7 Day Private Tour: Phnom Penh, Kompung Thom and Siem Reap

Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. We begin amid the beautiful royal gardens, landscaped with tropical plants and studded with gleaming spires. We enter the Throne Hall where the royal receptions are held and the Cambodian king's coronation took place. We then pass the Napoleon III Pavilion made from iron, a gift from the French emperor in the 19thcentury.We continue to the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor, each weighing 1kg. Inside are some of the country's most cherished treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats.

Wat Phnom, a symbol of the city. Located on one of the few hills in this pancake-flat capital, the first pagoda was originally built in 1373 to house Buddha statues discovered in the Mekong by a woman named Penh. This gives us the modern name of the city, Phnom Penh or Hill of Penh. Cambodians come to the shrine to pray for luck in love and life, employment and exams, so there it is always a bustling place.

Independence Monument, built in 1958, and inaugurated in 1962 during the regime of Sangkum Reastr, this monument also serves as a proud testament to commemorate people who sacrificed their lives for the welfare of the country. The monument is captivating for its cool, serene atmosphere, which in turn makes it a much sought-after destination.

Diamond Island is a satellite city in Phnom Penh on the Mekong and Bassac rivers. The land was a swamp until the year 2000, but it is now being developed as a residential and commercial area and could become a separate Phnom Penh municipality. A neighborhood named "Elysée" has a style inspired by Paris

Tuol Sleng was a former high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a centre for interrogation, torture and death. Today it is a museum of torture and serves to remind visitors of the terrible atrocities that came to pass in Cambodia. 17,000 people passed through the gates of this prison and only seven lived to tell the tale. Experience and not everyone will want to visit. However, it is key to understanding the hell into which Cambodia descended and how far it has come in the years since.

We then travel out of town to the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek. Prisoners from Tuol Sleng followed this same route to their fate. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeng Ek was turned into an extermination camp for political prisoners. The remains of 8985 people were exhumed from mass graves and are kept in a memorial stupa here. Despite the horrors of the past, it is a peaceful place to go and a tranquil spot to reflect on the tragic events that engulfed Cambodia and its people.

We travel to the impressive Central Market, one of the city landmarks. Originally completed by the French in 1937, this striking structure is known as PsarThmei in Khmer or New Market. The huge dome is wonderfully ventilated, a testament to the design, and this market is loaded with anything and everything available in Cambodia. Buy with caution, as this market has a reputation for overcharging or 'shaving your head' as Cambodians like to call it.

After breakfast at hotel, we leave Phnom Penh to Kompong Thom province. This province is very large in size with some 13,814 km2 making it the second biggest province of Cambodia. It is known as the historical and cultural site to explore with the presence of the pre-Angkorian temples. On the way, we will have few stops for toilet, a spider market and big market in the town. You will see a lot of bugs and birds on sales. Depending on arrival time, we may check in homestay first or directly to visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia. It is known as the historical and cultural site to explore with the presence of the pre-Angkorian temples. Overnight in Homestay

Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia. It is known as the historical and cultural site to explore with the presence of the pre-Angkorian temples.

• After breakfast at hotel, we will continue our trip to Siem Reap spending around 03 hours and upon arrival check in hotel to store luggage. On the way, we will stop to visit Kampung Kdey Bridge, Bamboo Sticky Rice and Khmer Noodle. On arrival in Siem Reap, we take a short city tour to pub street, old market and night market. Overnight in Siem Reap.

The architectural master piece was built in the 12th century, took 30 years to complete and represents the Khmer civilization at its grandest. Covering 81 hectares, it is one of the largest religious monuments ever built. Angkor Wat (the biggest Hindu temple in the world and the one of the largest religious monument in the world, built in between the 9th – 13th century, its general view are five ancients towers’ figure that embroidered or printed to the Kingdom of Cambodia’s Flag now.

Rising eight meters high, the laterite wall measures 3x3km and guards many treasures inside, protected by a moat still flooded today. You will enter the ancient city through its South Gate. In the very centre lies the temple of Bayon – silent witnesses of time, the 216 enigmatic faces gaze over the horizon and one can only wonder what they have seen throughout the ages. Your guide will point out the best angles for photography here and give explanation of the many intricate carvings on the walls of the galleries. You will then continue to Baphuon with its long causeway and an impressive giant Reclining Buddha, a jigsaw puzzle only put back together in 2011 following a 37 year-long disruption caused by the war. Phimeanakas is hiding in the shaded jungle and offers a decent over-the-tree-tops view to those who conquer the steep steps to the top. Continuing along the Esplanade of the Royal Palace more commonly known as the Terrace of the Elephants you will wind up your exploration in the shaded area of the picturesque Preah Palilay.

Ta Prohm, gained its 21st Century fame from the movie Tomb Raider featuring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Today, with Lara long gone, this temple is on the itinerary of most visitors and rightfully so. Many corners of Ta Prohm showcase an intricate relationship between the roots of Spung tree (Tetrameles Nudiflora) and ancient stones covered in moss. Truly a photographer's paradise, don't miss the opportunity to capture your own explorer's moments.

Banteay Srei well known for its beautiful delicate carvings in warm pink sandstone. This late 10th century structure is fairly compact and very different from other Angkorian temples.

Banteay Samre – a larger temple which is often overlooked by tourists and looks gorgeous in late afternoon light.

Neak Pean offers a different view altogether. Located in the centre of the Northern Baray, this temple is essentially an island and most impressive to view in the wet season. The long raised wooden causeway leading to the temple is surrounded by water and submerged tree trunks lend the scene a ghostly appearance.

Travel to Preah Khan; another temple with spectacular trees and roots taking over the ancient man made structures which would give Ta Prohm run for its money any day! Explore the delicate carvings and don't miss the only two-storey construction in Angkor; standing on high columns this is a unique phenomenon in Khmer architecture. Your knowledgeable guide will help you navigate through the temple grounds before continuing further.

Sunset at Pre Rup temple which was built in 967 AD dedicated to Shiva. This temple was built of bricks.

The silhouette of the largest religious monument ever built slowly emerges in front of you as darkness gives way to the first rays of dawn.... This is a truly spectacular sight and well worth the early start today! You may wish to assume the classic viewing position by the lotus pond and see Angkor Wat and its reflection or find yourself a different vantage point to appreciate and photograph this mesmerising temple. After that, come back to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we go to visit the late 9th century Hindu temples Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko form what is collectively known as the Rolous group located 15km west of Siem Reap, away from the main Angkor Archaeological Park. Explore the early capital of Angkor and let your guide show you the most attractive sites in this location, the most impressive being the pyramid-like Bakong surrounded by moat still containing water today.

Kompong Phluk, an authentic stilted village on the edge of the great Tonle Sap Lake. Here, the Khmer, Vietnamese and Cham people live in harmony with the rising and falling water levels of the lake. Fun fact: most households here own boats as well as motorbikes as their road becomes a water channel during the monsoon. The biggest attraction in this neighbourhood is the eerie Flooded Forest accessible by boat during the wet season.

To lighten up the mood a little we suggest a visit to the Artisans d'Angkor workshop where skilled artists produce gorgeous pieces of lacquer, stone carvings and silver plating and seeing them at work shows the positive direction of the path Cambodia finds itself on today. If you don't find your souvenirs and gifts here then perhaps the Old Market will have what you are looking for. Browse and use your bartering skills to bring home your memories of Siem Reap.