Day 1: Siem Reap Arrival
Upon arrival in Saigon, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
Day 2: Cycling Tour - Angkor Temples and West Baray
Ride from town to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance to greet you. Enter and continue on to Bayon, a richly decorated temple. This temple features hundreds of smiling faces that grace its towers. Impressive bas-reliefs tell stories of daily life and of the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais.
Next you will visit the temple of Phimeanakas, the Terrace of Elephants, and the Terrace of Leper King.
Next continue to Ta Prohm, one of Cambodia’s most beloved temples. Unusually, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found. The combination of large trees growing out of the ruins and the surrounding jungle give the temple a truly magical feel.
Spend the afternoon exploring magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and best-preserved temple in the complex. End the day cycling to the West Baray, the largest man-made reservoir in Cambodia.NOTE: The cycling route is approximately 50 kilometers.
Day 3: Siem Reap - Land Mine Museum and Banteay Srei Temples
In the morning, visit the Landmine Museum to learn about Cambodia’s history of landmines. Mr. Aki Ra, the museum founder, was trained as a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime and is working today as a de-miner. Themuseum also serves as a relief center and school for at-risk children from rural communities and for children who are victims of landmines.
Continue to Banteay Srei temple, known as the ‘citadel of women,’perhaps for its smaller size. Built largely of red sandstone, the temple boasts intricate carvings on almost every surface. The remarkable preservation of these ornamental decorations and its unusual scale has earned the temple recognition as the “jewel of Khmer art,” which should not be missed.
Day 4: Siem Reap – Phnom Kulen Mountain & 1000 Lingas
Considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, Phnom Kulen is a mountain range about a two-hour drive from Siem Reap. The mountain is considered sacred, the site where King Jayavarman proclaimed independence from Java in 802 and where the cult of the linga began. The mountain is also a favorite of locals who come to admire the waterfalls and swim in the cool pools. Visit the river of 1,000 Lingas and a reclining Buddha built in the 16th century. Take a break for a picnic lunch and a chance to swim at the waterfall. On the way back to Siem Reap, stop at a local village to admire the picturesque rice paddies and traditional houses
Day 5: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Tour
Take a short 15-kilometer drive to Tonle Sap Lake, located south of Siem Reap. Here embark on a cruise to Kompong Phluk, an isolated Khmer community of three villages built on stilts. The community has about 3,000 residents who farm fish and vegetables on the floating platforms. Admire the floating village with a Buddhist monastery right in the middle.The cruise will also take you through the flooded forests that surround the village, a unique ecosystem where millions of fish come to spawn each season, attracting a myriad of water birds. Enjoy the views and keep an eye out for wildlife, especially birds and crab-eating macaques.
Day 6: Siem Reap - Breakfast at Wat Savy Romeat and Traditional Monk Blessing - Depart
Begin your tour at 07:00am this morning. Be picked up and transfer to Wat Savy Romeat Temple, located approx. 8km northwest of Siem Reap on the bank of West Baray, an artificial man-made reservoir constructed during the Khmer empire period.
On arrival, receive a warm welcome including a cool towel by your friendly hosts as you are guided to your table sitting on the edge of the temple terrace overlooking the reservoir. Next, enjoy a delicious champagne breakfast whilst admiring the spectacular scenery and charming atmosphere. Take in the breathtaking trees which soar up to the sky and enjoy the backdrop of colourful temples.
After your breakfast, you will enjoy a traditional monk blessing before the monk ties a piece of string on your wrist. Return to your hotel.
.jpg)
.jpg)