Cambodia River Cruise from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

OVERVIEW

This combined trip on land & on board of a boat will give you the opportunity to explore the country in another way. Lay back on your comfortable river cruise to enjoy the scenery!

ITINERARY

Cambodia River Cruise from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

9 Days / 8 Nights

DAY 1 – SIEM REAP - ARRIVAL: MEALS [L|D]

DAY 2 – SIEM REAP: MEALS [B|L|D]

DAY 3 – SIEM REAP: MEALS [B|L]

DAY 4 – SIEM REAP – KOMPONG CHNANG: MEALS [B|L|D]

DAY 5 – KOMPONG CHNANG – KAMPONG CHAM: MEALS [B|L|D]

DAY 6 – KAMPONG CHAM – PHNOM PENH: MEALS [B|L|D]

Visits at Kampong Cham: Wat Hanchey & Wat Nokor .

Breakfast on board.

Located on the central lowlands of the Mekong River, Kampong Cham is a laid-back province in Cambodia. It borders the provinces of Kampong Chhnang to the west, Kampong Thom and Kratié to the north, Tbong Khmum to the east, and Prey Veng and Kandal to the south. Its capital city has the same name of Kampong Cham which means ‘Port of the Chams’ in Khmer.

Kampong Cham was an important trading post during the French period, the legacy of which is evident as you wander through the streets of chastened yet classic buildings. On December 31^st, 2013, the former Kampong Cham was officially divided into two provinces marked a political move by the ruling party. Today, all land west of the Mekong remains Kampong Cham, while land east of the river becomes Tbong Khmum province.

Because of little foreign investment and no large-scale tourism, Kampong Cham is quite poor and less-developed with few modern buildings, though there is abundant of French architecture from the colonial period. However, with the completion of a modern Kizuna Bridge, the first bridge to be built over Mekong River in Cambodia which connects the country's northeastern regions to the city, the city has begun a slow recovery from decades of decline.

Kampong Cham is one of the most highly-populated provinces in Cambodia, where most residents consist of ethnic Khmer and a sizeable Cham minority in Cham community. Like the rest of Cambodia, the religion in Kampong Cham ranges from Islam, Muslim to Christian.

The real charm of Kampong Cham is said to be reflected evidently in normal life and local traditions. On weekends and special occasions, tourists can enjoy the Apsara dancing, a Cambodian traditional art performance. The dancing is usually performed behind Nokor Wat by children and teenagers from non-business organizations for free.

The ancient beauty here is represented through Nokor Wat, a modern Theravada Buddhist pagoda built in 11th century. To reach this place, follow the road to Phnom Penh and then take the left fork about 1km from the town. Going through a dirty road, you will see the ancient pagoda. Tourists can identify that Nokor Wat was built based on Ankorian architecture and made of sandstone and laterite. The highlights of inside area are ancient paintings describing torture of religious nature and charming scenes of heaven also.

Wat Hanchey (Hanchey temple)

Wat Hanchey is a beautifully situated hilltop pagoda that overlooks the Mekong River. The hill sits next to a river bend with a huge island in the middle of the river. The view of the Mekong is outstanding from the top and must be one of the best in Cambodia. The brick structures of Wat Hanchey date back to the 8th century. It was an important religious center during the pre-Angkor Chenla Empire period. There are many religious monuments and small building that remain spread out over the large hilltop.

The temple complex sits on top of a hill with good views of the river - when the weather is fine.

The oldest part of Wat Hanchey dates from the 7th or 8th century, before the glory days of the Khmer empire when Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom were built in the 12th century. It’s a weather-worn red brick edifice but crowded all around are more recent temples, pagodas, stupas, houses and statues. The statues depict mythical heroes and creatures, wild and domestic animals, a huge variety of fruit …

Visitors can climb 291 steps /or/ take the bus drive to reach the top of the pagoda.

Wat Hanchey is populated by Buddhist monks and the many novices in their care.

Wat Nokor

The original fusion temple, Wat Nokor is a modern Theravada Buddhist pagoda squeezed into the walls of a 12th-century Mahayana Buddhist shrine of sandstone and laterite.

