Siem Reap, the entrance to the Angkor Temple complex and the legacy of Khmer Empire. This is a place where you will have a journey to explore all the majestic temples with depth of history to daily life of local people nowadays. Take your time and discovery.
Duration: 5 days
Date: Daily
Start/End: Siem Reap/Siem Reap
Tour type: Landscape, Nature, Culture and History
Tour Customizable: Absolutely!
Active level: Regular itinerary; Moderate walking
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival Siem Reap
Day 2: Treasure Hunting in Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat
Day 3: Walking in the Jungle & Exploring floating village
Day 4: Pink Temple – Water Fall & Land Mine Museum
Day 5: Meeting locals by Squad Bike – Departure
Day 1: Arrival Siem Reap
On arrival in Siem Reap, we are greeted by local tour guide and driver and transferred to hotel after that. Get to know the interesting briefing about the history of Cambodia, its culture, people and lifestyle.
Later, we head to the Angkor Archeological Park to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which was known as the last capital city of the ancient Khmer Empire. The South Gate of Angkor Thom is approached from outside via a fifty meter causeway crossing the moat. There are railings fashioned with 54 stone figures engaged in the performance of a famous Hindu story in on each side of the causeway; and on the left side of the moat is the statues of 54 devas (guardian god) pulling the head of the snake "Sheisha" while on the right side the snake's tail is being pulled in the opposite direction by 54 asuras (demon gods)…. Next we will walk along the wall of Angkor Thom to Prasat Chrung, the best corner to view the setting sun, accompanied with a cold beer or wine. We will finish this memorable day with a royal boat journey along the ancient moat. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Claremont Angkor Boutique 3***, 1,5 km to the Night market
Day 2: Treasure Hunting in Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat (B, L)
After breakfast, we begin the magical day at the mystical Ta Prohm temple where ancient stones and massive tree roots engulf the ruins. These trees and stones provide a stunning temple experience while also enjoying with sound of birds and nature; this is a wonderful place to start the temple tour. The exploration will take approximately one hour, walking through this jungle temple. After weaving our way through the beautiful Ta Prohm we journey into the ancient city of Angkor Thom.
In the Angkor Thom, we will explore the treasures of this ancient walled city and visit to the mystical Bayon temple adorned with its smiling faces. The journey through the jungle to the famous Bayon which stands in the middle of the city of Angkor Thom, is now everyone's favorite site, surrounded by hundreds of smiling faces engraved on the pieces of gigantic sand stone; the temple is definitely one of the most stunning and mysterious. We head further into the temple complex and visit Baphoun, a hill top pyramid-temple, consecrated to the God Shiva that just opened to the public recently after renovation. We also visit the Elephant and leper king terraces, the royal enclosure temple of Phimean Akas and the serene Preah Pithu groups of smaller temples. We will enjoy a walk along the ancient walls of this city and relax with a hot Cambodian style picnic lunch in a shaded area or alternatively we will have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we head to the jewel of the Khmer Empire and visit the amazing Angkor Wat. The amazing temples of Angkor were constructed to express the wealth and power of the Khmer Empire at the time. Many stone inscriptions describing the foundations of the temple have been found but Khmers left no word to tell how this great empire collapsed. Come and dig out some secrets of Angkor with our experienced guide, reveal the stories and legends behind the sandstone carved bas-reliefs, gables and lintels. Stroll around this massive monument to admire the Khmer architectural masterpiece and engineering.
Later today, we will enjoy sunset time and stunning sightseeing of Tonle Sap Lake, Western Baray, Angkor Wat and dense jungle of Angkor Thom at the top of mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Set menu Lunch
Day 3: Walking in the Jungle & Exploring floating village (B, D)
We may get one of the best views of the temples by early trip to the Angkor Archeological Park. Enjoying sunrise behind the temple of Angkor Wat is a memorable experience.
We return hotel for breakfast before exploring Preah Khan Temple which was built in the second half of the 12th century in AD 1191 by King Jayavarman VII. After that, we walk through the dense tropical jungle to enjoy nature along the tree-lined paths, take a rest at the French dam which was constructed in 1960 and enjoy a water break. Rest of the morning, we visit a 12th century temple of Prasat Tanai that seems lost in the jungle.
In the afternoon, we travel to eastern part of Siem Reap to visit the floating village of Kompong Phluk or Kompong Khleang. The village is a permanent community within the flood plain of the Lake, with an economy based on fishing and surrounded by flooded forest. The boat takes us through the floating village then stop at one of the local houses where we will know how different life between cultural countries. If time permits, we can explore this great ecosystem by canoe and hear the calls of the macaque monkeys and the birds while observing the forest beneath the lake's surface.
Tonight we enjoy the sumptuous dinner accompanied by a Classical Apsara Dance performance depicting scenes from Khmer mythology. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Set menu Dinner
Day 4: Pink Temple – Water Fall & Land Mine Museum (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we head of with tour guide to the Mountain at Phnom Kulen National Park which was used as the ancient capital city in AD802 under the reign of King Jayavarman II, the King gave birth to present day Cambodia. There are 56 Angkorian temples of bricks and volcanic stones but most of them are in poor condition here. We will see the Thousand Linga River, an enormous reclining Buddha, constructed in the 16th century. Before having our picnic lunch on the riverbank, we are relax or do swimming at the waterfall.
In the afternoon, we descend from the mountaintop and head to see the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, which stands alonge in the jungle. This is a favorite sites of many visitors. The special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, and the intricate, high quality carvings in the solid sandstone. The unanimous opinion amongst French archaeologists who worked at Angkor is that Banteay Srei is a 'precious gem' and a 'jewel in Khmer art'.
Later today, we visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum where we can learn about the period of civil war in Cambodia which was only ended as recently in 1998.
Tonight we will be amazed by the spectacle of the Phare Cambodia Circus; a troupe of young Cambodians offering a spectacular and exciting blend of traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed as a story about Cambodian life and society. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Set menu Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Meeting locals by Squad Bike – Departure (B)
This morning, we experience the countryside of Siem Reap by the Quad Bike. Driving on the flat terrain about three hours through the villages, we will see the Khmer traditional houses built on stilts, farming area with crops of rice, vegetables, corn or tobacco as well as a Buddhist monastery…We can stop on the way and chat with local peoples, kids or monks. We may also see the cattle, ox carts, chickens, ducks or geese and much more wildlife…
Returning hotel for checking out and our awaiting vehicle takes us back to the airport for our flight to home. Trip ends.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
