Relaxation And Wellness In Cambodia

Begin the morning by discovering the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine with a half-day cooking class with Mrs Kethana Dunnet. Travel 35km out of Siem Reap to a village near Banteay Srei to meet the chef at her beautiful country home. Kethana is the owner and founder of the Sugar Palm restaurants in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and is known for her work with many celebrity TV chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Luke Nguyen. Kethana offers a truly practical Siem Reap cooking class. Over the course of the morning, learn how to prepare various dishes that are served at Sugar Palm and the differences between Khmer and other regional cuisines. The class lasts about 3 hours before sitting and appreciating the hard work with a tasting of the day’s creations (2 starters and 2 main courses). Afterwards, head to the Tonlé Sap Lake and have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake with a visit to Kompong Khleang village. Board a private wooden vessel to cruise along the canal with houses on either side: depending on the time of the visit, the houses will either have immediate access to the water or stand perched on stilts high above the ground, a phenomena caused by the annual rising and receding waters of the Tonle Sap Lake. Pass by the boats and nets used by local fishermen, and spot them fishing in the waters through which the boat passes. While approaching the lake, see floating houses that move location with the annual ebb and flow of the lake’s waters. Along the way, gain a better understanding of the local lifestyle with lunch in a family house. This is a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the way of life of the local people- sitting inside a stilted house while watching the boats pass outside. Back to your hotel and enjoy your free time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Start your morning temple exploration by adventure Jeep to the most illustrious of the Small Circuit Temples, Ta Prohm. Built in the middle of 12th to early 13th centuries during the reign of Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm is unique in that it remains largely overgrown by jungle. With many parts crumbling to the ground, it is one of the most picturesque Angkor temples. Next, visit another temple complex built during the reign of Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan. While Ta Prohm was built to honour the king’s mother, Preah Khan was built for his father. Afterwards, head into the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8m-high wall, drawing a perfect square. Pass over the city moat causeway that is flanked on either side by a row of 54 gods and demons, each holding a sacred naga snake, and through a towering entry gate decorated with three-headed elephants and capped with four smiling faces of the Buddha. Continue to Bayon temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 52 towers with enigmatic faces looking out over the vast provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate and unique carvings. Back to your hotel in the afternoon. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Early breakfast at the hotel then you will be transferred to the airport to take a short flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival, take the boat scheduled to Song Saa private island. Check in at your luxury resort located on Song Saa private island. Song Saa, made up of twin islands called Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, means "the sweethearts" in the Khmer language. The Australian couple, who were living in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh in 2006, rented a fishing boat to travel the archipelago and fell in love with the islands' beauty. They took up a village chief's offer to sell them a pair of islands and spent the next six years turning Song Saa into a tiny corner of paradise. Overnight on island.

While the day away lounging on your stretch of white sand fringed with palm trees and dazzling turquoise waters. Take a dip in the warm waters and snorkel out to discover the colorful reefs teeming with marine life, or go further out to Koh Rong Archipelago for a diving expedition to discover the home of barracuda, sea turtles, giant clams and dugongs. Enjoy the waters further with wake boards, kayaks, inflatable tubes towed behind a speedboat, water skis and stand-up paddle boards, all available at the resort’s beach club.

Spend the last day in total relaxation by the pool, sea or at the spa. For a truly indulgent treat, sail on a traditional long-tail boat to a private beach and soak in the tropical sun in complete serenity. Active guests may choose amongst a wealth of excursions and experiences such as a cooking lesson, tour through a local farm by buffalo cart, hike through the rainforest for wildlife spotting and tropical bird watching, and visiting nearby Khmer fishing villages. Cap off your final night with a romantic dinner on the beach under the stars, toasting to your journey through Cambodia.