ANGKOR WAT EXPLORER
from $285*
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4 days / 3 nights
Ref: AWE-4D |
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• Majestic Angkor Wat • 'Tomb Raider' Temple • Royal Walled City • Voluptuous Apsaras •
• 'Birth of Angkor' Temples • Cruise to Floating Villages • 'Women's Fortress' • Local Crafts •
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Day 1: The Roluos Temple Group & Life on the Water
- / L / -
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You arrive at Siem Reap International Airport in the morning where you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel. After a short break to allow you to freshen up our guide will assist you in collecting your Angkor Conservation Area entrance pass, and then drive the short distance to the Roluos group of temples. These are the oldest Angkorian temples so visiting them first will provide a useful chronological perspective on Angkor’s development. You will visit the temples of Lolei and Preah Ko on route to Bakong, which was the first of the great pyramid mountains which later kings were to copy. From Bakong you continue into Roluos town to visit a very local market, untouched by tourism. After some refreshments here, you follow the course of the Roluos river south to the nearest navigable point where you board a small wooden boat for the trip to Kompong Phluk. Cruising down a narrow waterway, you enter this medieval-esque floating village, where the houses stand atop stilts as much as 10 metres above the water. Here everything lives on the water - pigs, dogs, crocodiles and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible floating community, and you will have the opportunity to explore the local wat (pagoda). Then a treat as you are paddled through the tree tops in the enchanting flooded forest (season dependent). Here you will also witness the vast expanse of the Tonle Sap lake, the largest in South East Asia.  The lake is of critical importance to the livelihood of many Khmers who rely upon it increasing in size almost 10-fold during the rainy season for their livelihoods. A trip on the lake compliments a visit to the temples wonderfully as many of the temple bas-reliefs depict how life around and on the lake affected all walks of Khmer life, much as it still does today. You are then returned to Siem Reap to climb the holy mountain of Phnom Krom. As you reach the top of Phnom Krom, in the grounds of a modern day pagoda, you will discover the remains of a 9th century temple. You will then be treated to a glorious sunset over the surrounding paddy fields as the sun drops into the vast Tonle Sap. Afterwards you will return to Siem Reap where the evening is free at your leisure. Today’s lunch will be a tasty packed lunch provided by a great café in Siem Reap. |
Day 2: The Small Circuit & Angkor Thom
B / L / -
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This morning you will explore the Small Circuit. This tour includes the huge pyramid of Takeo built in the 10th century, and the jungle-clad Ta Prohm, made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Tomb Raider’. This temple has been left to the destructive power of the jungle and demonstrates the awesome power of nature. It has been largely consumed by the jungle and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. You continue to visit Sras Srang, known as the King's bathing pond, situated opposite the East Gate of Banteay Kdei. Finally, this morning you take in Prasat Kravan, an elegant brick temple from the 10th century with some fine brick carvings in the interior. After this you return to town for a local lunch. After lunch you explore the impressive Angkor Thom, this Royal city was first built in the 11th century, destroyed, and subsequently renovated by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century.  Its vast walls contain many beautiful monuments. You approach this ancient city via the South Gate which is flanked by demons and gods engaged in a tug-of-war over the elixir of immortality. Once through the gate you will visit the Bayon, a temple famed for its many gigantic carved faces smiling beguilingly down at you. You will also visit other important sites in this immense walled city, including the pyramid of Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and the royal viewing stands known as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. If you have the time your guide will take you to an excellent spot for watching a mesmerising Angkor Wat sunset. This evening is free at your leisure. |
Day 3: Banteay Srei & the Grand Circuit
B / - / D
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This morning you head 30km north to visit the captivating and beautiful temple of Banteay Srei or ‘Fortress of the Women’. The journey allows you to experience the beautiful Cambodian countryside as you pass through small typical villages, just ask your guide if you wish to stop off at any of these to witness modern day village life, which in reality has not changed too much since the days of the Angkor Empire. On route you will take a short diversion to Banteay Samre, a temple which has undergone extensive restoration, and in certain aspects resembles a mini Angkor Wat, with many of its carvings in excellent condition. Banteay Srei was built in the 10th century and is an elaborately decorated temple, embellished with floral motifs and scenes from the Ramayana, and was dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes.  It is said they must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. You will return to town for lunch. After lunch you continue your Angkor encounter with a visit to the spectacular temples of the Grand Circuit. First you visit Preah Khan or ‘Sacred Sword’, one of the largest temples at Angkor with huge corridors extending in every direction. It was built by Jayavarman VII in the 12th century, this is one of the many highlights of Angkor. You continue to Neak Pean, a delicate temple set in a square pool and surrounded on all sides by fountains and ponds. Then onto the East Mebon, once an island temple in the middle of the large East Baray (reservoir), now dried up. Next is Ta Som and its famous strangler fig tree smothering the eastern gate. Finally, you arrive at Pre Rup, built in the 10th century, this is a pleasant spot to experience another Angkor sunset if you wish. You return to Siem Reap and enjoy dinner and a mesmerising Apsara dance show at a local restaurant. |
Day 4: Angkor Wat & Local Crafts
B / - / -
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You may choose to rise early today to catch the sun rising from behind Angkor Wat’s five carved towers - after being awed you return to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast it is time to further discover the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. After being initially inspired by its overall size you will explore in more detail, getting up close and personal to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas-reliefs. Believed to have been undertaken as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer Empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved of the Angkorian temples, truly one of the wonders of the world. You will return to town for lunch, after which you take a short 15km drive to the village of Puok to visit the Artisans d’Angkor Silk Farm. Artisan’s d’Angkor creates the opportunity for young Cambodians to find gainful employment in their home villages by teaching traditional Khmer handicraft techniques, such as stone & wood carving, lacquering & gilding, and silk weaving.  Silk has always been intrinsic to Cambodian culture yet unfortunately many of the sericulture specialists and the mulberry trees themselves, were lost during the Khmer Rouge period. The Silk Farm is re-establishing the tree, re-introducing sericulture, and enabling the ancient silk weaving tradition to flourish once again. You will be shown around the farm and see the full process, from mulberry tree planting to finished silk clothing and home accessories. There is an on-site boutique which allows a great opportunity for finding those last minute quality souvenirs, where not only will your purchase be a genuine piece of local art but you will also be supporting the next generation of Khmer craftsmen and women! On the return journey to Siem Reap you will stop-off at the West Baray, a vast Angkor Empire man-made reservoir that still contains water today, and is a popular recreational area. Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel (or to Siem Reap International Airport if you have an onward flight, leaving the home of the Angkor Empire with many unforgettable memories). |
| *The cost of the above tour is $285 (US dollars) per person based on 4 people travelling together and sharing 2 rooms in medium standard accommodation. |
| If there are more of less than 4 people travelling in your party, or if the above suggested itinerary does not fully meet your needs please email us as we will be happy to discuss alternative arrangements. |
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- All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in the above itinerary
- English speaking local guides
- All accommodation based on 2 sharing a room
- All entrance fees for attractions included in the above itinerary
- Private air conditioned vehicles
- All boat trips
- Daily drinking water whilst sightseeing
- All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
(B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner)
- Services not detailed in the above itinerary
- International flights to and from Siem Reap
- Cambodian Visa fees (currently $20 per person)
- International airport departure tax (currently $25 per person)
- Expenditure of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Any payment / money transfer charges
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