Battambang is Cambodia's second largest city and the centre of a fertile agricultural area labelled fairly the “Rice Bowl' of Cambodia. It is possible to spend couple of nights in Battambang and see the variety of attractions but for your day visit we have selected the top highlights. Driving through the city you will see the French colonial era footprint in the facade of the town houses, many of which are receiving a well deserved face lift. The famous Bamboo Train is surviving despite the overhanging threat of closure. It is a fun way of experiencing the lush green countryside outside Battambang. When two trains meet, the one with a lighter load must dismantle and make way to the other. You will have lunch locally and rest during the hottest part of the day. Along the way you will stop at an orange plantation before reaching the impressive Banan Temple on the top of a hill with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

We explore the stunning Royal Palace complex. We enter the Throne Hall where the royal receptions are held and the Cambodian king's coronation took place. We then pass the Napoleon III Pavilion made from iron, a gift from the French emperor in the 19th century. We continue to the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor, each weighing 1kg. Inside are some of the country's most cherished treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats.

We leave for Wat Phnom Temple founded by Daun Penh (Grandma Penh), a wealthy widow who in 1372, retrieved from a river a log with five Buddha statues in it and ordered to elevate a piece of her property on which to build a temple to house the statues. Later on, Grandma Penh and the villagers converted to build a temple on the top of the mountain and brought the four Buddha statues to the temple. After that we go to visit Independence Monument. Back to hotel and drop off.