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Tour

EXPLORATION OF ANGKOR TEMPLES WITH AN ECO-FRIENDLY CAR

DAY # 2

Your morning is dedicated to the discovery of the city of Angkor Thom (“The Great Angkor”). You will be driven in an electric powered “Green car”.  The visit will start with the monumental Southern Gate, one of the five gates leading to the Bayon at the Center of the Khmer Empire. You will better understand the strategic structure of this city of the 12th century’s first Angkorian Buddhist King.

Continue your tour towards Prasat Baphuon with the huge reclining Buddha, then, stroll within the grounds of the former Royal Palace and Phimean Akas before reaching the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace at the end of the morning.

Your exploration continues in the afternoon until sunset with the visit of the famous Angkor Wat which five towers with a rosé-colored light – according to the luminosity of the day and season – still adorn the Cambodian flags of all the various successive Cambodian régimes.

NOTE:  During your visit of the Angkor Wat Temples, visitors should wear shirts or blouses covering your shoulders and arms and long skirts or trousers covering your legs (no miniskirts or shorts above the knee). Children under 12 year-old are not allowed to climb up to the main Bakan Tower during the visit, and the Central Tower will be closed during the Khmer Buddhist Bay, 4 days a month according to the Lunar calendar.

“SIGHT & SCENT” WALKING TOUR: WORKS OF THE GREAT KHMER BUILDER KING

DAY # 3

You will start your Walking Tour with the discovery of one of the most important works of the Great King of Angkor, Jayavaraman VII. The Preah Khan temple, a Buddhist monastic complex named Jayaçri (“Glorious Victory” in sanskrit) which was erected in 1191 by Jayavarman VII on the site of the Victorious Battle in honor of the Victory over the Chams.

The site has served as the State temple and temporary Capital City during the construction of Angkor Thom and the monastery was finished after Jayavarman VII was installed in his new Palace (circa-1190). It is dedicated to Dharanindravarman Varman II, the father of the Builder King who is idealized here in the form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.

After a short and tranquil trip in a rowing boat on the Northern Baray, also known as the “Jayatataka” or “Baray Reajeadak” (a 12th century man-made water-reservoir built under King Jayavaraman VII, the Great Khmer Builder King) , an exceptional atmosphere and a unique experience, you will then discover the hydraulic works on board this ancient khmer traditional mean of transport in the historic water reservoir which dried up since the 15th century with the abandonment of Angkor and which has recently been put back into water and use in 2009.

You will then continue your Walking Tour towards the Botanical Garden in the Northern Baray where you can – not only see and understand the nurturing of the many Khmer medicinal plants – but you will also be able to discover the various “scents” of the true forest of Angkor. A crossing on foot from the historical River of Siem Reap “Steung Siem Reap” via a suspension bridge will take you to a hidden Canal in the jungle,  built under the Khmer Rouge time. After a ten minute walk you will reach another Jayavaraman VII‘s temple named Ta Nei. In its overgrown shape, this work succeeds to escape the large number of tourists because of its secluded location. You can admire at leisure the beauty of this Buddhist temple of the 12th century and its bas-reliefs in the peaceful and quiet atmosphere from a bygone era.

Afer the short pick nick pause, the trail of your Walking Tour will then lead you, to one of the major and unavoidable Angkor temples, Ta Prohm. One of the most extraordinary works of nature definitely lies here and is concentrated in this very temple where huge trees extend their roots through stones, lifting them, and gradually disrupting the original configuration of this temple. This work, built by the great “Khmer Builder King”, is also dedicated to the mother of the King.

You will then take an oxen cart ride towards Sras Srang village where you can see the wood carving workshops and an almost unchanging lifestyle of the Khmer people. Beautiful green sceneries, particularly during the July to December rice planting season, await you and you can also get your hand at the planting, transplanting harvesting or other activities in the rice fields with your new Cambodian friends. Your ox-cart circuit ends at the Royal Basin of Sras Srang, another of the hydraulic works built under King Jayavaraman VII, a nice and peaceful spot where you can contemplate and meditate on your day at sunset. 

In the evening, it’s Show Time! Attend the not-to-be-missed “Phare, the Cambodian Circus” Show in Siem Reap, Angkor! Reach new heights with the energetic and talented young professional artists of Phare! After successful tours around the world, in Europe, Australia, Japan, the United States, Singapore, the Philippines, to cite some of the countries visited, the famous and talented young Cambodian artists of the Battambang-based Phare Circus School, now daily perform at Siem Reap/Angkor with an even more stunning and unique Show, in the very heart of the Cradle of the Khmer civilization! 

