A Sketch Book Tour of Angkor Temples
& Battambang the Old City - A spiritual journey.
Itinerary - 2023
Tour dates: 9 - 23 October 2023
15 Days fully guided, Luxury Riverside Hotels
$3999 Twin share, Singles +$800
Feature artist is an Award winning Watercolourist & Painting tutor - Craig Penny
4+ STAR Luxury Accommodation close to entertainment, shopping, temples and tourist areas.
Tour Guests (not painting) may join our guide to see more of the sights, culture and history of our destinations.
Itinerary last updated: July 2022
4+ STAR Luxury Accommodation close to entertainment, shopping, temples and tourist areas.
Tour Guests (not painting) may join our guide to see more of the sights, culture and history of our destinations.
Itinerary last updated: July 2022
Day 1: Monday 9 October 2023 - Arrive in Siem Reap and Welcome Dinner
We will meet you when your flight arrives in Siem Reap and transfer you to your hotel.
This evening we will have a "Welcome Dinner" at our hotel's award winning restaurant.
Day 2: Tuesday 10 October 2023 - Orientation of Siem Reap Township & Sketching
Breakfast and an early start for our holiday adventure with an introduction to Siem Reap township area and Old Market. We will stop for refreshments and some urban sketching. Your evening at leisure or join us for a (OPTIONS) Street Food & Nightlife Tour & Dine-Out. Read more >>
Day 3: Wednesday 11 October 2023 - Angkor Wat Temple & afternoon workshop
Angkor Wat is the heart and soul of Cambodia: it is the national symbol, the epicentre of Khmer civilisation and a source of fierce national pride. It was never abandoned to the elements and has been in virtually continuous use since it was built. Simply unique, it is a stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, an enduring example of humanity’s devotion to its gods.
Relish your very first approach, that spine-tingling moment will rarely be felt again. We explore and tour our way around the best-preserved temple at Angkor, to be rewarded with the amazing detail incorporated into this structure.
Sketching workshop with our artist this afternoon to "capture the moment" at Angkor Wat.
Evening at leisure
We will meet you when your flight arrives in Siem Reap and transfer you to your hotel.
This evening we will have a "Welcome Dinner" at our hotel's award winning restaurant.
Day 2: Tuesday 10 October 2023 - Orientation of Siem Reap Township & Sketching
Breakfast and an early start for our holiday adventure with an introduction to Siem Reap township area and Old Market. We will stop for refreshments and some urban sketching. Your evening at leisure or join us for a (OPTIONS) Street Food & Nightlife Tour & Dine-Out. Read more >>
Day 3: Wednesday 11 October 2023 - Angkor Wat Temple & afternoon workshop
Angkor Wat is the heart and soul of Cambodia: it is the national symbol, the epicentre of Khmer civilisation and a source of fierce national pride. It was never abandoned to the elements and has been in virtually continuous use since it was built. Simply unique, it is a stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, an enduring example of humanity’s devotion to its gods.
Relish your very first approach, that spine-tingling moment will rarely be felt again. We explore and tour our way around the best-preserved temple at Angkor, to be rewarded with the amazing detail incorporated into this structure.
Sketching workshop with our artist this afternoon to "capture the moment" at Angkor Wat.
Evening at leisure
Day 4: Thursday 12 October 2023 - Local Artists Studio Gallery & Urban Village Sketching
Theam is an acclaimed artist in Cambodia and in France where he and his sister took refuge from the most recent upheaval in Cambodia. Theam receiving a sound artistic and technical education in a Fine Art School in Paris and in design at the Ecole Boulle before returning to Cambodia. His studio in recent times has morphed into a gallery, art venue with workshop, performance spaces, cafe, gallery dining space, Khmer traditional lifestyle collections and more.
Visit Theam's Gallery Online >>
We take our time and sketch with our artist in the gallery or the local village. A wonderful morning out with art, shopping, cafes and lots to see. Evening at leisure
Day 5: Friday 13 October 2023 - Sketching the Great walled city of Angkor Thom
The great walled city of Angkor Thom lay a few kilometers north of Angkor Wat. At the heart of Angkor Thom is the 12th-century Bayon, the mesmerising, if slightly mind-bending, state temple of Jayavarman VII. It epitomises the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. There are many temple structures around the inner city area devoted to the gods and reliefs showing epic battles between the Cham and Khmer armies across the centuries.
Australian archeologists recently found the remains of a "vast city and village area" to the north of Angkor buried for centuries beneath a forever encroaching jungle.
