Phnom Penh & Tonle Bati: Cultural Highlights and Wildlife Experience

Phnom Penh – the city retains its traditional Khmer and colonial styles with French villas and large tree-line sidewalk

Visit the impressive colorful Khmer-style royal palace complex build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom

Silver pagoda (the emerald Buddha temple), where contain plenty of Buddha Statues decorated and made by gold, diamond, gemstone and silver

Independence Monument, or Vimean Ekareach as it is referred to in Khmer, is a majestic structure that dominates Phnom Penh city centre. Independence Monument was primarily erected to mark the liberation of the country from the French, who ruled Cambodia for almost a century from 1863 to 1953.

the National museum; a beautiful Khmer architecture building contains more than 5000 art antiques made by bronze, wood, gold, silver, copper, sandstone and others

Walk up to sacred hill Phnom Daun Penh – also the name of a pagoda and name of the capital nowadays

Central Market, a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. Initial design and layouts are from French architect Louis Chauchon

Overnight at Cardamon Hotel (3-star) or similar

Choeung Ek museum, where between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants detained and tortured at S-21 were transported for the extermination

to Tuol Sleng prison now is Genocide Museum, the most secret part of the Khmer Rouge regime. It’s also called S-21 (abbreviated for Security Office 21), a Khmer Rouge's premier security camp, specifically designed for the interrogation and extermination of anti-Angkor elements

Going shopping around Russian market, enjoy the bustling daily activities of the locals

Overnight at Cardamon Hotel (3-star) or similar

let’s lend a paw at the largest Sun Bear sanctuary in the world while being a bear keeper for the day. This program is conducted at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre 40kms outside Phnom Penh. You will get to go behind the scenes to see what it takes to care for more than 100 rescued bears on a daily basis while working alongside their keepers to prepare special treats to keep the bears happy and healthy in their forested sanctuary. Best of all, by taking part in this unique experience you will know that you have contributed directly towards helping care for hundreds of bears and other animals rescued from the wildlife trade. Note: We will help the keepers prepare enrichment toys for the bears and hide foods in the bear’s enclosures. Direct contact with the bears is not allowed under any circumstances, as these bears are rescued wild animals and the centre wants them to live as natural as possible.
Tonle Bati Lake, a popular weekend destination for the local people. It is also a popular fishing spot for both tourists and people who live locally. We then visit the nearby small picturesque Angkorian temple of Ta Prohm, the Bayon-style temple built in the late 12th century and left in much the same condition in which it was founded - unlike most of the Angkorian ruins

Overnight at Cardamon Hotel (3-star) or similar

Morning after breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to airport for flight departure.