4-day Siem Reap Stopover: The Upscale Tour

Arrival in Siem Reap airport and transfer to the hotel (room may not be ready until the afternoon)

Lunch at leisure
14:00 hours
This afternoon, visit the Hidden Workshops of Artisans d'Angkor, an exclusive tour
Discover the "Behind the Scenes", inaccessible to the public, of a great social enterprise.

Artisans Angkor, created in 1992 when the country was faced with the challenge of rebuilding its economy, has developed from the ambitious belief that it is possible to revive ancient Cambodian Arts & Crafts while improving the lives of thousands of people living in rural areas.
Not only are they committed to the preservation of Cambodia's cultural legacy, but they also want to empower individuals by helping them secure their future by the means of education and welfare.

Today, it has 48 workshops (of silk, stone and wood carving, lacquerware, gilding, ceramics, silver plating, silk painting, and jewellery) operating in 12 sites located in Siem Reap province and provides employment to over 1100 people, including about 800 artisans, many of which, over the last few years, had the privilege to be selected for the restoration of several parts of the historical Angkor site. You will visit 3 special workshops and learn about all the facets of their creations.

A private vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and will take you to the first hidden workshop which is one of the ceramics, followed by a lacquer workshop. Observe in details the fine and delicate work it is to create a piece and learn about each process explained by your personal Artisans d'Angkor expert.

Continue to Puok, where Artisans d'Angkor Silk Farm is located and visit a stone carving workshop which is also the location where special project are realized. You will be able to see both up-close but as these are private individual's orders, and some may be very confidential, no photos or videos of special projects are allowed.

You will continue to the main location of Artisans d'Angkor, in the city center where you can have a glimpse at the Chantiers-Ecoles, where students are trained to become artisans and end your experience in the Prestige Room with a glass of wine with sparkles'85

16:45 hours
Return to your hotel for a quick freshen up for this evening's experience

This evening, experience a "Taste of Arts & Cocktails". Visit Siem Reap's Contemporary Art Galleries and trendsetting Bars!

17:30 hours
Your tuktuk will pick you up from your hotel at and drive you to experience the town's cherished bars and up and coming galleries, with cocktails and a dim sum platter included along the way.

You will be taken to:
Theam's House & Art Gallery: home, atelier, art collection and boutique, Theam's House is a beautiful wooden home and it's tropical gardens are a tranquil place to begin your tour. Browse through the beautiful collection of Khmer art or shop for souvenirs in the boutique and enjoy a refreshing drink in the pretty garden as your evening begins.

One Eleven Gallery: contemporary art gallery showcasing a Gonzo-esque array of artists from the bold and iconic works of Christian Develter's 'Chin' series to Antal Gabelic's refined Angkor Mandela series. Sit back and enjoy the bustle from the patio and dare to try the signature Barnum Was Right!
a heady mix of gin and apricot brandy or a refreshing glass of ros'e9 in inspiring surroundings.

Miss Wong: venture down a small laneway to this speakeasy style gem, one of Siem Reap's original and favourite cocktail bars. Sink into a private booth and soak up the night so far with a tasty platter of dim sum, duck pancakes and more. Drinks are taken seriously here with house infused vodkas and gins, the Rose & Lemongrass Martini is not to be missed.

The Village Caf'e9: Your tour concludes at this chic caf'e9, home of the legendary Beatboutique nights, Strangefruit & Jam, a contemporary portrait gallery with rotating exhibitions and a lively expat bar. End the night with dessert and one of the signature cocktails. We recommend the Ginger Martini or their famous Espresso Martini, which will keep you partying until the early hours...

Note1: Snacks and a drink at each venue are included in the tour but may be too light for a dinner.
Note2: if you wish your official guide to come along, a supplement for the tour will be quoted separately

21:30 hours (approximately)
Return to your hotel or be dropped-off in town.
Accommodation at hotel.

08:00 hours
Today, head for a Full Day Classic Temple Tour.

