This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 1 out of 5
Explore at your own pace: Discover your destination at your own pace with our self-guided itinerary. Options include driving, rail, or cruising (excluding expeditions). Enjoy included guided day trips for sightseeing as outlined in your itinerary.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
Platnium Vacations, our finest collection, set the benchmark in ultimate comfort and style while travelling: intimate, ultra-small group touring, curated sightseeing, plush accommodation and exclusive culinary experiences.
✓ Exclusivity - Ultra-small group touring. No more than 12 people
✓ Adults Only - Travel with like-minded adults on all Platinum Vacations tours
✓ Airfares - Add international airfares to any Platinum Vacations tour for peace of mind
✓ Comfort - The best in-destination accommodation including our feature Inspiring Stay at the historic Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the exquisite Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas
✓ Culinary - All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners. Dining experiences are designed by renowned chefs in Michelin rated restaurants plus local Khmer restaurant experiences are also included
✓ Platinum Highlight - Marvel at the serene beauty of the Angkor temples, meet Siem Reap locals in their communities, hear their stories and learn about their way of life
✓ Experts - Join the highly qualified local guides and experts as they share their vast knowledge and experience of life in Cambodia
✓ Essentials - Travel in luxury small coaches, included gratuities for your local guides and driver, plus laundry service
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital! On arrival into Phnom Penh you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Sitting at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap River, Phnom Penh was once the hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. After check in, the rest of the day can be spent as you wish.
The hotel is located in a beautiful tree-lined street in central Phnom Penh—feel free to explore or get some rest before sightseeing tomorrow. It’s a short walk to Wat Phnom and the river, and the National Museum and Royal Palace are a short tuk-tuk ride away.
After a leisurely breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel at 8am.
Today we will be exploring the rich heritage of Phnom Penh, considered the Pearl of Asia. Situated on the banks of the Ton Le Sap and Mekong rivers, Phnom Penh was largely constructed in the 1920s and boasts some of Asia’s best-preserved Art Deco architecture.
Sitting back in the three-wheeled City Cyclo is an adventure in itself—you will be transported to the majestic Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda complex. Here, admire the elaborately constructed palace buildings, some of the 5,000 silver floor tiles that give the Silver Pagoda its name, as well as spectacular gold and jewelled Buddha statues that are considered national treasures. We will continue onto the National Museum, just a short walk away. This beautiful sandstone building showcases the world’s largest collection of Khmer art.
After the museum visit, we’ll stop for a break and some lunch at a local restaurant.
We’ll then continue to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum*, a former secondary school which was converted by the Khmer Rouge into one of the regime’s largest detention and torture centres, Security Prison 21. An important educational site, the museum chronicles the Cambodian genocide and documents the atrocities that occurred within its walls.
Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Relax by the pool, enjoy the spa, or continue to explore the city as you wish.
This evening, rejoin the rest of the group at the hotel’s Elephant Bar for happy hour, including signature cocktails and canapés.
After winding down, we’ll head to dinner at Malis Restaurant, a 15 minute drive away. Overlooking the Siem Reap River, the restaurant is set in a lush garden and is known for serving ‘Living Cambodian Cuisine’.
NOTES
Though an important part in the history of Cambodia, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum displays images that are graphic and can be unsettling. Please inform your leader if you do not wish to visit the museum.
After breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to Phnom Penh International Airport for our onward flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel.
After making your own arrangements for lunch, we’ll meet again at approximately 3pm and depart for Channy Chhoeun’s Gallery.
Start the trip by hopping-on a tuk-tuk to Wat Atvea, a village south of Siem Reap. Here, we’ll be welcomed into the home studio and gallery of renowned contemporary artist, Channy Chhoeun. Channy was born in 1988 in Battambang and in 1998, his family relocated to the jungle approximately 100 km from Battambang as part of a government scheme. As a young boy, Channy discovered his love and talent for art by sketching with sticks and soil. When his father heard about an art school that provided free education, he enrolled Channy. Passionate about birds and their relationship with humans and the environment, Channy is keen to paint and share about the dangers that befall wildlife in our modern world. This is reflected in much of his work. While we’re here, enjoy some snacks and tea as you tour the art studio and hear Channy’s story first-hand.
