The Kingdom of Cambodia is an independent country and has a distinct geographical personality: it is a wide basin surrounded by highlands. In this basin the farmer has created a simple life - an original civilization and philosophy of mildness.

After many years of war, people rediscovered the meaning of "PEACE." They started to rebuild and reconstruct in all fields. Cambodia is divided into 20 provinces and rich in resources, forests, rubber, gems, fish, and has a big potential in tourism.

PHNOM PENH

The country's capital Phnom Penh is renowned for its beauty, particularly the area surrounding the Royal Palace where magnificent Khmer towers share a boulevard with colourful French villas overlooking the banks of the Tonle Sap river.

The city offers several cultural and historical attractions including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum. There are also a wide variety of services including five star hotels and budget guest houses, fine international dining, sidewalk noodle shops, neighborhood pubs international discos and more.

Phnom Penh, like other Asian-City tourist destinations, is in the midst of rapid change. Over the past few years the number of restaurants and hotels have grown considerably and in the last year there had been a huge increase in the number of visitors.

SIEM REAP

Siem Reap is the gateway to the temples of Angkor, Cambodia's spiritual and cultural heartbeat. A sleepy backwater town until a few years ago, it is fast reinventing itself as a sophisticated centre for the new wave of visitors passing through each year, with restaurant and bar prices climbing weekly.

If Cambodia is hot right now, then Siem Reap is boiling over. It's the one place everyone hits during their visit, mainly due to its proximity to Angkor Wat. Pleasing remnants of the past like French shop-houses, tree-lined boulevards and a gentle winding river nestle up to pointers to the future.

ANGKOR WAT

The glorious and world-famous Angkor Wat situated in Siem Reap Province just a few kilometers from the town. One can reach Siem Reap by taking daily direct flights from Phnom Penh.

The Temples of Angkor were built between 7th and 11th century when the Khmer civilization was at its height. Angkor Wat is the cultural home of the Khmer people and one of the ancient wonders of the world. Its magnificent architecture was the evidence of the Khmer's strong belief in religions - Hinduism and Buddhism.

First discovered by Western archaeologists in the late 19th century, the lost city of Angkor has just re-opened for exploration. The fortified city of Angkor Thom, some 10 km² in area, was built in its present form by Angkor's greatest builder, Jayavarman 7 (reigned 1181 to 1201), who came to power just after the disastrous ransacking by the Chams of the previous Khmer capital, is enclosed by a square wall eight metres high and 12 km in length and encircled by a moat 100 meters wide, said to have been inhabited by fierce crocodiles.

The city has five monumental gates, one in the north, west and south walls and two in the east wall. The gates, which are 20 metres in height, are decorated on either side of the passageway with stone elephant trunks and crowned by four gargantuan faces.

Cambodia promises a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences to both the leisure and intrepid traveller. Your heart will race at Angkor Wat, one of the world's greatest achievements, only to haltingly derail when faced with the impact of humankind's darkest moments. How else can one explain the unthinkable splendour of the 9th- to 13th-century Khmer temples, the tropical islands with barely a beach hut in sight and the untold adventures lurking in northern forests? Cambodia has a vibrant culture, charming people and amazing sights!

Day 1. Arrival in Siem Reap. After you arrive in Cambodia, you will be met by our professional guide at Siem Reap International airport and transferred you to your hotel. This afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides and each tells a story. Enjoy the sunset at Angkor Wat then proceed back to your hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure. D

Day 2. Siem Reap. This morning, you drive to visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom - last capital of the Khmers, with its Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, Phimeanakas, Preah Paliley and the stunning Bayon temple. This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very centre of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. This afternoon, you will continue your exploration of the Angkor Temples at Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its "re-discovery" by French explorers. After that, visit Preah Khan "The Sacred Sword", an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. Return to your hotel and overnight stay BD

