Day 1:  Upon your arrival at Siem Reap airport, a
local guide will escort you and take you by car to the hotel for check-in.
Dinner on your own account. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 2:  Temple for Sunrise + Angkor
Wat Tour + Ta Prom Tour

 Early
this morning, we depart early and be ready to go capture the sunrise
behind the five towers of Angkor Wat. Starting by the central aisle,
you will realize soon how huge is it. The architectural achievement is also
artistic, you will admire with wonder the tall structure but also the little
details all over it. Followed is Ta Prohm, a temple which has been eaten
by the tropical nature.

Lunch at Secret Temple Banteay Thom
(Contact Mr. Bunthoeurn for Further information and time adjustment)

(Use Mr. Bunthoeurn tuk tuk for
transfer between main road to banteay thom)

 We
have lunch at the secret temple. On the way to the temple, you will pass rice
fields, small villages and see smiling children, who will no doubt wave and
excitedly shout “hello”. This quiet and quaint location is
off-the-tourist-track and a fantastic place to take a break from exploring
the Angkor complex to enjoy lunch surrounded by a special atmosphere.

Afternoon continue the tour to Angkor
Thom

 This
afternoon, you will travel on a road lined by huge trees, hundreds of years
old. Suddenly, you will see a majestic stone door. Enter Angkor Thom,
“the big city”. Magically emerging from nowhere you will see a massive giant
with a curious smile and huge face stones. You are now facing the Bayon
Temple, built around the 12th-13th century. This amazing edifice is
surrounded by 54 towers, each of them adorned with 4 faces. After visiting
the Bayon temple, you will travel to the Baphuon, a temple mountain
built in the 11th century, whose restoration, lead by French architects ended
not so long ago. Then, admire the Terrace of the Elephants, which,
with its length of 350 meters, was used for royal audiences and public
ceremonies. Then, continue your visit to the Terrace of the Leper King,
built in the 12th century, covered by magnificent Apsara sculpting. On the way to Angko Wat, stop at a secret
temple and enjoy an invigorating lunch and relaxing by surrounded this
special atmosphere. After the meal, you can relax and listen to the birds
chirping, have a nap or learn more about the temple thanks to our tour
guide.  Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

Day 3: Kampong Kleang 

The
Tonle Sap lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the
world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems. Today, travelers will
experience the Tonle Sap Lake exception with a private cruise on a
well-equipped boat, comfortable cushion to see the Great Lake from a different
perspective. Our tour guide will pick up you at hotel and we head to the pier
and onboard. This deluxe boat ride offers a cruise to kampong kleang village, which is stilted rather than floating,
with its buildings raised upon high wooden pillars. The place is also
interesting for its particular flooded forest that travelers will discover in
small paddle boats. Lunch at the local house.

19:00pm Transfer from Hotel to Phare
Circus

This
evening, you enjoy a very special show by Phare Ponleu Selpak. This NGO was
founded in 1994 with a mission to provide artistic training to poor, young
Cambodians. This organization also provides formal education from primary to
high school for underprivileged children. The PPS Association began as a visual
arts school and then a library, a child development center and then a social
and health care center. Nowadays their Circus Skills School Group performs
successfully in Battambang and Siem Reap as well as internationally. For a
minimum of one hour spent with the guide of PPS, you will be told about the
visions and missions, as well as the story behind the Phare Centre. Dinner on
your own. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.          

Dawn at Angkor Wat                                                                     

Rising at the crack of dawn, we journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor.
We stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. We begin by unravelling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one kilometre, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world’s longest unbroken piece of art.

Following in the footsteps of the devout and the destructive before us, we then continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all, as pilgrims of old were to stoop on their pilgrimage to encounter the Gods.
Finally the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that few moments will measure up.

We end this incredible experience with a trip to the Angkor Café, where
you can indulge in a fruit shake or iced coffee or browse the Artisans d'Angkor
gift shop here,.

What’s Included:

1. Car  

2. English speaking tour guide 

3. Drinking water during sightseeing 

4. Angkor Pass
   

What’s Not Included:

• Hotel accommodation

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.

Exploring Angkor Thom on foot                                                                        

This walk is a fantastic way to experience the best of Angkor Thom and offers a real insight into the size and scale of this ancient city. We begin our walk at the impressive South Gate of the walled city of Angkor Thom. We walk on the immense ancient walls towards the south-west corner where there is a small temple, Prasat Chrung. We continue walking around to the West Gate, where the causeway has collapsed leaving a muddle of stone bodies looking victims of some terrible historic accident.

