A Privately Extensive 6-Day Trip in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 1 : Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm Temples

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, a well preserved 30 meters long terrace with seven headed Naga balustrades lies East of the temple. At the front of the terrace were two guardian lions, of which one is left. Visit Leper King, the curious name of this terrace refers to a statue of the Leper King that is on the platform of the terrace. The one you see today is a copy. The original is in the court-yard of the National Museum in Phnom Penh. The figure is depicted in a seated position with his right knee raised, a position some art historians consider to be Javanese-style. Its nakedness is unusual in Khmer art. 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. Return to hotel and drop off.

Day 2 : Preah Khan, Neak Porn, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Phnom Bok and Banteay Samre Temples

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 AD to 1160 AD. 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. Break for lunch.

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. Return to hotel and drop off.

Day 3 : Kbal Spean & Banteay Srey 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. Return to hotel and drop off.

Day 4 : Beng Mealea, Bakong, Preah Ko & Lolei Temples

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. Back to hotel Lolei Temple, one of the temples which make up the Rolous Group. It was built in the 9th century ( 893 AD ) and was a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It was once an island temple, but the reservoir where it was built has long since been dry. Then, visit Preah Ko Temple built in what was then the capital city (Hariharalaya) before it was moved to Bakheng Hill. The last, 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. Back to hotel and drop off.

Day 5 : Kravan, Bat Chum, Sra Srang, Banteay Kdei, Ta Keo, Ta Nei, Baksei Chamkrong and Bakheng Hill

After breakfast, we go to visit Kravan temple, an early 10th century Hindu monument. It consists of a line of five brick towers built closely together set atop a low platform oriented towards the East. We visit Bat Chum, a small sanctuary with three towers facing east. It was constructed in the mid 10th century (around 960) by the architect Kavindrarimathana for his own personal use. Kavindrarimathana is the only Khmer-era architect whose name has survived, and it is known that he also designed East Mebon and the royal palace of King Rajendravarman. Quite unusual for this time, Kavindrarimathana was a Buddhist and dedicated Bat Chum to the Buddha, Vajrapani, and Prajnaparamita (one tower represented each incarnation). Keep going to Srah Srang, the King’s Baths – a large reservoir still containing water today. From here it’s only a short walk to the sprawling labyrinth of the Buddhist temple Banteay Kdei, a 12th – 13th century temple built by King Jayavarman VII. In English, the name translates to “A Citadel of Chambers”. The temple is actually made up of a number of complex chambers and passages. After that, we visit Ta Keo, It was built in the end of the tenth century to early 11th century by the King Jayavarman V to Suryavarman I dedicated to Siva (Hindu), replica to Kleang style of art. Next, visit Ta Nei, built under King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Some scholars believe that the temple was constructed as a hospital. It is now in a fairly ruined state and approached only via a track through the forest. Lunch Break.

After lunch, we visit Baksei Chamkrong, a small pyramid temple located just to the south of Angkor Thom. It was constructed in 947 by King Harshavarman and is dedicated to Shiva. Measuring 27 meters on each side, the temple rises in 4 tiers of laterite surmounted by a single tower with an entrance facing east. The jambs on the entrance include two well-preserved inscriptions which give the precise date and time of the temple’s dedication—9:40 AM on the morning of Wednesday, February 23, 948. The text also indicates that the shrine was built in honor of Shiva and his spouse Devi and to memorialize King Harshavarman I’s parents. It goes on to celebrate earlier Khmer kings including Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer empire, along with the mythological hero Kambu whose marriage to Mera spawned the Khmer people. Finally, we walk up to visit Bakheng temple for sunset. Phnom Bakheng was the first significant temple built at Yasodharapura, the city which came be known as Angkor. It was constructed in the late 9th, early tenth centuries as the state temple of King Yasovarman I, who moved the capital here from Roluos, about 13 kilometers to the southeast. The site was selected because the hill upon which the temple stands towers 70 meters above the otherwise flat countryside. From here, Yasovarman could gaze upon his capital city which covered at least four square kilometers, bounded by earthen walls. Back to hotel and drop off.

Day 6 : Tonle Sap Lake Floating Village, Phnom Krom, Wat Bo, Artisans Angkor and Old Market

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. 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 Service.

Group: $994.00 ( Max. 06 pax )