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Inter-Cultural Arts Exchange

Phnom Penh + Angkor Wat

Following is one suggested itinerary. This is meant as a starting point for discussion. You can use this as is, or modify to suit your interests and time. Please call to discuss.

Day 1 Fly Bangkok- Phnom Penh Arrive in Cambodia's capital city of Phnom Penh, transfer to hotel Le Royal, 5 star.
Half day tour, visit to Wat Phnom and Russian Market.

WAT PHNOM: temple and location of the first pagoda built in 1372 by Penh, a wealthy Khmer woman, to house the four Buddha statues she found on the banks of the Mekong. It is the only hill (27m) in the capital.

RUSSIAN MARKET: also known as Tuol Tompong Market-luxury foodstuffs and local crafts, antiques and furniture are sold in its hundreds of stalls. This market includes a large number of food stalls. It is an ideal place for browsing and bargain-hunting.

Day 2 Full day tour of Phnom Penh Le Royal- 5 star
Full day tour of Phnom Penh Regarded by many as the most beautiful of all the French-built cities in Indochina, its location is important as it lies where the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap Rivers converge. At one time it was a bustling commercial hub during the French occupation and today has re-established itself as the political and financial center of the country. Its' rich historical past can be traced to the Khmer and French influence evident in the ornate Khmer-style temples and the grand colonial buildings.

ROYAL PALACE AND SILVER PAGODA: the royal palace stands on the site of the former citadel, Bantey Kev (built in 1813). Visitors are not allowed to some portions of the grounds, as the palace is the official residence of king Sihanouk. The Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Preah Kaeo, is named after the statue housed there. The wooden temple was originally built by King Norodom in 1892 and inside its floor is comprised of more than 5000 silver blocks which together weigh nearly 6 tons.

NATIONAL MUSEUM: designed by a French archeologist and painter, George Groslier, in Khmer style in 1920 to exhibit works previously scattered throughout the country. It contains an extensive collection of Khmer art including the beautiful 6th century bronze statue of the Hindu god Vishnu.

TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide): formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975 it became the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation centre. It was known as Security Prison 21 Ð or just S-21. From here the victims were taken out and executed in what is now known as the Killing Fields. (BL)

Day 3 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Early breakfast before transferring to the dock to board the five-hour boat trip to Siem Reap. Watch life go by on the banks of the river as you enjoy your journey north on the Tonle Sap River and Lake, exploring the lakeÕs many fishing villages.

TONLE SAP RIVER: a 100-km-long channel linking the Tonle Sap lake to the Mekong River. It is named after the lake it flows into and from (depending on the season). From mid-May to early October (the rainy season), the level of the Mekong River rises, backing up the Tonle Sap River and causing it to flow north-westward into the lake. As the water level of the Mekong River falls during the dry season, the Tonle Sap River reverses its flow, draining the waters of the lake back into the Mekong River.

TONLE SAP LAKE: the extraordinary process of the Tonle Sap River reversing its flow in the rainy season makes this lake one of the world's richest sources of freshwater fish. Upon arrival at Siem Reap dock, transfer to Siem Reap town and check into your hotel.

Angkor Wat

Day 4 Full day sightseeing Angkor Temples
ANGKOR THOM: a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometres) built by King Jayavarman VII who ruled from 1181 to 1201. The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 metres wide. In the centre of the walled city are the city s most important monuments including Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas with Royal Enclosure.

BAYON: Jayavarman VII's temple mountain that stands at the centre of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces.

BAPHUON: the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount Meru and it marks the centre of the city that was here before Angkor Thom.

PHIMEANAKAS: near the centre of what was once the royal palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means Celestial Palace, though today there is not much left to indicate its former splendour.

FORMER ROYAL PALACE: nothing remains today except two pools that were used by royalty for washing.

TERRACE OF ELEPHANTS: this terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies and was a base for the King s grand audience hall. The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the retaining walls.

TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING: North of the Terrace of Elephants is a platform named Terrace of the Leper King . On the platform is a nude statue one of Angkor s mysteries.

ANGKOR WAT: temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous for its beauty and splendour. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site. Visit Phnom Bakheng for sunset over Angkor

PHNOM BAKHENG: temple ruin on a hill which provides one of the best views of Angkor Wat, especially at sunset.

Day 5 Excursion by vehicle to Phnom Kulen
PHNOM KULEN: historically revered by all Cambodians as a sacred place of pilgrimage. It was the site, then known as Mount Mahendraparvata, that Jayavarman II chose in 802 to proclaim himself a divine universal ruler and marked the beginning of the Angkor period of Khmer history. It is possible to see some of KulenÕs spectacular riverbed rock carvings. Sightseeing temples of Angkor - Visit Banteay Srei Temple

BANTEAY SREI: built in the late 10th century, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple is square with entrances on the east and west. Of main interest are the three central towers which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work.

Late afternoon fly Siem Reap -Bangkok , overnight Amari Airport Hotel.

PRICES are ballpark estimates. Exact quotes will be given upon request.
Le Royal Hotel 5* /Phnom Penh + Angkor Hotel 3-4*: $700 per person, dble occ, single supp $235; $REQ solo traveler

Le Royal Hotel 5* /Phnom Penh + Grand Hotel DÕAngkor: $985 per person, , dble occ, single supp $450; $REQ solo traveler

Plus Flights Bangkok-Phenom Penh $130 & Siem Reap-Bangkok $158
Amari Airport Hotel in Bangkok $60 per night if flying Thai Air & booked at time of intl flt ticketing.

Includes:

Accommodation in hotels as mentioned above or equivalent
Meals according to itinerary
Ground transportation in private A/C vehicle (complimentary cold towels and drinking water)
Boat excursion Phnom Penh-Siem Reap
Sightseeing incl. admissions fees according to itinerary
Professional local guide

Not included:

International and domestic airport tax
Visa fees
drinks
tips
personal expenses
insurance

(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941