From the West Gate we weave our way towards the principal temples, exploring the Baphuon, often nicknamed the world's largest jigsaw puzzle, as it was dismantled before the civil war and the Khmer Rouge destroyed all the archaeological records; the Royal Palace complex, which was once home to the God-kings of Angkor; Phimean
Akas , a petite pyramid temple; before finally arriving at atmospheric Preah Palilay, a Buddhist temple overshadowed by huge kapok trees. We then take a long break for lunch within
the walls of Angkor Thom, enjoying some Cambodian food and perhaps a fresh
coconut to boost our energy for the afternoon.

After lunch, we explore the central square of Angkor Thom, starting at the Terrace of the Leper King.

We continue along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. We may cross over the royal
parade ground to take a look at the towers of Prasat Suor Prat, originally believed to have been connected by rope bridges and used for performances.

Our climax is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. At the exact centre of Angkor
Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire. 

What’s Included:

1. Car  

2. English speaking tour guide 

3. Drinking water during sightseeing 

4. Angkor Pass and Landmine Museum 

What’s Not Included:

• Hotel accommodation

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.

Exploring the Pagodas of Siem Reap 

We spend today visiting the historic pagodas of Siem Reap, a peaceful and charming alternative to the temples of Angkor. We begin with a visit to the modern pagoda of Wat Thmei where there is a moving memorial stupa to the victims of the Khmer Rouge.

We continue to Wat Preah Inkosei which is built on the site of a 10th century temple. Two brick towers remain and one includes a superb lintel depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. We may also meet some English-speaking monks to learn more about Buddhist rituals. There is also a small shadow puppetry workshop here, showcasing some of the most popular characters from the Ramayana.

We continue to the 19th century temple of Wat Bo, one of the most important pagodas in Siem Reap. Dating from the 19th century, the interior of the main temple includes some of the finest religious murals in Cambodia, depicting the life of the Buddha.

We visit the old royal palace compound of Wat Dam Nak, which has been converted to a place of learning for the Centre for Khmer Studies. There are some elegant old buildings here and extensive gardens.

We then travel to Wat Athvea to visit an interesting fusion temple which includes the impressive remains of an 12th century sandstone structure and an attractive old pagoda. The original Angkor-era temple was used as a training site for construction workers and is one of the only temples facing west. It is possible to arrange a blessing ceremony for the success of your trip in Cambodia.

What’s Included:

1. Car  

2. English speaking tour guide 

3. Drinking water during sightseeing 

What’s Not Included:

• Hotel accommodation

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.

Pagodas and Handicrafts in Siem Reap                                                

We
visit the 19th century temple
of Wat Bo, one of
the most important pagodas in Siem Reap. Dating from the 19th
century, the interior of the main temple includes some of the finest religious
murals in Cambodia,
depicting the life of the Buddha. We continue to the Chantiers Ecole workshop
of Artisans d'Angkor, a handicrafts cooperative helping to revive the
artisan skills of the Angkor era. We learn
about different techniques, including lacquerware, stone carving and silk
painting and visit the impressive showroom.

We
then travel to Wat Athvea to visit an interesting fusion temple which
includes the impressive remains of an 12th century sandstone
structure and an attractive old pagoda. The original Angkor-era temple was used
as a training site for construction workers and is one of the only temples
facing west. It is possible to arrange a blessing ceremony for the success of
your trip in Cambodia.

What’s Included:

1. Car  

2. English speaking tour guide 

3. Drinking water during sightseeing 

What’s Not Included:

• Hotel accommodation

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.

Exploring the Temples of Roluos and Kompong Pluk                                                           

We depart Siem Reap by remorque moto, a charming carriage hitched onto the back of a motorbike, the famous local transport of Siem Reap. For the more adventurous we offer the option of a Trek mountain bike.

We follow small back roads through rural landscapes and picturesque villages. Our first stop is the temple of Bakong in the Roluos group, the first of the great pyramid mountains which later kings were to copy. From Bakong, we continue into Roluos town to visit a very local market, untouched by tourism. After some refreshments here, we follow the course of the Roluos river to the nearest navigable point where we board small wooden boats for the trip to Kompong Pluk.

Cruising down a narrow waterway, we enter this medieval floating village, where the houses stand atop stilts as much as seven metres above the water. Everything lives on the water, pigs, dogs, crocodiles and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible floating town. We explore the local wat here, before boarding a bigger boat to take us through the flooded forest and across the Great Lake to Chong Kneas and the holy mountain of Phnom Krom. We climb Phnom Krom for a glorious sunset over the Tonle Sap before heading back to Siem Reap by road.

