Express Lake Circuit: 9 Day Lake Tour

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All ABOUTAsia tours feature crowd avoidance routes to ensure you experience the best of the country, and our own special "spice notes"...

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Tour Summary

Travel by boat to less touristic Battambang, as well as taking in the highlights of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap with a 9 day tour featuring our unique 'spice notes' - the special added extra touches that other tours don't include.

Day 1	Arrive in Phnom Penh; relax with a private sunset river cruise
Day 2	Explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda; visit the Khmer Rouge sites
Day 3	Luxury road transfer to Siem Reap, with chances to stop at Skuon, Sambor Prei Kuk and pagodas
Day 4	Discover the iconic temples of Bayon and Ta Prohm & the city of Angkor Thom
Day 5	Enjoy the sun rise at majestic Angkor Wat, later visiting the twin temples of Pre Rup and East Mebon
Day 6	Explore the river carvings of Kbal Spean, exquisite Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre
Day 7	Travel by boat along the Tonle Sap Lake to Battambang
Day 8	Ride Battambang's famous bamboo train and soak up the surrounding countryside
Day 9	Stop at local villages to admire arts and crafts as you travel by road to Phnom Penh

Daily Details

Day 1 - Arrive into Phnom Penh

Morning:
Be met from your flight with a private transfer to your chosen hotel. You may wish to consider our VIP arrival option and be whisked past the queues of tourists who wait in line for their Visas with our fast-track visa and baggage collection process.

Afternoon:
Enjoy a relaxing evening with a private boat cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers to watch the sun set.

Day 2 - Khmer Rouge & Jewels of Phnom Penh

Morning:
A tough and moving beginning to the day, with visits to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng (S21) Prison. It is hard to understand present-day Cambodia without considering its recent tragedies.

Afternoon:
Continue to the magnificent Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda with its floor of over 5,000 silver tiles, before heading to the National Museum and its neighbouring boutiques and galleries on Street 178.

Day 3 - By road to Siem Reap

Morning:
Explore the villages, markets and rural scenery along the road to Siem Reap. Your driver will stop on request and at points of interest, such as Skuon to see (try?) the deep fried spiders, and Kampong Thom, a large and colorful market town. Optionally you can choose to detour and visit the nearby pre-Angkorian ruins at Sambor Prei Kuk.

Afternoon:
Arrive in Siem Reap; relax and unwind.

Day 4 - Secret Temples of the Forest

Morning:
Rise early to beat the crowds at the photogenic Ta Prohm temple of "Tomb Raider" fame. Coordination with the driver allows you to wind your way through temple sites without having to retrace your steps. Undisturbed by crowds of tourists you can better appreciate the interplay of man and nature. Following mid morning coffee at the temples walk through the forest to the seldom-visited Ta Nei temple before ending the morning on top Ta Keo, an imposing temple mountain with challenging steps.

Afternoon:
After lunch and perhaps a swim or massage, enter the ancient city of Angkor Thom at the Victory gate before uniquely walking along the 8m high wall through the forest to the seldom visited Death Gate. Passing behind the terraces of Elephants and Leper King walk though the shaded parkland to Phimeanakas and Baphuon temples, learning about the trees and fruits used locally. Bayon temple rounds off our afternoon with its iconic carved faces.

Day 5 - Angkor Wat & Twin Temples

Morning:
You can opt for an early start for breath-taking sunrise exploration of Angkor Wat, one of mankind's architectural gems. Take advantage of the relative cool and tranquility of the morning to explore the central complex and surrounding bas-reliefs, taking either a local breakfast or returning to the hotel for a late breakfast. After such an early start you can decide if you feel like exploring Siem Reap town in the mid-late morning, more temple sites or relax with a massage and swim before lunch.

Afternoon:
In the afternoon, further explore the moat around Angkor Wat for excellent photographic opportunities, or continue to the twin temples of Pre Rup and East Mebon, perhaps lingering to enjoy the sunset.

Day 6 - Rural Scenes and Remote temples

Morning:
Across ancient reservoirs -long since devoid of water- through pretty villages and rice paddies, visit the fine carvings on the riverbed of Kbal Spean. Medium fitness is required for the 3km jungle walk to this sacred site, where you can refresh in the cool waters (depending on season).

