Angkor Wonder is the ancient ruins and South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat.
Day 1: Siem Reap arrival (D)
Upon arrival at the airport and after completing immigration and customs formalities, meet with your English speaking guide holding a sign marked “Your name” and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The same afternoon, an orientation of Siem Reap town is conducted at Preah Ang Chek Preah Angkor Chom next to the royal residence, which is the holy worship place for local people during the Buddhist religious day. As soon as the orientation is completed, you will be lead on along the upper part of Stueng Siem Reap river, passing through a small bridge behind the ex-toursim department office leading to Spean Neak bridge (Naga bridge) straight down to Angkor Kjung Yu, where the local people gather together in the earlier evening to get the fresh air for the day. You will also stop there to enjoy this scenery with the locals. Return in coach to the hotel via the local market called Psa Leur located along the National route.
Tonight you will enjoy a dinner with Apsara dance show at the local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 2: Siem Reap (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel – This morning, heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make a stopover at the Preah Dark village and we follow this with a visit to the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. Afternoon, drive to Choueng Kneas village, where you will take the boat to see the way of life of Cambodian poor people along with the schools, restaurants, hospitals and much more floating on the great lake of Tonle sap. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 3: Siem Reap (B,L,D)
The sightseeing tour of Angkor area – we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with Colums, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple and the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm, a truly incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. Early evening, you will be taken by Tuk Tuk, a small open-sided taxi common in Cambodia, to cruise around the suburb of Siem Reap town and for a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 4: Siem Reap (B,L)
Drive to Beng Mealea, which was built in the 12 century, the layout and style of Beng Mealea is very similar to Angkor Wat. Its current state, however, is dominated by jungle. Trees have grown out of the towers and vines entangle columns. Lintels and others building blocks lay around in a tumble and require visitors to climb up and down as they approach the completely collapsed central towers. This is how the early expeditions must have found the temples of Angkor….Lunch box at the site. We then continue to Kompung Khleang, enjoy boat cruise on the Kompong Khleang Floating Village at Tonle Sap Lake where you will meet with the local rural life. Kampong Khleang is located on the northern lake-edge about 48 km east of Siem Reap town, more remote and fewer tourists. Visitors to Kampong Khleang during the dry season are universally awestruck by the forest of stilted houses rising up to 10 meters in the air. In the wet season the waters rise to within one or two meters of the buildings. Kampong Khleang is a permanent community within the floodplain of the Lake, with an economy based in fishing and surrounded by flooded forest. But Kampong Khleang is significantly larger with near 10 times the population of Kampong Phluk, making it the largest community on the Lake.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 5: Siem Reap departure (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel – Visit to “Les Artisans d’Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap and local market “Psachas” where one might get something for souvenirs to take back home. Free at own leisure until the time to meet and transfer to the airport for the flight departure.
