Detailed Itinerary

Visit of the Royal Palace, The Royal Palace serves as the residence of the King, a venue for court ceremony and as a symbol of the Kingdom. It was first established at its present location when the capital was moved from Oudong to Phnom Penh in 1866 under King Norodom and the French protectorate, though the Palace did not attain its current general form until about 1920. Khmer and European elements as well as distinct architectural echoes of the palace in Bangkok are present in the design of the various buildings. 

Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morokat) located within the Royal Palace compound, the Silver Pagoda is so names because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures are a solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9, 584 diamonds and weighing 90kilos and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. It is where the King meets with monks for Royal ceremonies are performed and it houses a collection of priceless Buddhist and historical objects including the 'Emerald Buddha.' And, unlike most pagodas, no monks live at the pagoda. The temple building, library and galleries were first constructed between 1892 and 1902.

Note: During the visit of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, visitors are required to wear proper attire, covering shoulders and knees as this temple is still considered as a sacred site (no short, miniskirt or short trousers). 

Depart to visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former high school.  In the Pol Pot time, they took this school as a prison for detentions and torture of prisoners. After interrogation, the prisoners were transferred to Cheung Ek, to be killed. 

Optional service: Special meeting with a Khmer Rouge survivor (separate price) 

Bou Meng survived S-21 because he was a painter and was singled out from a row of shackled prisoners to produce portraits of the Khmer Rouge chief, Pol Pot. He was taken to S-21 in June 1977. The long-term effects of his one and a half years of detention have left their scars. During the first few years after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Bou Meng returned to work in an office at Tuol Sleng, which was converted into a museum of genocide. Now he uses it as a rest stop, sometimes spending the night there on a cot when he visits the capital, Phnom Penh, from the countryside, where he paints Buddhist murals in pagodas. Boug Meng keeps in his wallet a snapshot-size reproduction of the prison portrait of his wife, Ma Yoeun, who was arrested with him but did not survive. He gave evidence against the S-21 commandant, Duch, at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in 2011.

Fellow survivor, Chum Mey, comes from Prey Veng and was a mechanic, who was taken into S-21 in October 1978, just a few months before the regime fell. There he was imprisoned in a brick cell about two metres by one metre wide, blindfolded and shackled to the floor. For twelve days and nights he was tortured, as his interrogators tried to make him confess to spying for the United States and Russia. He was allowed to live because he was of use to the regime, fixing sewing machines in the prison workshop. On 7 January 1979, Vietnamese troops captured Phnom Penh from the Khmer Rouge, and the prison staff fled. Chum Mey was marched at gunpoint by prison guards into the provinces, where he had a chance meeting with his wife, and held for the first time, his fourth child, a boy, just two months old. Two days later, soldiers shot dead his wife and baby, as Chum Mey escaped. He too gave evidence at the Khmer Touge Tribunal trial against the former 2-1 commander Comrade Duch in 2011.

Lunch on your own account 

Continue to visit of Killing Field (Cheung Ek), a profoundly moving but depressing experience. During the Khmer Rouge years, thousands of Cambodians were tortured and imprisoned in Toul Sleng. They were then moved to the extermination camps at Choeng Ek where they were bludgeoned to death. They were buried in mass graves and today over 8,000 skulls are displayed behind the glass of a memorial stupa, erected in 1988 to honour those who died. 

Note: Audio guide is not included

If the time is permitting, visit of Russia Market (Toul Tompong Market). This market became the foreigner’s market during the 1980’s when most of the foreigners in Cambodia were Russians, hence the name ‘Russian Market.’ There are several jewellers and gold-sellers, but it also carries huge selection of curios, silks, and carvings, it is one of the best markets in town to buy fabric.

Dinner on your own account 

Optional service: Phnom Penh Nightlife Experience (separate price) 

Time: 4 hours tour starting at 6.00PM 

Includes: Vespas, drivers, English speaking tour guide, dinners at local restaurants, Bar, and café, at least one drink at each stop.

Description: On this Phnom Penh night tour, you’ll get the chance to experience Cambodian cuisine, delicious cocktails, and local beer, and see first-hand the unique nightlife that this capital city has to offer. Start off the night at a chique rooftop bar for cocktails and snacks, meet your tour guide, and get ready for an evening of dining & exploring Phnom Penh. After cocktails, hop on the back of our new Vespa scooters and join the locals in the bustling street traffic. 

The next stop is popular amongst locals who are craving some of the best local street food Phnom Penh has to offer. Try delicious fresh oysters with traditional Cambodian toppings and this stop’s famous Basa fish. Another feature at this stop will be tasting Kampot pepper with squid, which is known as the best pepper in the world. After this street food stop, hop on the Vespa and drive past some of the famous sights of Phnom Penh, and stop at the beautiful memorial for a brief story about the history. Zooming through the city lights, you will then experience a popular spot amongst locals for live music & dining. With a mix of top Cambodian songs and foreign rock hits, you’re bound to stay entertained. Finish the evening at an upscale street of small unique bars for cocktails and cold beer.

Approximate duration of the visits: 6h00 – 7h00

Approximate distances: 33km – 35km

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Selected hotel in Phnom Penh

The Palace Gate – Royal Suite room 

White Mansion – Junior Suite room

Villa Langka – Deluxe room