Cambodia Beneath the Surface

Arrive at Phnom Penh airport, meet with your guide and transfer to your hotel. Visit Tuol Sleng Museum, known as the Museum of Genocidal Crimes, used by the Khmer Rouge as a detention and torture center in the late 70s. Today the building houses exhibits, paintings, and photographs of many of the victims. Visitors can see the crude cells built in the classrooms and the torture devices used to extract confessions. Overnight in Phnom Penh

This morning tour is by cyclo, one of the best ways to see the city. The Cyclo Center in Phnom Penh is a local NGO providing basic support to cyclo drivers, who are among the poorest people in the city. After experiencing the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and National Museum, lunch will be at Friend’s Restaurant, a training restaurant offering a future to homeless children and marginalized youth. Visit the Champey Academy of Arts (CAA), one of local professional and non-profit schools in Phnom Penh offering Cambodian traditional performing arts training programs. While most children attend school, some children are still working under extremely hard and dangerous conditions. To help them, Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE) provides access to education and basic needs. One of the students will introduce you to the school and explain the projects. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Depart Phnom Penh and transfer by car to Battambang, driving through the countryside visiting villages along the way, including Kampong Chhnang, famous for pottery. Arrive in Battambang and discover the city center with its beautiful Colonial architecture. Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city, though it is much smaller and quieter than Phnom Penh. Overnight in Battambang

Battambang is home to a vibrant contemporary art scene. This morning you will meet some of these artisans in their homes and workshops. After lunch visit PHARE School, an NGO aiming to support community development providing social and cultural services to children and their families. Continue to explore Battambang’s art and shopping venues in the old Colonial-era shop-houses of the picturesque Walking District. Tonight, embark on a culinary journey in the old colonial quarter and along the banks of the Sangker River. Sampling local Khmer dishes along the way, stop at several food stalls with your guide to try the local delicacies. Overnight in Battambang

Depart Battambang and transfer to Mahob Organic Farm. The farm specializes in heirloom varieties of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Enjoy a cooking class learning about Cambodian cuisine and culture with an enthusiastic and talented local chef. Transfer to Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap

This morning, visit the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom, “Great City,” containing the famous Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants, and Leper King Temples. In the afternoon, explore the spectacular Angkor Wat, considered the world’s largest single religious monument. Bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides, each telling a story. Conclude the day with a panoramic sunset view of the area from the summit of one of the temples. Overnight in Siem Reap

Travel to Banteay Srei temple, regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art, known as Citadel of Women or the Pink Temple. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight – or extend your stay in Asia!