Day 1: Arrival - Phnom Penh
Start your tour with an insight into
Cambodia's cultural heritage with a visit to the Royal Palace, still the
official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi and the adjacent Silver Pagoda, also
known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. We continue to the elegant National
Museum, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Finally, we
will explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's two great
markets, the Central Market, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building,
and the sprawling Russian Market, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from
CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 2: Phnom Penh (B/../..)
Today, we will take excursion to
Takeo, province south of Phnom Penh with several interesting historical sites
including Angkor Borei. After that, we continue to discover the pagoda and temple
system, such as: Ta Prohm, Phnom Chisor, Angkor Borel, Phnom Da.
Ta Prohm is a temple built by
King Jayavarman VII (who ruled from 1181 to 1201) on the site of a 6th century
Khmer shrine. A stele found here dates from 1574 and inside the north gate is a
statue of the Hindu god Preah Noreay.
Phnom Chisor: the main temple on
this hill is constructed of laterite and brick with carved lintels of
sandstone. The inscriptions found here date back to the 11th century and the
wooden doors to the sanctuary are decorated with interesting carvings.
Angkor Borel: a 6th century
monument built in laterite by King Rudravarman of Funan. His patron deity was
Vishnu and many Hindu statues survive from this site. It is one of the few remaining
sites with traces of the Kingdom of Funan (a kingdom influenced by India and
thought to have spread as far as southern Burma and Indonesia).
Phnom Da: a hill south of Angkor
Borei with four artificial caves, built as shrines. On top of the hill is a
square laterite tower.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 3: Kampong Thom (B/../..)
After breakfast, we will drive to
Kampong Cham. Kampong Cham is a lively port on the banks of the Mekong River
with some good examples of colonial-era architecture. After visiting the Local
Market and exploring the town, travel in to the countryside to Phnom Pros (Man
Hill) and Phnom Srei (Woman Hill). According to local tradition, two teams of
men and women competed to build a stupa on the summit of each hill before dawn.
We continue to Wat Nokor Bayon, a thriving modern-day monstery founded on 11th
century Mahayana Buddhist shrine. Overnight in Kampong Thom
Day 4: Siem Reap (B/../..)
Travel just outside Kampong Thom
to see key archeological sites, starting with Cambor Prei Kuk, perhaps the most
important grouping of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia. Before the rise of
the Angor, this was the capital of Chenla during the sixth century, known as
Isanapura, we explore the main central complex and gain an insight into the
early architectural styles of Cambodia. Afterwards, we continue to the
modern-day shrines of Wat Andri, a thriving monastery, and climb the 980 steps
of the holy mountain Phnom Santuk, enjoying the colorful, somewhat ecletic
shrine at the peak as well as lovely views over the surrounding countryside. Overnight
in Siem Reap.
Day 5: Siem Reap (B/../..)
Today, we will visit Angkor Wat, Angkor
Thom, Ta Prohm temple. The crowning
jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the
highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most
religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by
its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate
artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat,
continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the
main building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before
reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the
causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, we will stop to
enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some
1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer
gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which
narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the
Ocean of Milk. Afterward, we visit Angkor Thom. The fortified city of Angkor
Thom covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moat, the city
includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental South
Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each
carrying a giant naga. We continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace
of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with
dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas
before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the
most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully
preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary,
where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from
every angle. Leaving the Angkor Thom, we continue to visit Ta Prohm. One of the
most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared
and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when
European explorers first stumbled across them. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 6: Siem Reap (B/../..)
Today, we will visit the
sightseeing in Angkor. Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor
temples, Banteay Srei is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art.
Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved
carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere
and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite
with visitors. Then, we visit Banteay Samre - a mid-12th century temple
dedicated to the god Vishnu.
Afterward, we take short excursion
to the Tonle Sap Lake with boat trip (Great Lake). Located in the heart of
Cambodia, this extraordinary lake swells up to seven times its original size
during the monsoon season. Its ecosystem is one of the richest and most diverse
in the region. This boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages that
live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms. Overnight
in Siem Reap.
Day 7: Siem Reap (B/../..)
We will have breakfast at the hotel
before join in Temple trip. Firstly, we visit Preah Khan - a temple built by
King Jayavarman VII with towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a
jungle setting. Preah Khan covers a very large area but the temple itself is
enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 meters. We continue to
visit Neak Pean and Pre Rup Temple. Neak Pean Temple built by King Jayavarman
VII (ruled 1181 to 1201), it is a Buddhist temple consisting of a square pool
with four smaller square pools arranged on each axis. In the centre of the
large central pool is a circular island encircled by two nagas with intertwined
tails. Pre Rup Temple was built by Rajendravarman II (ruled 944 to 968). The
name means "turning the body" and refers to the traditional method of
cremation. If the time permit, we will take a short time to visit Ta Som and Eastern
Mebon
After excursion, we will transfer
to the airport for departure flight to onward destination.
Note: The itinerary can slightly
change according to the season, local conditions, climate, flight schedules and
room availability.
Tour Included: - Accommodation and meals as described (please note that some hotels provide only CBF). - All transfers within the journey, including pick-up at airport. - All entrance fees. - English, French or German speaking guides (other languages available upon request).
Tour Excluded: - Visa fees. - Airport taxes. - Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, souvenirs.
Please contact us for the tour price!
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