Read: How lasers revealed a Lost City - The Guardian >>
We stop to sketch, tour Bayon with our guide and break off for lunch. We will go and explore the inner temples and then one of the less frequented city wall gates and moat area before heading back to the hotel. Evening at leisure
Theam is an acclaimed artist in Cambodia and in France where he and his sister took refuge from the most recent upheaval in Cambodia. Theam receiving a sound artistic and technical education in a Fine Art School in Paris and in design at the Ecole Boulle before returning to Cambodia. His studio in recent times has morphed into a gallery, art venue with workshop, performance spaces, cafe, gallery dining space, Khmer traditional lifestyle collections and more.
Visit Theam's Gallery Online >>
We take our time and sketch with our artist in the gallery or the local village. A wonderful morning out with art, shopping, cafes and lots to see. Evening at leisure
Day 5: Friday 13 October 2023 - Sketching the Great walled city of Angkor Thom
The great walled city of Angkor Thom lay a few kilometers north of Angkor Wat. At the heart of Angkor Thom is the 12th-century Bayon, the mesmerising, if slightly mind-bending, state temple of Jayavarman VII. It epitomises the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. There are many temple structures around the inner city area devoted to the gods and reliefs showing epic battles between the Cham and Khmer armies across the centuries.
Australian archeologists recently found the remains of a "vast city and village area" to the north of Angkor buried for centuries beneath a forever encroaching jungle.
Read: How lasers revealed a Lost City - The Guardian >>
We stop to sketch, tour Bayon with our guide and break off for lunch. We will go and explore the inner temples and then one of the less frequented city wall gates and moat area before heading back to the hotel. Evening at leisure
Day 6: Saturday 14 October 2023 - The Stilted Village Kompong Phluk
Today is super fun! We leave early and stop at a great traditional local village market close to the great lake. Then head off to boat down river to Kompong Phluk, the Stilted Village out on the edge of the Great Lake Tonle Sap.
The village of Kompong Pluk is a friendly, otherworldly place where houses are built on soaring stilts about 6 -10m high. Nearby is a flooded forest, inundated every year when the lake rises to take the Mekong’s overflow.
As the lake drops, the petrified trees are revealed like something out of Grimm's Tales. Exploring this area by wooden dugout in the wet season is very atmospheric.
We boat out onto the Great Lake passing the flooded forest and stop in a village house for luncheon and to sketching from their balcony. See how people live on the lake in these wooden houses. We return late afternoon to the hotel.
Day 7: Sunday 15 October 2023 - Free Day
You may want to simply sleep in or go shopping, swimming, maybe lounge by the pool before your massage - it is up to you. Evening at leisure. A cocktail on the hotels rooftop deck overlooking the river might be a nice start to your evening.
OPTIONS: Visit Ta Prohm, The 'Tomb Raider Temple' >>
Day 8: Monday 16 October 2023 - Siem Reap to Battambang
This morning we transfer to Battambang. a three hour trip by bus to a beautiful hotel near the Sangker river in an old local village area just outside of town. Afternoon we will sketch with our artist at the hotel or in the village area close by. Evening at leisure- so maybe we hit the town tonight at one of our favourite dine out places.
Day 9: Tuesday 17 October 2023 - Explore Battambang Old Riverside City area
There's something about Battambang that visitors just love. With its riverside setting and laid-back cafes, it's the perfect blend of relatively urban modernity and small-town friendliness.
About 2km south of central Battambang, the village of Wat Kor is centred around the temple of the same name. It's a great place to wander, especially late in the afternoon when the opposite (east) bank of the Sangker River is bathed in amber tones by the sinking sun. Picturesque bridges span the river, the spires of Wat Kor glow bright platinum and Khmer village life is on full display. Our hotel sits a short walk to Mrs Bun Roeung's Ancient House and Wat Kor Pagoda.
About 1.5km beyond Wat Kor, you'll encounter the cluster of Khmer heritage houses that the village is known for.
Built of now-rare hardwoods over a century ago and surrounded by orchard gardens, they have wide verandahs and exude the ambience of another era. The paintings below are a guide to the styles of heritage houses that can be found throughout Cambodia. These heritage houses are a short walk from the hotel and a great place to visit.
Today is super fun! We leave early and stop at a great traditional local village market close to the great lake. Then head off to boat down river to Kompong Phluk, the Stilted Village out on the edge of the Great Lake Tonle Sap.
The village of Kompong Pluk is a friendly, otherworldly place where houses are built on soaring stilts about 6 -10m high. Nearby is a flooded forest, inundated every year when the lake rises to take the Mekong’s overflow.
As the lake drops, the petrified trees are revealed like something out of Grimm's Tales. Exploring this area by wooden dugout in the wet season is very atmospheric.
We boat out onto the Great Lake passing the flooded forest and stop in a village house for luncheon and to sketching from their balcony. See how people live on the lake in these wooden houses. We return late afternoon to the hotel.