Afternoon:
On the back you'll stop at a local restaurant for lunch (own cost) before visiting Banteay Srei , a small pink sandstone temple with the most exquisite, deep and beautiful carvings. Returning to Siem Reap you can visit Banteay Samre, a small temple built by Suryavarman II in a similar style to Angkor Wat.

Day 7 - By river to Battambang

Morning:
Travel up river by private boat across the great Tonle Sap and up the Sangker River to Battambang, the centre of agriculture in Cambodia's fertile South West. We stop at several places along the way, including Prek Toal Village, - not to be confused with the bird sanctuary.

Day 8 - Bamboo train and countryside

Morning:
In the morning explore some of the local markets and the French Colonial architecture around Battambang town, before a ride on the famous bamboo train.

Afternoon:
After lunch, explore the surrounding countryside, taking in Phnom Sampeau, Phnom Banan and Cambodia's first winery. The Phare Ponleu Selpak circus performs on Mondays and Thursdays, and a visit will be scheduled subject to your travel plans for you to enjoy this marvelous show.

Day 9 - By road to Phnom Penh

Morning:
Explore the villages, markets and rural scenery along National Road No 5 by private car. Your driver will stop at your request at some of the villages and towns producing traditional and modern Khmer crafts, including the famous marble work of Pursat, and the ceramics of Kompong Chhnang.

Afternoon:
Arrive in Phnom Penh for your onward flight.

Pricing

As part of your private, luxury itinerary, we personally visit and hand-pick the best hotels so that you can tour and relax in style. Uniquely, our hotel research is conducted on a room by room level, ensuring that within any given price category you'll get an excellent room.

We work with a wide-range of hotels and will recommend alternatives as part of your own tailor-made quote. Contact us today for your personalized hotel recommendations across Cambodia to suit your tastes and needs.

Prices valid until September 2013

Siem Reap Hotel	Phnom Penh Hotel	Battambang Hotel	May-Sep (US$)	Oct-Apr (US$)
Amansara (suite) Deluxe discreet boutique	Raffles Le Royal (suite) Central colonial charm	Bambu (suite) Welcoming boutique	4287	4648
Raffles Grand Hotel (State room, pool view) Refined classic colonial style	Raffles Le Royal Central colonial charm	Bambu Welcoming boutique	1848	2055
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra (Superior room) Lush resort hotel	Sofitel Phokeethra Stunning spacious suites	Bambu Welcoming boutique	1588	1729
Victoria Angkor Colonial grandeur	Amanjaya Pancam Stunning spacious suites	Bambu Welcoming boutique	1425	1555
Tara Angkor Excellent value	The Plantation Secluded boutique feel	Bambu Welcoming boutique	1208	1281

Different room categories may be requested.

Prices are per person, based on twin shared accommodation with breakfast, all taxes, entry fees & touring with an English speaking guide included, and transfers as noted. No surcharges guaranteed. Additional low season may become available, and group rates may apply. All offers subject to availability.
Peak Season supplements may be applied at some hotels (typically over the Christmas and New Year period).
Our Terms and Conditions.

What's Included?

Transportation and transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle with dedicated driver or remorques as noted
Accommodation including all taxes and breakfast
All entry fees to sights visited
Private boat tours (if applicable)
Government tax and service charge
Luggage handling

What's Excluded?

International air tickets to/from Cambodia
Insurance of all kinds
Meals aside from those specifically included
Additional tour required beside specified sights
Meals (unless specified), tips, drinks, personal expenses

Quote for this tour:

Our expert travel consultants will tailor-make your private and personalized tour of Cambodia to suit your individual interests and travel style.

Travelling Alone?

We can arrange your individual personalized itinerary for Cambodia and recommend hotels. Contact us for a quote today.

Booking Information

To book your tour, we require email confirmation of a final itinerary a minimum of 10 days prior to arrival. We accept credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash payment (USD) on arrival for the total amount, unless if we book domestic flights for you, where we will require a 1/3 deposit 1 month prior to your arrival. If you would like to pay by credit card, there is an additional 2.1% transaction charge we are required to add.

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