SECRETS OF ANGKOR

SECRETS OF ANGKOR

BRIEFING AND TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY 

Day 1
SIEM REAP ARRIVAL & CITY VISIT

Meet your guide on arrival Siem Reap, transfer and check-in to your hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Siem Reap, answer any questions you have.

Siem Reap, situated in the north west of the country, is an enchanting town with Chinese-style shop houses, French colonial architecture and tree lined boulevards. It is the gateway to the World Heritage ancient temple ruins of Angkor, eighth wonder of the world and spectacular ancient capital of the powerful Khmer Dynasty. As well as the myriad of awe-inspiring temples and Khmer relics to explore, Siem Reap and its rural outskirts offers craft villages, silk farms, Khmer cuisine cooking classes, traditional Cambodian “apsara” dance performances and the floating villages on the tranquil waters of Tonle Sap Lake.

In the afternoon, drive to Tonle Sap Lake where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Tonle Sap is South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season. During the dry season it is roughly 2,500 km2, swelling to about 4 times it size in during the wet season: 10,000 km2! We will board a boat and visit the Chong Kneah village where we’ll see floating houses, farms and even a floating hospital.

On the way back, visit Phnom Krom, A hill top temple with the same layout as Phnom Bok, also built by Yashovarman I, Phnom Krom’s temple may be less spectacular today due to its more ruinous state, but the vantage point overlooking the Tonle Sap Lake provides a good reason to visit. Phnom Krom sits within a 50-metre-square enclosure, upon which are three ruined sandstone towers on a north-south axis. Running from north to south the towers are dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.

Included meals: None
Accommodation in SIEM REAP

Day 2
DISCOVER ANGKOR TEMPLES

After breakfast, visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom. A short stop at South Gate. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.

From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. Baphuon Temple, Phimean Akas Temple, Elephants Terrace & Leper King Terrace, Royal Palace, Woman and Man Pond) are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.

In the afternoon, proceed to visit Ta-Prom Temple ~ built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12^th and early 13^th centuries. It has been left in much the same condition in which it was found: the photogenic and atmospheric combination massive fig and silk cotton trees grow from the towers and corridors, offering some of the best ‘tree-in temple’.

After that, you will visit the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, it is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia’s national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.

During sunset time, Angkor Wat is less visited, and the Apsaras will shine in the most beautiful light. Return to your hotel, where you can enjoy the evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in SIEM REAP

Day 3
LOCAL COOKING CLASS & ROLOUS GROUP

After breakfast, transfer to Krorbey Real Khmer Kitchen Village for half day cooking class (09:00am – 13:00pm). Krorbey Real Village located in Pouk District (South-West of Siem Reap City around 10km). Upon arrival, warmly welcome by the staff and visit local market before starting the cooking class. Lunch with your own culinary creation in a convivial Khmer setting.

In the afternoon, head out to the early-Angkor era temples of the Roluos Group, about 15km outside of Siem Reap. Roluos is the site of the first town built by the Angkorian kings in the 8th and 9th century and consists of three main temples: Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko. The beautiful surrounding countryside with its paddy fields and sugar palm trees is very typical for Cambodia. Here, in a small contemporary pagoda, Buddhist monks will celebrate a private blessing ceremony for you, wishing you health and a safe journey – a very special experience! Return to the hotel for a break during the midday heat.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in SIEM REAP

Day 4
SIEM REAP – KULEN WATERFALL – BANTEAY SREI – PREAH KHAN TEMPLE

After breakfast, transfer to Kulen Mountain (Mahendraparvata – Mountain of the Great Indra). Kunlen mount is situated at north east of Angkor Complex about 50 Km, it takes approximately 2 hours drive up to the hill top with 487 meters height and plateau stretches 30 km long. Kulen is considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and it is a popular place for domestic visitors during weekends and festivals. The hill is used as the ancient capital city II in AD 802 to declared himself as god king and announced independence from Java, then giving birth to present day Cambodia.

The main attractive spot is a waterfall, it splits in two spots the first waterfall is four or five meters heights and 20 to 25 diameters in dry and raining seasons. The second waterfall is 15 to 20 meters heights and 10 to 15 diameters in dry and raining seasons.

In the afternoon, visit Banteay Srei.  This jewel of Angkor was built by a Brahman in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of exquisite sculptures, lintels and friezes. These, it is said, must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. This gives the origin of the Khmer name, Fortress of the Women.

Continue to Preah Khan, was built in the second half of the 12th century in AD 1191 by King Jaya-varman VII, dedicating to his father Dharanindravarman. This temple was built on the battle site where King Jaya-varman VII finally defeated the Chams. In those days it was known as Nagarajayacri which mean the city of Preah Khan

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in SIEM REAP

Day 5
SIEM REAP DEPARTURE

After breakfast, visit Psah Chas (Old Market) also commonly spelt as Phsar Chas, Psar Chas or Psar Chaa, a market in the city of Siem Reap in northern Cambodia. Not to be confused with the similarly named Psah Chas in Phnom Penh that is geared toward locals, this open air market in the south of the city caters to locals and tourists alike. The market is popular with tourists in the city and sells souvenirs, including T-shirts, silverware, silk, wood and stone carvings, Buddhas, and other items. It is also known for its variety of Cambodian cuisine, and has a number of food stalls which sell a variety of rices, dried fish and pork sausages, vegetables and fruits, and a Cambodian specialty Prahok, a type of fermented fish paste. Some stalls sell baguettes and spiced frogs, which is believed to be a relic of French colonialism in the area. Other stalls cook up various Khmer soups and red chili slices and peanuts.

Then transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Included meals: Breakfast

TOUR PRICE(S):

Standard 3*:     from US $ 452
Superior 4*:      from US $ 561
Deluxe 5*:         from US $ 730

* Prices are based on twin/ double share for group of at least 02 passengers travelling together and depend on availability and season.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION