Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival
Upon arrival, our guide will warmly welcome you at the airport and take you to the hotel in the city centre. Settle in your room and spend some time to freshen up. Later this afternoon, meet up with your guide and head to the dock to board on a romantic boat cruise along the Mekong River. Enjoy a cold Laos beer while watching beautiful sunset over the shimmering city.

Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 2: Story of Phnom Penh (B,L)
Today you will take a city tour of Phnom Penh and get to know its origins with a visit to Wat Phnom. Visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom and comprising different structures grouped together in one enclosure. These house a remarkable collection of Khmer art. Here you’ll find the Silver Pagoda whose key works include a golden Buddha encrusted with 9584 diamonds and weighing 90kgs, and a Buddha featuring emeralds and Baccarat crystal dating from the 17th century. Afterwards travel to the south of the city to learn about the darkest period of Cambodia’s history: the regime of the Khmer Rouge. Here, you will visit the genocide museum of Tuol Sleng, an old secondary school which was transformed into a detention centre under the Khmer Rouge. The prison gates carry the name ‘S21’. Thousands of prisoners were detained, tortured and killed here. This place will undoubtedly leave you feeling quite moved. Returning to Phnom Penh, visit the Russian Markets (Tuol Tumpoung) where you can stroll among all the stalls and try your hand at bargaining. You’ll find fabrics, gems, jewelry, home wares and handicrafts among many other items. Return to your hotel later this afternoon.

Notes:
+ Visits to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda will be led by the guides on site as our guides are not authorized to conduct the tours there.
+ The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are sometimes closed without notice for official ceremonies. The visit will be replaced with another if possible.
+ The Russian market is closed on public holidays.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 3 : Phnom Penh – Kep (B,L)
Today we will take you to Kep, a seaside resort town popular with the French in the early 1900s. First stop en-route at Tonlé Bati where there are two Angkorian temples "Ta Prum and Yeay Peou", then stroll along the lakeside and have a picnic lunch. Continue to Phnom Chisor and Kompong Trach to discover a beautiful mountain temples, built in the 11th century. After climbing a long staircase up the hill, not only will you be impressed by the superb temple, you will also be treated to a magnificent panoramic view of the plains, lake and rice fields. Arrive in Kep town later this afternoon; check in at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Kep

Day 4: Kep  - Kampot  - Sihanoukville (B,L)
Today you will travel to Sihanoukville stopping en route at Kampot, one of Cambodia’s most beautiful provincial towns, with tree-lined streets and well-preserved French colonial buildings.
Once you have checked into your hotel in Sihanoukville, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Sihanoukville was founded as a port town half a century ago and today is Cambodia’s premier beach destination. It is surrounded by palm-fringed white-sand beaches, picturesque islands and warm tropical waters. Nearby islands and coral reefs teem with colourful fish and offer excellent snorkelling opportunities. For seafood lovers, the local specialties are crab and prawns. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sihanouk Ville

Day 5: Sihanoukville – Free day (B)                 
Today is a free day for you to enjoy this magnificent setting. The hardest part will be deciding whether to relax on the beach or by the pool!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Sihanouk Ville

Day 6: Sihanouk Ville - Phnom Penh (B,L)
Return to Phnom Penh today, stopping along the way at Kirirom National Park to see its stunning waterfalls and wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 7: Phnom Penh – Battambang (B,L)
This morning, meet up with our guide and driver at hotel lobby, drive along the beautiful countryside to the laid-back town of Battambang (290 km. 4-5 hrs drive). We will have some stops en-route, interesting one at the Silversmith village to see the pottery manufactories in Kompong Chhnang and visit also a fish market. Arrive in Battambang, and check-in at the hotel.  Walk through the town to discover its beautiful colonial architecture. Overnight at hotel in Battambang. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang

Day 8: Battambang  (B,L)
In the morning drive along the picturesque Sangker River to Wat Slaket Pagoda, the residence of the provincial Buddhist patriarch. Continue to visit Wat Ek Phnom. Visit a market where Prahoc, the Cambodian fish paste, is made. Visit the Provincial Museum (closed on Saturdays / Sundays) and the local market. Continue to Phnom Banon, with its five sandstone towers on top of a hill and enjoy a magnificent view until sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Battambang

