Cambodia

Day 1 Siem Reap – Arrive

Arrive Siem Reap, Siem Reap – Treasure of the Kingdom of Cambodia, special welcome to everybody, a moment of courtesy. You meet your guide and transfer to hotel for check in . 

Day 2 Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat

Breakfast at hotel, in the morning you will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass of tourists. 

• The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), 

• See the South Gate, Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, 

• Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru, 

• We step to see our old palace as Phimeanakas temple in huge complex that was used for our king in the past time, 

• Then Elephant terrace platform for king and officers to view shows and people meeting, 

• Preah Palilay older than Angkor Thom, deeply in the forest and on path back You see monks sprinkle water to people. 

We continue to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 

1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. 

 

Day 3 Siem Reap – Banteay Srey & Small Circuit

We travel to Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas

of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy. 

 

After soaking up the unique atmosphere of Ta Prohm, we continue to the giant pyramid         of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area. Built at the end of the 10th century, it was never completed. Some scholars contend this was due to an inauspicious lightning strike during construction. Others have suggested the high quality sandstone was simply too hard to carve in detail. 

This morning we also visit the remains of an old Angkorian bridge which once spanned the Siem Reap river. Like the Romans before them, the Khmer kings built long, straight roads connecting the outposts of their empire and these included many magnificent bridges. There is also the option to visit the smaller temples of Chau Sey Devada and Thommanon for avid temple enthusiasts. 

In the afternoon, we travel through the traditional village of Preah Dak to the 12th century temple of Banteay Samre. Built by King Suryavarman II, the genius behind Angkor Wat, this temple has been extensively restored. The temple is unique in that over-quarrying of sandstone led to the use of laterite for the roofed corridors. The pediments above the inner doors here include some of the most accomplished carving from the Angkor period. 

 

We continue further north to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. 

Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture. 

Day 4 Siem Reap – Departure

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.