OVERVIEW
Siem Reap is the nearest town to the temple complex of Angkor. From the 9th to 13th century, Angkor was the heart of a rich and sophisticated civilization. 5 days in Cambodia will see massive stone monuments, wide majestic causeways, imposing gateways and towers, all in a wonderful jungle setting.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Rolous Group ● Angkor Temple including Prasat Kravan ● Banteay Kdei ● Srah Srang ●Ta Prohm ● South Gate of Angkor Thom ● Bayon ● Sunset at Phnom Bakheng ● Banteay Srey ● Pre Rup ● East Mebon ● Neak Pean ● Preah Khan ● War Museum ●Tonle Sap Floating Village ●
ITINERARY
Discover Siem Reap & Floating village – 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Visit Roluos Group and Small Circuit
Arrive in the morning – meet with guide for transfer to hotel.
AM visits: Roluos Group:
Three temples Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko - 11 Kms southeast of the Siem Reap Market, comprise the Roluos group of monuments - close together and extend over an area of 3 kms east of the Great Lake. The Roluos group, dating from the late 9th century, is the earliest site of the 600 years Angkor Period that is open to visitors.
PM visits: Small Circuit
Prasat Kravan ( Cardamon sanctuary), Banteay Kdei (one of the most mysterious temples of the Angkor complex. It is said that Banteay Kdei is a Buddhist monastery with hundreds of Buddha statues excavated from this site. The temple was probably built in the 12th century, around the same time as Ta Prohm temple), Shrah Sang (Lake Srah Srang is an artificial lake created by the ancient king. The lake has a fairly simple part of architecture, including steps to the lake. In the past, kings used to take boats to the middle of the lake for sightseeing, especially watching the sunrise on the lake, being a pleasure and relaxation) Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple) Takeo (the temple of Shiva, built during the reign of King Jayavarman V), Thommanon, Chau say Tevoda neatly frame the east causeway to the Angkor Thom complex.
Overnight in Siem Reap
- South Gate of Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat
Breakfast at your hotel.
Angkor Thom is a wonder of the world to discover its beauty. The temple is quite beautiful and majestic. It still keeps almost the structure of the work that is well preserved. Angkor Thom is also known as the Temple of Trees because there are many types of trees in this area. Along the way you can enjoy the local people's music program with the traditional instruments of this country, which is a remarkable activity
Proceed to morning visits with South Gate of Angkor Thom for including the famous Bayon Temple (featuring a sea of over 200 massive stone faces looking in all direction, built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII as part of a massive expansion of his capital Angkor Thom, built at the exact center of the royal city), Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
The afternoon is dedicated to visit the most famous & magnificent Angkor Wat temple.
This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. With many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana Story and day-to-day life at the time of Angkor's construction.
At the end of the afternoon Angkor Wat discovery watches the sunset on the temples and the spectacular views over Angkor Wat from Phnom Bakheng Hill.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
- Banteay Srey and Grand Circuit
Breakfast at your hotel.
AM visit: Banteay Srei (Citadel of the women, completed in 967 AD and is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still clearly visible today. Banteay Srei is the only major temple at Angkor not built for a king), then Banteay Samre (monument containing both Hindu and Buddhist depictions)
Lunch in a local restaurant.
PM visit: Grand Circuit including Pre Rup (Change the body), East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean (built based on the balanced belief of ancient Hindus; four pools connect around the temple, representing elements of fire, water, land and wind - entering these pools will be healthy because it balances the elements), Preah Khan (built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII) and Baksei Chamkrong (a 10th century temple found near the Angkor Thom South gate with a very steep pyramidal temple topped with a single prasat tower built as a Hindu sanctuary dedicated to Shiva)
Overnight in Siem Reap.
- War Museum and Les Artisans d’Angkor – Boating on Tonle Sap Lake
Morning visit:
- War Museum: the purpose of this museum is to keep the memory of the civil war in the history of Cambodia alive and to preserve the unique collection for posterity.
- Les Artisans d’Angkor - Chantiers Ecole where visitors can observe students learning traditional carving and finishing techniques
- Free time for shopping at Siem Reap day Market.
Afternoon: Transfer to floating village and boat trip tour on Tonle Sap Great Lake (the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh)
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Morning free at leisure until transfer for departure.