Morning arrival at Siem Reap airport. Transfer to your hotel. Siem Reap is the nearest town to the temple complex of Angkor. From the 9th to 13th century, Angkor was the heart of a rich and sophisticated civilization. You will see massive stone monuments, wide majestic causeways, imposing gateways and towers, all in a wonderful jungle setting.

In the morning you will visit with your private professional guide, the "Great City" of Angkor Thom, visits include the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. The afternoon is dedicated to visit the most famous & magnificent Angkor Vat temple.

This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares.With many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana Story and day-to-day life at the time of Angkor's construction.

At the end of the afternoon watch the sunset on the temples and the spectacular views over Angkor Wat.

 

 Day 2:  Angkor Visit

Morning visit of a selection of temples, including the Royal City of Preah Khan with impressive sculptures, Neak Pean built on a small circular island, Ta Som, East Mebon, Preah Rup.

Afternoon we will continue our visit by Thommanon temple, Ta Keo, one of Angkor's great mountains temple, Ta Prohm with a part of the jungle, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang a Royal bathing place, Prasat Kravan with unique brick sculptures. We will visit Les Chantiers Ecole, a handicraft center located in the center of Siem Reap. Les Chantiers Ecole was founded in 1992 and its aim is to revive that ancient Khmer art. This organization gives young people the opportunity to learn the art of stone, wood carving, and silk weaving.  

 

Morning we will visit the enchanting Banteay Srei. It appears that the temple was designed to leave no space undecorated, and the fine carvings in pink sandstone are unique.We will continue after by car to a little chain of hills. After about an hour, we will arrive in a place near Kbal Spien and continue our journey on foot, following a white sand path which heads up into the jungle. This very pleasant walk takes us through the beautiful forest. Please note that there are several narrow and steep passages on the way. After approximately 40 minutes walk, we will hear the sound of a waterfall. At first sight this place offers no particular attractions except the natural environment. We will discover that the riverbed and the rocks around us are covered with carvings representing the gods of the Brahma religion dating back as far as the 11th century, its the "thousand Lingas Rivers" The water runs over the sculptures of Vishnu, Lakshmi, Hanuman, Rama and many Lingas, which were carved in stone in the past to sanctify the water and to thank the gods for their gift. The sound of a small waterfall tempts you to follow the river further through the small gorge. Using bamboo stairs to pass a few escarped passages we finally discover the beautiful waterfall. Pick-nick lunch at the foot of the hill or lunch at local restaurant.. After this visit, we will go to Banteay Samre, with elaborate architecture and exceptional carvings, and we will visit of a local village. and visit of Baray Oriental sites, built by Rajendravarman: Banteay Kdey, Pré Rup, Preasat Khleang, Mébon Oriental.

 

This morning we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" moves from place to place following water levels and currents.

Time permitting, we will visit Siem Reap central market and the Silk Farm in Puok, established by a French NGO to revive Cambodia's beautiful silk production. We can see every step of silk production. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport. 2 hours before your departure with international flight.

 

In the morning we will visit the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya, which flourished in the late 9th and early 10th Centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred as the Roluos group. The three Roluos temples are Bakong Temple Mountain with wonderful carvings on the false doors and lintels, the funerary temple of Preah Ko, Lolei Temple with the Roluos group's most exquisite carvings and inscriptions. Afternoon transfer to Siem Reap Airport. Departure with international flight.