This half day trip can either be done in the morning or in the afternoon. We will head to Wat Phnom first. After that we will visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. The last place will be Toul Sleng Museum.

              - Private Tour

              - Daily Departure

              - Time option: 08.00am-12.00pm or 01.00pm-05.00pm

OPTION 1 – ROYAL PALACE AND SILVER PAGODA

The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are two of the most striking buildings in the capital and considered as some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. They were initially constructed in 1866 by the French. The Royal Palace is home to the current King Sihamoni. The neighboring Silver Pagoda stands out in its own distinctive way. The floor consists of 5,329 solid silver tiles to which the building owes its name. The building houses many gold and jeweled Buddha statues including the highly prized 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha. Other important buildings that can be found within the compound include Wat Preah Keo Morokat, where Royal ceremonies are performed, and stupas such as King Ang Doung Stupa – the burial site of former King Norodom. (Open from 8.00am to 10:30am and 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Women should cover their shoulders and both men and women should cover their knees).

OPTION 2 –TOUL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM

Toul Sleng was a high school prior to 1975, an interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era and today it as a genocide museum. It tells the sad story of the thousands of innocent Cambodian people who were tortured on its grounds. Walking through the narrow corridors and former classrooms of the buildings will give you an eerie feeling of being part of Cambodia’s turbulent past. The stories of the victims are documented and some torture devices are on display for visitors to learn about the suffering the people endured. Photographs were taken of each prisoner passing through the prison and hundreds of the haunting black and white photos are now on display in the museum. While this experience may be depressing, it is recommended to visit in order to truly understand the cruel methods of control the Khmer Rouge implemented over the country.

OPTION 3 - AFTERNOON ROYAL PALACE, SILVER PAGODA AND TOUL SLENG
Afternoon, visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two of the finest examples of Khmer architecture in the capital. The Royal Palace was built in 1866 by the French for King Norodom. The grounds of the palace are also home to the Silver Pagoda, which received its name because its floor is made up of 5,329 silver tiles. The palace has been inhabited by kings at all times with the exception of the period when the radical Khmer Rouge party took control in 1975. Opt to learn more about these turbulent years when visiting the infamous Tuol Sleng museum. Return to your hotel or to one of the riverside cafes or bars where you may want to take in the sunset.

OPTION 4 - AFTERNOON NATIONAL MUSEUM, RUSSIAN MARKET AND WAT PHNOM
Set out on a half day tour to visit the National Museum which houses Khmer art and sculptures from different periods of Cambodian history. Continue to visit the Russian market and end the trip with a visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset.

OPTION 5 - KILLING FIELDS
The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

OPTION 6 - TOUL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM & KILLING FIELDS

Toul Sleng was a high school prior to 1975, an interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era and today it as a genocide museum. It tells the sad story of the thousands of innocent Cambodian people who were tortured on its grounds. Walking through the narrow corridors and former classrooms of the buildings will give you an eerie feeling of being part of Cambodia’s turbulent past. The stories of the victims are documented and some torture devices are on display for visitors to learn about the suffering the people endured. Photographs were taken of each prisoner passing through the prison and hundreds of the haunting black and white photos are now on display in the museum. While this experience may be depressing, it is recommended to visit in order to truly understand the cruel methods of control the Khmer Rouge implemented over the country. Then drive 17km from Phnom Penh town to visit Cheung Ek, famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

OPTION 7 - PHNOM UDONG
Transfer one hour to Udong, the capital of Cambodia between 1618 and 1866 and home to impressive Khmer architecture that reflects the glory days of Cambodia. The ruins are sprinkled across two ridges. The smaller of the two ridges has two ruined buildings, several stupas and the remains of Ta San Mosque. Surrounding the ruins are some smaller pagodas which are still intact, stupas and Buddha statues. Climb the stairway to the impressive stupa and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. Drive back to Phnom Penh and opt to stop at the village to of Kampong Tralach, which is home to an ancient pagoda. The wall paintings at Wat Kampong Tralach Leu remain remarkably well preserved and depict the original scenes of rural life over a century ago.

OPTION 8 - PHNOM PENH DINNER CRUISE
Phnom Penh is situated in between two rivers, the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap River. At night when the sunlight fades and the neon lights appear along the river banks, a small cruise boats will take you out onto the river to take in the city from a different perspective. Witness the sun set over the Royal Palace and the Mekong river while enjoying a cocktail. A catered dinner from one of Phnom Penh’s well established restaurants is served shortly after sundown. Enjoy a leisurely cruise while enjoying dinner and taking in the sights along the river bank including many local Cambodian families and friends socializing. Cruise back to the port and transfer back to your hotel.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:
+ Private air conditioned vehicle
+ All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in our itinerary
+ English speaking local guide
+ Entrance fees
+ Two bottles of water and wet towel per day during sightseeing

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:
+ Pre-post trip accommodation
+ Any airfares
+ Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program.
+ Travel insurance
+ Personal expenses
+ Tipping/ Gratuities

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