Day 1: Siem Reap – Phnom Bakheng Sunset
Start the tour by visiting Wat Damnak, which is one of the most beautiful pagodas in town with French colonial architecture reflecting its history and a large garden filled with statues. Then we continue to visit the Angkor National Museum, which opened its doors in 2007, offering a comprehensive collection of Cambodian artifacts showcasing the origins of Khmer art, culture, and architecture. With eight galleries in total, it covers in depth the history of Cambodia and the Khmer Empire as well as a fascinating collection of Buddhist artifacts. Enhance your knowledge of Khmer history and culture by attending a lecture by a Khmer archaeologist who has over 11 years of experience in this field. He has been working for the World Monuments Fund on projects including the Angkor Wat temple. He is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Archaeology at the Royal University. Get one of the local restaurants for lunch and drive to visit Wat Thmei, which was one of the killing fields of Pol Pot in 1975-79 to learn more about the Khmer Rouge Regime, and the civil war of Cambodia from 1979 to 1999. And 4.00 pm we drive to visit Phnom Bakheng temple and view the sunset from the top of this mountain temple. Phnom Bakheng temple was built on a natural hill in the 9th century. Commonly referred to as le-mountain because it is an earthly facsimile of Mount Meru, it is located on the left side of the road from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom and attracts scores of tourists who come to watch the sunset. Return to the hotel in Siem Reap, dinner on your own
Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Viroth’s Hotel (deluxe garden view) or a similar standard hotel
Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise
Wake before sunrise this morning and make the 15-minute journey with your guide to Angkor Wat, a legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site. Said by some to symbolize the soul of the Khmer people, the magnificent temple was built during the reign of King Suryavaman II in the early 12th century. Historians believe that many of the fascinating basreliefs and stone carvings immortalize many of the mighty king’s wars. Images of Apsara dancers decorate the five famous towers which replicate the universe according to Hindu mythology.
Your guide will take you to a serene viewpoint where you can experience the dramatic sunrise as the first rays of the day kiss the magnificent temple’s good morning. It is certainly one of the most unique places in the world for sunrise but be forewarned, you won’t be alone! After sunrise, we walk further to visit Angkor Wat Temple at level 1, level 2, and level 3, an architectural marvel, one of the world’s most impressive ruins to understand in depth Khmer Culture and Civilization. The temple has fine carvings of Apsaras in stone made during the Angkor period.
Then we drive to visit Srah Srang (the royal pool from the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII taking a bath) and walk through the village to one of the local houses to get high tea and picnic breakfast, the hosts will greet us as friends, offering fresh fruits, snacks, coffee, hot tea, and picnic breakfast.
Continue to visit the Ta Prohm temple of “Tomb Raider” fame, the temple that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. Undisturbed by crowds of tourists you can better appreciate the interplay of man and nature at this magical site. Return to the hotel for a lunch break (lunch on your own)
Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal city of Angkor Thom. Its 50-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance, it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic, silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Enter at the South Gate before uniquely walking along the 8m high wall through the forest to the less touristy Death Gate. Passing behind the Terraces of Elephants and Leper King walk through the shaded parkland to Phimeanakas and Baphuon temples, learning about the trees and fruits used locally. End our sightseeing this afternoon with a visit to Bayon temple with its iconic carved faces. Drive back to Siem Reap – End of services!
Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast
Group sizes : Min from 2 to Max 25 cyclists
Tour Prices: Contact us
