Wonders of Angkor
3 days - Siem Reap
3 days - Siem Reap
Located in Cambodia's northwest, near the northern end of Tonle Sap or "Great Lake", Siem Reap is gateway to the famed temples of Angkor. Siem Reap only existed as a small village in the early 1900's, but has grown in leaps and bounds to become Cambodia's major tourist destination. There are hundreds of restaurants, hotels of every category, and plenty of shops and markets. All serve to make a stay in Siem Reap comfortable and pleasurable while touring the main attraction - the temples. The crown jewel is Angkor Wat, the UNESCO world heritage site that has become the symbol of Cambodia, it's image depicted on the national flag. In fact, the entire Angkor area is a world heritage site, with important and magnificent Khmer temples to explore. Popular favorites and must-sees are The Bayon, with it's distinctive massive stone faces looking down at you, and Ta Prohm; looking very untouched, it is fascinating to see the giant tree roots emerging from the temple's ruins.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Siem Reap. Arrive at Siem Reap Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Siem Reap. Begin your exploration at Angkor Thom, the fortified "Great City" that was the final capital of the Khmer empire. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, and continue to the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper King, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeankas before continuing to the Bayon Temple. The Bayon is one of Angkor's most compelling and popular sights, with galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs, and where giant stone faces smile enigmatically down at you from every angle. We finish the day watching the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. (lunch).
Day 2: Siem Reap. The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat, is the national symbol and highlight of any visit to Cambodia. It is the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. Cross the vast moat, and enter the main building, ascending through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary. Intricate stone-carvings adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Afterwards continue to Ta Prohm, built in the Bayon style it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. A most interesting and distinctive feature of Ta Prohm are the twists of tree trunks and roots that emerge from the ruins and soar upward into a lovely shaded canopy. Also visit Banteay Srei, smaller in comparison to other Angkor temples, but considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: Depart Siem Reap. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (2), and two lunches.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $480.
Day 1: Siem Reap. Arrive at Siem Reap Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Siem Reap. Begin your exploration at Angkor Thom, the fortified "Great City" that was the final capital of the Khmer empire. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, and continue to the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper King, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeankas before continuing to the Bayon Temple. The Bayon is one of Angkor's most compelling and popular sights, with galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs, and where giant stone faces smile enigmatically down at you from every angle. We finish the day watching the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. (lunch).
Day 2: Siem Reap. The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat, is the national symbol and highlight of any visit to Cambodia. It is the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. Cross the vast moat, and enter the main building, ascending through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary. Intricate stone-carvings adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Afterwards continue to Ta Prohm, built in the Bayon style it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. A most interesting and distinctive feature of Ta Prohm are the twists of tree trunks and roots that emerge from the ruins and soar upward into a lovely shaded canopy. Also visit Banteay Srei, smaller in comparison to other Angkor temples, but considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: Depart Siem Reap. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (2), and two lunches.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $480.
Our deluxe Cambodia tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
