Cambodia, Cambodia tour, Angkor, Angkor Wat, travel Cambodia,

Day 1: You will be met on arrival and transferred to your centrally located hotel. In the afternoon start your explorations of Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, beginning with the National Museum and adjacent complex of the Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace.

Day 2: After 1975, when Pol Pot and his henchmen grabbed power, Cambodia was thrown into an abyss of unspeakable violence and mass-murder. Millions of Cambodians perished during this time. Witness to this genocide are the Killing fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng prison.

An afternoon walk up to Wat Phnom, where the sanctuary for which the city is named once stood, is a rewarding experience. It is a Buddhist shrine, although a Taoist goddess and numerous monkeys also reside here, and one of the pleasure spots for residents of the city. Or if souvenirs are what you are looking for – the Russian Market is the place. A drink in one of the many riverside café’s watching the sunset is a fitting finale to the day

Days 3-5: It is about 4 hours to the coastal fishing town of Sihanoukville (also known as Kongpong Som) where you can relax and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Occheuteal Beach. Tavel further east to the faded colonial elegance of Kampot.

Days 6-7: Go looking for the elusive Irrawaddy dolphin. These rare animals are threatened with extinction due to changing and shrinking habitats despite the fact that the local population does not hunt them. About 20 kmsfrom Kratie is Kampi Pool, an area of the Mekong where these shy animals are often spotted. A short boat ride enables you to get as close as possible to the dolphins.

Days 8-10: After settling in your charming accommodation in the heart of town, head to Phnom Bakheng, the sunset view of Angkor Wat from this vantage point is legendary.

Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer kingdom, is one of the wonders of the archeological world. Rediscovered at the end of the 19th century by French explorers this vast ruined city is perhaps the greatest site in Southeast Asia. Over two days you will visit some of the highlights of this ancient capital including the main temple of Angkor Wat, the Bayon, the walled city Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan and Banteay Srei. One evening dinner with a Cambodian traditional dance performance.

Days 11-12:Explore the beautiful countryside around Battambang, visiting Wat Ek Phnom and Wat Banan. Wat Banan, located on top of a solitary hill, offers a great view over the area. Another highlight is a ride on the so-called "bamboo train", an ingenious local handmade railway carriage that is used to transport goods and people over the otherwise scarcely used rail tracks..

Days 13-14:During the monsoon season, water is pushed up from the Mekong river into the Tongle Sap lake, flooding surrounding fields and forests making Tongle Sap one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world and extremely important for the Cambodian economy. However, in the dry season (roughly February to May), the receding waters can make it impossible to travel by boat. In that case road transport will be used. There is time in tehafternoon for last-minute shopping in Phnom Penh's great markets.