Day 7: Sunday 15 October 2023 - Free Day
You may want to simply sleep in or go shopping, swimming, maybe lounge by the pool before your massage - it is up to you. Evening at leisure. A cocktail on the hotels rooftop deck overlooking the river might be a nice start to your evening.
OPTIONS: Visit Ta Prohm, The 'Tomb Raider Temple' >>
Day 8: Monday 16 October 2023 - Siem Reap to Battambang
This morning we transfer to Battambang. a three hour trip by bus to a beautiful hotel near the Sangker river in an old local village area just outside of town. Afternoon we will sketch with our artist at the hotel or in the village area close by. Evening at leisure- so maybe we hit the town tonight at one of our favourite dine out places.
Day 9: Tuesday 17 October 2023 - Explore Battambang Old Riverside City area
There's something about Battambang that visitors just love. With its riverside setting and laid-back cafes, it's the perfect blend of relatively urban modernity and small-town friendliness.
About 2km south of central Battambang, the village of Wat Kor is centred around the temple of the same name. It's a great place to wander, especially late in the afternoon when the opposite (east) bank of the Sangker River is bathed in amber tones by the sinking sun. Picturesque bridges span the river, the spires of Wat Kor glow bright platinum and Khmer village life is on full display. Our hotel sits a short walk to Mrs Bun Roeung's Ancient House and Wat Kor Pagoda.
About 1.5km beyond Wat Kor, you'll encounter the cluster of Khmer heritage houses that the village is known for.
Built of now-rare hardwoods over a century ago and surrounded by orchard gardens, they have wide verandahs and exude the ambience of another era. The paintings below are a guide to the styles of heritage houses that can be found throughout Cambodia. These heritage houses are a short walk from the hotel and a great place to visit.
The Kantaing style imported by Chinese adapting to the climate built the house on stilts.
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Khmer houses were once reserved for high-ranking officers or the monks in Buddhist monasteries. The 2 gables offered good ventilation.
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The Raung Dorl has an extended awning at the front of the house. The top of the roof is full except for a small gable The "hob" protects a house entrance.
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There are a few good art galleries and groovy cafes down town near the central market which we will visit and sketch on our walking tour of the old riverside city area before returning to Wat Kor and our hotel. Afternoon/Evening at leisure
Day 10: Wednesday 18 October 2023 Romcheik 5 Art Space & Cafe - Phnom Sampov Bat cave
Romcheik Art Space expanded from a workshop into a bona fide gallery in 2015, this impressive space has a permanent collection upstairs displaying the edgy, contemporary works of its four founders, who in their youth were expelled from Thailand and forced to work as child labourers, before being rescued and encouraged to express themselves through art. The results are awe-inspiring. Downstairs are rotating exhibits highlighting some of Battambang's best local talent.
We can get some sketching in here in the village or cafe.
To the south there is Phnom Sampov Bat Cave (no, Batman doesn't live there!) an interesting walk and climb up to a pagoda at the back of the mountain and about 4-5pm the bats go out for night feeding. There is a great little village market to explore and some good sketching and photos to be had. Evening at leisure
Day 11: Thursday 19 October 2023 - Battambang to Siem Reap
Easy travel this morning back to Siem Reap with a few stops on the way to sketch along the Sangker River and the rice fields beyond. Afternoon and Evening at leisure.
Day 12: Friday 20 October 2023 - Beng Mealea & Phnom Bok coffee
Our final Temple is a spectacular sight to behold, Beng Mealea, The Jungle Temple is located about 68km northeast of Siem Reap, is one of the most mysterious temples at Angkor, as nature has well and truly run riot. Exploring this Titanic of temples, built to the same floor plan as Angkor Wat, is the ultimate Indiana Jones experience. The temple used to be utterly consumed by jungle, but some of the dense foliage has been cut back and cleaned up in recent years.
Entering from the south, visitors wend their way over piles of finely chizeled sandstone blocks and hanging vines
The central tower has completely collapsed, but hidden away among the rubble and foliage are several impressive carvings. Sketching here in the shade is a great experience.
We stop at the Phnom Bok coffee for a welcome drink on our way back to the hotel after a full day. There is a great little shopping corner that is just calling for a sketch if you are in the mood.
Evening at leisure.
Day 10: Wednesday 18 October 2023 Romcheik 5 Art Space & Cafe - Phnom Sampov Bat cave
Romcheik Art Space expanded from a workshop into a bona fide gallery in 2015, this impressive space has a permanent collection upstairs displaying the edgy, contemporary works of its four founders, who in their youth were expelled from Thailand and forced to work as child labourers, before being rescued and encouraged to express themselves through art. The results are awe-inspiring. Downstairs are rotating exhibits highlighting some of Battambang's best local talent.