RIVER SOURCE AND SCULPTED RIVER BED ON THE “SACRED MOUNTAIN”

DAY # 4

Early departure in the morning by private car for the visit of Kbal Spean and the site of the One-Thousand Linga River that has its source at Phnom Kulen (the “Litchi Mountain” and Sacred site for the Khmer people).

Take an approximately 45-minute trek (about 1.50 km) through the forest up to the top and be rewarded by your effort! Assimilated to the Ganges River in India, the very bed of the river is carved on over 200 meters long with 1.054 lingas and sculptures representing the Hindu Gods, an unique-in-the world and religious marvel that dates back to the Ninth century! The water feeding the “Steung Siem Reap” River in the lower part is thus being “sanctified” after rolling and passing over the thousand carved lingas, thus, fertilizing the lower valley and Angkor plain.  

After this, visit the Banteay Srey Temple, considered as the jewel of the Classic Khmer Arts. Cleared from the creeper plants and trees that invaded it, Banteay Srei – which means “the Citadel of Women” – is indeed of an absolute and rare beauty and fineness. Every single detail of this sculpted pink sandstone temple is a real enchantment to the human eyes!

On your way back, have a short stop at a traditional village for a demonstration of how to collect the sugar palm juice and the making of the palm sugar (October to April for the collecting season), and to finally stop by Banteay Kdei, the Royal Basin of Srah Srang and Prasat Kravan. The latter,  the sole monument in brick dating back from the tenth century in the Angkor Archaeological Park and famous for its unique and sophisticated sculpture on brick of the Hindu Gods. 

Take a stroll after your dinner to discover the Night Market.

AN APPROACH AND IMMERSION IN THE DAILY LIFE OF THE KHMER PEOPLE

DAY # 5

Stroll through the local market and take a short visit of Cambolac which stands for Cambodian Lacquer Association. This social enterprise, with the production of beautiful boxes in lacquer, does involve poor communities in the development of tourism in Siem Reap. This activity allows the people from disadvantaged and difficult backgrounds to get a perennial activity and regain their pride in manufacturing beautiful art objects and to also maintain and develop the art of antique lacquer making.

Your afternoon visit will continue to Puok Sericulture Farm, where you can attend and understand all the production stages of the wonderful Cambodian silk.  Then, back to the city for a visit of the local market should you wish so. Upon your return to Siem Reap, you may also want to visit Wat Bo Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in the city which its renowned oldest and most beautiful painted frescoes walls.

ROAD FROM SIEM REAP TO KRATIE AND MORE SITE VISIT EN-ROUTE

DAY # 6

Departure from Siem Reap for Kratie (381km: an approx. 6hr30 road journey): brief stop at the old “Naga Bridge” in the village of Kampong Kdei.

You will continue to Kratie via Kampong Cham through Chhlong. Along the way, you’ll stop at Chup: the largest and most famous rubber plantation in Cambodia which once belonged to the French Michelin Company. You will then arrive in Kratie at the end of the day and you will cross the Mekong on a local ferry to reach Koh Trong Island and Village.

SPEND A “GREEN DAY” AND DO A GOOD DEED TO SAFEGUARD OUR PLANET

DAY # 7

In the morning, take a bike ride or horse cart ride (about 2hr30 visit) on a relaxing and shaded track (9km circuit) to discover the local rural life. Afterwards, you can join the Reforestation project activities in Wat Ty Pram Kbal Koh Trong Pagoda.

There, plant a tree and put your name on a wooden plaque next to your planting. In the future, you will be able to return to the island to see the progress of your tree!

You will then have a free afternoon at leisure to get yourself acquainted with your new friends through the warm contacts with the island’s local population, strolling  from one house to another to better understand their lifestyle, experiencing the welcoming and friendliness of the smiling faces of the gentle and hospitable Cambodian people. 

EN ROUTE FOR PHNOM PENH, THE “PEARL OF ASIA”!

DAY # 8

Get back early in the morning to the local ferry pier back to Kratie town and continue by road to Kampi Village. Take a boat trip on the Mekong River to Prek Kampi where it is still possible to see some freshwater dolphins, also known as the “Irrawaddy Dolphins” and reach Prek Kampi. Possibility to buy the Sticky rice “Krolane” which is the speciality of this city before taking the road onto Phnom Penh

DISCOVER THE CAPITAL CITY ON AN ECO-FRIENDLY “CYCLO-POUSSE”

DAY # 9

On this eco-friendly mean of transportation, the “Cyclo-Pousse” or Pedicab, you will start with the visit to the Royal Palace – built in 1866 by King Norodom the 1st – and which is composed of different structures grouped in a fairy-tale style Compound, such as the Throne Hall and the Silver Pagoda housing masterpiece artifacts such as a Buddha image in solid gold weighing 90 kgs and inlaid with 9.584 diamonds, as well as the Emerald Buddha in Baccarat Crystal dating back to the 17th century.

