Highlights / General details

Explore Phnom Penh’s recent tragic history by paying visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choueng Ek bone pagoda.

Savor the flavors of Khmer lunch at an NGO training restaurant.

Travel by boat to explore an island in the Mekong, discovering the local way of life — and maybe even try your hand at silk weaving.

Wander around local villages, visit a family home, and sample Khmer snacks and fruits.

Marvel at Phnom Penh’s Khmer and French colonial architecture.

Inclusion

Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Local English-speaking guide; Entrance fees to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and Choueng Ek Killing Field; Transport by vehicle, moto-remork, and local boat; Khmer snacks and lunch.

Exclusion

Items of a personal nature; Water; Additional food; Tips or gratuities for drivers or guide.

Hours of operation

Available daily, pick-up time at 8:30am - 9:00am.

Duration

Approximately 8 - 8.5 hours.

Location

Meeting point: Pick up at centrally located hotels in Phnom Penh.

Finish point: Drop off at centrally located hotels in Phnom Penh.

Itinerary

Your Phnom Penh tour starts by learning about and confronting Cambodia's tragic past. You’ll take a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school that served as a Khmer Rouge torture center. Then, head out of the city to the Choueng Ek Memorial, where a pagoda made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of one of the infamous Killing Fields. Afterwards, make a difference to the Cambodian community by enjoying a Khmer lunch at an NGO training restaurant.

Next on your Phnom Penh tour, you’ll travel by moto-remork (a Cambodian tuk-tuk) and head out of Phnom Penh on the Japanese Friendship Bridge before catching a ferry across the mighty Mekong River to Mekong Island. The island is famous for silk weaving, agriculture, and aquaculture (85% of residents earn their living from these industries). We'll stop to see the silk weavers at work in the village, where you can purchase some of the local products if you wish. As you wander the village, you can explore a Buddhist temple and floating fish farms, see fields of rice and morning glory, and enjoy local Khmer snacks at a family home.

Say goodbye to the tuk-tuk and board a boat to enjoy the sunset from the water at the junction of the Tonle Bassac, Tonle Sap, and the mighty Mekong. You’ll see the distinctive architecture of Cambodia, with Khmer-influenced buildings such as Wat Ounalom, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda, as well as French colonial buildings — some renovated, some ravaged by neglect and the war.

Finally, we close off the Mekong boat tour with a gorgeous sunset, and return you back to Phnom Penh and your hotel.

Participant restrictions

Children must be 6 years of age or older.

Additional Information

Dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this, and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominately hot Asian climate.

Visitors to the Royal Palace must wear shorts or skirts that are knee-length or below, shirt sleeves that reach the elbow or longer, and sandals or shoes (no flip flops). Otherwise, they will be required to rent appropriate covering.

For most of the year it is hot in Cambodia. The guide will make regular stops where you can purchase water and snacks. Please keep hydrated and bring sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun.

The Royal Palace grounds may be closed on important Khmer holidays for part or all of the day, and as such the order of visiting different sites may change in order to accommodate this. In the rare event that the palace grounds are closed for the entire day, an alternate activity of the same value will be provided.

Policies

This tour is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.

If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at your hotel for pick up.

Please check your hotel details are correct on the voucher.

Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**