If there is one thing you absolutely cannot do when you come visit Siem Reap, it is NOT going to see the main extraordinary temples.
This tour is a classic but must-do which you can spice-up by taking different types of transportation, from a tuktuk, to an electric scooter, from a sedan to a jeep'85
Visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, beautiful Ta Prohm taken over by nature and magnificent Angkor Wat.

Your tour guide and driver pick you up from hotel and you will drive off towards the Angkor Archeological Parc.

Before starting your temple visits, take a part in a sacred Buddhist ritual when you travel to Cambodia and receive a spiritual cleansing ceremony performed by the monks. The ceremony begins with the monks chanting harmoniously as they wish you good luck, safe travel, and a long life. It is accompanied by a light sprinkling of water. At the end of the blessing, your wrist is adorned with special red ties that signify the blessing performed.
Then, start by visiting the last capital of the Khmer Empire: Angkor Thom, built in the 12th century and deserted most likely during the 16th century. Inside its walls, visit:
-the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk
-Bayon temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with 216 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara
-Baphuon, a pyramidal representation of Mount Meru
-the Terrace of the Elephants, used by Jayavarman VII to watch his victorious army return
-the Terrace of the Leper King, which's statue was formerly thought to represent a legendary "leper king", but is now considered to represent Yama - the Lord of the Dead and believed the terrace itself might have functioned as a royal cremation platform.

Continue towards famous Ta Prohm, beautiful jungle temple which nature seems to have taken over, has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

Stop and relax for a nice lunch at Sala Russey, local restaurant facing Sra Srang.

Visit the most famous of all temples: Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument named UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. The 12th century temple complex spreads over 81 hectares. It's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.

16:00 hours (approximately)
Transfer back to your hotel.

This evening, experience an After Dark Foodie Tour on a Vespa
This foodie adventure is an experiential roller coaster through the vibrant Siem Reap dining and social scene mixing high end with real local style! Kick off with cocktails at one of the town's most stylish venues as the sun sets, ride pillion on jazzy modern Vespas along the Siem Reap Riverside to an evening local market and gain an insight into fresh Cambodian ingredients. Cruise through the busy streets of this ancient heritage town and be introduce to all aspects of Khmer cuisine so get your senses prepared!

The Vespa team will pick you up at your hotel and you will start your evening journey to a Cambodian culinary experience.

From the Pub Street comfort zone and after a refreshing Vespa ride, night has fallen and you will find yourself in the middle of the hustle and bustle of street vendors inviting you to taste a seemingly endless variety of unusual foods and fruits that offer a spectacular diversity of flavours and colours.
Stop at a typical local grill and drink stand where tasty snacks and drinks are served. When you look around you will see only local customers enjoying the great food that is freshly prepared right in front of your eyes.

Into the night you move to yet another part of Siem Reap town with numerous night spots that are frequented by local clientele. Our destination is a special restaurant that is hidden in plain sight between the bars and nightclubs. This restaurant boasts a local menu that stands out in quality and variety. A selection of their best specialties will be served, accompanied by drinks and local music performances.
Just when you think that this is the end of the tour you are again in for a refreshing after dinner ride on the way to the dessert of the tour. Located in again another part of town you will enter a typical Cambodian style house to be introduced to the magic art of rice wine infusion with special herbs and spices. You will taste these tropical concoctions, which will be complemented by a selection of local sweets.

The presentation of a special souvenir marks the end of the tour and your driver will bring you safely back to your hotel or, at your choice, drop you off in the city centre of Siem Reap.

Note: if you wish your official guide to come along, a supplement for his services as well as the vespa tour will be quoted separately
22:00 hours
Return to your hotel or be dropped-off in town.
Accommodation at hotel.

This morning, visit less crowded temples, The Jewel Temples of King Jayavarman VII, an exclusive Sidecar-bike tour
08:00 hours
Be picked-up at your hotel by amazingly well restored classic sidecar-bikes, for a memorable experience, and start your morning journey to discover some of the smallest yet remarkable and magnificent temples built by King Jayavarman VII in the second half of the 12th century.
King Jayavarman VII was generally considered the most powerful of the Khmer monarchs by historians. Over the 30 some years of his reign, Jayavarman embarked on a grand program of construction that included both public works and a large number of monuments. As a Mahayana Buddhist, his declared aim was to alleviate the suffering of his people.

