DAY 1

TA PROHM – A TEMPLE FROZEN IN TIME:

First on our itinerary is Ta Prohm, one of Angkor’s most captivating temples.

Unlike other monuments in the area, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered, preserving much of its original mystery.

Swallowed by the jungle, it stands as a testament to the Angkor temples’ initial appearance when European explorers first found them.

ANGKOR THOM & THE GATE OF DEAD:

After Ta Prohm, we journey to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, a 12th-century marvel.

Here, we visit the Gate of Dead, renowned for its massive statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk.

We proceed to the Bayon temple, unique for its 54 towers adorned with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara.

The tour continues with the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE: 

In the afternoon, we visit Angkor Wat, the most famous temple on the Angkor plain.

Comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing, this expansive temple complex covers 81 hectares.

The Cambodian flag bears the image of its distinctive five towers, symbolizing the five peaks of Meru.

The enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world, and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond.

Art historians consider this 12th-century masterpiece the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture.

DAY 2

PREAH KHAN:

In the morning, continue your temple visits with a trip to Preah Khan.

This temple, built by King Jayavarman VII, features towered enclosures and narrow corridors.

Unlike Ta Prohm, Preah Khan is relatively well-preserved, and ongoing restoration efforts aim to maintain and improve its condition.

NEAK PEAN:

Explore Neak Pean, a fountain located in the middle of a pool, symbolizing a Himalayan mountain-lake paradise.

Neak Pean is a unique and fascinating site located within the Angkor Archaeological Park.

It is a small temple surrounded by a rectangular pool, representing a mythical Himalayan mountain-lake paradise.

The pool is divided into four smaller ponds, each connected by a stone walkway adorned with intricate carvings.

BANTEAY SREI:

Take a scenic 30-minute drive through the beautiful Cambodian countryside to reach the Banteay Srei temple.

Built in the 10th century, this temple is considered the gem of Classical Khmer Art.

Constructed using red and pink sandstone, it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

The intricate carvings of male and female figures in the niches exhibit exceptional execution in style and proportion.

Banteay Srei stands out as the most Indian-influenced temple in Angkor, often described by H.W. Ponder as a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest.

*Guides in other languages can be requested. Additional charges may apply.