- Tour route: Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom, Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, Tonle Sap Lake
- Duration: 2 days
- Date: Daily
- Start/End: Hotel in Siem Reap/Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 1: Angkor Temples (L)
We meet tour guide and driver at the lobby of hotel at 8 O’clock in the morning, then start exploring Angkor Temples with firstly Angkor Thom which is the site of the ancient capital of the Khmer period. We visit the South Gate, Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of Leper King. Later this morning, we visit Ta Prohm temple, which is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.
Then we stop for our lunch at a local restaurant in town. After lunch, we keep on visiting
the main Angkor Wat Temple itself. Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. Angkor Wat, an architectural and artistic masterpiece of the mighty Khmer Empire. Sunset at Phnom Bakheng or Pre Rup paints the temple in an orange hue.
Day 2: Banteay Srei Temple – Tonle Sap Lake (L)
This morning, travel to the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srey. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple; it is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs. Banteay Srey is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor. On the way, we may stop at local communities and our guide will help us to interact to learn about the way of life here. We also stop at the Landmine Museum which promotes mine awareness. Mr. Aki Ra, the museum founder, was trained as a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime and is working today as a de-miner. The museum serves also as a rescue centre for a number of landmine amputee children that Aki Ra has brought off Phnom Penh’s streets or from impoverished rural communities.
After lunch today, we enjoy Tonle Sap Lake of Chong Khneas, Asia's largest inland lake also the biggest harvest fresh water fish in the world, which swells to ten times its normal size during the wet season; here we visit the people living, school, hospital, church, fishing farm, crocodile farm, souvenir shop in the floating village then back in town to visit Les Artisan D'Angkor to observe student learning of art carving. Tour ends at the hotel.