The temple complex of Banteay Prey Nokor is especially known by the main temple of Wat Nokor (official name)

The Nokor Bachey Temple can be divided into four distinct buildings that have been named as long buildings.

The 1st long building of Nokor Bachey Temple of Kampong Cham is 421 meters and 371 meters in dimension made of laterite stones. The height is of 9 meters and length is of 2.4 meters. Most part of this building is destroyed over time. Inside this building you will find structures like Six Lions, Eight dragons and two devils. The 2nd long building is also a beautiful architectural structure that includes two statues of Te Cho Dam Din, two devils each of1.6-metre in height and two ponds, each having the size of 20 meter. The most significant one is the 3rd long building, where you will find eight-hand statue of Preah Norey located near the entrance. A four-hand statue of Preah Norey is located on the left hand side of the Nokor Bachey Temple, Kampong Cham. Finally comes the 4th long building, which is also made of laterite stone and can be accessed from 12 directions. In the middle of the building you will find a high peak made of sandstone with Buddhist statue.

Overnight in the midstream near Phnom Penh.

DAY 7 – PHNOM PENH: MEALS [B|L|D]

Phnom Penh City tour

Breakfast on board.

Proceed to visit Phnom Penh capital city:

Wat Phnom Pagoda translated as "hill temple" - is the tallest and most important temple in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The temple, first constructed in 1373, was erected on a man - made, 27-metre-tall mound overlooking the city. It is the tallest religious structure in the city. Legend relates that Daun Penh, a wealthy widow, found a large koki tree in the river. Inside the tree she found four bronze statues of the Buddha. Lady Penh constructed a small shrine on an artificial hill made by the people living in the village to protect the sacred statues. Eventually this became a sacred site and sanctuary where people would make blessings and pray.

Royal Palace:The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a complex of buildings being built over one century ago to be the royal abode to the King of Cambodia, the royal family and the foreign guests. It is also the place where take place the king’s audience, coronations and official ceremonies. The buildings with beautiful towering spires are a great example of classic Khmer architecture found in Cambodia today.

Along with numerous other interesting buildings within the 183,135 square meters (421m x 435m) compound is the Khemarin Palace, also known as Prasat Khemarin or the "Palace of the Khmer King." This is officially the residence of His Majesty, King Norodom Sihamoni.

The visit to the Royal Palace includes the Throne Hall, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Stupas, a Royal Dining Hall, the Chan Chhaya Pavilion and a French-style building that was a gift from Napoleon III French King.

Silver Pagoda, also called Emerald Pagoda: is located inside the Royal Palace complex. It is called Silver Pagoda as there are 5,329 tiles of silver inlaid on the floor, each tile of silver is handmade and weighs 1,125 grams. The pagoda has a cultural function and keeps precious religious objects more than a place of worship. There are over 1650 valuable objects in the pagoda. The statue of Buddha sit atop throne in the main temple is in emerald.

National Museum, located at the North of the Royal Palace, is the largest museum of cultural history and is the country's leading historical and archaeological museum.

The museum houses one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art, including sculptural, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects. The Museum’s collection includes over 14,000 items, from prehistoric times to periods before, during, and after the Khmer Empire, which at its height stretched from Thailand across present-day Cambodia, to southern Vietnam. The Museum buildings, inspired by Khmer temple architecture, were constructed between 1917 and 1924, the museum was officially inaugurated in 1920, and it was renovated in 1968.

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum which was a former secondary school, was used as the S-21 interrogation and detention center of the Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, it preserves a tragic period in history with the aim to encourage visitors to be messengers of peace.

Cheung Ek Killing field is the site of a former orchard and mass grave of victims of the Khmer Rouge - killed between 1975 and 1979 – at about 17 kilometres south of the Phnom Penh city centre. It is the best-known of the sites known as Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge regime executed over one million people between 1975 and 1979.

Back to the ship to enjoy a farewell dinner with a variety of cocktails and a traditional Apsara dance show aboard.

Overnight on board.

DAY 8 – PHNOM PENH: MEALS [B]

DAY 9 – PHNOM PENH – DEPARTURE MEALS [B]