Explore the Magical Complex of Angkor Wat

You’ll depart in your tuk-tuk at 4:30 am in the morning for the sunrise at Angkor. You will arrive at the mystical Srah Sarong or “King’s Bath” just in time for sunrise over the water and temples. The towers of Angkor Wat, silhouetted against the rich, purple sky and reflected in the glassy water are a sight you’ll never forget.

After the beautiful sunrise experience, head across the road and be first at the atmospheric jungle temple of Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm is particularly amazing in the early morning, when the only sounds are the chirping of insects and the calls of exotic birds. Without the crowds, you can almost imagine yourself being those first intrepid explorers stumbling across this lost temple deep in the jungle.

The Angkor Archaeological Park is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking, and one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia, if not the world.

You could spend weeks exploring the ruins, but on this day tour, you will be lucky enough to see all the highlights, including an optional 1km walk through the jungle to the hidden temple, where you will visit a few more intriguing temples.

After taking a break for lunch and some well deserved cold drinks, the late afternoon is put aside for a visit to the main temple, Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is one of mankind’s greatest achievements, and the intricate carvings at the temple of Angkor Wat demonstrate the incredible skill of the Khmer builders.

To round off a great day exploring, in the evening we invite you to join a small sunset BBQ and share a few beers at a local Khmer home.

Accommodation: Hillocks Hotel & Spa

Hillocks Hotel & Spa is a beautiful space for your stay in Siem Reap.

Cruise on the Great Tonle Sap

The Great Tonle Sap Lake (Boeung Tonle Sap) is a combination of lake and river systems that make it one of the most spectacular wonders in Asia.

After a morning of relaxation, we explore the great lake of Tonle Sap, checking out the local life with a visit to the Floating Village of Kompong Khleang or Kampong Phluk.

Colourful settlements are scattered on the margins of the great lake, and your guides will show you their very favourite spots, places you would never find without that essential local knowledge.

Add some vibrant markets into the mix and a local style Khmer picnic, if you dare to eat frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders and more, and you have yourself a truly authentic, offbeat day exploring true Cambodian culture.

This evening at 7 pm, your tuk-tuk driver will collect you and take you to Phare, The Cambodian Circus. It’s Siem Reap’s most unique, authentic, top-rated evening entertainment.

The performers use theatre, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell traditional Cambodian stories. The show will finish around 9:15 pm and your driver will take you back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hillocks Hotel & Spa

Hillocks Hotel & Spa is a beautiful space for your stay in Siem Reap.

Get Down to Grassroots and Work With the Community (and Elephants)

Today is elephant day! At 8 am you will be picked up from your hostel and head to the Sanctuary. By volunteering at the Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia, you will help regenerate the jungle habitat of the endangered Asian elephant, an essential task that ensures you leave a positive mark on your time in Cambodia.

Tree planting, seed collecting and trail-making are just some of the responsibilities you´ll have. It’s not often you can participate in a project that is literally at a grass-roots level that makes a genuine difference to a species’ survival.

You’ll arrive at the Elephant Sanctuary and prepare yourself to be involved in some activities. You will first have lunch before starting your task to prepare food for the elephants and take them for a walk in the jungle.

Spending time with these gentle creatures is the only motivation you’ll need to help them thrive in their natural habitat, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you form personal bonds with these characterful animals.

You will be living on-site in comfortable accommodation, where you will fall asleep to the sounds from the jungle. (All meals are vegetarian, with unlimited drinking water available.)

Accommodation: Elephant Sanctuary

You will be staying at the jungle lodge in the Elephant Sanctuary. The accommodation is very comfortable, and it is a magical experience to sleep immersed in wildlife, with the sounds of elephants, bats, and insects the only soundtrack to the night.

Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary is in a remote area north of Siem Reap. The project conserves 1 million acres of jungle habitat, approximately one hour north of Angkor Wat. The area is home to native species, flora and fauna such as tigers, monkeys, buffalos, and of course, the Asian elephant.

This experience will give you the chance to get up close to these beautiful majestic creatures. Prepare food, take them on a walk through the jungle and learn all about how this incredible project is working hard to protect Asia’s elephants.

Another Day with the Elephants

After a vegetarian breakfast, start your busy morning by preparing food for the elephants, planting trees and assisting with teaching some very basic English to some locals.

This is your chance to really give something back to the community that has welcomed you so warmly into their home, and is also a chance to really get to experience life like a local.

Relax for lunch and then we will travel back to Siem Reap. Check in to your accommodation to relax and enjoy some free time. Take a dip in the pool, get a massage, and later you could head out to Pub Street or the night markets for dinner, drinks and shopping.

Accommodation: Hillocks Hotel & Spa

Hillocks Hotel & Spa is a beautiful space for your stay in Siem Reap.

Departure from Siem Reap

Time to say farewell after an amazing trip! We hope that you have enjoyed this tour and we wish you a safe onwards journey.

Not sure where to go or what to do next? Let us know if you need inspiration or help with your onward journey.