A journey through the ancient and modern Cambodia for 5 days exploring the wonders of the temples of Angkor, some of the most iconic places around Siem Reap and the rumbling streets of the capital city of Phnom Penh. Landscape, portrait and street photography will be just some of the photographic styles we will practice during this five days tour.

Angkor Archeological Park provides wonderful photographic opportunities. the monuments and the surrounding jungle afford unlimited textural and lighting opportunities for composing a picture.

Clouds are common and tend to diffuse the light which is somewhat flat even though it is intense. As most of the temples face east the best lighting conditions are in the morning except for Angkor Wat where the best light is in the afternoon because it faces west. the temples surrounded by jungle such as Ta Prohm and Prah Khan can be photographed with good results when the sun is directly overhead and shining through the foliage. Just as one is never prepared for the enormous size and overwhelming beauty of Angkor, one is never ready to leave it. With photographs and visions etched in memory, one need never say good-by to Angkor, for its magic will go with you wherever fate and the gods may take you to colour your thoughts and dreams to life’s very end.

DAY 01: ARRIVAL – SIEM REAP

Upon arrival you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Tonight you will enjoy a welcome dinner and meet the professional photographer to go over the details of the following day’s photography tour.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Meals included: Welcome Dinner.

DAY 02: ANGKOR TEMPLES

After an early breakfast we set off for Angkor Thom entering by the Southern Gate, which is flanked by the statues of gods and demons on each side. Bayon Temple is a well known and richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon Temple stands at the centre of Jayavarman’s capital, Angkor Thom.TheBayon Temple’s most distinctive feature are the many serene faces of the massive stone heads on many of the towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. This temple is known also for two impressive sets of bas-reliefs, which present an unusual combination of mythological, historical, and mundane scenes. Then we heading into Baphuon, built in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered mountain temple built as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II and dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. It is the archetypal temple of the Baphuon. In April 2011, after 51 years, the archaeologists finished the restoration of the temple. King NorodomSihamoni of Cambodia and Prime Minister Francois Fillon of France were among those who first toured the renovated temple during the inauguration ceremony on July 3, 2011. We continue on to another 12th century temple of PreahPalilay, which, over the years has been reclaimed by the trees.
In the afternoon you will proceed to Ta Keo, or as it is otherwise known, the Pyramid Temple, and then on to the unrestored BanteayKdey Temple. At the end of the day you will enjoy a photo shoot at the main temple of Angkor Wat.
*End of the day activity: Introduction to the post-production and editing session.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Meals included: Breakfast.

DAY 03: ANGKOR TEMPLES

Get up early (packed breakfast provided) and head off in time to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat or SrahSrang and enjoy a photo shoot while the sun comes up, casting its beautiful golden glow on to the temple and making it an even more memorable sight. We continue to Preah Khan, a ruin built after the success of Jayavarman VII’s victory over the invading Chams in 1191. Unusually the modern name, meaning “holy sword”, is derived from the meaning of the original—NagaraJayasri (holy city of victory). Then it’s off through the Victory Gate and Western Gate of Angkor Thom. The Victory Gate is about 500 metres north of the east gate; the Victory Way runs parallel to the east road to Victory Square and finishes at the Royal Palace, north of the Bayon.
In the afternoon we will be shooting at the jungle temple of Ta Promh, where the trees and vines growing out of the ruins are perhaps the most distinctive feature. This is also where Angelina Jolie filmed the first Tomb Raider movie, playing Lara Croft in 2000. We drive on to Pre Rup, known as the mountain temple and constructed of pieces of clay bricks, laterite and sandstone, and was erected in 961. Known as the Royal Bath, we stop for aunset shoot at SrahSrang.

*End of the day activity: Post-production and editing session.

Accommodation:Hotel in Siem Reap
Meals included: Breakfast.

DAY 04: ANGKOR – FLOATING VILLAGE

After an early breakfast at the hotel we drive to BanteaySrei, passing through the stunning Cambodian countryside, through paddy fields with cattle and water buffalo and locals working in the fields. This temple was only discovered in 1914, memorable for the deep carvings in the beautiful pink sandstone.
In the afternoon we enjoy exploring and shooting in and around the floating village of KompongPhluk, a cluster of three villages of stilted houses built within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap Lake about 16 km southeast of Siem Reap. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3,000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and it is home to a variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. We can board a pirogue, a small flat-bottomed boat, to discover how the seasons affect the village over the 12 months of a year. From August to January the water level is still high enough to flood the forest surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake, and so the village ‘floats’, in some places, quite literally. For the remainder of the year you will not see a flooded forest but the houses of the village will appear to be standing on gigantic stilts for no reason, all of which makes a visit to this village worthwhile all year round.

*End of the day activity: Final Post production and editing session using the photos taken during the trip.
 
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Meals included: Breakfast & dinner.

DAY 05: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE

After having breakfast at your hotel will be free at your leisure till your departure transfer.

Meals included: Breakfast.

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
– Professional photographer with final post production and editing session using the photos
– All entrance fees
– Boat excursion
– 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.