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Delve into the layers of Cambodia's captivating culture, ancient lost capitals and rural villages, witnessing first-hand beautifully choreographed performances, local cooking customs and the centuries-old traditions that remain to this day.
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Travel Style - Mini Stay
Add on an optional short excursion to your holiday, focusing on one particular icon or region so you can leave feeling as if you’ve left no stone unturned.
Our gateway to the magnificent temples of the lost city of Angkor Wat is Cambodia's cultural heart, Siem Reap. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. This evening is at leisure.
Today, we venture deep into the Cambodian jungle, through a pyramid-shaped gateway into an ancient world. Serene stone faces watch over us as we cross the causeway suspended over a moat into the spiritual heart of the ancient lost city of Angkor. A 'Local Specialist' and renowned Khmer scholar brings to life the stories behind the intricate carvings and murals of celestial nymphs and mythical serpents along the abandoned hallways of Angkor Wat. Our next stop are the terracotta-hued walls of Banteay Srei Temple - the "Citadel of Women" dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. We'll have time to admire the 10th century carvings of women, said to have been too delicate to have been carved by a man, hence its name. This afternoon, we'll return to Siem Reap and embark on a walking tour. We 'Make A Difference' to the lives of rural youths during our visit to Artisans d'Angkor, where we'll witness the revival of Khmer arts and crafts. Later we'll visit Wat Damnak and participate in a private blessing ceremony during which a sacred thread will be tied around our wrists to protect against evil spirits. Our final stop today is to the labyrinthine Old Market, where the locals spend their early mornings shopping for fresh fruit, vegetables and spices. Wander past the busy stalls and smell freshly baked baguettes, a remnant of the country's French heritage.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Ta Prohm Temple
Visit the picturesque Ta Prohm, one of the famous temples of Angkor and a UNESCO listed site which was used as the location for the film ‘Tomb Raider’. The temple site is overgrown with trees and has been swallowed by the jungle creating a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. Over the centuries the magnificent roots of the trees have merged with the temple’s remains giving the feeling of a ‘forgotten city’, very much the way most of Angkor’s temples would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Learn about the history of the temple and soak up the atmosphere while enjoying a walk through the ruins.
Adult Price: $53.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
ANGKOR AND SIEM REAP
Our intimate encounter with a lost empire continues today, as we uncover other iconic sites of the ancient abandoned city of Angkor that have been devoured by the Cambodian jungle. We explore its ancient ruins in the company of saffron-clad monks and monkeys that clamber up and over the roots of centuries-old trees that have carved their way deep into the Great City's walls. Our first stop today is a visit to the fortified Angkor Thom, where we'll see such iconic sites as the Terrace of Elephants, the Royal Enclosure and the Temple of Bayon with its giant smiling faces of Buddha. We venture underneath the dense tree canopy to the crumbling, moss-covered ruins of the Buddhist temple of Ta Prohm, which featured as the location for the film 'Tomb Raider', exploring its towers courtyards and corridors to uncover the intricate stone reliefs that are shielded by the surrounding foliage. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience to learn the secrets of Khmer cuisine.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Khmer Cooking Class
Take a short walk through the local market with the Chef and discover the exotic looking fruits, vegetables and spices. Learn about local cooking practices, ingredients and food superstitions. Upon your return to the restaurant, and following a refreshing drink, continue to the kitchen to begin the cooking class. Learn the secrets of Khmer cuisine as you prepare a variety of traditional dishes and later enjoy your creations served up in the restaurant.
Adult Price: $50.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 4
PEAK SNENG VILLAGE
We begin the day in the company of local Khmer villagers and 'Make A Difference' with a visit to their local school for an opportunity to chat to some of the children who will join us on our walk through the village to see how they spend their day-to-day lives. We'll 'Dive Into Culture', gaining insights into their time-honoured craft traditions, such as weaving Cambodia's national hats made from palm leaves, or folding Lotus flowers into delicate works of art. After the rest of the day at leisure, we'll join our Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for a Farewell Dinner with Apsara dance show.
Enjoy a wonderful dinner accompanied by traditional Apsara dancing at the Por Cuisine Restaurant. The restaurant owner Por has a rags-to-riches story having started out by opening a humble kiosk serving his traditional noodle creations in 1983 and is now the proud owner of a fine restaurant offering regular Apsara dance shows and serving traditional Khmer cuisine. Based on some stone temple carvings it is believed that Apsara dancing has a long history in Cambodia, dating back to the 7th century. According to Hindu mythology, beautiful Apsaras descended from heaven to entertain the gods and kings. Notice the symbolic and elegant finger gestures and the ornate silk costumes inspired by the wall carvings of the Angkor temples. Step back in time as the dancers and musicians bring the ancient Khmer culture to life while enjoying some local cuisine.
Adult Price: $22.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 5
DEPART SIEM REAP
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
Ta Prohm Temple
Visit the picturesque Ta Prohm, one of the famous temples of Angkor and a UNESCO listed site which was used as the location for the film ‘Tomb Raider’. The temple site is overgrown with trees and has been swallowed by the jungle creating a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. Over the centuries the magnificent roots of the trees have merged with the temple’s remains giving the feeling of a ‘forgotten city’, very much the way most of Angkor’s temples would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Learn about the history of the temple and soak up the atmosphere while enjoying a walk through the ruins.
Adult Price: $53.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 3
Khmer Cooking Class
Take a short walk through the local market with the Chef and discover the exotic looking fruits, vegetables and spices. Learn about local cooking practices, ingredients and food superstitions. Upon your return to the restaurant, and following a refreshing drink, continue to the kitchen to begin the cooking class. Learn the secrets of Khmer cuisine as you prepare a variety of traditional dishes and later enjoy your creations served up in the restaurant.
Adult Price: $50.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Dinner with Apsara Dance Show
Enjoy a wonderful dinner accompanied by traditional Apsara dancing at the Por Cuisine Restaurant. The restaurant owner Por has a rags-to-riches story having started out by opening a humble kiosk serving his traditional noodle creations in 1983 and is now the proud owner of a fine restaurant offering regular Apsara dance shows and serving traditional Khmer cuisine. Based on some stone temple carvings it is believed that Apsara dancing has a long history in Cambodia, dating back to the 7th century. According to Hindu mythology, beautiful Apsaras descended from heaven to entertain the gods and kings. Notice the symbolic and elegant finger gestures and the ornate silk costumes inspired by the wall carvings of the Angkor temples. Step back in time as the dancers and musicians bring the ancient Khmer culture to life while enjoying some local cuisine.
Adult Price: $22.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All transport shown. VIP private door-to-door UK airport transfers included. *This service is excluded from UK-based trips.
The Trafalgar difference
DIVE INTO CULTURE
At Peak Sneng Village observe the locals weaving hats from palm leaves or folding Lotus flowers into delicate works of art. (Day 4)
LOCAL SPECIALIST
in Angkor Wat. (Day 2)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
At Artisans d'Angkor, our visit contributes to creating job opportunities for disadvantaged rural youths. (Day 2) At Peak Sneng village meet the locals and discover some traditional Cambodian crafts. (Day 4)
Sightseeing highlights
Experience Ti Filled Icon
VISIT Siem Reap Old Town, the temples of Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei, Wat Damnak, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Peak Sneng Village
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
VIP private door-to-door UK airport transfers included. *This service is excluded from UK-based trips.
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