Note: Visitors to the Royal Palace should cover the shoulders and wear appropriate clothing such as long pants or long skirt as to cover the knees.

After your visit, you will be invited to immerse yourself in the ancient history of the Kingdom, and admire the Khmer artifacts exhibited in the National Museum of Phnom Penh. As the main Historical and Archaeological Museum of the Kingdom built between 1917 and 1924, the National Museum houses more than 14,000 ancient pieces of artworks from the prehistoric period to a more recent one. It contains one of the largest collections of Khmer Art, with sculptures, ceramics and various ethnographic objects.

You will then have lunch at the “Lotus Blanc” Restaurant of the French NGO PSE / Pour un Sourire d’Enfant. The revenue provided from the restaurant helps supporting the training of the young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. After your lunch, meet the dedicated people from the French NGO “For a Child’s Smile” (PSE) which supports schooling and vocational training for disadvantaged Cambodian children.

A DAY DEDICATED TO RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL AND MEETING WITH SIPAR NGO

DAY # 10

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Your morning is dedicated to the discovery of activities with the French NGO SIPAR “BiblioBus”, an international solidarity organization which is actively involved in the rehabilitation of the educational system in Cambodia for over 20 years and to combat illiteracy and poverty in the country. SIPAR’s mission is to initiate and involve youngsters and adult Khmer children in the pleasures of reading and pave the ways of knowledge and culture, knowing that the income from this activity is earmarked for the printing of educational children’s books. A single visit is worth approximately to the printing of 7 books for children!

Then, after lunch, you will discover Wat Phnom, which gave its name to the city. It is here that, according to legend, Lady Penh recovered four bronze Buddha Images along with a statue of Preah Noreay (Vishnu) which were found in a tree trunk floating on the water, following a severe flooding. Your afternoon then continues with a stroll at the Art-deco style Central Market (1939) also known as Phsar Thom Thmey.

To beautifully end your stay in the Kingdom of Cambodia, we will then suggest a romantic evening with an hour sunset cruise on the Tonlé Chatomuk on the upper and lower Mekong River to Tonlé Sap and Tonlé Bassac to have another perspective of the capital Phnom Penh, also known as “The Pearl of Asia” and contemplate the magnificent sunset if time permits.

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DEPARTURE FROM PHNOM PENH

DAY # 11

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Depending on your departure flight, you will then be transferred to the Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure flight.

*** END OF OUR SERVICES***
 

Option:
Attend a Special Performance by the “Sacred Dancers of Angkor”
(Contact us for more information)

We are saying “NO” to plastic !

• Introduced since November 1st, 2019, recyclable and reusable aluminum bottles are in line with our company’s policy of preventing and reducing single-use plastic and making Cambodia “plastic-free” (#makecambodiaplasticfree).
• By doing so, we contribute strongly and effectively to preserving the environment in Cambodia and in the oceans for future generations.
• It will be up to customers who wish to have plastic bottled water to get it personally at their own discretion.
• Thank you for your understanding and cooperation for “a world without plastic”.

BE NEUTRAL CARBON

In order to fight against climate change and to protect the environment, All Dreams Cambodia is committed to reducing carbon emissions.

In collaboration with EcoSol, an agency specializing in Circular Economy and Low Carbon Approach, we have set up a very sophisticated calculation tool, making it possible to measure the number of kg of CO2 inherent in the activity of the agency but also in each of our tourism programs, and the amount offsetting the carbon footprint at the current cost of carbon emitted.

To be carbon neutral, we have decided to support and donate these compensatory funds to an “Agrisud” project in Cambodia:

Link: Structuring and management of the “drain sludge” sector and production of organic fertilizers

Join us in reducing the carbon impact in Cambodia!

Learn about the carbon footprint of your clients’ program.

If you wish to support us in our more responsible and sustainable tourism approach, please inform us upon confirmation and we will add the compensatory amount to your invoice.

Your clients will receive upon arrival an additional information sheet.

We will take them to visit the Agrisud sites, this of course depending on their program and according to their wishes.

A year-end report will be sent to all of our generous contributors.