You will ride approximately 30 minutes from your hotel, to Preah Khan temple while passing by Angkor Wat, entering through Angkor Thom's South Gate, get a glimpse of Bayon, the terraces of the Elephants and Leper King before exiting through the North Gate to reach Preah Khan.

Preah Khan Temple is located in the Angkor Archaeological Park and is still largely unrestored. Its aesthetics are very similar to nearby famous Angkor temple Ta Prohm, with vegetation and trees seeming to swallow the ruins. Preah Khan translates to "Holy Sword" in Khmer, named by Jayavarman VII in honor of his battle victory against the invading force of Chams, who belonged to a kingdom in what is now Vietnam, in the year 1191.

Continue your ride around Jayatataka to visit the surrounding temples of Kro Ko, Neak Pean and Ta Som

Kro Ko, which means "the shed of the oxen", is a single tower monument with two enclosing walls built of laterite with an entry tower at the east and a moat with steps. There is a library built of laterite and sandstone opening to the west on the left of the interior courtyard. The Central Sanctuary stands on a terrace in the shape of a cross.

Neak Pean is small and a collection of five ponds with unique features. Some historians believe that it represents Anavatapta, a mythical lake in the Himalayas whose waters are thought to cure all illness. Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes (the ancients believed that going into these pools would balance the elements in the bather, thus curing disease and is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance with four connected pools representing Water, Earth, Fire and Wind.

Little is known about the purpose of Ta Som temple, but it may have been dedicated to the King's father or one of his teachers. Ta Som was swallowed up by the jungle until the 1930's, when it was cleared out enough for visitors to access the site, but left in its mostly unrestored state. Ta Som depicts both Hindu and Buddhist icons, as the official Angkor religion switched back and forth over the centuries.

Note1: a side-car bike takes 2 persons, 1 on the back-seat of the bike, 1 in the side-car. If you wish to have each your side-car please let us know
Note1: if you wish your official guide to come along, a supplement for the tour will be quoted separately

Lunch at Malis restaurant

14:00 hours
Take an afternoon away from the city, away from the crowds and enjoy a local wooden boat ride through the charming floating & stilted village of Kompong Phluk, switch to a pirogue on the way to go through the enchanted flooded forest (approx. August to January only), or walk through this very original village (approx. February to July) and stop to visit a peaceful temple before watching the sunset from atop.

Travel 38 km away from Siem Reap town, you can explore the remarkable stilted village of Kompong Phluk on the Tonle Sap Lake, where the houses are built a minimum of five meters above dry ground to account for the rise and fall of the lake's waters. This unique architecture has been nicknamed "bamboo skyscrapers".
This out-of-time village has 2 very different faces depending on the season. During the dry season (approx. February to July) you can drive to and walk through the village. During the rainy season (approx. August to December) the water has risen so high you cannot drive all the way to the village anymore and must start your boat ride earlier. During this rainy season also, the surrounding forest becomes flooded and instead of exploring the village by foot, you will explore the forest by pirogue.

Once you have finished exploring Kompong Phluck and its flooded forest, continue to Prasat Bakong, located approximately 10-15min away. Bakong was built in the latter part of the 9th century and was the state temple for King Indravarman I is named after the famous pyramid temple of Bakong, dating from before the time of Angkor and the most important temple of the Roluos Group that was once a capital of the Khmer Empire known as Hariharalaya. As this Temple is considered remote, it is not a temple crowded with tourists and watching the colours of the sunset from up-top, sometimes with no one else around, is simply an amazing experience

18:00 hours
Return to your hotel

Evening and dinner at leisure
Accommodation at hotel.

09:00 hours
Because after all, you are on holidays and need some relaxation as visits can take the energy out of your body, you will be treated with a 1hr body massage in a heavenly Spa, a space of physical, mental and spiritual healing which reflects traditional, non-clinical and holistic based therapies.

10:30 hours
After your massage, you will go to Sombai Liqueur for a Tasting of arranged artisanal local rice wines and jams.

Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination