Culinary and Arts Adventure

Explore in depth traditional Khmer food and ancient art.

This Cambodian culinary adventure takes in some of the very best experiences available in Cambodia and will introduce you to a vast array of culinary delights you never even knew existed. Cambodian Cuisine is often overlooked by its neighbours, but in fact it is home to a huge diversity of snacks and soups and other dishes, often localised by provinces. On this journey you will get to try everything from fried Spiders, local delicacies all the way to Khmer Royal Cuisine and everything in between.

In addition as a result of its traumatic recent past, Cambodia is experiencing a resurgence in traditional arts and crafts and has a burgeoning scene in cities throughout the country including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Battambang. We introduce you to some of those at the forefront in its success and in turn their works of art.

Prepare yourselves for a feast of the senses as we take you on a journey of exploration of Cambodia’s best Art and foodie experiences.

Lunch with Royalty

Phnom Penh International Airport Arrival & Immigration Fast Track Service

Upon arrival at the terminal, look for the airport representative who will be holding a signboard with your name(s) on it. For a hassle-free experience, our representative will collect your passport, visa fee (if not already paid), and one passport photo for the visa before leading you to the baggage claim to collect your luggage while waiting for your passport to be stamped and returned. For large groups, go directly to the hotel and our representative will deliver the passports later. Our representative will accompany you to meet the guide who will be waiting for you outside the terminal.

Transfer to your hotel and check in.

Dance Workshop in Phnom Penh

Join our artists for an exciting, all inclusive, 90 minute dance workshop where you can have the opportunity to learn a classical and folk dance. Be introduced to the intricate and subtle styles incorporated into these special and meaningful dances. A unique opportunity to understand the meaning of Cambodian arts and share the daily lives of our dancers and musicians.

Dinner at Nak’s House with Cooking Demonstration

Head to a traditional Khmer wooden house enjoying the cool breeze on the banks of Mekong River, led by one of Cambodia’s leading chefs who is at the forefront of keeping traditional cooking practices and recipes alive in Cambodia. This is the house of Chef Nak, located in a beautiful rural setting surrounded by palm trees, it is here that we will learn how to create incredible Cambodian dishes. There will be a cooking demonstration to discover the secrets of Cambodian cuisine then you can relax as your hosts will spend the evening cooking delectable dishes and preparing cocktails while you enjoy the pool and gardens.

Phnom Penh City Tour

Home to about 1.5 million people, Phnom Penh has been Cambodia’s capital since French colonisation of the country. Located on the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River, Phnom Penh was once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina. 

Spend a half day exploring some key attractions in this charming city which boasts a rich blend of Khmer and colonial architecture. Explore Wat Phnom and find out some of its secrets with its big trees and mischievous monkeys also hear about the legend of Lady Penh, the founder of the city. Take in the sights of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two of the most striking buildings in the capital and considered as some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. At the Silver Pagoda, notice the small green crystal Buddha (the “Emerald Buddha”) and a life-sized solid-gold Buddha, which weighs 90kg (198lb) and is adorned with 2086 diamonds. Return to your hotel.

Notes

  • The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are open from 08:00 to 10:30 and 14:00 to 17:00 but are subject to closure at short notice in the event of official ceremonies. If the sites are closed, the guide will make changes to the itinerary on the day.
  • At religious sites, women should cover their shoulders and both men and women should cover their knees.

A Royal Appointment and Lunch at Raffles Le Royal

Today, you have a Royal Appointment with Her Royal Highness, Princess Sita Norodom.

You will dine with the princess in the private Crystal room, Phnom Penh where she resides, you will be given rare and precious time with the daughter of the Queen, who was in power during the 1940s until the Khmer Rouge usurped power, and they were given asylum in Paris.

