Explore the magnificent Temples of Angkor
Step into the past and explore the highlights of Cambodia’s unique cultural heritage with an expert guide.
On this tour you will visit the most important temples of the Angkor era surrounding Siem Reap, including Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building, romantic Ta Prohm and the mysterious Bayon.
Overview
3 Days (2 Nights) Siem Reap
- Day 1 Transfer to hotel, visit Angkor Thom and witness Sunset at Angkor
- Day 2 Visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and other temples on the Small Circuit
- Day 3 Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre and Temples on the Grand Circuit
- Day 4 Check out und transfer or ongoing programme
Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap, where you will be picked up by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Later we start exploring the temples of Angkor with a visit to the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom which also houses the Bayon with its mysterious four-faced towers, the royal palace and the terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. In the evening we witness the scenic sunset over one of the temples.
Day 2: Take time to enjoy breakfast before visiting Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building and the national symbol of Cambodia. With its perfect layout and unsurpassed bas-reliefs that depict tales from Hindu mythology, Angkor Wat is considered the masterpiece of Khmer architecture.
After lunch we visit Ta Prohm which has been left to the forces of nature by archaeologists as it was rediscovered, many parts of its structure being embraced by the roots of gigantic trees that give the ruin a special atmosphere as well other structures on the Small and Grand Circuit.
Day 3: Early in the morning we head to the temple mountain of Pre Rup, before driving further north to Banteay Srei. Compared to other structures, this Hindu temple almost seems petite, but is magnificently decorated with countless elaborate carvings which are the finest found in Cambodia. The name translates as “Citadel of the Women”, due to its intricate decoration. On the way back to Siem Reap we make a detour to the less frequently visited Banteay Samre. Built by King King Suryavarman II, the same king who built Angkor Wat, the structure with its high temple tower has undergone extensive restoration. In the afternoon we visit Neak Pean, a small island temple situated in the middle of an artificial pool which translates as “intertwined serpents” due to the coiled serpents encircling the base of the structure. We then continue on to Preah Khan or “sacred sword”, a huge monastic complex which features elaborate carvings.
Day 4: Time free at leisure until your check out and transfer or the start of your onward programme.
The above tours are therefore sample itineraries.
Tourist hub of Cambodia
As gateway to the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap is clearly the tourist hub of Cambodia. Accordingly, the town offers a vast array of accommodation options, ranging from boutique guest houses to some of the best hotels in the region.
The picturesque town centre hosts many speciality restaurants, lively bars, designer boutiques and a bustling night market.
Apart from temple visits, there are plenty activities that warrant a longer stay than just a couple of days, ranging from photography courses to cycling adventures to excursions to nearby bird sanctuaries or a homestay in a floating village on the nearby Tonle Sap Lake.
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