Temples and Tastes of Phnom Penh

Highlights / General details

Phnom Penh is a busy, chaotic city that hides some real gems if you care to look. Join this food and culture tour and explore the city streets among the markets, monuments, motorcycles, and monkeys. Fried crickets and a Palace are also included! Anything (and everything) goes in Phnom Penh! Jump into a cycle to explore the heart of Phnom Penh. Spot monkeys at Wat Phnom. Visit the Royal Palace, the home of the King of Cambodia, and the Silver Pagoda in its grounds. Explore the bustling Central and Russian markets. Savor the flavors of Khmer snacks and lunch.

Inclusion

English speaking local guide; Entrance to Royal Palace and Wat Phnom; Transportation via cyclo and air conditioned vehicle; Khmer lunch and snacks.

Exclusion

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

Hours of operation

Available: Daily; Pickup 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 In case you haven't already figured it out, Phnom Penh is a chaotic, energetic, and utterly fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras, and today they teem with activity. Motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendors hawk their wares, and drivers call for business. At times it's a bit of a full on sensory overload! We'll start this Phnom Penh tour with a bang, and travel like a local on a cyclo tour of the impressive French Khmer colonial buildings in the city. Visit the home of Buddhism in Cambodia - Wat Ounalom which was founded in 1443, see the site of the filming of 'City of Ghosts', which starred Matt Dillon and Gerard Depardieu, and spot monkeys and perhaps have your fortune told at Wat Phnom aka Wat on the Hill. You'll also get to explore Central Market, which is located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building. Dive into some local history at the Independence Monument, where you'll hear about Cambodia’s connection with France and Vietnam, and check out the Cambodia/Vietnam friendship monument as well. We’ll also pay a visit to the grounds of the Royal Palace, which is still home to the King of Cambodia. On the palace grounds sits the magnificent Silver Pagoda, which we’ll check out, mostly to marvel at its floor, which is made up of around 2,000 silver tiles (which each weigh more than 1kg). For lunch, we'll head to a not-for-profit organisation set up to assist Cambodia's street children. We'll dig in to local Khmer delicacies and learn about the organisation before heading back out to keep exploring Phnom Penh.
If you are here on a weekday, we may be lucky enough to watch the Apsara Arts Association dancers as they rehearse the country and Royal dances for their Saturday performances. Continue the Phnom Penh city tour at the sprawling Russian Market, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry, and more. Explore, shop, and maybe even find some treasures to bring home with you! We'll finish our Phnom Penh city tour with a walk on the riverfront at the Chatomok, which is where the Tonle Bassac, Tonle Sap, and Mekong Rivers meet. In the early evening, market stalls set up selling fried cockroaches, spiders, crickets, or grasshoppers or other culinary delights. Wanna try?!

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.

Itinerary

In case you haven't already figured it out, Phnom Penh is a chaotic, energetic, and utterly fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras, and today they teem with activity. Motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendors hawk their wares, and drivers call for business. At times it's a bit of a full on sensory overload! We'll start this Phnom Penh tour with a bang, and travel like a local on a cyclo tour of the impressive French Khmer colonial buildings in the city. Visit the home of Buddhism in Cambodia - Wat Ounalom which was founded in 1443, see the site of the filming of 'City of Ghosts', which starred Matt Dillon and Gerard Depardieu, and spot monkeys and perhaps have your fortune told at Wat Phnom aka Wat on the Hill. You'll also get to explore Central Market, which is located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building. Dive into some local history at the Independence Monument, where you'll hear about Cambodia’s connection with France and Vietnam, and check out the Cambodia/Vietnam friendship monument as well. We’ll also pay a visit to the grounds of the Royal Palace, which is still home to the King of Cambodia. On the palace grounds sits the magnificent Silver Pagoda, which we’ll check out, mostly to marvel at its floor, which is made up of around 2,000 silver tiles (which each weigh more than 1kg). For lunch, we'll head to a not-for-profit organisation set up to assist Cambodia's street children. We'll dig in to local Khmer delicacies and learn about the organisation before heading back out to keep exploring Phnom Penh.
If you are here on a weekday, we may be lucky enough to watch the Apsara Arts Association dancers as they rehearse the country and Royal dances for their Saturday performances. Continue the Phnom Penh city tour at the sprawling Russian Market, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry, and more. Explore, shop, and maybe even find some treasures to bring home with you! We'll finish our Phnom Penh city tour with a walk on the riverfront at the Chatomok, which is where the Tonle Bassac, Tonle Sap, and Mekong Rivers meet. In the early evening, market stalls set up selling fried cockroaches, spiders, crickets, or grasshoppers or other culinary delights. Wanna try?!

Participant restrictions Children must be 6 years of age or older.

Location

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

Itinerary In case you haven't already figured it out, Phnom Penh is a chaotic, energetic, and utterly fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras, and today they teem with activity. Motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendors hawk their wares, and drivers call for business. At times it's a bit of a full on sensory overload! We'll start this Phnom Penh tour with a bang, and travel like a local on a cyclo tour of the impressive French Khmer colonial buildings in the city. Visit the home of Buddhism in Cambodia - Wat Ounalom which was founded in 1443, see the site of the filming of 'City of Ghosts', which starred Matt Dillon and Gerard Depardieu, and spot monkeys and perhaps have your fortune told at Wat Phnom aka Wat on the Hill. You'll also get to explore Central Market, which is located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building. Dive into some local history at the Independence Monument, where you'll hear about Cambodia’s connection with France and Vietnam, and check out the Cambodia/Vietnam friendship monument as well. We’ll also pay a visit to the grounds of the Royal Palace, which is still home to the King of Cambodia. On the palace grounds sits the magnificent Silver Pagoda, which we’ll check out, mostly to marvel at its floor, which is made up of around 2,000 silver tiles (which each weigh more than 1kg). For lunch, we'll head to a not-for-profit organisation set up to assist Cambodia's street children. We'll dig in to local Khmer delicacies and learn about the organisation before heading back out to keep exploring Phnom Penh.
If you are here on a weekday, we may be lucky enough to watch the Apsara Arts Association dancers as they rehearse the country and Royal dances for their Saturday performances. Continue the Phnom Penh city tour at the sprawling Russian Market, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry, and more. Explore, shop, and maybe even find some treasures to bring home with you! We'll finish our Phnom Penh city tour with a walk on the riverfront at the Chatomok, which is where the Tonle Bassac, Tonle Sap, and Mekong Rivers meet. In the early evening, market stalls set up selling fried cockroaches, spiders, crickets, or grasshoppers or other culinary delights. Wanna try?!

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.

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