Learn about her Mother, the most famous and beautiful Apsara, Norodom Buppha Devi, Royal Highness Samdech Reach Botrei Preah Ream Norodom Buppha Devi the Royal Ballet Dancer. Hear the fascinating stories about architects, musicians and film stars who flocked to Phnom Penhs thriving scene. The people entertained, and the transformational development Cambodia both pre and post War. Learn about her time growing up in the Palace, and what life as the most powerful in Cambodia is like today. Princess Sita welcomes her guests warmly and openly, leaving you free to ask any questions in a truly informal style. There is no rehearsed speech, it is truly a private audience for you to engage fully.

This appointment will engage and enrich your knowledge in a way a historian cannot; directly from the vision and memory of Cambodian Royalty both past and present.

Free at leisure to explore Phnom Penh by yourself or simply relax around your pool or indulge in a spa treatment.

Evening Hidden Sights of Phnom Penh

This evening you will be taken on an exploration of the city after dark. Your host will be one of our founders who, with many years of experience in Cambodia has found some of the best bars and restaurants throughout the city. You will get well away from the tourist restaurants and get under the skin of Phnom Penh through the eyes of an expat. You will have the chance to sample Phnom Penh’s burgeoning craft beer scene as well as some of its unique and carefully crafted artisanal spirits. We will begin with sundowners at our favourite Sky bar before descending to street level to some of the most well-known joints in town. Take a trip through the dimly lit back streets to all the best hidden places. Don’t worry we will ensure you are well fed and watered throughout with food pairings to accompany the numerous variety of drinks on offer.

08:30 Transfer from Phnom Penh to your hotel in Siem Reap.

Visit Skun Spider Market and the ancient Kampong Kdei Bridge en route. Skun Spider market is famous for seasoned and deep fried insects – a specific food of Cambodia. Kampong Kdei Bridge is the ancient bridge which was built in the 12th century. 

Along the way we will stop for lunch at a local roadside restaurant for lunch in Kampong Thom, Arunreas Restaurant has long been serving local fare to hungry travellers, today you get to experience fast food Khmer style.

Khmer Food Delights Evening Experience by Tuk Tuk

Spend the evening with your private guide gaining a genuine insight into Cambodian food the way the locals like it. You will be picked up from your hotel in the early evening and whisked away by tuk tuk as darkness begins to fall. We begin the evening with a quick stop to sample a traditional Cambodian Tipple with a twist. You will rejoin your tuk tuk where you will continue on to Angkor Kyung Yu road, otherwise known as Road 60 where busy street food stalls, well away from the cozy tourist bars line up along the streets. This area is hugely popular with local families who come out to dine in the early evening, it’s a real feast for the senses. You will sample a range of exotic fruits, grilled meats and if you’re brave enough fried insects. Cambodians love to eat and virtually anything is on the menu. A stop at a truly local restaurant will ensure that even those with the heartiest appetites will not go hungry. You can enjoy a local beer or two along the way if you so wish to wash all the tasty morsels down. If time allows you will take a walk through the alleys and side streets around the old market area tasting as you go. Our final stop of the evening will be to sample a flight of local craft beers to really finish of a great evening of culinary exploration. We will return back to your hotel or you can choose to stay and relax in the bar or let our guide lead you to a hidden speakeasy in the centre of town.

Sunrise Alms Giving – 04:30

Awaken and prepare for an ultimately evocative start of your Temple Touring, journeying deep into the Angkor Complex to a small village community and its monastery with 200 Monks for the ancient tradition of Alms Giving at Sunrise. Witness the Monks pay respects to their elders, before you join the local community in preparing a Monk’s breakfast, as part of the Alms offering. Receive a blessing from the Monks, in this truly South East Asian tradition. As you are guided around the community, you will hear & feel the vibrations of their morning traditional chanting to finish this exclusive experience before continuing onwards to the magnificent Temples.

Temple Teaser

Transfer by private vehicle to Ta Prohm, this beautiful temple, built in 1186 as a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII, is one of Angkor’s jewels and is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. One of the largest temple sites in Angkor it took almost 80,000 people to maintain the temple. 

