DAY 01: ARRIVAL SIEM REAP
Welcome to Siem Reap, the entrance to the Angkor Temple complex and the legacy of Khmer Empire. Upon arrival, the local Cambodian English speaking tour guide will greet you and help you transfer to your hotel for check in.On the way your guide will deliver a very interesting briefing about the history of Cambodia, its culture, people and lifestyle.
After check in at your hotel we will head for the Angkor Archeological Parkto see the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the last capital city of the ancient Khmer Empire. It is approached from outside via a causeway that extends about fifty meters across a moat, on each side of the causeway are railings fashioned with 54 stone figures engaged in the performance of a famous Hindu story: the myth of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk (Tug of war). On the left side of the moat, 54 devas (guardian gods) pull the head of the snake ‘Shesha’ while on the right side 54 asuras (demon gods) pull the snake’s tail in the opposite direction. In this myth, the body of the snake is wrapped around the central mountain – Mt. Meru – perhaps corresponding here to the Bayon temple at the center of the site.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. You will finish this memorable day with a royal boat journey along the ancient moat.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: None
• Private A/C vehicle, English speaking tour guide, Royal boat excursion at the ancient moat of Angkor Thom
• Entrance fee
• Bottle drinking water on tour &cold beer or wine while waiting for sunset
DAY 02: SIEM REAP – TREASURE HUNTING IN ANGKOR THOM& ANGKOR WAT (B/L)
The morning after breakfast at our hotel, webegin another 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 whilealso 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.After exploring the treasures of this ancient walled city, we continue with a visit tothe 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 Thomis 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 alsovisit the Elephantand 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.
Following Angkor Thom 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.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast & lunch
• Private A/C vehicle, English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fee
• Bottle drinking water on tour
DAY 03: SIEM REAP –WALKING IN THE JUNGLE & EXPLORE FLOATING VILLAGE (B/D)
Optional:Starting early we enter the Angkor Archeological Park to experience the sunrise behindthe temple of Angkor Wat with soft light against the towers reflecting in a large lily pond, one of the best views of the temple you will get.
Next we return to our hotel for breakfast before continuing to explore Preah Khan Temple.It’s located 2 kilometers northeast of Angkor Thom on the Grand Circuit and was built in the second half of the 12th century in AD 1191 by King Jayavarman VII, dedicatedto his father Dharanindravarman. The inscriptions indicate that Preah Khan was built on the battle site where King Jayavarman VII finally defeated the Chams. In those days it was known as Nagarajayacri, which means the City of Sacred Sword.
Leaving from the rear exit of Preah Khan temple, we then walk through the dense tropicaljunglefor approximately 3.5KM to enjoy nature along the tree-lined paths, taking a rest at the French dam, which was constructed in 1960, and enjoya water break. We continue with a visit toPrasat Tanai; this temple seems lost in the jungle and gets very few visitors; it’s a 12th century temple and was constructed by King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to his ancestors. If time permits will visit the pyramid temple of Ta Keo.
In the afternoon we will travel to the eastern part of Siem Reap to visit the floating village of Kompong Phluk or Kompong Khleang. During the dry season we are struck by the forest of stilted houses rising up to 10 meters in the air and in the wet season the waters rise up to one or two meters from the base of the buildings. The village is a permanent community within the flood plain of the Lake, with an economy based on fishing and surrounded by flooded forest. A boat excursion will take us through the floating village, stopping at one of the local houses to visit the family where you will find out close up, how different life is between this country and yours. If time permits, you can also 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, your sumptuous dinner will be accompanied by a Classical Apsara Dance performancedepicting scenes from Khmer mythology.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast & dinner with Apsara performance
• Private A/C vehicle, English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fee
• Boat excursion and canoeing
• Bottle drinking water on tour
DAY 04: SIEM REAP – PINK TEMPLE – WATERFALL& LAND MINE MUSEUM (B/L/D)
No need to rushthis morning; after breakfast at the hotel you will head off with your guide to the mountain atPhnom Kulen National Park. The mountainwas used as the ancient capital city in AD 802 in the reign of king Jayavarman II, who declared himself god king and announced independence from Java, giving birth to present day Cambodia. There are 56 Angkorian temples made of bricks and volcanic stones, but most of them are in poor condition. You will see the Thousand Linga River, and an enormous reclining Buddha, constructed in the 16th century; you can enjoy a swim at the waterfall followed by a picnic lunch on the riverbank. Descending from the mountaintop on the afternoon we head off to see the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei,which stands alone in the jungle. The enchanting temple of Banteay Srei is many people’s favorite site. 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 in the afternoon we head back to Siem Reap via a stop to learn about the period of civil war in Cambodia, which only ended as recently as 1998.We visit the Cambodia Landmine Museuman NGO that provides education and support for dozens of at-risk youth and landmine affected children.
Tonight you 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 contortionbeautifully choreographed and performed as a story about Cambodian life and society.
Service includes:
• Overnight at your hotel in Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Private A/C vehicle, English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Cambodia circus
• Bottle drinking water on tour
DAY 05: MEETING LOCALS IN SIEM REAP BY QUAD BIKE & DEPARTURE (B)
There’s just one more chance of hearty breakfast before you depart, so make the most of it! There’s also just one more morning to enjoy theQuad Bike experience through the countryside of Siem Reap and meeting with the local people. Driving on the flat terrain about three hoursthrough the villages, you will see the Khmer traditional houses built on stilts, farming area where you will see crops of rice, vegetables, corn or tobacco as well as aBuddhist monastery. you can stop and havea chat with local villagers, kids or monks. On the way you will cattle, ox carts, chickens, ducks or geese and much more wildlife: This is the real countryside life
You return to your hotel before mid-day to check out and then you will be free to relax by the hotel pool or visit the local market till your departure transfer.
Service includes:
• Meals: Breakfast
• Private A/C vehicle, English speaking tour guide
• Quad bike ride
• Bottle drinking water on tour
COST INCLUDES:
– Accommodation on double or twin room sharing basis;
– All meals as stated;
– All tours and transfers in private air-con vehicle
– English speaking guide
– All entrance fees
– Boat excursion
– Cambodia circus
– Quad bike
– Bottle of drinking water, soft drink and tissues.
COST EXCLUDES:
– All airfares & airport taxes.
– Visa;
– Travel insurance;
– Beverages in the restaurants where meals are included
– Gratuities to guide and driver
– Personal and other expenses such as porterage, bar bills and laundry not stated in the itinerary.
