Arrival at Siem Reap airport. Welcome at Siem Reap airport for transfer to the city. Rooms are available from 14:00. Free time to freshen up. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel

Day trip to Kbal Spean (the river of a thousand lingas) 30 km (1 hour drive) north of Angkor. In the 11th century, hermits sculpted the sandstone bed of the river that fed Angkor. You reach the site after a 45-minute walk through the forest. First, in the foreground, lingas (phallic symbols), here in the form of paving stones that gave the site its name: the "river of a thousand lingas", then on the rocks, figures of divinities: Vishnu sleeping on a snake, Nandin the bull, Shiva and Urma. By flowing over these mythological scenes, the water was sanctified... Then you go down there and have lunch in a local restaurant. You continue towards Banteay Srei "the citadel of Women", a small temple in finely chiseled pink sandstone (~1 hour visit). It was built in the second half of the 10th century, dedicated to Shiva. While some of the temples are impressive due to their sheer size, Banteay Srei is the only one with the quality of construction and decoration very typical. Its sandstone walls are decorated with roses which are in an astonishing state of preservation. On the way back visit Banteay Samre (~1h visit), with well-preserved bas-reliefs, citadel of the Samre ethnic group. It was built by the Hindus at the same time as the temple of Angkor Wat. Return to your hotel and free late afternoon to enjoy the hotel swimming pool or visit the city at your own pace. Dinner in a local restaurant. Night at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel. By tuk tuk you will take less frequented paths through the jungle and local villages to discover some of the most beautiful temples of Angkor. Angkor Thom: fortified city that covers some 10Km², was built by the greatest sovereign of Angkor, Jayavarman VII who acceded to the throne just after the pillage perpetrated by the Cham. Organized around the Baphuon, Angkor Thom is surrounded by walls, 8 m high. The walls are themselves surrounded by a 100 m wide moat, whose waters, according to some legends, were infested with crocodiles. Five monumental gates give access to the city. Each 20 m high gate is decorated with stone elephant trunks and crowned by four faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara; each face is turned towards one of the cardinal points. At the heart of the enclosure, the main monuments of the city are grouped: the Bayon, the Baphuon, the Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Typical lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon dedicated to visiting Angkor Wat (~2 hours of visit). The largest of the temples of the monumental complex of Angkor in Cambodia. It was built by Suryavarman II at the beginning of the 12th century as a temple of his state and capital. The best preserved temple of Angkor, it is the only one to have remained an important religious center since its foundation, first Hindu and dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the symbol of the classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become the symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag. Dinner at the local restaurant accompanied by a traditional dance show. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel this morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Kompong Khleang, a lakeside village located about forty kilometers away. Upon arrival, you board a local boat to discover the village and you will be surrounded by children, a little shy at first and then very enthusiastic to see you. Then a tour on the lake to see the work of the inhabitants, and in particular shrimp fishing. Return to Siem Reap to have lunch in a local restaurant. Then, transfer to the small village lost in the middle of the rice fields (village of Chreav). You start a ride in an ox cart (approx. 1 hour) where you will discover the farms and their market gardening products. Visit a primary school and meet the students of a class (depending on the season). Then departure by vehicle for a new immersion in rural life. You first meet the family where you will dine in the evening. Monks come to give you their blessing and the village elders will come to chat with you. Discover the traditional habitat and the vegetable garden. A unique traditional dinner of local specialties will be served to you at your Khmer hosts. Return to Siem Reap and overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Battambang (3h30 drive). Until recently Battambang was off the tourist trail because it was a Khmer Rouge stronghold. A riverside town that is home to the best-preserved colonial architecture in all of Cambodia. Battambang is now making a comeback with much improved infrastructure that allows for a comfortable visit. Lunch at the local restaurant. Arrival in Battambang and city tour Visit the beautiful Damrei Sar Pagoda, built in the early 20th century. The walls are a mixture of lime and resin with beautiful bas-reliefs. Visit the village of Wat Kor, recognized as a cultural village with some charming old wooden houses dating from the early 20th century. If time permits, visit the circus school "Phare Ponleu Selpak", an associative school where many young people come to learn the different disciplines of the circus but also illustration and theater, depending on the day possibility of meals and shows. Note: The school is closed during weekends and public holidays. Dinner in a local restaurant in town. Night at the hotel in Battambang.

After breakfast, transfer to Phnom Penh by national road, stopping in the province of Pursat. A province famous for marble, where a large number of villagers are sculptors. You will continue your journey in the province of Kampong Chhnang, a Cambodian province whose particularity is its inhabitants, mainly fishermen, wicker and pottery craftsmen. Stop en route to discover the archaic manufacture of Kampong Chhnang pottery. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Oudong, the former royal capital from the 16th to the 19th century, located on a hill, magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. Arrival in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

The day begins with a visit to the National Museum built in 1917. It contains a rich collection of Khmer sculptures dating from two periods: pre-Angkorian (4th century) and post-Angkorian (14th century). The visits will continue with that of the Royal Palace and its many buildings. You will see in particular the main residence of King Sihamoni. You will continue with a visit to the Silver Pagoda, with a floor paved with 500 blocks of silver of 1kg each. It houses frescoes inspired by the Ramayana and other treasures of the crown as well as a very beautiful collection of Buddha. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to visit Tuol Sleng - the genocide museum. This museum had been the Tuol Svey Prey High School and which was transformed into a detention center during the Khmer Rouge period 1975-1979. Dinner and night in Phnom Penh.

Free time until transfer to Phnom Penh airport for your departure flight. Rooms are available until noon only. Free meals.