Cultural Cambodia
-Extension to Highlights of Vietnam.

After breakfast, we bid a fond farewell to Hanoi and Vietnam. You will be transferred to Noi Bai Airport for your flights to Siem Reap, Cambodia (approx. 1hr 50mins).

Siem Reap, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, is the base from which we explore the fabled temples of Angkor.

After passing through immigration in Cambodia, we will be met by our local English speaking guide in the arrivals lounge and transferred to our hotel. Enjoy dinner together this evening.

Today we recommend wearing very comfortable walking shoes and light clothing that covers your arms and knees. The sun will be strong and humidity high as we explore the Angkor complex, so a sun hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water are essential. You may also wish to bring a small umbrella for additional shade.

We travel through the impressive South Gate of Angkor Thom, immediately gaining a sense of the scale, manpower, and ingenuity required to construct this great city in the late 12th century. Our exploration continues at the remarkable Bayon Temple, where we discover its 54 towers and over 200 enigmatic smiling faces. Your local guide will share the stories, symbolism, and legends behind this iconic temple.

We then walk along the Terrace of the Leper King, admired for its exceptionally well-preserved early carvings, before visiting the Terrace of Elephants. This vast terrace once served as a grand viewing platform for royal ceremonies and public events. As your guide explains, members of the royal family were traditionally accompanied by parasol holders, a reminder of just how hot this area can become.

Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we return to Siem Reap to visit Artisans d’Angkor, a training centre dedicated to preserving traditional Khmer crafts and providing skills and employment opportunities for local communities. Here you will see master craftsmen at work producing lacquerware, silks, silver items, and other beautifully made handicrafts.

There may be some free time in the afternoon for independent exploration, but please ensure you return to the hotel in good time to rejoin the group this evening. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together at the Angkor Village Theatre, accompanied by a traditional Apsara Dance Show.

Today will be a long but rewarding day, so we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and light, breathable clothing. The early start will help us avoid the heat, but as the day progresses the sun will be strong and humidity high, so a sun hat, sunscreen, and clothing that covers shoulders and knees are essential when visiting the temples.

We depart very early this morning to experience the unforgettable sunrise at Angkor Wat. As the light gradually reveals the iconic silhouette of the temple, your guide will share insight into the significance of this extraordinary site. Following sunrise, we explore Angkor Wat itself, the largest religious monument in the world. Built in the early 12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II, the temple represents Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods. Inside, the walls are richly decorated with bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology, historic battles, and over 2,000 beautifully carved Apsara dancers.

After our visit, we return to the hotel for breakfast before heading back out to continue our exploration of the Angkor complex.

Our next stop is Ta Prohm, one of the most atmospheric temples in the region. Here, enormous tree roots grow through ancient stone walls, creating a dramatic reminder of how the jungle once reclaimed these monuments. Originally built as a Buddhist monastery and dedicated to the mother of King Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm offers a powerful glimpse into Angkor’s past and how it was first encountered by early European explorers.

Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant. After lunch, guests may choose to return to the hotel for some rest, or continue on to visit Banteay Srei, located outside the main Angkor Thom area. This 10th-century temple is renowned for its rare pink sandstone and exceptionally fine carvings of gods, demons, coiling serpents, and scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. The detail here is unlike anywhere else in Angkor.

This evening, we travel by tuk-tuk to a local restaurant for dinner, enjoying the sights and sounds of Siem Reap along the way.

Today marks our final day of temple exploration in Cambodia, bringing together a wonderful variety of Angkor’s lesser-known but equally fascinating sites.

Our first visit is to Prasat Kravan, notable for its distinctive brick towers containing impressive wall sculptures of Vishnu and Lakshmi, carved directly into the brickwork — a rarity among Angkor temples. We then continue to East Mebon, located on an islet in the centre of the former Eastern Baray reservoir. The temple’s base is guarded at each corner by striking stone elephants, creating a powerful and memorable setting.

Next, we visit Pre Rup, a Hindu temple-mountain admired for its strong architectural form and refined artistry, before travelling on to Neak Pean. This small, peaceful temple sits in the middle of a reservoir and is accessible only by boat. Once believed to have healing properties, its tranquil surroundings offer a fitting pause in our day.

Our final temple visit is Preah Khan, meaning “Sacred Sword.” This vast and atmospheric complex of corridors, carvings, and passageways provides countless photo opportunities and a sense of discovery around every corner.

We return to Siem Reap for lunch at Lum Orng, where farm-to-table cuisine showcases fresh, locally sourced ingredients and contemporary Khmer flavours.

This afternoon, there is time for some final souvenir shopping as we visit Senteurs d’Angkor, an ideal place to pick up gifts and early Christmas presents. Here you can browse handicraft shops selling locally made products and enjoy a stroll through the on-site botanical garden.

Just around the corner, we continue to Theam’s House, the studio of Cambodian artist and designer Lim Muy Theam. Drawing inspiration from both traditional Khmer and contemporary international design, Theam has spent over a decade training artisan apprentices. During our visit, you can explore the studio and observe lacquerware, paintings, and fine sculptures being created.

This evening, we gather back at the hotel for our farewell dinner. With final souvenirs purchased and bags packed, we meet in the bar for a pre-dinner drink, raising a toast to our time in Indochina and the memories shared along the way.

Today we say farewell to Indochina and the friends we have made along the way. You will be transferred back to Siem Reap International Airport for your flight home.