Private 04 Day Tour in Siem Reap Region

Pick up at your hotel and transfer to Kbal Spean located 50 km from Siem Reap. It takes about 1h to reach the site and you will spend a moderately easy 45-minute uphill walk through the woods. Kbal Spean means literally “the head of the river”. This is one of the rivers of 1000 lingas made up of unique Lingas stands chiseled into the riverbed of the Siem Reap river. It was believed that the lingas spiritually fertilized the waters that fed the Eastern Baray and irrigated the rice fields. On the way back, stopover BanteaySrei temple is regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. The tenth century temple is renowned for its intricate decoration carved in pink sandstone that covers the walls like tapestry. Banteay Srei was a new name which meaning in Khmer is “Citadel of Woman”. Then, visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration using the method of “anastylosis”. The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. The proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Return to hotel and drop off.

You will ride 150km north-east to the Koh Ker temple group – another ancient capital of the Khmer Empire. Scattered over a large area, the most prominent temple of this group by far is the pyramid-like Prasat Thom. A wooden staircase has been repaired recently and it is now again possible to climb up and enjoy the breathtaking view of the surrounding region. On a clear day one can see the Kulen Mountain range in the south-west direction and Dangrek Mountain in the north marking the border with Thailand. Next, visit Beng Mealea, once in a complete state of disrepair resembling a giant jigsaw puzzle,  has recently been made more accessible with the addition of a wooden walkway throughout the structure assuring 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. Return to hotel and drop off.

Pick up at hotel and visit Mechrey, a relative newcomer on the Tonle Sap touring scene, is a small floating village approximately 25km west of Siem Reap. Here you will board a traditional wooden boat and through series of channels travel to the floating settlement where life flows in harmony with the rising and falling water levels. As most activities happen on water, prepare your camera for sights of floating markets, schools, chicken and pig pens, floating boat mechanics and smiling faces of the local people. You may wish to disembark and wander through an island pagoda grounds before continuing further to the impressive Flooded Forest stretching over 24 square meters and best viewed in the wet season. Your guide will be able to point out the different species of flora and fauna. Back on dry land, you will visit a small regional centre of Puok where a colourful market offers an unaltered Cambodian shopping experience and an insight into people’s everyday life. Your last stop of the day will be the Silk Farm. A guided tour through the leafy grounds will reveal all the secrets and intricacies of the “from worm to scarf” process in detailed and well presented manner. Many gorgeous pieces produced here are for sale in plethora of colours and those who are not partial to retail therapy can indulge in a cup of coffee and cake in the friendly Cafe on the premises. Return to hotel and drop off.