We can get some sketching in here in the village or cafe.
To the south there is Phnom Sampov Bat Cave (no, Batman doesn't live there!) an interesting walk and climb up to a pagoda at the back of the mountain and about 4-5pm the bats go out for night feeding. There is a great little village market to explore and some good sketching and photos to be had. Evening at leisure
Day 11: Thursday 19 October 2023 - Battambang to Siem Reap
Easy travel this morning back to Siem Reap with a few stops on the way to sketch along the Sangker River and the rice fields beyond. Afternoon and Evening at leisure.
Day 12: Friday 20 October 2023 - Beng Mealea & Phnom Bok coffee
Our final Temple is a spectacular sight to behold, Beng Mealea, The Jungle Temple is located about 68km northeast of Siem Reap, is one of the most mysterious temples at Angkor, as nature has well and truly run riot. Exploring this Titanic of temples, built to the same floor plan as Angkor Wat, is the ultimate Indiana Jones experience. The temple used to be utterly consumed by jungle, but some of the dense foliage has been cut back and cleaned up in recent years.
Entering from the south, visitors wend their way over piles of finely chizeled sandstone blocks and hanging vines
The central tower has completely collapsed, but hidden away among the rubble and foliage are several impressive carvings. Sketching here in the shade is a great experience.
We stop at the Phnom Bok coffee for a welcome drink on our way back to the hotel after a full day. There is a great little shopping corner that is just calling for a sketch if you are in the mood.
Evening at leisure.
Day 13: Saturday 21 October 2023 - Urban Sketching - Water Festival
Water Festival celebrations are in full swing in Siem Reap on the river in front of the hotel. A great series of boat racing takes place during the day, lots of eating, drinking, markets and revelry, yesterday, today and tomorrow to explore. Evening at leisure.
Day 14: Sunday 22 October 2023 - Free Day - Farewell Dinner
Today is a free day for you to catch up on last minute shopping, massage or those unfinished paintings and sketches.
Tonight we have our Farewell Dinner and Art Show.
Day 15: Friday 24 October 2023 - Departures
We all depart from the hotel to our flights or onward travel.
Water Festival celebrations are in full swing in Siem Reap on the river in front of the hotel. A great series of boat racing takes place during the day, lots of eating, drinking, markets and revelry, yesterday, today and tomorrow to explore. Evening at leisure.
Day 14: Sunday 22 October 2023 - Free Day - Farewell Dinner
Today is a free day for you to catch up on last minute shopping, massage or those unfinished paintings and sketches.
Tonight we have our Farewell Dinner and Art Show.
Day 15: Friday 24 October 2023 - Departures
We all depart from the hotel to our flights or onward travel.
OPTIONS
Our itinerary offers a range of experiences. Some nights and days we choose to offer added adventures to indulge in while you are here. The very popular Night Life Dining Adventure is a mix of Street food and fine dining followed by late night cocktails and a chat. See OPTIONS Angkor >>
Our Accommodation
Beautiful, arty, modern and traditional at the same time, our Urban Resort style hotel overlooks the Siem Reap River area close to the Old Market and City entertainment for late night shopping and dining.
Battambang we stay in Wat Kor village in a beautiful and well known hotel. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pit chose to stay here several years ago whilst in Battambang. Recently renovated and upgraded the hotel has lost none of its charm and offers a wonderfully comfortable and relaxed stay.
The restaurant produces an inspired selection of local and popular cuisine, cocktails and drinks. Delicious.
See Accommodation Angkor -Add early arrivals or extra nights >>
Weather in central North Cambodia
Autumn in October is generally stable with 20 to 28°C and can be a little bit humid at times. Sunny days, very little rain and cool nights make Angkor Temples and North Cambodia a great place to be in October.
Our Accommodation
Beautiful, arty, modern and traditional at the same time, our Urban Resort style hotel overlooks the Siem Reap River area close to the Old Market and City entertainment for late night shopping and dining.
Battambang we stay in Wat Kor village in a beautiful and well known hotel. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pit chose to stay here several years ago whilst in Battambang. Recently renovated and upgraded the hotel has lost none of its charm and offers a wonderfully comfortable and relaxed stay.
The restaurant produces an inspired selection of local and popular cuisine, cocktails and drinks. Delicious.
See Accommodation Angkor -Add early arrivals or extra nights >>
Weather in central North Cambodia
Autumn in October is generally stable with 20 to 28°C and can be a little bit humid at times. Sunny days, very little rain and cool nights make Angkor Temples and North Cambodia a great place to be in October.
