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| Click here to view our sample collection of real tailor-made trips prepared for real people who travelled with us. |
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| A small coffee table book full of ideas, insider tips, hotel reviews and clues to make your next trip to Indochina an amazing experience. |
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Just for Two |
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10 nights / 11 days |
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Chapter 1
The Temples of Angkor
Day 1,2,3
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Day 1 |
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| Upon arrival we will pick you up from the airport and we will transfer you to your hotel located not so far from The Temples of Angkor. |
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This beautiful tranquil home set in a classic sixties structure which once was the former guesthouse of King Sihanouk offers a multitude of relaxing opportunities within its private garden enclave. The 24 suites are decorated in a classic Indochinese palette of cool grey, pristine white, dark timber and ivory with private courtyards and soothing water features with 12 offering private swimming pools.
After freshening up , your personal guide is waiting for you to begin your journey truly InStyle with a tuk tuk (three wheeler) ride into the former Khmer capital to give you a first glimpse of the Temples of Angkor and a brief introduction of its history. A traditional picknick basket full of gourmet sandwiches and wine is especially prepared for you to enjoy a picknick at the famed Angkor Wat, where you'll catch an unforgettable sunset over its storied galleries and towers.
After these first impressions of Angkor Wat, we will bring you back to the hotel for a refreshing swim in the pool and a private dinner at the hotel. |
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Day 2 |
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After an early breakfast, we continue our discovery of Angkor Wat. Today, your personal guide will take you to the South Gate of Angkor Thom where you continue your journey with an elephant ride to Banyon, a fortress-like temple with an astounding array of bas-reliefs and enigmatic stone faces.
The Bayon is built in the 13th century as the state temple of King Jayavarman VII, standing at the centre of his capital Angkor Thom. The Bayon’s most distinctive feature is the multitude of huge faces carved into large towers which rise up to form the central peak. The Bayon sits at the exact centre of Angkor Thom and roads lead to it from each of the city's cardinal points.
From there we will take you to Angkor Wat where you spent the rest of the morning. Angkor Wat is the best-preserved temple in the area, and the world's largest religious structure.
Angkor Wat is certainly the most famous of all the Angkor temples and, some would argue the most impressive. The temple, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II contains three storeys of libraries and towers surrounded by a thick retaining wall and an imposing moat. Your guide will take you through the galleries to show you their stunning bas-reliefs, which depict scenes from the epic Ramayana and the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
After lunch at Angkor Cafe, opposite Angkor Wat, we head to the Preah Khan, an elaborate 12th century complex where you'll search out delicate carvings of 'apsaras' in the Hall of Dancers. From there, we visit Neak Pean, a tiny temple where the princesses of the Khmer empire came to lay their offerings of gold and incense.
Another temple not to be missed is Ta Prohm.Ta Prohm is a temple left in much the same condition as when it was found - creating one of the most photogenic and atmospheric temples of the entire Angkor site. The tree roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers can be seen breaking through the walls and stone carvings. A visit is truly an adventure.
After this last visit we return back to the hotel for a rest, a massage or swim in the pool. Later in the afternoon, your tuk tuk will be ready to take you into town where you can visit the Old Market, stroll around the quiet streets, enjoy a coffee or tea at Café Central or do some shopping in some of Siem Reap’s exclusive boutiques.
Dining in one of Siem Reap’s best restaurants. The rest of the evening is at leisure. | |
Day 3 |
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Today we commence the day with a lazy breakfast and some time at the pool after we head into Siem Reap to visit the workshops of Artisan D’ Angkor.
You will discover traditional Cambodian handicraft skills and see how their artisans produce unique items based on Khmer national heritage. Techniques such as wood and stone carving, lacquering, gilding and silk painting are shown. We can organise a guided tour for you if you would be interested to know more about the techniques and the silk process.
Lunch at the hotel and some time for a siesta before we go on a trip into the forest on a visit to Banteay Srei,, an elaborately carved pink sandstone temple known as the citadel of women. All the buildings are miniature in scale and it is this, along with the beautiful carvings, that have made it such a popular temple.
Around sunset we return to Angkor Wat once more. A hot air balloon is waiting there to take you on a scenic flight above the Temples of Angkor. An amazing view of the temples and landscape from a unique perspective. A moment to treasure and will leave a long lasting memory.
