Day 01: Siem Reap Arrival

After clearing entry formalities to Cambodia, you will be welcomed by our guide, who will transfer you to hotel.

This morning you will visit to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom: a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometers) built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1201.  The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 meters wide. Bayon: Jayavarman VII's temple mountain that stands at the center of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces. Bapoun: the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount Meru and marks the center of the city that was here before Angkor Thom. Phimean Akas: near the center of what was once the royal palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means ‘Celestial Palace’, though today there is not much left to indicate its former splendor. Former Royal Palace: nothing remains today except two pools that were used by royalty for washing. Terrace of Elephants: this terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies and was a base for the King’s grand audience hall.  The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the retaining walls. Terrace of the Leper King: North of the Terrace of Elephants is a platform named ‘Terrace of the Leper King’.  On the platform is a nude statue – one of Angkor’s mysteries. Lunch at local restaurant.

Continue to visit Angkor Wat: a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150.  It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.  In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site.

Phnom Bakheng: hilltop temple ruins which provide one of the best views of Angkor Wat, especially at sunset.

Dinner at local restaurant and enjoy the Traditional Khmer Music with the charming Apsara Dancers. Back to hotel and free leisure at night.

Day 02: Siem Reap Tours

Breakfast at hotel. Visit to: Prasat Kravan: A brick temple guilt by Hashavarman in the first quarter of the 10^th century, small but worth the visit. Srah Srang: Srah Srang artificial lake is across from the monastery. It was used for ceremonies and royal baths. Banteay Kdei or the Citadel of the Cells: Built in 1181 by the founder of Ta Prom, it is similar to it. It used to be a religious monastery. A small paved terrace leads to the sanctuary’s twin courtyards. In the center of the courtyards are mysterious square pillars with handles that still torment archaeology students. Ta Prohm: Jayavarman VII who dedicated it to his mother built the temple in 1186. It is one of the most fascinating of all the temples. Ta Keo: Further east along the victory road you will get to Takeo. Jayavarman V began construction work on the temple, one of the firsts to be built put of sandstone.

Lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch visit to Neak Pean: The original layout of Neak Poan was supposed to be a symbol of the Universe: the central temple represents Mount Meru surrounded by the four Oceans. Preah Khan meaning “Holy Sword” is one of the largest temple compounds in Angkor and is defended by four concentric walls. The main shrine and its adjoining buildings are richly decorated with Buddhist motifs and scenes from Hindu epics. Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda are situated in the Little Circuit. Both shrines are built opposite each other around II60. Dinner at local restaurant and free leisure at night.

Day 03: Siem Reap Tours

Breakfast at hotel. This morning we will drive beyond the main Angkor complex to visit another favourite temple amongst visitors – the enchanting Banteay Srei: It appears that the temple was designed to leave no space undecorated, and the fine carvings in pink sandstone are quite unique. Banteay Samre: built in the third quarter of the 12^th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern most of which is remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclosed the ensemble.

Lunch at local restaurant. In afternoon, we continue to take an impressive tour with other attractions: Rolous Group (Hariharalaya). The monuments of Rolous, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Kor, erected by Indravarman I in the late 9^th century dedicated by the king to his ancestors in 880 – Bakong, the largest and most interesting of the Rolous group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance – Lo Lei, the four brick towers, a replica of the towers of Preah Kho, built on an islet in the center of a large reservior – now rice fields, by Yassovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 04: Siem Reap – Departure

After breakfast at hotel, you will take a break from visiting temples and enjoy a boat ride, in a traditional wooden boat, on the Tonle Sap. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a “floating village” – boats have been converted to look like houses and the “village” move from place to place following water levels. Lunch at local restaurant

Free leisure until transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to next destination.

Our rates are net per person in US Dollar, based on half twin accommodations:
 

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Hotline: ( ++ 84 ) 907571976          -           Email: jimmy@vietnamhighlight.com        -        Contact person: Mr. Jimmy