Amazing Siem Reap & Battambang Tour with Excursions ( 09 Days Tour)

Historic Moments

Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia, a city that sits on the banks of the Siem Reap River and is known as the gateway to Angkor. The streets around Psar Chaa, the Old Market, are lively and energetic. The restaurants emanate aromas of traditional and western cuisine. Tuk tuks wind through the streets and carry tourists to and from the Angkor complex. Large cows pull large carts around the wide boulevards and away from the city center. The city is small and mixed with lavish hotels and boutique guesthouses. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you to Journeys Within, a celebrated bed and breakfast found outside of the bustling city streets. The grounds feel like a jungle oasis.

The breeze blows quietly through the surrounding trees. The greenery is endless and bright. The pool is cool and refreshing. You are greeted inside the French Colonial building that, in itself, speaks volumes to the history of Cambodia. In the evening you will return to the city to watch a fabulous rendition of a traditional dinner and Khmer performance. The dance-drama conveys classical scenes from folklore. The costumes are vibrant and characteristic of the culture. Women flex their fingers and arch their backs in exaggerated poses. They wear gilded crowns and long dangling earrings. Their movements are graceful and refined, each step telling another element of the story.

What’s Included: dinner, transfer, accommodation

A Different Representation

You rise before the sunshine hits the hills in order to experience the shifting colors of Angkor Wat. The Towers stand tall and proud over the outer gallery that covers an area of over 430,000 square feet. The light casts a glow on the sandstone that brings the dark silhouette to a golden glisten. After breakfast you make your way to Banteay Srei. The 10th century temple complex consists of low walls and is surrounded by peaked edifices made of rich red sandstone.

When you arrive near the complex you find the jungle sprawl and these how the trees separate into an open plaza. You find remaining temples standing tall against the backdrop of spectacular wild countryside. The exteriors of the central buildings contain elegant and well-preserved relief carvings. The pediments are magnificent and large with a gabled shape. Entire epic scenes are played out on the stone base. The entrances are guarded by various dvrapalas, fearsome warriors and giants often armed with a weapon. Each relief tells a different story; however, their artistry is impressively detailed and captivating, a testament to the décor and the devout.  

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, tour, accommodation

The Air of CultureThe New History

The crowds disappear behind the lush jungle as you make your way to Beng Mealea. The temple was constructed in the 12th century and only recently opened to the public for viewing. Nature is gorgeously rampant around the temple, which adds to the structure’s mystique and luster. The area is largely un-restored. Through the overtaking vines you can see Buddhist and Hindu motifs. The entire temple is almost 300,000 square feet. Wind your way around, and sometimes over, fallen masonry, through stretches of dim chambers, and alongside thick vines. The complex was at the center of the ancient road that connected Angkor to another ancient province nearby. The ambiance is quiet. The leaves rustle in the breeze and you swear they are trying to tell you about the area’s secret history. At times the overrun jungle looks like a purposeful, composed garden.

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, tour, accommodation

The Bamboo Culture

The river is serene in the morning light. The sky is pale blue. The city comes to quiet life and you make your way to the Bamboo Train. Outside of Battambang you will discover the rural life of Cambodia. Paddy fields stretch to the distant tree line. You can see farmers pulling at the rice. The marshes are sectioned and the fertile greenery glows. The Bamboo Train takes you into the classic journey of Cambodia’s rural history. The train tracks were laid by the French and have since warped or misaligned.

You climb aboard the Bamboo Train, a seven-foot long wood frame topped with bamboo slats. Other platforms have been loaded with large bags of rice before commuters use the bags as cushions. Monks have sat on the front and watched the countryside pass by. Your private cart trundles down the track. The surrounding lush trees whisper as you pass. There is only one real train a week and you think you can hear its whistle in the far off distance.  The Bamboo Train is unique to Cambodia and allows you to immerse yourself in the culture of this rural landscape.

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, accommodation

Endlessly Giving

You have seen Battambang and have felt its warm embrace. The serene river and gracious people have created an atmosphere of endless and relaxing acceptance. In the morning you watch the sun slowly rise higher into the pearl blue sky. Sit alongside the river at one of the charming cafes and sip a fresh coffee. You wrap your fingers around the warm cup and wait for your transfer to the airport. You have seen timeless temples and immersed yourself into the marvelous culture of the people. Cambodia has given you unforgettable memories that you happily take home with you.  

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer