Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour Begins with Banteay Kdei Temple

Banteay Kdei - After purchasing the Angkor Pass, the tour proceeds to Banteay Kdei temple, meaning “A Citadel of Chambers.” Built in the mid-12th to early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII, this Buddhist temple is located southeast of Ta Prohm and east of Angkor Thom. The local guide will provide detailed explanations on-site.

Pre Rup - Following Banteay Kdei, the tour heads to Pre Rup temple. This beautiful brick temple was completed in 961 by King Yasovarman I and dedicated to the god Shiva. The local guide will offer more details on-site.

Banteay Samre - After Pre Rup, the journey continues to Banteay Samre temple, built during the reign of Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century. This Hindu temple is designed in the Angkor Wat style.

Banteay Srei - After Banteay Samre, the tour takes a scenic drive to the 10th-century pink temple, Banteay Srei. The professional tour guide will provide detailed explanations during the one-hour visit. The tour then stops by a local palm sugar producer before heading to lunch.

Kompong Phluk - Located on Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Kompong Phluk spans 10,000 square kilometers during the wet season and shrinks to about 3,000 square kilometers in the dry season. It is bordered by five Cambodian provinces: Kompong Thom, Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat, and Kompong Chhnang. The lake experiences seasonal water flow changes: from May to October, water flows from the Mekong to Tonle Sap, and from November to April, it flows back. Tonle Sap is home to thousands of bird species and hundreds of fish varieties, supporting local and regional economies. Visitors can explore fishing and floating villages on a boat trip, observe local fishing activities, and enjoy a stunning sunset. A local guide will provide additional insights during the trip.

Day 2 Begins with Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat - The day starts with a 5 am pickup from the hotel, taking around 30 minutes to reach Angkor Wat. Visitors will enjoy a marvelous sunrise behind Angkor Wat, a popular spot in Siem Reap. After the sunrise, the guide will lead an exploration of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Thom - After Angkor Wat, the tour heads to Angkor Thom Capital, a 10-minute drive away. A stop at the South Gate allows for photo opportunities before visiting the main temples in Angkor Thom. The tour then proceeds to Bayon temples, built in the late 12th or early 13th century by Buddhist King Jayavarman VII. Known as the “Smiling Temples,” Bayon is highly favored by tourists and ranks high on TripAdvisor. The local guide will provide more details during the visit.

Ta Prohm - After Angkor Thom, the tour heads to Ta Prohm, a 15-minute drive away. Along the way, there is a stop at a stone bridge with a lovely tree growing on top. Lunch is taken near the Royal swimming pool before exploring Ta Prohm, built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. Known as the “Tomb Raider temple,” Ta Prohm gained fame after the film “Tomb Raider” was shot there. The tour guide will provide more details during the visit.

Day 3 Begins with the Jungle Temple

Beng Mealea - The guide and driver meet at 9 am to proceed to Beng Mealea, a trip that takes around one and a half hours. Along the way, visitors will see local activities and stop by a store selling bamboo sticky rice, known as “Kalan.” Beng Mealea, meaning “lotus pond,” was built in the early 12th century by Hindu King Suryavarman II. Known as the “Great Jungle Temple,” it is unique due to its collapsed state and overgrowth by the jungle. The professional tour guide will provide detailed explanations.

Bakong - After Beng Mealea, the tour heads to Bakong temple, the ancient Khmer Capital city of Hariharalaya. Built in the 9th century by Shiva King Indravarman I, Bakong is pyramid-shaped and often referred to as the “Pyramid temple.” The tour guide will provide a fantastic history of the site.

Preah Ko - The tour then proceeds to Preah Ko, meaning “The Sacred Bull,” the first temple built in the ancient city of Hariharalaya in 879 by Hindu King Indravarman I. The local guide will provide more details.

Day 4 Begins with Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Province - Preah Vihear, located along the Cambodia-Thailand border, was listed as a World Heritage site in 2008. The temple was built by three kings over 300 years: Yasovarman I (889-910), Suryavarman I (1002-1049), and Suryavarman II (1113-1150), who also built Angkor Wat. Located on top of Dangrek Mountain, 550 meters high, the temple symbolizes the sacred mountain “Meru,” the abode of all Hindu gods. The drive from Siem Reap takes around 3 hours, passing through local villages and plantations.

