The Private Half Day Tour to the Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh provides a deeply profound and educational experience for visitors. Delving into the harrowing history of the Khmer Rouge regime, the tour guides attendees through the former torture center of S21 and the poignant Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where over 17,000 victims were executed. With an insightful English-speaking guide, participants gain a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s tragic past and the importance of remembrance. However, the true impact of this tour goes far beyond the historical facts, inviting deeper reflections on the resilience of the human spirit.

Key Points

Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh - Key Points

• A private half-day tour that visits the Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, providing an educational and emotional experience on the Khmer Rouge atrocities.
• The tour includes roundtrip transportation, admission tickets, and an English-speaking guide who offers context and insights on the historical significance of these sites.
• The Killing Fields site and S21 Genocide Museum serve as powerful reminders of the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime, with over 17,000 individuals executed at the Killing Fields.
• The tour is accessible, with wheelchair-accessible transportation and surfaces, as well as options for families with young children, catering to a wide range of visitors.
• Tour reviews highlight the professionalism of the guides, the emotional and educational nature of the experience, and the tour’s ability to deliver a meaningful and impactful exploration of Cambodia’s tragic history.

Tour Overview

Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh - Tour Overview

Offering a private half-day tour, this experience takes visitors to the Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, providing an insightful exploration into the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Starting at the S21 Genocide Museum, a former torture center, the tour then proceeds to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where over 17,000 individuals were executed.

Choeung Ek offers a tranquil space for reflection, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in Cambodian history.

Throughout the tour, an English-speaking guide provides context and insights, ensuring an educational and meaningful experience for all participants.

Inclusions

This private half-day tour includes an English-speaking guide to lead the way.

Plus, private transportation with air conditioning and pure drinking water are provided for travelers’ comfort.

Admission tickets to both the Toul Sleng ($5/person) and Killing Field ($3/person) sites are also covered in the tour cost. However, meals and drinks aren’t included.

Throughout the tour, travelers will have the opportunity to learn about the Khmer Rouge regime and its atrocities, starting at the S21 Genocide Museum and then visiting the Choeung Ek Killing Fields.

The tour also includes travel insurance and a licensed private driver to ensure a smooth and safe experience.

Accessibility

Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh - Accessibility

The tour provides wheelchair-accessible transportation and surfaces, catering to the needs of travelers with mobility challenges.

Strollers and infant seats are also available, making the experience accessible for families with young children.

Most travelers can participate in this tour comfortably.

The tour operator has taken steps to ensure the tour is inclusive, allowing a wide range of visitors to learn about this important historical event.

Whether you’re traveling solo, with a group, or with family, you can expect a seamless and accessible experience that allows you to focus on the educational and emotional aspects of the tour without worrying about navigating physical barriers.

Hotel Pickup and Drop-off

Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh - Hotel Pickup and Drop-off

Where does the tour provide pickup and drop-off services? The tour includes complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off, allowing for a seamless start and end to the experience. Travelers need only provide the name and address of their hotel when booking, and the tour operator will handle the transportation logistics.

Location Address Pickup Time
Hotel A 123 Main St, Phnom Penh 8:00 AM
Hotel B 456 River Rd, Phnom Penh 8:15 AM
Hotel C 789 Central Blvd, Phnom Penh 8:30 AM
Hotel D 321 Riverside Dr, Phnom Penh 8:45 AM
Hotel E 654 Park Ave, Phnom Penh 9:00 AM

The tour’s convenient pickup and drop-off service ensures that participants can focus on the educational and emotional experience of visiting the Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum.

Khmer Rouge Atrocities

Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh - Khmer Rouge Atrocities

During the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, the brutal totalitarian government led by Pol Pot carried out widespread atrocities against the Cambodian people, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 1.5 to 3 million individuals.

The regime sought to create a communist agrarian society, forcibly relocating urban populations to labor camps and executing ‘enemies of the state,’ including intellectuals, professionals, and minorities.

The Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum stand as somber reminders of these horrors:

  1. S21 was a former high school converted into a notorious interrogation and torture center.

  2. The Killing Fields outside Phnom Penh were the site of mass executions, with over 17,000 victims buried in mass graves.

  3. Visiting these sites provides a powerful and poignant opportunity to reflect on this dark chapter in Cambodian history.

S21 Genocide Museum

Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh - S21 Genocide Museum

At the heart of Phnom Penh’s sobering historical landscape stands the S21 Genocide Museum, a former school-turned-notorious prison where the Khmer Rouge regime detained, tortured, and executed thousands of perceived enemies.

Visitors to this harrowing site can walk through the cells and interrogation rooms, gaining a visceral understanding of the horrors that occurred within these walls.

The museum’s exhibits and artifacts, including the haunting portraits of victims, serve as a powerful reminder of the Khmer Rouge’s brutal regime and the importance of never forgetting such atrocities.

Choeung Ek Killing Fields

Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh - Choeung Ek Killing Fields

After visiting the harrowing exhibits of the S21 Genocide Museum, visitors can venture to the somber Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where over 17,000 individuals were mercilessly executed during the Khmer Rouge regime. This hallowed ground now offers a tranquil space for reflection and contemplation.

The Killing Fields evoke a profound sense of humanity’s capacity for both cruelty and resilience. Visitors can:

  1. Pause at the memorial stupa, which houses thousands of skulls and bones, a poignant reminder of the atrocities that occurred.

  2. Walk the serene paths, where mass graves and bone fragments can still be seen, evoking the tragic history of the site.

  3. Reflect on the fragility of life and the importance of preventing such horrors from ever happening again.

Traveler Reviews and Ratings

Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh - Traveler Reviews and Ratings

Travelers have consistently provided overwhelmingly positive feedback on this private half-day tour, awarding it an impressive 5.0 overall rating across 61 reviews.

Notable mentions were made of the tour guides, particularly Ms. Sreyneang and Mr. Sambath, for their professionalism and in-depth knowledge of the Khmer Rouge regime and its atrocities.

Reviewers highlighted the emotional and educational nature of the experience, praising the personal and professional approach of the tours.

Travelers found the Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum to be powerful and transformative, providing a tranquil space for reflection on this dark chapter of Cambodian history.

The feedback underscores the tour’s ability to deliver a meaningful and impactful experience for all who participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Operating Hours of the Tour?

The tour operates during typical business hours, starting in the morning and ending in the afternoon. The precise schedule may vary, so customers should check with the tour provider for the specific operating hours.

Is the Tour Available Daily or on Specific Days?

The tour is available daily, allowing visitors to explore the Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Flexibility in scheduling makes it accessible for travelers to fit this educational experience into their itineraries.

Can I Customize the Tour Itinerary to My Preferences?

Yes, the tour can be customized to your preferences. The tour provider offers flexibility to adjust the itinerary and duration based on your interests and needs. Feel free to discuss any modifications with the tour guide.

Are There Any Additional Fees or Costs Not Included in the Package?

Customers should expect to pay additional fees for meals and drinks not included in the tour package. The tour price covers transportation, guide, entrance fees, and insurance, but does not cover all personal expenses during the tour.

How Long Is the Total Duration of the Tour?

The total duration of the tour is approximately 4 to 5 hours. The tour includes visits to the S21 Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, with transportation and guide services provided throughout the experience.

Recap

This poignant tour offers a profound insight into Cambodia’s tragic history under the Khmer Rouge regime.

Visiting the harrowing S21 Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields provides a somber yet essential learning experience, allowing visitors to reflect on the importance of remembrance and the human capacity for resilience in the face of unspeakable atrocities.