DETAIL ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Siem Reap

Arrive in Siem Reap and transfer to hotel. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled by the kings of Cambodia. The first edifice to be built was the temple of Preah Ko in 879 AD by King Indravarman I. This temple is composed of 6 brick towers still partly covered by stucco and was dedicated to his predecessor Jayavarman II. The king is represented as the god Shiva. The second temple of the

    Roluos is the Bakong temple, built in 881 AD by the same king. his was the temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Start the visits with the early-Angkor era temples of the Roluos Group. The Roluos was the first town created state temple and also the largest of the city. The temple is the representation of the Mount Meru home of the gods. Finally the third temple is the Lolei, built in 893 AD and built by the successor of Indravarman I. This temple was supposed to be built in the center of an artificial lake and is composed of 6 brick towers originally but only 4 remain.

In the afternoon, visit the Great City of Angkor Thom, which was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by a 8 m high wall, each side of the city is 4 km long. It draws a perfect square you access this town through 5 gates; 4 of them represent the cardinal points and the 5th one the Victory Gate was the one leading dir3ectly to the Royal Palace Area.
 

Day 2: Angkor Wat- Small Circuit (B)

After breakfast, visit the biggest religious temple in the world; the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple. Built by Suryavarman II, in early 12th century Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. Considered as the masterpiece of the Khmer architecture, this Vishnuite temple is the King’s funerary temple.

                                               Day 3: Departure Siem Reap (B,L)

These are the main reasons to explain the West exposure of the temple. Inside the temple the walls are covered by carvings and bas-reliefs depicting the Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II made during his reign. As well Angkor Wat is well known for the 2000 Apsaras dancers decorating the temple. In the afternoon explore the temples of the Small Circuit. The most famous among these is Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid 12th to early 13th centuries.

Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Your visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”. End your tour at the twin towers of Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon.

Overnight at Le Méridien Angkor, Siem Reap

After breakfast, visit the Banteay Srey and Banteay Samre. Banteay Srey is made of pink sandstone and is one of the smallest temple you can visit but one of the most beautiful as well. Built in 967 AD by a guru to Jayavarman V, it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture. As well the carvings and bas relief are in a perfect condition although being here for

Day 4: Departure Siem Reap (B)

more than millenary. On the way back to Siem Reap you will visit the Banteay Samre. Situated on the eastern edge of the Angkor complex, this temple is very similar to Angkor Wat. The structure with its typical lotus flower shaped tower but has compact proportions. This temple was built during the best period of the Khmer architecture and its condition is almost perfect.

In the afternoon, enjoy the visit to the temples of the Grand Circuit, beginning with the Preah Khan Temple. This temple was built approximately during the same period as Ta Prohm, and originally served both as a religious university and a temple. Continue to Neak Pean, unique because it is not a temple but a sanctuary placed in the center of an artificial lake and connected to 4 surrounding ponds exactly at Cardinals points. Your final visit will be to the small temple of Ta Som, a Buddhist temple built under Jayavarman VII.

Overnight at Le Méridien Angkor, Siem Reap

After breakfast, drive to Lake Tonle Sap 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. Or visit the Artisans d’Angkor to see wood and stone carvings or visit the local markets before transferring to the airport for the departure flight.

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In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your departure flight As with all the tours listed on this website, this is simply a suggested itinerary, which can easily be customized to suit your schedule, budget, and interests. Please contact us to discuss your tailor-made travel requirements.