5 days / 4 nights - Classic Cambodia
Tour
Day 1: Phnom Penh
After arrival at the airport, we visit
the Royal Palace, located on the shores of
the Mekong. Next stop will be the Silver
Pagoda, home to a glittering array of
Buddhist statuary. Check in to the hotel. In
the afternoon, we visit the National Museum,
home to the world’s leading collection of
Khmer sculpture. Time permitting and
depending on interest, we visit to the
harrowing genocide museum at Tuol Sleng and
the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek, both
enduring memorials to the gruesome and
brutal rule of the Khmer Rouge.
Accommodation at hotel.
Day 2: Siem Reap and Angkor
 Breakfast at hotel then transfer to
airport for flight to Siem Reap. In the
morning, we visit the earliest temples of
the Angkor period at Roluos Group about 10km
from Siem Reap. Roluos Group includes Preah
Ko, Bakong and Lolei. Visiting here first
gives us a useful chronological perspective
on Angkor’s development. In the afternoon,
we drive to north to visit the
well-preserved temple of Banteay Samre,
built in the 12th century by Suryavarman II,
the builder of Angkor Wat. We then continue
to the elegant temple of Banteay Srei built
by a Brahman in the 10th Century. Return to
town. Accommodation in Siem Reap.
Day 3: Siem Reap and Angkor
Breakfast at hotel. Today we visit some
of the most beautiful temples on the small
circuit, including the huge pyramid of Takeo,
built in the 10th century. We continue to
jungle-clad Ta Prohm. We continue to visit
Sras Srang, the royal pool situated opposite
the East Gate of Banteay Kdei. In the
afternoon, we continue our Angkor encounter
with a visit to the spectacular temples of
the grand circuit. We first explore Preah
Khan or Sacred Sword, one of the largest
temples at Angkor with huge corridors
extending in every direction. Built by
Jayavarman VII in the 12th century, this is
a highlight of Angkor. We continue to Neak
Poan, a delicate temple set in a square pool
and surrounded on all sides by fountains and
ponds. Next is Ta Som and its famous
strangler fig tree smothering the eastern
gate. We wind up at Pre Rup, built in the
10th Century by Rajendravarman.
Accommodation at hotel.
Day 4: Siem Reap and Angkor
 We rise early today to catch the sunrise
over the mother of all temples, the world's
largest religious building, Angkor Wat. We
return to the hotel for breakfast and later
in the morning explore Angkor Wat in more
detail to view its architecture and bas
reliefs. This temple is the largest
religious buildings ever constructed and is
truly one of the wonders of the world.
Believed to have been undertaken as a temple
and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the
peak of the Khmer empire in the first half
of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the
best-preserved of the Angkorian temples. In
the afternoon, we visit the sites of Angkor
Thom. This Royal city was first built under
the reign of Udayadityavarman II in the 11th
Century. We continue to visit the South
Gate, flanked by demons and gods engaged in
a tug of war to obtain the elixir of
immortality. Next stop is the Bayon, a
temple mountain built by Jayavarman VII. We
also visit other important sites in this
immense walled city, including the pyramid
of Baphuon, Phimean Akas, and the royal
viewing stands known as the Terrace of the
Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Accommodation at hotel.
DAY 5: Siem Reap - Departure
Breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure
for your last-minute shopping. After lunch,
we transfer to airport. |