Continue to Angkor Thom, not a temple, but an entire walled city of 9 square kilometres and the royal Capital from 1181. With a population of 1 million, it was far bigger than any city in Europe at the time. The centre piece is Bayon temple crowned with 216 giant, smiling faces of King Jayavarman VII.

Lunch at Malis restaurant  

Return to your hotel to relax

Visit Artisans d’Angkor Workshops

Start by a visit to the Angkor Silk Farm. Located 20 minutes away from downtown Siem Reap, the silk farm is an extensive and well documented foundation that gives excellent insight into how silk is traditionally made in Cambodia. The farm supports vulnerable women to make a living for their families.

Visit the Silk Farm and follow each step of the silk process, from growing the mulberry trees to providing the essential ingredients to grow and feed silkworms. There are craftswomen at work allowing you to observe how silk is processed traditionally. They remove the silk thread from the cocoons and work the thread prior to weaving. An on-site shop allows you to bring home some memorable souvenirs or gifts for your loved ones back home.

Then, head to Artisans d’Angkor, back in Siem Reap. The focus is on training unschooled rural youth in traditional handicraft skills. Here you can discover traditional Cambodian handicraft skills and observe the artisans at work. Ancient techniques are still practiced such as wood and stone carving, lacquering, gilding and silk painting. A guided tour will provide you with more insight into this organization and you may direct any questions to one of the artisans through your guide. Learn about the overall operations and their goals for the future. You will also learn more about the artisans’ backgrounds and how this training has helped them to get a head start in life. 

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

This morning we take a little steadier start. Take time to relax or venture out to visit some of Siem Reaps great craft markets or the boutique shopping street of Kandal Village, or simply take time out at your hotel’s fabulous Spa

All About Art

This afternoon you will be accompanied by a foreign expert and long-time presence in the Siem Reap art scene on a trip around some of the most exclusive Art studios and galleries in town. With her knowledge the art will come to life, her wealth of experience allows us an all access pass directly to the curators and artists themselves. From Art galleries, champions of Haute Couture, sculptures and artisanal lacquer ware producers, Siem Reap has become a real haven for artists and art lovers alike. End the afternoon with a glass of wine and a chance to discuss some of the highlights.

Cooking Class with the Kimsan Twins

Start the tour today with a visit to the Old Market with Chef Kimsan Pol or Kimsan Sok. At the Old Market (Psa Char in Khmer language), The Chef will share about the ingredients which we will use during the cooking. She will also share information to you about locally grown fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices which are used in everyday Cambodian cooking.

After visiting the market, we will head back to the kitchen (open-air with ground floor) and start cooking our meals with Kimsan Pol or Kimsan Sok. Time to work with Chef Kimsan Pol or Kimsan Sok and share their passion when cooking with her.

Angkor Wat Highlights

After a leisurely break your exploration continues as you enter the rear gate of Angkor Wat (early 12th century).Surrounded by a 190 metre wide moat 1.5 kilometres by 1.3 kilometres it is claimed to be the largest religious building in the world. The temple, which took 30 years to construct & used the labours of 300,000 workers was built as the earthly representation of the universe with its central tower symbolizing Mt Meru which, Hindus believe, is at the centre of the Universe. Take in the Sunset at Preah Rup Temple. 

Later, return to your hotel late afternoon.

Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight at Lum Orng restaurant, set in a beautiful wooden Khmer house. Here, owner-chef Sothea Seng cooks new Mekong Cuisine from Cambodia and beyond, based on seasonal produce from his farm, local markets, and growers across the region. Going back to their roots, Lum Orng focuses on farm to table cuisine.

Transfer from your hotel to Siem Reap airport for your onward flight.

Duration

7 Days

Departure

Phnom Penh Airport

Destinations

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Highlights

Dinner and cooking demonstration with Khmer Chef
Dine with a Royal Cambodian Princess for Lunch
Visit artists and artisans personal workshops
Enjoy an evening Cambodian food delights by tuk tuk
Join saffron robed monks for their sunrise alms giving

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