A morning visit of a selection of temples, includes 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 continue our visit with 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 it's 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.  

 

In the 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 by car to a little chain of hills. After an hour, we will arrive 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 location 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 calls us 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.

 

 Day 4:  Boat ride on Tonle Sap lake/ Silk Center

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,  but the "village" can move from place to place following water levels and the 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 an international flight.

 

 Day 5:  Beng Mealea and Phnom Khulen

Today we will visit the Beng Melea Temple which is still covered in the jungle. A rather bumpy 2-3 hours drive through the beautiful countryside takes us there. Beng Melea is almost the size of Angkor Wat and is one of the largest ensembles build during the Khmer Kingdom. It is enclosed by a huge moat of 1200m x 900m and the temple presents in places a veritable chaos of fallen debris beside areas that remain absolutely intact - but everywhere vegetation reigns as master. During our visit we will have to walk over ruins and climb over trees to fully explore this site. The decoration of Beng Malea is simple and animated only in certain areas but you can find several bas-reliefs' showing scenes from the Khmer Mythology. During our visit  we can enjoy our picnic lunch in the midst this fantastic setting. Early afternoon will drive on a logging highway along Phnom Koulen towards Siem Reap. Late afternoon return to Siem Reap.

 

This 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.