Angkor & Remote temples – 3 days

Day 1: The Forest temples and Angkor Complex

By road to Explore Srah Srang your first taste of the Angkorian temples.  Explore the sprawling labyrinth of Banteay Kdei with its Hall of Dancing Girls and continue explore to Ta Prohm (Tom Rider Filmed) walk through the temple from the East entrance to the West entrance to meet again with our driver. From the Northwest of Ta Prohm, we shall walk from 1 – 3 km about (15 minutes) through the forest to the lightly visited temple of Ta Nei. Pause for a light breakfast around this peaceful area before continuous exploring to Ta Keo temple known as the “mountain with bronze peaks”, and admire its five-tiered pyramid structure. There is a reasonable chance to explore of this beautiful Angkor temple.

Lunch at local restaurant (own cost). A wide selection of excellent eateries can be recommended to suit all tastes and budgets.

Afternoon: Angkor Thom the world’s largest city in the 12^th Century

Begin again to explore by entering from the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom. You have the options either walk along the path of 8m high laterite city wall (500m) to the Death Gate or continuing around by road.

En route to the Terrace of the Leper King, we can stop by briefly to see an imposing statue found in Bayon temple which is currently displayed at Vihear Prampeilveng.

Continue at the atmospheric Preah Palilay, and walk (1km) through the shaded parkland behind the terraces, pass Phimeanakas (Royal Palace) with its beautiful lakes, and the imposing Baphuon to finally reach to Bayon Temple (Jayavarman’s state temple) at the center of the city with many captivating giant stone faces.  Your guide will point out the most important and interesting of the detailed bas reliefs illustrating everyday life in the Angkorian era.

Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise, Banteay Srei and Early Capital of Angkor

Early morning start for a sunrise tour at pre-dawn to witness the breathtaking view of Angkor Wat temple, the best place for photography. Continue to explore the central complex and bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat [AD1113], one of travel’s remaining great adventure.
After breakfast continuous visiting to Banteay Srei [AD967] some 37km distance from Siem Reap.  This beautiful pink sandstone temple is with the most exquisite well-known for its intricate deep carvings, of which hardly any space is left untouched and its perfect state of preservation.

Afternoon: The earliest Angkor capital

On the way back to the city you will begin to explore the earliest Angkor capital in the region [Hariharalaya AD881] near the contemporary town of Rolous. Lolei, Preah Ko and Bakong exhibit some of the first examples of architectural features found commonly throughout later Angkor temples.

Day 3: Hunter Tonle Sap Greak Lakd & Beng Mealea Temple

Hunter/gatherers on Tonle Sap

Begin to explore Tonle Sap Great Lake the richest fresh water fishing ground in the world, a national treasure producing an ever-changing landscape. The communities that live around the margins of the lake cope with huge seasonal variations in water levels by building their homes on floating bamboo rafts or 30ft stilts. It is well worth the extra effort to get away from the touristy village of Chong Kneas to the more genuine stilted villages – Kompong Khleang or Kompong Phluk (dependent on water levels) – for an understanding of contemporary lake life.

Lunch at Local Restaurant (at own cost)

In the aftenoon, continuing from the lake you will drive on to explore the remote temple of Beng Mealea, often described as the blueprint for Angkor Wat. Built under the control of Suryavarman II, this 12th century temple, overgrown with roots and vines, is in a much-collapsed state retaining a very atmospheric feel. Venture into darkened doorways skirting crumbling pillars and walk down the long promenades lined by naga balustrades. Take advantage of the walkways to traverse the ruins and scramble over tumbled stones in the less-explored courtyards.