Siem reap stopover 5 days

This tour takes you to several Cambodian heritages sites in Siem Reap including Angkor Wat, Roluos Group Temples, Elephant Terrace and other Khmer temples. Choose to either sightseeing or hike Kulen Mountain, or explore the long-abandoned temple built in the 11th century at Beng Mealea. Visit also the floating village in Tonle Sap Lake.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – SIEM REAP (/_/_)

DAY 2: SIEM REAP DISCOVERY (B/L/)

DAY 3: SIEM REAP EXPLORING (B/L/D)

DAY 4: SIEM REAP SIGHTSEEING (B/L/)

DAY 5: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B/L)

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – SIEM REAP (/_/_)

Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport, Asia Eyes Travel's car and tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for relax.

DAY 2: SIEM REAP DISCOVERY (B/L/)

AM: we will visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.

PM: we will visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 3: SIEM REAP EXPLORING (B/L/D)

• Option 1 Kulen Mountain Range

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive through the typical Khmer countryside to the holy Kulen Mountain range which provided some of the stones used to build the Angkor temples. With beautiful sceneries to admire on the way up, our vehicle will bring us on a steep dirt road to the top of the mountain. There we first will see the site of the Lingas carved in the riverbed by successive kings of the Angkor period and a walk further will bring us to the site of a huge natural rock with on top a big reclining Buddha carved in the rock. Our walk will also bring us to a waterfall, don’t forget your swimsuits and join the locals! More carvings in the riverbed can be discovered above the waterfall. This is also a very popular place for Khmer people to come and enjoy their weekend with a picnic.

• Option 2 Beng Mealea

In the morning, we will drive to the remote Beng Mealea temple through the typical Khmer countryside (60 km from Siem Reap). Explore the long abandoned temple (11th century), strangled by the jungle. Lunch box will be provided at the site. Proceed to the Banteay Srei temple (10th century) regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. Then visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration using the method of “anastylosis”. The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. After that, we will drive back to Siem Reap. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 4: SIEM REAP SIGHTSEEING (B/L/)

Today, we will transfer to the archaeological site for sunrise from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat. After that, we return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will visit a floating village and take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Lunch will be served at the hotel.

In the afternoon, we will visit Preah Khan. Built by King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, though, it’s well preserved and ongoing restoration efforts should improve this situation. Visit as well Neak Pean a fountain built in the middle of a pool and the temple of Ta Som. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

DAY 5: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B/L)

In the morning, we continue the temple tour to Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Lunch will be served at the restaurant. After lunch, we visit to “Les Artisans d’Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap and spend time at leisure at a local market (if time permits). Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination.

Email us for good prices and availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you will always receive the lowest price possible.

TRIP INCLUDES:

• Accommodation & meals as mentioned.
• All transfers within the journey, including pick up & drop off.
• All entrance fees.
• English, French or German speaking guides (other languages available upon request).

TRIP EXCLUDES

• Visa fees
• International air ticket & airport taxes
• Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, insurance etc
• Other service not mentioned on this progra