Journey along the Mekong to Angkor 9-Day Tour

Experience the rich culture and history of Cambodia on our 9-day tour package. From the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat to the floating villages on the Tonlé Sap Lake, this tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant and fascinating world of Cambodia. Discover hidden gems like the Banteay Srei temple and the Koh Ker ruins, and taste the local cuisine at traditional markets and restaurants. Our expert guides will provide insider knowledge and personal insights into the country's history and customs. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Cambodia.

1. Discovering the Temples of Angkor: The tour includes a comprehensive visit to the stunning temples of Angkor, including the iconic Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Bayon. These ancient structures are among the world's most impressive architectural wonders, and exploring them is a highlight of any visit to Cambodia.
2. Exploring Rural Cambodia: This tour takes visitors to the heart of rural Cambodia, where they can experience traditional village life and witness age-old crafts such as silk weaving and palm sugar production. This is a chance to gain an insight into a side of the country that many visitors never get to see.
3. Enjoying a Boat Ride on Tonle Sap Lake: The tour includes a scenic boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Visitors will have the chance to see the unique floating villages and observe the daily life of the people who call the lake home.
4. Learning about Khmer History and Culture: This tour provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the rich history and culture of Cambodia, including the Khmer Empire, the country's ancient temples, and the people who live there today.
5. Sampling Delicious Cambodian Cuisine: Cambodia is renowned for its cuisine, which blends traditional Khmer flavors with influences from neighboring countries. Visitors on this tour will have the chance to sample a wide range of dishes, including local specialties and international cuisine.
6. Meeting Friendly and Hospitable Locals: Cambodian people are known for their warm and welcoming nature, and visitors on this tour will have many opportunities to interact with friendly locals and learn more about their way of life. Whether it's sharing a meal with a family or chatting with a village elder, these interactions are a highlight of the tour.

Today, you will arrive in the vibrant city of Phnom Penh. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by a friendly driver who will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Once you have settled into your accommodation, you can explore the city at your leisure. With its bustling streets, ornate temples, and delicious food, Phnom Penh is a city that has something to offer every traveler. In the evening, you will return to your hotel for a well-deserved rest before embarking on more adventures in the coming days. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

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Accommodation Options:

Okay Boutique Hotel - 3-star or similar

Anik Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar

Palace Gate Hotel - 5-star or similar

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour will begin with a visit to the Royal Palace compound, which was built in 1866 by the predecessors of King Norodom. The palace boasts an impressive and colorful Khmer-style architecture and is the most prominent feature in Phnom Penh. Adjacent to the Royal Palace is the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Emerald Buddha temple, which displays numerous Buddha statues decorated with diamonds, emeralds, gold and silver.

Next, you will proceed to the National Museum, a distinctive red building with beautiful Khmer architecture that has been standing since 1917. It contains over 5,000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and other materials. The tour continues with a visit to the Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 to commemorate Cambodia's independence from French colonial rule.

At noon, you will visit Phsar Thmey, also known as the Central Market. This large market, constructed in 1937, features a dome-shaped building with four branching arms leading to vast hallways filled with countless stalls selling a wide range of products, including gold and silver, antique coins, money exchange, books, flowers, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, seafood, and more.

Next, you will head to Wat Phnom, also known as the Mountain Pagoda, a Buddhist temple located on a hill that symbolizes the name of Phnom Penh. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1372 to house four Buddha statues discovered by Lady Penh in the waters of the Mekong River. Wat Phnom is a popular place for locals to come and play, pray for good luck, and admire the stunning sunset.

In the late afternoon, you will enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River to view the Royal Palace from the water as it bursts into four branches. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

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Accommodation Options:

Okay Boutique Hotel - 3-star or similar

Anik Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar

Palace Gate Hotel - 5-star or similar

After breakfast, we leave Phnom Penh and travel northeast to the bustling provincial city of Kampong Cham. En route, there is the chance to pause at Skuon, where it is possible to sample the local delicacy of deep fried tarantula. Arrive in Kampong Cham, we visit the bamboo bridge built across the mighty Mekong River connecting mainland to Koh Pen Island. During dry season (Jan-May), we can visit the bamboo bridge built across the mighty Mekong River connecting mainland to Koh Pen Island. We visit Wat Nokor also called Nokor Bachey Pagoda is an 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine made of sandstone and laterite with a large reclining Buddha and numerous alcoves containing Buddha images. We continue to Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and Phnom Srei (Woman Hill).

We drive for the charming Mekong port of Kratie, gateway to an encounter with the rare freshwater dolphins that inhabit the upper reaches of the Mekong in Cambodia.

Overnight in Kratie.