Day 3. Siem Reap. This morning, you will visit Banteay Srei; the citadel of women - a tiny, enchanting temple, which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the tenth century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the carved male and female figures in the niches are exquisitely executed in both style and proportion. Continue to Visit Banteay Samre Temple on the way back to town. This afternoon, you drive to Ton Le Sap Lake, the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia, is the lifeblood of the Cambodian fishing industry Hopping on board a small shaded vessel and moving between the floating homes and small fish farms you will experience close up, daily lake life. The balance of the day is at leisure to relax or visit the Night Market. BD

Day 4: Siem Reap Kampong Thom-Phnom Penh. This morning you will depart from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by private vehicle. You will drive through the beautiful countryside, passing over and alongside ancient laterite bridges through the town of Kampong K'dei. King Jayavarman VII who built the Angkor temple in 12th century built this bridge. Later, you will continue on to visit Sambor Prei Kuk temples dating back to the 7th century. Continue to Phnom Penh, upon arrival transfer directly to your hotel for check in. The balance of the day is at your leisure. B

Day 5: Phnom Penh. This morning, you will visit the Royal Palace, which was built in 1866 by King Norodom. The Palace is actually a number of structures within a pagoda-style compound. The treasures are solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9, 584 diamonds and weighing 90 kilos small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Next visit the National Museum, which houses Khmer art especially, sculptures, from different periods of Cambodian history, 19th century dance costumes, royal barges and palanquins. Enjoy shopping at the Russian Market this afternoon. You will then visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school. In the Pol Pot time, they took this school as a prison for detentions and torture of prisoners. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening in Phnom Penh. B

Day 6: Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville.Transfer from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by private car. Upon arrival in Sihanoukville, you will be transferred directly to your hotel for check in. The balance of you day is at your leisure. B

Day 7: Sihanoukville. Full day free at your leisure in Sihanoukville. B

Day 8: Sihanoukville. Full day free at your leisure in Sihanoukville to enjoy the beach or quaint town. B

Day 9: Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh Departure. Transfer from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by private vehicle by overland to take your onward flight. B

DEPARTURES:

Join any day.

PRICES:

Please request prices for the time you wish to travel.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Return airport transfers by private vehicle, accommodation for 8 nights with air conditioning and private facilities, daily breakfast plus and 3 dinners. Entrance fee to the Temples, all transfers and full tour program as stated, local English Speaking guides, private air-conditioned Vehicles, private overland transfer from REP-PNH, private overland transfer from PNH-SHV, bottle of water and cold towel in vehicle during sightseeing.

HOTELS:

PYour choice from the list below.

First Class 
Borei Angkor Hotel, - Siem Reap 3 nights
Sunway Hotel - Phnom Penh 2 nights
Sokha Beach Hotel - Sihanoukville 3 nights

Deluxe
Grand Hotel D'Angkor - Siem Reap 3 nights
Le Royal - Phnom Penh 2 nights
Sokha Beach Hotel - Sihanoukville 3 nights

Amansara lies in the former guesthouse of King Sihanouk. This classic sixties structure has been converted into a calm oasis on the outskirts of bustling Siem Reap.

King Sihanouk commissioned French architect, Laurent Mondet, in 1962, to build a guesthouse enabling visiting dignitaries to enjoy a cool and contemporary stay while allowing them to embrace the outstanding ancient ruins and temples within its jungle and rice paddy terrain. The ruins of nearby Angkor, clinging on in the clutches of forest and farmland are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ranging from a cluster of bricks to the world's largest single religious monument. Amansara, previously known as Villa Apsara, has had a fretful and fascinating legacy, though this splendid architectural gem, now meticulously restored and nurtured by Amansara, has maintained its spirit of intent. It rests as the ideal portal for discovering the incredible culmination of five centuries of Khmer civilisation, between 802 and 1220 AD, representing one of humankind's most profound and long-lived architectural achievements.