The rest of the evening is at leisure. |
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Chapter two
Cruising…
Day 4, 5, 6
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| Leaving the flooded forests and copper-colored waters of the Tonle Sap, the mysterious atmosphere of the Khmer temples of Angkor gives way to the timeless colonial ambiance of Phnom Penh. During three days this cruise follows the meandering route of the river through pastoral countryside before reaching Phnom Penh. |
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Day 4
Siem Reap - Kompong Luong
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| After an early breakfast your driver will take you to Phnom Krom pier where you will depart |
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for a morning cruise around the canals leding off Tonle Sap Lake. During the cruise you will see the flamed floating homes and villages in the area. After lunch on board your cruise will continue to Kompong Luong, one of the biggest floating villages on the lake. Dinner will be served anchored at Kompong Luong. Overnight on board. |
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Day 5
Kompong Luong - Koh Chen - Oudong |
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| The next day you will continue your cruise to Kompong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports in the area. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country. And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine. Visit the market and pottery-making villages nearby. Lunch on board while continuing on to Kompong Tralach and its beautiful pagoda. Night on board near Oudong. |
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Day 6
Koh Chen – Oudong - Phnom Penh
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After breakfast on board you will visit Koh Chen, a small village of whose inhabitants specialize in silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for marriages. Then on to Oudong, site of the royal stupas. Around lunchtime you will reach Phnom Penh where you will disembark after a final lunch on board.
We will be waiting at the pier to drive you to your hotel which is located in the center of Phnom Penh. At the hotel you will have time to unwind and enjoy a wonderful relaxing massage, enjoy a few cocktails at the pool and get yourself ready for a private dinner that is especially organised for you at the hotel.
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Chapter three
Phnom Penh
Day 7, 8
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After a long and lazy breakfast at the hotel your guide will take you around Phnom Penh for the day. An interesting visit is the Royal Palace.
The Royal Palace, situated on the site of the former citadel and built by King Norodom in 1966, the Palace still serves as the King and Queen's residential quarters.
Also within the walls of the Palace is the Silver Pagoda, so called because of five thousand silver tiles that line its exquisite floor. If time permits there is also the option of visiting the National Museum, which houses the worlds leading collection of Khmer art and sculpture, and Wat Phnom the founding site of the city. All are within easy walking distance of each other and are a great introduction to this laid-back city.
An interesting stop for lunch is at Friends the Restaurant a ‘kindness restaurant’ where ex-street children are trained in hospitality and restaurant skills, helping them to break away from life on the streets. A more romantic option is the FCC ( Foreign Correspondence Club) which overlooks the convergence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.
After lunch you can pay a visit to Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and Cheung Ek, better known as the ‘Killing Fields’. In 1975, after years of guerrilla warfare, the radical Communist Khmer Rouge party, under its leader Pol Pot, seized power of Cambodia and declared ‘year zero’. They immediately abolished money and private property, ordering the entire population of Phnom Penh from their homes and into the countryside to cultivate the fields. Over the next three years, an estimated 2 million Cambodians died, many from starvation and exhaustion. Many others were tortured and executed for being supposed ‘enemies of the state’.
After a very moving afternoon, we will drive you back to the hotel for a refreshing swim in the pool and some relaxation before you head off again into town where we have reserved a table for you in one of the most exquisite restaurants in Phnom Penh.
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Day 8
Shopping and exploring the markets |
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We start the morning with a lazy breakfast. There is time enough to relax at the hotel or spend the rest of the morning wandering around the markets or strolling around the boutiques for some shopping.
Lunch is at one of the cafes in the city after you will be driven back to the hotel to pick up your luggage and continue your journey south towards to the small fishing town of Kep. The journey will take approximately three hours by car from Phnom Phen. A picnic lunch is arranged on the way.
Your residence is an enchanting hideaway, where personalized service gives you a sense of home. For the rest of the day you can swim and sunbathe or simply sit to watch the sunset and fishing boats returning home with their catch.
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Kep - Beach and Sunset Day 9, 10, 11 |
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Today we sail away to Rabbit Island where you can enjoy a swim and a barbecue lunch. Rabbit Island is located about 4.5 kilometres southwest of Kep. There are two beautiful white sand beaches. The sea here is shallow and has a long slope, making Koh Tonsay excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
Dinner is served at the sailing club, a former fishermen’s house.
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Day 10 |
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The morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, you will go for a small excursion to the refreshing Bokor Mountains. Cocktails at sunset upon your return followed with a romantic dinner at the beach.
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Day 11 |
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At an agreed time we will be ready to transfer you back to Phnom Penh. On arrival in Phnom Pen you might like to do a bit of last minute shopping at the Russian and Central market before heading for the airport for your onward travel.
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Ballpark Cost: |
| The price of this trip varies depending on the accommodation, the category of room, the type of vehicle, whether the guide is English speaking or any other language. Send us a mail and we will send you a detailed quotation. |
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Information and bookings: |
travel@indochinainstyle.com
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