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Accommodation Options:

Mekong Dolphin Hotel - 3-star or similar

Soriya Bori Hotel - 3-star (local best)

Soriya Bori Hotel - 3-star (local best)

After breakfast, we stroll through Kratie's central market, observe local trades and admire French colonial buildings. Then, visit the iconic 100 pillars pagoda, built in the 16th century to honor King Chann Reachea's daughter. Next, we head to Kampi, where we board a boat and cruise along the Mekong to spot rare freshwater dolphins. Later, we hit the road to Stung Treng, enjoying a scenic drive through the remote and beautiful Mekong region. We then embark on a 3-4 hour boat trip, exploring the unique riverine flooded forest system, home to critically endangered mammals, birds, and fish. Overnight in Stung Treng.

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Accommodation: Mekong Bird Resort (local best)

We continue our journey to Preah Vihear, driving through the jungle and local villages. This scenic route along the northern border offers stunning and unspoiled natural beauty. Upon arrival, we will be driven up the hill (by 4x4) to visit the magnificent ancient Khmer temples of Preah Vihear, located on the sacred mountain of Dong Rek Mountain ranges. The temples span over 700 meters on the top of the Dangrek Mountains.

Overnight in Preah Vihear.

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Accommodation: Preah Vihear Jaya Hotel (local best)

We will depart from Preah Vihear temple and drive approximately 136km for 2.5 to 3 hours to Koh Ker, where we will spend three hours exploring the single pyramid temple that dates back to the late 9th to mid-12th centuries. This area has over 80 ruined temples, and Koh Ker is the most impressive. While simple in structure, it is still a stunning temple and getting there is part of the fun.

After lunch, we will depart from Koh Ker for Beng Mealea, which is located about 60km away on a paved and red soil road. Beng Mealea is largely forgotten and lost in the jungle, waiting to be rediscovered by adventurous travelers. This sprawling jungle temple, covering over one square kilometer, is largely overrun by vegetation and was constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style. It may have even served as a prototype for Angkor Wat itself.

After exploring Beng Mealea, we will continue to Siem Reap, which is about 60km away and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to drive to. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, we will transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

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Accommodation Options:

La Niche D’angkor Hotel - 3-star or similar

Royal Angkor Resort - 4-star or similar

Angkor Village Hotel - 5-star or similar

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Angkor Thom, which was a magnificent architectural masterpiece built by King Jayavarman VII. The king built this fortress in the heart of his empire as a response to the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181.

Our first stop will be the Bayon Temple, which is located at the exact center of Angkor Thom. This temple is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia's most celebrated king. We will also have a photo stop at the Terrace of the Leper King, which is a unique stone terrace located in the Royal Square of Angkor Thom.

Next, we will visit the Terrace of Elephants, which was originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances, and traditional sports. At the southern end of the terrace lies the Baphuon, one of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman I in the 11th century.

We will also visit the picturesque Ta Prohm temple, which has nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, creating an exotic and haunting scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, which are pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever.

Our final stop will be the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. This temple is believed to be the world's largest religious building and is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry. It is a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.

After a long day of exploring, we will return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Siem Reap.

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Accommodation Options:

La Niche D’angkor Hotel - 3-star or similar

Royal Angkor Resort - 4-star or similar

Angkor Village Hotel - 5-star or similar

Drive to the rural outskirts, 35km from the Angkor area, to visit the smallest yet magnificent Banteay Srei, built in the 10th century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art still existing. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments, and friezes. The Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women, for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back, stop at Pradark Village, where you will see villagers making palm sugar and handicrafts to sell to tourists. It’s an excellent chance for you to witness local people living in the countryside with their daily struggles.

Don't miss Banteay Samre, whose rose-colored sandstone walls are adorned with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished that Angkor has to offer.

Depart for Tonlé Sap and enjoy a boat ride on the largest permanent freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, which flows into the Tonlé Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. You will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police stations, etc. It's like a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" moves from place to place, following water levels and currents.

Visit a local pagoda, where you should change into clothes that you can get wet in, as here you will experience the ceremony "SrouchTeok," which roughly translates to "Water Blessing." A monk will chant in ancient Pali as he splashes water over you, washing away your sins and bad luck so you can start fresh. By being a good person, you can increase your good luck.

Enjoy dinner with an Apsara Dance show at a local restaurant. For travelers seeking cultural highlights of Cambodia, no visit is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as the 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance is better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not just dance but also meant to convey a story or message.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

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Accommodation Options:

La Niche D’angkor Hotel - 3-star or similar

Royal Angkor Resort - 4-star or similar

Angkor Village Hotel - 5-star or similar

On the final day of your trip, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Siem Reap. After breakfast, you will have some free time at your leisure to do any last-minute sightseeing, souvenir shopping or simply relax before departing for your next destination. Later, you will be transferred to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight. We hope you had an unforgettable experience with Legend Travel Group and we look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures in the future. Your airport transfer is included as part of this tour package.