancient Khmer Arts & Crafts while improving the lives of thousands of people living in rural areas.

In the afternoon, we will transfer you to airport for your flight to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.