Your Itinerary
Fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital.
Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the
day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 2: Explore Phnom Penh
Explore Phnom Penh, a European-feeling city
of airy boulevards and colonial villas. Though
it is still scarred by the events of the 1970s,
the city has been renewed with energy and
optimism. Enjoy a guided tour of the city,
stopping to visit the magnificent Royal Palace,
Silver Pagoda and National Museum. Visit
the city’s chief landmark, the temple of Wat
Phnom, before an afternoon at leisure.
This morning, learn about Cambodia’s tragic
past under the Khmer Rouge regime with
visits to the Tuol Sleng Museum and the
Killing Fields. Return to Phnom Penh in the
afternoon, with time to explore further.
Day 4: Travel to Battambang
Journey to Battambang, Cambodia’s lesserknown
city. With a population of less than
120,000, Battambang is a laid-back city
nestled on a bend of the Sangkae River. Set in
some of the country’s most beautiful
landscapes, Battambang is also home to
Cambodia’s grandest colonial architecture.
Day 5: Historic Battambang
This morning, explore a traditional local house
for a glimpse of rural life. Head out of town to
the 12th-century Banan Temple and admire
the breathtaking hilltop views. Pause to
witness a local phenomenon – hundreds of
thousands of bats erupting from the hillside as
dusk falls over the countryside.
Day 6: Siem Reap & Circus
Travel west to Siem Reap, arriving in the
afternoon. Enjoy time at leisure before dinner.
This evening, enjoy a rollicking performance by
the graduates of the Phare Cambodian Circus.
This NGO organisation transforms the lives of
disadvantaged local youths, providing them
with a formal education and vocational training
in the performing arts.
The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses over 1,000 temples, all the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Our tuk-tuk tour begins from the old city of Angkor Thom as we pass through the magnificent South Gate flanked by 54 gods and demons. At Angkor Thom’s centre is the enigmatic Bayon, a breathtaking temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. Also admire the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm before the rest of the day is dedicated to Angkor Wat, the most magnificent and best preserved of all of Angkor’s treasures. Later, take a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the old Khmer water systems.
Join a traditional Cambodian cooking class
at an organic farm, learning about the flavours
that go into Khmer cuisine. This afternoon,
enjoy a tour of some of Cambodia’s social
enterprises dedicated to fostering positive
change, learning about the impact of their
remarkable work on local communities.
Day 9: Countryside Experience
Head out of Siem Reap to enjoy an immersive
countryside experience. Visit a number of
farms and local villages part of the Trei Nhoar
Community and discover the true essence of
Cambodia, witnessing a more traditional way
of life, untouched by modernity, as you gain
insights into daily life of the rural Khmer
population. Enjoy a home-cooked meal with
the locals and return to Siem Reap in the
late afternoon.
This morning, transfer to Kampong Cham to
embark on your next adventure – a three-night
cruise on our premium small ship, the Victoria
Mekong. Begin your cruise with a complimentary
cocktail on deck, watching the sun set.
Explore the laid-back village of Angkor Ban
with its wooden stilt houses. This afternoon, after lunch onboard,
take a tuk-tuk to Silk Island to learn about the process of
silk weaving from worm to loom.
Enjoy a walking tour of Koh Chen village, where
you’ll meet a local copper and silversmith, before
continuing to the country’s former capital, Oudong.
Arrive in Phnom Penh and end
the afternoon in style with a signature cocktail at
Raffles Hotel Le Royal before returning to the ship.
Disembark the Victoria Mekong and return to Phnom Penh. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon. This evening, admire modern Phnom Penh as you sip a cocktail at a local sky bar, and consider how this reinvigorated capital is moving forward.
Days 14-15: Fly Phnom Penh to Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
Day 15: Return to Phnom Penh
Return by road to Cambodia’s capital. This
evening, admire modern Phnom Penh as you sip
a cocktail at a local sky bar, and consider how
this reinvigorated capital is moving forward.
Days 16-17: Fly Phnom Penh to Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.