What’s Included:

1. Car  

2. English speaking tour guide 

3. Drinking water during sightseeing 

4. Boat
   trip included, 

5. Angkor Pass
   

What’s Not Included:

• Hotel accommodation

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.

Floating Village of Chong Kneas - Half Day                                             

Everything floats on water in this living fishing community. There are floating schools, floating shops, floating petrol stations, even floating karaoke bars. Many of the houses are floating fish farms with large pens of fish underneath. For those that are interested, we can also make a stop at the Gecko Environment Centre to learn more about tlake, which is like the heartbeat of Cambodia, providing sustenance to millions of Khmers.

What’s Included:

1. Car  

2. English speaking tour guide 

3. Drinking water during sightseeing 

4. Boat
   trip included, 

5. Angkor Pass
   

What’s Not Included:

• Hotel accommodation

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.

Ta Prohm and the Small Circuit
Temples                                                                        

We rise early to travel to Ta Prohm in the dawn light. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri
Mouhot in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

After soaking up the unique atmosphere of Ta Prohm, we continue to the giant pyramid of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area. Built at the end of the 10th century, it was never completed. Some scholars contend this was due to an inauspicious lightning strike during construction. Others have suggested the high quality sandstone was simply too hard to carve in detail.

This morning we also visit the remains of an old Angkorian bridge which once spanned the Siem Reap river. There is also the option to visit the temples of Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon for temple enthusiasts.

What’s Included:

1. Car  

2. English speaking tour guide 

3. Drinking water during sightseeing.

4. Angkor Pass
   

What’s Not Included:

• Hotel accommodation

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.

Beng Mealea and the Villages of the Tonle Sap                                                

This morning, we travel to the lost temple of Beng Mealea, the titanic of temples, a slumbering giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia.

It is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat, but utterly consumed by the voracious appetite of nature. Constructed by Suryavarman II (1113-1150), the builder of Angkor Wat, the forest has run riot here and it is hard to get a sense of the
monument’s shape amid the daunting ruins.

Here it is possible to enjoy an Indiana Jones experience clambering about the vast ruin. For those who want a more gentle adventure, there is also a sturdy wooden walkway running right into the heart of the temple. It is also possible to visit a nearby Angkor-era quarry from where stone was cut to build these massive monuments.

We then continue south to one of the largest and least-visited villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Khleang, which has a population of about 10,000 people, all of whom make a living from the fishing industry. We explore the canals (wet season) or streets (dry season) of this
incredible town. In the wet season, the houses appear to be floating, as water laps at the verandas, but in the dry season towering stilts are revealed, the houses almost like wooden skyscrapers. We visit one of the pagodas here, built on the site of an ancient temple, and see the wall paintings.

We travel by boat on the great lake to Kompong Pluk. Cruising down a narrow

waterway, we enter this medieval floating village, where the houses stand atop
stilts as much as seven metres above the water. Everything lives on the water,
pigs, dogs, crocodiles and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible
floating community. We explore the amazing flooded forest here before
continuing across the Great Lake to the floating village of Chong Kneas.
We reach dry land and return to Siem Reap by road.

What’s Included:

1. Car  

2. English speaking tour guide 

3. Drinking water during sightseeing 

4. Beung Mealea entrance fee
   

5. Boat trip 

What’s Not Included:

• Hotel accommodation

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.

Tracking in Phnom Kulen   

This morning we travel to Phnom Kulen, the sacred mountain that was the birthplace of the Khmer empire. It was here that Jayavarman II proclaimed independence from Java in 802, setting the stage for the glories of the Angkor-era that was to follow. This mountain plateau was the capital of the Khmer empire before it relocated south to Hariharalaya, known today as Roluos.

We enjoy a picnic lunch before further exploration of some of the numerous early Angkorian temples (‘prasats’ in Khmer) such as Prasat Damrei Krap that dot the landscape and where researchers are only just beginning to scratch at the surface to understand more about these structures and the people that built them. 

And after lunch, we continue our trek to pay a visit to the giant reclining Buddha of Preah Ang Thom, more ancient temples, river-bed rock carvings and lingas and a 35-metre waterfall that will provide you with a cool and refreshing swimming and bathing opportunity, before we make our way back to our Siem Reap base.   

What’s Included:

• Professional Tracking English speaking guide

• Drinking water 

• Vehicle 

• Lunch box 

What’s Not Included:

• Accommodation in Siem Reap town

• Angkor Pass

• Visa for Cambodia

• All domestic and international flight

• Any other services are not mentioned in the above itinerary.