Private 5-Day Classic Ancient Temple Trip

Itinerary

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   Day 01: Sunrise at Angkor Wat temple

   You will be picked up at the lobby of hotel. Then, transfer to visit Angkor Wat, first a Hindu, then subsequently a Buddhist, temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura,( present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaivism tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag. After that, you will go to visit Angkor Thom with the wall rising eight meters high, the laterite wall measures 3x3km and guards many treasures inside, protected by a moat still flooded today. You will enter the ancient city through its South Gate. In the very centre lies the temple of Bayon – silent witnesses of time, the 216 enigmatic faces gaze over the horizon and one can only wonder what they have seen throughout the ages. Your guide will point out the best angles for photography here and give explanation of the many intricate carvings on the walls of the galleries. You will then continue to Baphuon with its long causeway and an impressive giant Reclining Buddha, a jigsaw puzzle only put back together in 2011 following a 37 year-long disruption caused by the war. Phimeanakas is hiding in the shaded jungle and offers a decent over-the-tree-tops view to those who conquer the steep steps to the top. Continuing along the Esplanade of the Royal Palace more commonly known as the Terrace of the Elephants you will wind up your exploration in the shaded area of the picturesque Preah Palilay. Break for lunch. Afternoon, you will visit Thommanon temple, one of a pair of Hindu temples built during the reign of Suryavarman II at Angkor, Cambodia. The name of the temple is derived from the Pali words "Dhamma", which means 'Buddhist Teachings' and "Nanda", which means 'supreme wisdom'. Then, visit Chau Say Tevoda, a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is just east of Angkor Thom, directly south of Thommanon across the Victory Way. Built in the mid-12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat period. It is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu with unique types of female sculptures of devatas enshrined in it. Our next stop, Ta Prohm, gained its 21st Century fame from the movie Tomb Raider featuring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Today, with Lara long gone, this temple is on the itinerary of most visitors and rightfully so. Many corners of Ta Prohm showcase an intricate relationship between the roots of Spung tree (Tetrameles Nudiflora) and ancient stones covered in moss. Truly a photographer's paradise, don't miss the opportunity to capture your own explorer's moments. Drive back to hotel and drop off.

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   Day 02: Explore the inspiring structures in Big Circle

   You will be picked up at the lobby of hotel. Then, transfer to visit Preah Khan temple, another temple with spectacular trees and roots taking over the ancient man made structures which would give Ta Prohm run for its money any day! Explore the delicate carvings and don't miss the only two-storey construction in Angkor; standing on high columns this is a unique phenomenon in Khmer architecture. Your knowledgeable guide will help you navigate through the temple grounds before continuing further. Constructed in roughly the same period as Preah Khan, Neak Pean offers a different view altogether. Located in the centre of the Northern Baray, this temple is essentially an island and most impressive to view in the wet season. The long raised wooden causeway leading to the temple is surrounded by water and submerged tree trunks lend the scene a ghostly appearance. After that, visit Ta Som temple, a small temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built at the end of the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. It is located north east of Angkor Thom and just east of Neak Pean. The King dedicated the temple to his father Dharanindravarman II who was King of the Khmer Empire from 1150 to 1160. Then, visit The East Mebon, a 10th Century temple at Angkor, Cambodia. Built during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it stands on what was an artificial island at the center of the now dry East Baray reservoir. The East Mebon was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honors the parents of the king. Lunch break. After lunch, we visit Pre Rup, a Hindu temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built as the state temple of Khmer king Rajendravarman and dedicated in 961 or early 962. It is a temple mountain of combined brick, laterite and sandstone construction. The temple's name is a comparatively modern one meaning "turn the body". After that, we go to visit Banteay Samré, located 400 metres to the east of the East Baray. Built during the reign of Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style. Then, we visit Phnom Bok, the 695-foot-high (212-meter-high) hill with brick-built temples from around the same period built by Yasovarman I, who reigned 889–910 AD. Driver back to the town and drop off at hotel.

   Angkor Thum

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   Day 03: Kbal Spean and Lady Temple

   After breakfast, we go to visit Kbal Spean with the “River of Thousand Lingas” To get to the top of Kbal Spean and appreciate the intricately carved stone river bed you have to conquer a fairly steep incline, but fear not – the path is well worn and the biggest obstacles and boulders are overcome by series of well maintained wooden staircases, yet at least medium level of fitness is required for this 3km jungle walk. You will have a lunch break locally and rest during the hottest part of the day. After that, we you will visit a small temple of Banteay Srei well known for its beautiful delicate carvings in warm pink sandstone. This late 10th century structure is fairly compact and very different from other Angkorian temples. On your way back, we stop to visit palm sugar store made by villagers. Drop off at hotel.

   Krong Siem Reap

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   Day 04: Beng Mealea and Roulos group

   After breakfast, we will go to visit Beng Mealea, more accessible with the addition of a wooden walkway throughout the structure assuring a safe access and slight elevation, thus a better view. This mid 12th century temple features mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism attributes and is particularly mesmerising in the wet season. In the afternoon you will head through picturesque countryside back towards Siem Reap stopping at the late 9th century Hindu temples Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko which are collectively known as the Rolous Temple Group. Explore the early capital of Angkor and let your guide show you the most attractive sites in this location, the most impressive being the pyramid-like Bakong surrounded by moat still containing water today. To finish off your day you may wish to briefly visit Lolei temple with its four brick towers on a double laterite platform. Then, we come back to the town.

   Sangkat Nokor Thum, Siem Reap

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   Day 05: Tonle Sap lake and City Tour

   After breakfast, we go to visit the largest freshwater lake in south-east Asia – the Tonle Sap. Embark on a journey in a traditional wooden boat and witness how people live in harmony with the rising and falling water levels of the lake depending on the season. Accessible all year round, Chhong Kneas is the largest of the floating villages in the province with three ethnicities living side by side on the margins of the lake. Then, visit Phnom Krom, an Angkorian site, dominates the horizon and overlooks the busy lives of the fishing and farming communities here. On the way back, we visit Wat Bo, one of the oldest Buddhist monastery in Siem Reap. The temple has few visitors but nonetheless is worth visiting for its beautiful wall. After that, we visit to the Artisans d'Angkor workshop where skilled artists produce gorgeous pieces of lacquer, stone carvings and silver plating and seeing them at work shows the positive direction of the path Cambodia finds itself on today. If you don't find your souvenirs and gifts here then perhaps the Old Market will have what you are looking for. Browse and use your bartering skills to bring home your memories of Siem Reap. Drop off at hotel and End of the Service.

   Krong Siem Reap