This tranquil home offers a multitude of relaxing opportunities within its private garden enclave: a sultry curved slate swimming pool surrounded by bamboo and taupe cushioned loungers with a shaded pergola for alfresco delights; the Dining Room, previously the screening room of King Sihanouk, is both dramatic and outstanding with a cavernous seven-metre high ceiling and a well stocked walk-in wine cellar. The 24 suites are decorated in a classic Indochinese palette of cool grey, pristine white, dark timber and ivory with private courtyards and soothing water features with 12 offering private swimming pools. The Roof Garden, surrounded and shaded by trees, with mushroom hued cushions on low seating, is the ideal venue for relaxing by candlelight with pre-prandial drinks or, invigorating yoga sessions with the rising sun. The Spa, which has four immaculate treatment rooms in dark wood and fresh white, focuses strongly on therapeutic Cambodian techniques using organic products and faces an exceptional Angkor-inspired 43m sandstone bas-relief set above a green hand tiled reflective pond.

Every suite has access to its own custom fitted remork and driver, for personal expeditions into this rich and glorious land.

ACCOMMODATION

A cool, earthy and sophisticated palette of grey, white, dark wood and ivory washes all the suites with subtle elegance culminating in a distinct serenity that serenades its sixties conception and complements its distinctive and astonishing surrounding culture. The suites offer a breezy open-plan design balancing the tranquil sleep chamber with the subtle seating area on a floor of soft grey terrazzo. The bathrooms, clear-cut in white and dark wood are luxuriantly spacious with deep soaking tubs and generous twin vanities and an enclosed courtyard featuring a soothing water garden.

A secretly placed, additional lap pool languishes invitingly behind a vast stone clad wall, a feature, echoed throughout the resort and land, of hidden treasures and wondrous surprises.

Suites
Amansara has 12 Suites, similar in design, featuring an open plan setting with finishes in terrazzo and timber. Colours are muted and earthy. Entry is to a combined sleeping and living area that contains a large writing desk and a king-size bed.

Adjacent is a dressing area with hanging cupboards and drawers. The lounge has a large sofa, an informal circular dining table and chairs. Beyond, and leading down a few steps, is the bathroom which opens onto a light-filled courtyard featuring a water garden and cushioned banquette. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors offer views of the courtyard which features a small water garden. Each suite is air-conditioned, with ceiling fans and a music system.

Pool Suites
Twelve Pool Suites feature a private six by five-metre swimming pool and are fronted by additional private dining areas.

FACILITIES

Cuisine
The Dining Room, near the swimming pool, is a focal point of the property and unique in design. It is circular in shape with a soaring seven-metre ceiling and has an informal ambience for dining or all day lounging. The menu offers both traditional Khmer and Western cuisines and features the freshest of seasonal produce. The dining room also features a walk-in wine cellar where guests may make their selection. Guests may also dine and snack poolside, or enjoy their in-room complimentary minibar that offers a range of healthy alternative herbal drinks as well as the usual favourites. The Roof Terrace offers a seasonal alternative spot for early evening drinks or lunch, with cushioned seating and low tables shaded by trees. It is also an ideal place for yoga or quiet contemplation, especially at sunrise.

Library
The Library provides a range of coffee-table books, travel guides, novels, magazines, daily newspapers and complimentary Internet access via a Mac. Also on offer are a range of audio CDs, board games and a comprehensive collection of reference books on the Angkor temples and Khmer civilisation. house talks

Amansara works closely with knowledgeable sources in Siem Reap to invite visiting scholars for informal house talks and excursions to places of special interest. These sessions offer a close-up look at Angkor and Cambodia through the eyes of specialists in subjects as diverse as history, archaeology, architecture, satellite imagery, dance, culture and even puppetry.

Gallery
The Gallery provides a variety of handwoven silks, lacquer-ware, jewellery, local handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs.

Spa
Four treatment rooms, each with an attached relaxation area and private steam bath and shower, are available to provide guests with a range of massage and beauty treatments using Cambodian techniques and natural products. All the treatment and relaxation rooms look out onto a reflection pond that is set against a 43.2m sandstone relief. swimming pool

Most of Amansara's suites are set around a central, grassed courtyard. At one end of the lawn, adjacent to a shady pergola, is a 17.5m swimming pool with sun deck. A 25m by 5m lap pool is also available closer to the pool suites.