Phnom Penh: S-21 Prison and Killing Fields Half-Day Tour

The Phnom Penh: S-21 Prison and Killing Fields Half-Day Tour offers a poignant exploration of Cambodia’s tragic history. Over four hours, participants can explore the harrowing accounts of the Khmer Rouge regime‘s atrocities by visiting the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. With an English-speaking guide, transportation, and all necessary inclusions, this tour provides a comprehensive understanding of this dark chapter in Cambodia’s past. Prepare to be moved as you uncover the complexities that led to the deaths of millions.

Good To Know

• This 4-hour tour explores the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, providing insights into the Khmer Rouge regime’s atrocities.
• Guided tours at both sites offer historical context and an educational experience, with audio guides available for an enhanced learning experience.
• The tour includes complimentary transportation, refreshments, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide to facilitate an informative and seamless experience.
• Visitors can expect to learn about the tragic events that led to the deaths of an estimated 2 to 4 million Cambodians under the Khmer Rouge regime.
• The tour offers flexible availability and a reserve-now-pay-later option, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

This Tour Overview provides an overview of the Phnom Penh: S-21 Prison and Killing Fields Half-Day Tour.

The tour lasts 4 hours and costs from $114.00 per group (up to 2 participants). Highlights include visiting the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and exploring the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21).

Participants will learn about the Khmer Rouge Regime and its devastating impact on Cambodia.

The tour includes transportation, an English-speaking guide, refreshments, entrance fees, and audio guides.

Customers can check availability, select participants and date, and reserve their spot without immediate payment, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Tour Highlights

The tour highlights the darkest chapter in Cambodia’s history. Visitors will explore the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where over 17,000 victims were executed between 1975-1978. They’ll also visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school turned into the largest center of detention and torture under the Khmer Rouge regime. Through these sites, guests will learn about the atrocities committed, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 2 to 4 million Cambodians.

Killing Fields	Tuol Sleng Museum
Final resting place for 17,000+ victims	Largest detention and torture center
Includes historical context	Focuses on prisoner experiences
Entrance fee: $3 per person	Entrance fee: $5 per person

Itinerary

The tour begins at 8:00 AM with a departure from the hotel to the Killing Fields, located 16 km south of Phnom Penh.

Visitors will receive a guided tour of the Killing Fields, which provides historical context about the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime.

Following this, the group will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21, which was a former high school turned into the largest center of detention and torture in Cambodia.

The tour concludes at 12:00 PM with a transfer back to the hotel.

Inclusions

Included in the tour are complimentary transportation from the hotel, an English-speaking guide, a refreshment drink and cold towel, and entrance fees to both the Killing Fields ($3 per person) and the Tuol Sleng Museum ($5 per person).

Plus, audio guides are provided for both the S-21 and Killing Fields sites to enhance the educational experience.

The inclusions ensure a seamless and informative tour:

• Hassle-free transportation to and from the historic sites
• Knowledgeable guide to provide context and insights
• Refreshments to stay hydrated and refreshed
• Dedicated audio guides for an immersive learning experience

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Booking Information

To reserve your spot on this half-day Phnom Penh tour, you can check the availability for different start times. Once you’ve selected the participants and date, you can book your tour. The table below outlines the key booking information:

Booking Details	Information
Free Cancellation	Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve Now, Pay Later	Book your spot without immediate payment
Tour Duration	4 hours
Tour Price	From $114.00 per group (up to 2 participants)

Visiting the Killing Fields

Visitors begin the tour at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, located 16 km south of Phnom Penh. This final resting place for over 17,000 victims between 1975-1978 serves as a solemn memorial to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime.

The guided tour provides historical context, allowing visitors to:

• Explore the mass graves and bone fragments that remain visible
• Visit the Memorial Stupa, which houses over 8,000 human skulls
• Learn about the brutal methods used to execute prisoners

Through this immersive experience, the Killing Fields stand as a powerful reminder of Cambodia’s tragic past and the importance of honoring the memory of those who suffered.

Exploring Tuol Sleng Museum

After visiting the Killing Fields, the tour takes participants to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly a high school that the Khmer Rouge transformed into the largest center of detention and torture in Cambodia. At the museum, visitors can learn about the atrocities committed under the regime, with exhibits highlighting the experiences of prisoners and the scale of the genocide. The tour includes an audio guide to enhance the educational experience.

Exhibit	Description	Key Points
Prison Cells	Cramped cells where prisoners were held	Inhumane conditions and treatment
Torture Instruments	Tools used to extract confessions	Brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime
Prisoner Photographs	ID photos of victims taken before execution	The scale and personal nature of the genocide

Khmer Rouge Regime

The Khmer Rouge regime, led by Pol Pot, was responsible for an estimated 2 to 4 million Cambodian deaths between 1975 and 1979.

This brutal regime aimed to transform Cambodia into a classless, agrarian socialist society, resulting in mass executions, forced labor, and the destruction of the country’s infrastructure.

The Khmer Rouge’s atrocities included:

• Forced relocation of urban populations to rural labor camps
• Execution of intellectuals, professionals, and anyone perceived as a threat
• Abolition of money, private property, and religion

This dark period in Cambodia’s history is a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of totalitarian rule and the importance of protecting human rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is This Tour Suitable for Children?

The tour’s subject matter may not be suitable for young children, as it covers the grim history of the Khmer Rouge regime’s atrocities. Parents should consider their child’s maturity and comfort level before booking this tour.

Can I Bring My Own Camera and Take Photos?

Yes, participants are generally allowed to bring their own cameras and take photos during the tour. However, some sensitive areas may have restrictions to respect the somber nature of the sites. It’s best to check with the tour guide for guidance on photography.

Are There Any Restrictions on What I Can Wear?

There are no strict dress code requirements, but visitors are advised to dress modestly out of respect for the somber nature of the sites. Casual, comfortable clothing is recommended.

Is Water Provided Throughout the Tour?

Yes, the tour includes a refreshment drink and cold towel provided throughout the tour. This ensures participants stay hydrated and comfortable during the informative yet emotionally heavy experience at the Killing Fields and S-21 Prison.

Can I Stop for Lunch During the Tour?

The tour does not include a scheduled lunch stop. However, participants can choose to have lunch on their own after the tour concludes at around 12:00 PM. The tour focuses on the historical sites and does not provide a meal.

Sum Up

The Phnom Penh: S-21 Prison and Killing Fields Half-Day Tour provides a profoundly moving experience, allowing visitors to confront Cambodia’s dark past under the Khmer Rouge. Through visits to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum, participants gain a deeper understanding of the atrocities committed and the resilience of the Cambodian people. This tour serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of learning from history to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.

You can check if your dates are available here: