DAY 1
SIEM REAP

Your guide will meet you at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer you to your accommodation to check in.

Enjoy sunset at one of our specially selected temples before dinner and Phare Circus. Your included dinner this evening is at Phare Cafe outside the big top, so that you can take in the extraordinary and enlightening performing arts of Phare, The Cambodian Circus.

The performance lasts one hour. VIP tickets ensure reserved seat with close-up and unobstructed views of the action. It mixes traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, contortion, balancing and tight rope walking.

It is a truly remarkable experience to see these young, underprivileged, inspirational people who have become so disciplined and talented.

DAY 2
DISCOVER ANGKOR

The day begins early with an unforgettable and awe-inspiring site – Angkor Wat at dawn. Marvel as the sun rises over the spires of the largest religious structure in the world.

We’ll return you to your hotel for breakfast and then continue our discovery of the temples. After exploring Angkor Wat in all its splendor, at the quietest time of day, we take a break for a local lunch, before returning to the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom and the beguiling, smiling faces of the Bayon Temple.

Early evening, visit Ta Phrom, when the light is at its’ most magical. See how the massive root tentacles from the towering trees have grown through the temple, binding the ancient stones to the jungle. It’s an evocative sight.

DAY 3
KOMPONG KLEANG, THE TONLE SAP AND BENG MEALEA

Today we visit the remote stilted village of Kompong Khleang, on the floodplains of the Tonle Sap Lake.
During the dry season the 6-metre stilted homes tower above the low water line, exposing the various livestock of the villagers, including chicken, pigs and dogs.

The villagers are fishing folk with shrimp harvesting their primary source of income. Giant sheets covered with pink shrimp drying in the sun can be seen on the lake shore and along the main street.

In the afternoon we venture out to visit one of the larger, but further afield temples of the Angkor region, deep in the jungle at Beng Mealea. It has been described as “unquestionably one of the most beautiful Angkorian sites,’ and possibly served as the direct model for Angkor Wat itself.

DAY 4
A DAY IN THE LIFE…

Kompheim Village – Lady Bird Village.
(in conjunction with our sister company – Beyond. Unique Escapes)

Depart from Siem Reap and journey out to a local village where you will spend the day. The village sits around 16km from Siem Reap and consists of mostly farming families. Please note this is a real village not a replica set up for tourists to visit, as such you need to flexible, things can change, ceremonies may be running or events may be taking place in the village.

We in no way want to impact on the traditional culture or practices in the village and so will adapt the tour if need be.

Each tour works with one host family, who is a Type 1 Poor Family. Typically a type one family has no regular income source, and no savings. Families often miss meals and are very vulnerable to illness.

Activities on the tour may include planting rice, harvesting or transplanting rice depending on the time of year. Other activities include weaving thatch for roof repairs, weaving wall panels, planting vegetable crops, tree planting, making prahoc or rice wine.

Every tour is different. Activities will depend on the time of year, family needs and goings on in the village. On each tour you will also have the opportunity to plant a fruit tree for your host family. This will provide a future food and potential income source.

Every tour welcomes you into the village. Learn about life in a typical village, visit the local Pagoda and school if possible. Find out about village customs and culture and gain new insights and experiences.

A Khmer hot lunch is freshly prepared in the village, using ingredients prepared by our catering partner in Siem Reap. Lunch is enjoyed together with your host family. Please note due to lack of electricity and proper sanitation we cannot source food from the village.

This Day in a Life Tour is part of our Responsible Tourism Initiative. Every tour directly helps a Type 1 village family. In addition every tour sets aside funding for projects in the village. Your participation directly helps Cambodian families.

Please note; providing gifts are a wonderful gesture but can cause issues of jealousy and lead to a begging cycle. If you would like to help please discuss this with our staff who can provide information on the best way to make a meaningful difference.

DAY 5
ARTISANS D’ANGKOR

For your final morning in Siem Reap, our guide will escort you to Les Artisans d’Angkor where you’ll see local crafts being made.

Artisans Angkor is a Cambodian company which was originally created to help young rural people find work near their home village. As the offshoot of an educational project called Chantiers-Ecoles de Formation Professionnelle, aiming at providing professional skills to communities with limited educational opportunities, Artisans Angkor has maintained its commitment to education by developing its own training program.

Since its creation at the end of 1990s, Artisans Angkor has strived to offer good working conditions and social advantages to its employees. It has now opened 42 workshops in Siem Reap province and it provides employment to over 1300 people, including more than 900 artisans.

Any time to suit you, we will drop you off at Siem Reap International Airport to catch your onward flight.