PHOM PENH

Fly into Phnom Penh, the city that retains its traditional Khmer and colonial charm. French villas along tree-lined boulevards remind the visitor that the city was once considered the ‘pearl’ of Southeast Asia. Recent political changes have triggered an economic boom, with new hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs springing up across the city.

Visit the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, it is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), displays plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony, continuing to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was build in 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others.
This afternoon we will learn about the dark side of Cambodia – Its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Initially you visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture center. Once you have gained an initial insight of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime you will be driven 15 km from Phnom Penh to visit the ‘Killing Fields’. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed ; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting.

Pick up time at 08h00am hotel lobby by local guide and driver then departure to visit Oudong was royal residence and Cambodia’s capital for more than 250 years. In 1866 King Norodom moved the capital to Phnom Penh. During Khmer Rouge Regime, Oudong royal court was extensively damaged along with the other temples, monuments and religious structures. Nowadays you can climb the hills and visit the temples and stupas containing the remains of several Khmer kings such as King Monivong and King Ang Duong. Restoration of damaged temples and religious monuments is still undergone with the funding and donation by international NGO. The summit of hills of Oudong offers a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. (The hills were also the site of some of the Khmer
Rouge’s most prolonged resistance against the Vietnamese army in 1979.)
Silversmiths Village is on the way back to Phnom Penh. Here you can watch the craftsmen making beautiful Khmer style silver crafts. Many families here are in this business for generations, they used to supply to the Royal Court that, at times, was in residence at Oudong. Normally they work in family unit, the house is the workshop where they make the crafts and sell them. As the price of raw silver went up a lot during the last few years, retail prices rose so much that wholesalers are unable to sell at those prices, this has forced some silversmiths to find other ways to earn a living

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Phnom Penh airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.