Koh Ker Temple - After Preah Vihear, the tour drives around 2 hours to Koh Ker, passing various local plantations. Koh Ker, an ancient Khmer Capital city from 921-944, was built by King Jayavarman IV and his son Harshavarman II. Known as the “Cambodian Pyramid temple,” Koh Ker is 36 meters high with an impressive shrine on top. The guide will provide more details during the visit. The tour then heads to Prasad Pram, known for its five towers with trees growing on top. Koh Ker is a quiet, off-the-beaten-path destination.

Day 5 Begins with Banteay Chhmar Temple

Banteay Chhmar - The tour meets at the hotel at 8:00 am to proceed to Banteay Chhmar temple, located in Banteay Meanchey province, around 150 km from Siem Reap. The drive takes about two and a half hours, passing local activities, rice fields, and beautiful landscapes. The fluent English-speaking driver/guide will explain everything seen along the way. Banteay Chhmar, built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th to early 13th century, was dedicated to his son. The temple is unique with tree growth around it, making the tour interesting and unforgettable.

Battambang - After Banteay Chhmar, the tour drives to Battambang province to visit the city. The visit includes Phsar Nut, the French Quarter, Wat Domrey Sor pagoda, and the Bat Cave at Phnom Sampov. Before the Bat Cave, there is a walk to the top of Phnom Sampov to visit some pagodas and the killing fields. The tour stays overnight in Battambang province.

Day 6 Begins with a Drive to Phnom Penh

Kampong Chhnang - After meeting at the hotel, the tour drives around 3 hours to Kampong Chhnang province to visit the pottery center and floating village near the Krom market. After Kampong Chhnang, the tour drives to Phnom Penh for an overnight stay.

Phnom Penh - After the Kampong Chhnang tour, the journey proceeds to the capital, Phnom Penh, for an overnight stay.

Tour Around Phnom Penh

Royal Palace - The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, established in 1866, marks a recent event in Khmer history. The Khmer power seat was in or near Angkor from 802 AD until the early 15th century. After moving from Angkor due to environmental issues, the Khmer court settled in Phnom Penh, then named Krong Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol, in 1434 (or 1446). By 1494, the capital moved to Basan, then Longvek, and later Oudong. The capital returned to Phnom Penh in the 19th century. In 1813, King Ang Chan constructed Banteay Kev on the current Royal Palace site. The capital was at Oudong until 1866 when King Norodom returned to Phnom Penh.

National Museum - The next stop is the National Museum, designed by George Groslier (1887–1945), a historian, curator, and author who revived interest in traditional Cambodian arts and crafts. The museum, described as traditional Khmer architecture, was inaugurated on 13 April 1920. The building was slightly altered in 1924 with extensions that added wings to the eastern façade.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - After the National Museum, the tour continues to Tuol Sleng Genocide Prison. Originally Tuol Svay Prey High School, it was converted into a prison and interrogation center in 1976 by Pol Pot. From 1976 to 1979, an estimated 20,000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng. Prisoners were tortured and coerced into naming family members and associates, who were then arrested, tortured, and killed. The prison held between 1,000 and 1,500 prisoners at any time. After the prison visit, the 7-day journey concludes.

• Licensed tour guide for full 7 days
• Tour Option: Toyota Hiace, entrance fee and accommodation included
• Tour Option: Lexus SUV, entrance fee included
• Tour Option: Toyota Hiace, entrance fee included
• Tour Option: Lexus SUV, entrance fee and accommodation included

• Angkor Pass 3 Day 62$ per person, Koh Ker temple 15$ per person
• Preah Vihear temple 15$ per person, Boat tour to see Tonle Sap Lake 20$ per person
• Royal Polace 10$, National museum 10$ and S21 prison 5$
• Pick up Truck to go up to Preah Vihear temple 25$ per truck
• Banteay Chhmar 10$, Phnom Sampov 5$, Bamboo train 10$

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.