Day 1: Arrival in Siem Reap

Angkor Wat - Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arriving in Siem Reap, secure your Cambodia visa, then proceed through Immigration and Customs. After retrieving your luggage, exit the airport to meet a local guide who will be holding a sign with your names.

A professional driver and an English-speaking guide will privately transfer you from the airport to your hotel for a three-night stay at the Shinta Mani Shack, conveniently located near the renowned archaeological site of Angkor.

Settle in and enjoy a leisurely afternoon and evening.

Day 2: Exploring Siem Reap

Angkor Thom South Gate - Begin your morning with a visit to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). This vast walled complex was the center of the world’s largest city in 1200. After the Chams occupied Angkor from 1177 to 1181, King Jayavarman VII constructed an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The scale is astonishing, and visitors are immediately impressed by Jayavarman’s audacity upon arriving at the city’s gates. The causeway features an intricate bridge depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk from Hindu mythology, where the devas (gods) and asuras (devils) engage in a tug of war with a naga (seven-headed serpent) to obtain the elixir of immortality. Its vast walls, approximately 6m wide, 8m high, and 13km long, contain numerous monuments.

Bayon Temple - Next, visit Bayon Temple, surrounded by faces on all sides. Visitors are captivated by the enigmatic and enchanting Bayon Temple. Located at the exact center of Angkor Thom, it is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each topped with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear a striking resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads gaze down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to maintain control over such a vast empire.

Unlike his predecessors who worshipped the Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu, Jayavarman VII embraced Mahayana Buddhism as the source of royal divinity. This sets the Bayon apart from many other Angkorian monuments. The bas-reliefs here depict intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and offer a wonderful snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period.

Baphuon Temple - Continue your visit to Baphuon, located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered temple mountain constructed as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II, dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.

Terrace of the Elephants - Stroll to the Terrace of the Elephants, part of the walled city of Angkor Thom. The terrace was used by Angkor’s king Jayavarman VII as a platform to view his victorious returning army. It was attached to the palace of Phimeanakas, of which only a few ruins remain.

Terrace of the Leper King - Visit the Terrace of the Leper King, located in the northwest corner of the Royal Square of Angkor Thom, Cambodia. Built in the Bayon style under Jayavarman VII, its modern name derives from a 15th-century sculpture discovered at the site. The statue depicts the Hindu god Yama, the god of death.

Phimeanakas - Next, visit Phimeanakas or Vimeanakas, a Hindu temple in the Khleang style, built at the end of the 10th century during the reign of Rajendravarman, and completed by Suryavarman I in the shape of a three-tier pyramid as a Hindu temple.

Ta Prohm - Continue to Ta Prohm, perhaps the most atmospheric of all Angkor’s treasures. The temple was a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother. Ta Prohm has been left to the power of nature by archaeologists to demonstrate nature’s awesome power.

It has been largely consumed by the jungle, and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures, you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. At every turn, you might expect to see Indiana Jones or Lara Croft step out from behind a fallen pillar. It is one of the most frequently visited temples, with visitors often arriving during the middle of the day to take advantage of the protective forest canopy above the ruined temple. Ta Prohm appears as many of the monuments did when European explorers first laid eyes on them. This was one of the settings for Lara Croft’s adventures in “Tomb Raider.”

Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a delightful local restaurant.

Angkor Wat - After lunch at a local restaurant, be amazed by the vast, 12th-century Angkor Wat temple; the bas-reliefs and numerous devatas (guardian spirits) that adorn its walls inspire awe and admiration. This example of classical Khmer architecture has been a significant religious center for Hindus and then Buddhists through the ages.

Day 3: Departure from Siem Reap

Banteay Srei - This morning, travel north to visit Banteay Srei. This jewel of Angkor was built by a Brahman in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure features a series of exquisite sculptures, lintels, and friezes. These, it is said, must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. This gives rise to the Khmer name, Fortress of the Women. While it may be a small temple complex, the beauty of Banteay Srei lies not in its scale, but in its detail. Many believe the intricate carving is the best example of Khmer classical art in existence. Stop at a local village to visit families who are producing palm sugar.

Preah Khan - Continue to visit Preah Khan, built in the same style as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan is in a much better state of preservation. Meaning The Sacred Sword, this temple was also built by Jayavarman VII and is famous for its immensely long cruciform corridors and delicate carvings, including the spectacular hall of dancers. Look out for the curious two-storey structure that is almost Grecian in inspiration. This is one of the few temples originally dedicated to both Buddhism and Hinduism. The original eastern entrance was for Mahayana Buddhists, while the other cardinal points represented the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.

Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a delightful local restaurant in town.

Kompong Phluk - After lunch, continue for a tour of the surrounding countryside and take an ox-cart ride through the villages and rice fields. At the end of your ride, enjoy a fresh coconut drink with the family and feel free to chat with the local people to learn more about their lives. Later, consider joining a drive to the fishing village of Kompong Pluk near Siem Reap and board a private boat. Visit Kompong Pluk village with its houses standing on stilts and board a pirogue to explore the seasonally flooded forest. Visit the floating village and discover the centuries-old lifestyle of the lake’s inhabitants.

You will have free time in the afternoon until your transfer to the airport in time for your flight to the next destination. Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey.

• Private transportation by modern air-conditioned vehicle
• Stay 2 nights at the Golden Temple Hotel (Deluxe room) or similar
• VAT and all taxes and service charge
• Lunch
• 02 bottles of mineral water per person while sightseeing and transfers
• Breakfast
• Included admission fee to visit the temples in Angkor Archaeological Park three-day ticket $62.00
• Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary including entrance fees
• Boat cruise as specified in the program
• Professional Licensed English Speaking guide

• Personal, travel and health insurance
• Drinks during meals
• Meals that are not specified

We highly recommended adding this Siem Reap and Angkor tour extension to one of our private tours elsewhere in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Laos or Hong Kong.

This tour is a comprehensive exploration of Angkor, the wondrous ruins of the ancient Khmer empire. With your private guide, tour the most interesting parts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Angkor Wat, an enormous temple city built as a model of the Hindu universe in stone; Angkor Thom, an ancient capital filled with iconic sites such as the Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King; Ta Prohm, a temple being devoured by the jungle; and serene Preah Khan, a former monastery and school. Also visit Banteay Srei, a petite temple with elaborate carvings in pink sandstone, and other lesser-known temples. Enjoy an excursion to Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake and an ecological wonder. Enjoy a boat cruise among the lake’s floating villages, markets and gardens.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.