Phnom Penh & Cambodia's History: Capital, Battambang & Angkor

Today you explore the beauty and heritage of Phnom Penh. You visit the beautiful Royal Palace, still home to the king, with its elegant golden-roofed pavilions and gardens, and the dazzling Silver Pagoda, whose floor is laid with more than five thousand silver tiles and which houses an emerald Buddha and a diamond-adorned golden Buddha. You continue to the superb National Museum, housed in a beautiful terracotta pavilion, home to the world's greatest collection of Khmer sculpture, where your guide illuminates the artistry of the Khmer Empire. You stroll the lively riverfront and elegant colonial-era streets. The beauty and heritage are captivating. As the day ends you return to your hotel. This evening, savour Phnom Penh's excellent dining, perhaps overlooking the Mekong. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore the capital's moving modern history.

Today, with respect and sensitivity, you explore the moving modern history of Cambodia. You visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the former S-21 prison where the Khmer Rouge held thousands, and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where a memorial stupa honours the victims of the Khmer Rouge years of 1975 to 1979. These sobering, profoundly affecting places help you understand modern Cambodia and the extraordinary resilience and gentleness of its people, who have rebuilt their nation with remarkable spirit. In lighter mood, you may visit Wat Phnom, the hilltop temple that gave the city its name, or the bustling Central Market. The history is important and humbling. As the day ends you return to your hotel, moved and enlightened. This evening, perhaps a quiet dinner to reflect. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to charming Battambang.

Today you journey by road to Battambang, Cambodia's charming, laid-back second city, set amid green countryside along a river. The scenic drive passes rice paddies, sugar-palm trees and villages, a window on rural Cambodian life. On arrival you wander Battambang's streets of faded French colonial shophouses and villas, and visit local workshops making rice paper, dried bananas and fish paste. The highlight is a ride on the famous bamboo train, a rickety, ingenious wooden platform on wheels that whizzes along an old railway track through the fields, an exhilarating and characterful experience. At dusk you may witness a spectacular flight of a million bats from a nearby cave. The charm and character are delightful. As the day ends you settle into your hotel in Battambang. This evening, savour a relaxed provincial dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to Siem Reap and Angkor.

This morning you explore a little more of Battambang and its beautiful countryside, perhaps a hilltop temple with sweeping views over the rice plains, before journeying on by road to Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor. The scenic drive continues through classic Cambodian countryside of paddies, palms and villages. On arrival in Siem Reap you settle into your hotel and, if time allows, may visit the excellent Angkor National Museum to prepare for the temples, or simply relax and explore the charming Old Market area. The countryside and the anticipation of Angkor are captivating. As the day ends, the wonders of the ancient Khmer Empire await. This evening, savour Siem Reap's lively dining scene, perhaps with a traditional Apsara dance performance. Rest well, for tomorrow you stand before the magnificent temples of Angkor.

Today your journey through Cambodia's history culminates at the magnificent temples of Angkor, the crowning glory of the Khmer Empire. You visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument on earth, its five lotus-bud towers reflected in still pools, exploring its vast galleries carved with gods, demons and armies. You continue to the walled royal city of Angkor Thom, entering through its monumental south gate to reach the Bayon, whose towers bear more than two hundred huge, serene, smiling stone faces, and walk the Terrace of the Elephants. You also wander Ta Prohm, the famous jungle temple embraced by great trees. Having learned Cambodia's story, seeing the source of its greatness is deeply moving. The scale and artistry are breathtaking. As the day ends you return to Siem Reap. This evening, savour a final Khmer dinner. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning in Siem Reap, perhaps a last visit to the Old Market for souvenirs or a relaxing spa treatment, you are transferred to Siem Reap Airport for your onward departure. You leave having journeyed through the full sweep of Cambodia's story, the glittering Royal Palace, superb National Museum and moving memorials of Phnom Penh, the colonial charm and bamboo train of Battambang, and the magnificent temples of Angkor where the Khmer Empire reached its glorious height, all warmed by the gentleness of the Cambodian people. The images stay vivid long after you land, golden palace spires, serene museum Buddhas, the rickety bamboo train, and the great towers and smiling faces of Angkor. Cambodia offers royal splendour, sobering history, provincial charm and ancient wonder in abundance, and you depart with a deep and moving understanding of this remarkable and resilient country, already dreaming of a return.