Day 9: Battambang - Siem Reap (B,L)  
Depart from Battambang to Siem Reap via Sisophon by overland transfer. Lunch at a local restaurant in Sisophon then continue on to Siem Reap, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool or stroll down the bustling night market and pub street.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Day 10: Siem Reap: Discover Angkor Temples (B,L)
Start this day by discovering the mysterious Angkor temples. Wake before dawn and take a tuk-tuk ride to visit Angkor Wat at sunrise. Dawn is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples, whose ancient sandstone blocks are gilded gold by the early morning rays. Return to the hotel for breakfast then set back out on a full day temple tour. Starting with the magnificent Angkor Wat - the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture, we proceed to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon Temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Day 11: Half day Khmer cooking class – Free afternoon (B,L)
Today, spend time discovering the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine in a half-day cooking class. Begin with a walk and talk along the country lanes in the village where you will learn about Cambodian vegetables, herbs, and other ingredients before returning to the classroom for a hands-on culinary experience. After dining on your creations, we will take you back to hotel for relax. (Today you get a complimentary voucher of 60 minutes foot massage)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Day 12: Siem Reap - Old market – Departure
After breakfast, explore the Psar Chass, also known as the “Old Market” for some last minute souvenir shopping, before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home. Bon voyage!

Meals: Breakfast

End of services.

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.

The prices are quoted in US Dollars per person based on 2 pax/room

	2 pax	4 pax	6 - 8 pax	Single Sup.
Superior	1212	869	812	238
First-class	1346	1006	948	375
Deluxe	1506	1149	1094	528
Child from 4 – 10 years old: 75%

Please note: This is a sample itinerary and can be tailored to suit your own personal needs and budget . Please click on CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIPS and supply the required information, we will send you a personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

HOTEL SELECTION:

The hotels listed below are our suggestions for the best value on this tour.  However, Asia Essence Tours offers many more options of hand-picked hotels, with different "star ratings", allowing you to customize the vacation to meet your taste and budget.

LOCATIONS	SUPERIOR	FIRST CLASS	DELUXE
Siem Reap	La Niche D’Angkor Boutique	Tara Angkor	Angkor Village Resort & Spa
Phnom Penh	Anise	Sunway Phnom Penh	Sokha Phnom Penh
Battambang	Classy Hotel	Battambang Resort	Battambang Resort
Kep	Rock Royal Resort	Kep Bay	Knai Bang Chatt
Sihanoukville	Aristocrat	Independence	Sokha Beach Resort

We, at Asia Essence Tours, are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. As the hotel cost will be the major expense of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, it is essential that all of the hotels chosen by us are the highest quality for the price paid. All of our prices are based on twin, double or queen shared rooms.

BELOW IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOTEL "STAR" RATINGS:

First Class/ 3 Star (from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/night)

The First Class/ 3 Star Hotels are good value and normally centrally located. They all have comfortable en-suite rooms, good amenities and public areas to relax in. They are usually family run hotels, so offer great personalized service for your enjoyment and comfort. Most first class properties offer an in-house restaurant, and some may even have a swimming pool!

Superior/ 4 star (from US$ 80 - US$ 110/ per room/night)

The 4* superior Hotels offer a wide range of services. Many superior hotels feature a choice of several in-house restaurants. In addition virtually all of them have a swimming pool. Some may even feature a spa or health club. This grade of hotel offers more for your enjoyment and comfort, while still remaining affordable.

Deluxe/ 5 Star (from US$120 - US$ 180++/ per room/night)

These 5* Deluxe hotels are usually owned by Worldwide, well known Hotel chains. The deluxe hotels feature excellent locations, offer the highest standards of service and facilities, and are known as the best hotels in each region. Facilities such as swimming pools and spas are the norm, and guest rooms are luxurious. These hotels offer first class service and amenities throughout.

ASIA ESSENCE TOURS™ BESPOKE STYLE SUITS EVERYONE

Flexibility: The sample itinerary can be modified to suit your interests, budget as well as your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.

Tailor-Made Journey: This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of the trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

Commitment to Excellence: We enjoys excellent relationships with all of the highly regarded hotels and finest properties in our destinations as well as with service suppliers so that we are able to negotiate the most attractive prices for our clients, which enables us to provide exclusive holidays and affordable special offers. We create one-of-a-kind vacations for groups and individuals. We love our destinations and do our best to make sure that our customers feel the same way. Our job is to make sure that everyone gets the right balance of comfort and excitement to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.