Day 1: Siem Reap Arrival
Arrival at Siem Reap airport, meeting with guide & transfer to your hotel. Today, we’ll visit the incomparable Khmer temple complex of Angkor. From the 9th to 15th century, Angkor was both the power base of a mighty military and political force & the heart of a rich & sophisticated civilization. Late afternoon, climb up to the Bakheng Temple, perched on top of a natural hill with spectacular views over Angkor Wat. Please note that the steep climb is richly rewarded by the views – sometimes elephants can be hired to carry you up (optional). Tonight, you will enjoy a buffet dinner at Kulen II restaurant with an Apsara Show, a special presentation by the Khmer people.
Day 2: Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom
After an American breakfast, we will visit Angkor Wat, the biggest temple in the world. We’ll also see the "Great City" of Angkor Thom, which was probably more opulent than most European cities in the late 12th Century. Lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, we’ll visit the royal city of Preah Khan which features fabulous carved stone lanterns & impressive sculptures. Enjoy a walk around Neak Pean, a shrine built on a small circular island. Our last stop, Ta Prohm, is a favorite among visitors because to see it, we must journey into the jungle.
Day 3: Volunteer Activity Day
Enjoy an American breakfast before visiting an orphanage center. While there, you’ll learn how the children study & live at this center. You can spend time to playing with them, helping them in daily activities & even share presents from the States.
Day 4: Tonle Sap Lake – Silk Farm
After breakfast, you’ll take a break from visiting temples & enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap in a traditional wooden boat. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South Asia & flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a “floating village” – boats that have been converted to look like houses. The “village” moves from place to place, following water levels. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Angkor Silk Farm, a fascinating workshop where we’ll see the entire silk creation process including: growing the food for the silk worms, breeding the worms, silk extraction, spinning & refinement, pattern creation & looming. Then, we’ll stop at the Artisans D’angkor, a Cambodian state establishment to train artisans in traditional techniques such as silk weaving, & stone & wood carving. The students are typically between 18 & 25 years old & from poor families. After graduation, they usually return to their villages & set up rural workshops. After touring the workshops, clients may visit the store, which has extremely high-quality Cambodian crafts.
Day 5: Siem Reap
Today, you will have chance to join in farming activities with the local people. Help them to harvest rice plants, pick fruit, or build bridges or houses. The work will depend works that locals need. A day of hard work will help you understand the daily life of the local people & learn about their countryside culture. Enjoy lunch at the home of a local family with local food. The evening is at your leisure.
Day 6: Siem Reap Departure
Breakfast at the hotel & transfer to the airport for your flight home.