4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS - CAMBODIA FOR STARTERS 1

Enjoy 4  wonderful days at Siem Reap! Wander through the "Great City" of Angkor Thom, visit the numerous magnificent temples - and then just relax in style!

 

 

DAY 1: ARRIVE - THE BEST OF SIEM REAP

The sightseeing of today depends on your arrival time. This afternoon, however, you start exploring the Rolous Group including Lolei, Preah Ko & Bakong temple. That is an island temple consisting of four brick tower on a double plate rite platform. Three temples Bakong, Lolei and Prah Ko - located 11 Kilometers (6.8 miles) southeast of the Siem Reap Market, comprise the Rolous group of monuments, they are close together and extend over an area of three kilometers ( 1.9 miles ) east of the Great Lake. The Rolous group, dating from the late ninth century, is the earliest site of the 600 years Angkor Period that is open to visitors. The three temples belonging to this important group have similar characteristics of architecture, decoration, materials and construction methods, which combine to reveal the beginning of the Classic Period of Khmer art. Overnight in Siem Reap.

If you arrive in the morning there is time to visit fabulous Ta Prohm the undisputed capital of the kingdom of the Trees'. It has been left untouched by archaeologists except for the clearing of a path for visitors and structural strengthening to stave of further deterioration. Because of its natural state, it is possible to experience at this temple the wonder of the early explorers when they came upon these monuments in the middle of the nineteenth century. From there continue to Pre Rup - a work of great dignity and impeccable proportions. Pre Rup is located at northeast of Srah Srang and 500 meters (1,640 feet) south of the south end of the East Baray. And if time permits to East Mebon, the lovely temple of Mebon, a pyramid of receding terraces on which are placed many detached edifices, the most effective being the five towers which crown the top could any conception be lovelier, a vast expanse of sky-tinted water as wetting for a perfectly ordered temple. Lunchtime!

 

DAY 2: ANGKOR TOUR

After breakfast commence temple tours to the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom, the entire day is spent visiting the extensive temple complex of soaring towers, elaborate carved murals, colonnades and courtyards that ushered in the classic age of Khmer art architecture, Bayon temple located in the center, this temple rises on three levels with galleries containing bas relief’s depicting daily life and historical Khmer battles won and lost. Continue to the Elephant Terrace, built in the late 12th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII and located in front of he east entrances of the Baphuon temple and the Royal Palace. After lunch time visit the 'World Wonder of Angkor Wat temples', built between the 9th and 13th centuries. This ancient capital of the Khmer Empire is one of the world's greatest architectural achievements. Sunset view from the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill: a testimony to the love of symmetry and balance which evolved its style... in pure simplicity of rectangles its beauty is achieved. It is a pyramid mounting in terraces; five of them... Below Bak-Keng lays all the world of mystery, the world of the Khmer, more mysterious ever under its cover of impenetrable verdure.

 

DAY 3: SIEM REAP - KBAL SPEAN - SIEM REAP (B)
After breakfast you start your excursion to Kbal Spean, also known as the river of Thousand lingas. Kbal Spean is a pilgrimage place of ancient Angkorians. About 1-hour drive from Siem Reap, it is set in the forested mountain. You walk about 45 minutes uphill through the woods to see impressive carvings of phalluses - the symbol of the God Shiva's supreme essence - on the riverbed. Its riverbanks are also dotted with sculpted stone lingas on the pedestals. Big brown rocks around the river and the waterfall are carved of Buddha and Hindu gods and goddesses. Due to the distance from Siem Reap, Kbal Spean is less crowded. The best time to visit is between September and December when the river and the waterfall have more water. Continue to the enchanting temple of the Banteay Srei, nearly everyone's favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carvings. Later in the afternoon, visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to the restoration method being used. Return to Siem Reap at the end of the afternoon. Overnight in Siem Reap. 

 

DAY 4: SIEM REAP - TONLE SAP/DEPARTURE

A half day excursion will bring you to the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. It forms a natural floodplain reservoir in the depression of the Cambodian plain and is drained by the Tonle Sap River into the Mekong River near Phnom Penh. When the level of the Mekong River is high the flow of the Tonle Sap River reverses: water is pushed into the lake, raising its level by up to 10 meters and increasing its area from 2,500-3,000square kilometers in the dry season to 10,000-16,000 square kilometers in the rainy season.3.5 million people live on the flood plain around the Tonle Sap and there are170 floating villages on the lake itself. Fishing is the dominant activity of all the villagers and over 70% of the protein consumed throughout Cambodia is estimated to come from fish from the Tonle Sap. Visit the schools and learn about the life on water! Rest of the day leisure and transfer to the airport.