FULL DAY TOUR PHNOM PENH & OU DONG MOUNTAIN

Morning, pick up from hotel in Phnom Penh for overland excursion along the way to Ou Dong stopover in Phnom Baset, visit the Pre-Angkorian temple (8thC) and the pagoda to view the reclining Buddha. It located 32 km to northwest of Phnom Penh, Phnom Baset features at the top of the hill a brick sanctuary called Prasat Srey Krup Leak ("Temple of the Perfect Woman"). The extraordinary design of the temple resembles a cave and faces the west, which contrasts with many Khmer temples, which usually face east. The site had been used as a place of worship for many years before the Brahmans transformed it into a specifically Hindu-oriented site.
Enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding plains and rice-fields from the hilltop temple. Continue driving to Ou Dong where a picnic lunch will be served. About an hour west of Phnom Penh, just off Route #5, lay the hills of the abandoned royal city, Oudong. Oudong was the capital of Cambodia from the early 17th century until 1866 when the capital was moved to Phnom Penh. Several temples, stupas and other structures cover three hills. The walk up the hill pro- vides an excellent countryside view. There are stupas containing the remains of several Cambodian kings including King Monivong (1927-1941) and King Ang Duong (1845-1859). The earliest structure is from the 13" century. These hills were also the site of some of the Khmer Rouge's most prolonged resistance against the encroaching Vietnamese army in 1979.
Afternoon visit the various temples and the three large stupas where the ashes of three former kings are preserved. Next visit the Vihara of 18Cubit Buddha, until transfer back to Phnom Penh.