After the visit, we will head to the Embassy Restaurant for a welcome dinner. Embassy is an institute in Siem Reap, and is fine dining at its best. The menu features Khmer cuisine with a twist from Kimsan Pol who oversees every aspect of the menu. Expect a meal to remember!
NOTES
You are offered a standard laundry service (not express) one time at your hotel in Siem Reap, including 2 shirts or T-shirts, 2 trousers or shorts, 2 pairs of socks and 2 pairs of underwear.
This morning after breakfast we’ll be picked up at 8am and head to our first stop, Tonle Om Gate, or Angkor Thom’s southern gate. Here, statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance and it is one of the five ancient gates, dating back to the 12th century. The southern gate also features the best-restored causeway.
The next stop is Bayon, a richly decorated temple. Its most distinctive feature is the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. Impressive bas-reliefs tell stories of daily life and of the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais.
We’ll then take a short drive to Ta Prohm, one of Cambodia’s most beloved temples. Unusually, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition as it was found. The combination of large trees growing out of the ruins and the surrounding jungle give the temple a truly magical feel.
Returning to Siem Reap for lunch at Chanrey Tree Restaurant and to escape the sun. We’ll spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and best-preserved temple in the complex. This visually spectacular three-tiered pyramid has become a symbol of Cambodia, and even appears on the national flag.
We’ll end the day with a relaxing sunset cruise along the moat of Angkor Thom. We’ll glide along in the gondola with sparkling wine and canapés, enjoying the view of the majestic temples of Angkor as the sun sets on this magical day.
After, we’ll return to the hotel where dinner and the rest of the day can be spent as you wish.
Today we’ll get a glimpse of local life as we embark on a journey to Kok Sangke Community. We’ll interact with locals, learn about their daily lives, and gain a deeper understanding of their traditions and livelihoods.
We’ll start with a visit to the Bamboo Sticky Rice Family. We’ll learn about the traditional process of making this delicious local delicacy. Continuing the exploration, we’ll meet a Blacksmith family where we’ll gain insights into the ancient art of blacksmithing and witness skilled craftsmen at work, shaping metal into intricate objects.
We’ll pause for lunch, which is a leisurely walk to the community lunch venue where we’ll enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the locals. Savour the flavours of the region while sipping on fresh coconut water.
Next, we’ll depart for a pagoda, a place of spiritual significance. Upon arrival, we’ll be greeted by the enchanting Chai Yam Music Band who will enchant with their welcome ceremony. Here, you will receive a special blessing from a monk, a meaningful and introspective experience that brings a sense of tranquillity and spiritual connection.
After, we will head to the Kampong Khleang Village to embark on a memorable boat trip, navigating the scenic waterways and observing the unique stilted houses that define this traditional fishing village.
After the boat trip, we will return to your hotel where there’ll be time to relax or stroll into town to do some last-day shopping in Siem Reap.
This evening is one to remember! We’ll enjoy our farewell dinner as a group at our hotel, including access to the hotel's Temple Garden. Accompanied by a Khmer cultural show, dinner is a choice between a 6-course Khmer set dinner or BBQ buffet—this evening is the perfect end to your Cambodian travels.
This morning after check out, it’s time to bid Siem Reap and your new travel companions farewell. You will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
We hope you have loved every minute of your adventure through Cambodia and we look forward to welcoming you on your next inspiring journey!
Platinum Vacations provide the discerning traveller with the benefits you would expect to provide a fully immersive travel experience like no other.
Inspiring Stays
Handpicked feature accommodation selections.
Inspiring Tastes
Inspiring Sights
Enjoy an included selection of experiences designed to give you a richer travel experience.
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
Visa & Passport
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”2”
Leisurely Paced Tour: This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.
Tipping
Tipping inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Your tour includes tips for your drivers, local guides and porterage. Tips are also included for the crew and naturalist guides on the Amazon cruise.
You may consider tipping your tour leader(s) for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $895.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Group Size
Minimum - 4
Maximum - 12
Adults Only
Adults Only - Travel with like-minded adults on all our Platinum Vacations tours.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
