5-Day Discover the Rolous Temples and the Angkor Wat Complex

5-day Discover the Rolous Temples and the Angkor Wat Complex

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Tour code: REPDSBS5 Tour type

( Private )

Tour Level: Relaxed / Easy Tour Comfort: Standard Tour Period: 5 Days

English,German,French,Spanish Siem Reap highlights tour details

Discover the earliest Khmer-built temples at the Roluos Group Your tour begins with a visit to the Roluos monuments – the earliest Explore the fascinating Angkor National Museum permanent temples built by the Khmers. You'll then visit the Angkor Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom National Museum, Banteay Kdei, Eastern Mebon and the Pre Rup Watch the sunset at the Angkor Wat complex mountain-temple at sunset. The following day you'll visit the South Take an ox-cart ride through local rice fields Gate, the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, Bayon temple (unique for its 200 smiling faces), Baphuon and the Terrace of the Leper King. You'll then see Prasat Kravan and Angkor Wat at sunset. Next you'll have the option to visit either the scenic Kulen Mountain Range (including a large natural Buddha and waterfalls) or Beng Mealea temple (with stunning countryside views). Conclude with visits to Banteay Srei temple, Banteay Samre, Ta Prohm jungle temple, Phnom Bakheng, an ox-cart ride, Tonle Sap Lake and a floating village visit.

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tour description

Day 1 : SIEM REAP - ARRIVAL (-/-/D)

Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not be ready until the afternoon). Visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. Lunch not included. In the afternoon, visit the Angkor National Museum, the first museum in Siem Reap presenting a unique collection of invaluable art objects from the ancient Khmer Kingdom to have a deeper understanding of customs, traditions and different beliefs of the ancient empire. Continue your temple visits with Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation), and the mountain-temple of Pre Rup until sunset. Dinner at local restaurant. Accommodation not included.

Day 2 : SIEM REAP (-/-/D)

Breakfast not included. In the morning, visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), Baphuon (recently re-opened after years of restoration), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch not included. In the afternoon, see the unique interior brick sculptures Prasat Kravan. Visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Sunset at Angkor Wat. Dinner at local restaurant. Accommodation not included.

Day 3 : SIEM REAP (-/L/-)

Breakfast not included. Choose between the visits of Kulen Mountain or Beng Mealea:

Option 1 Kulen Mountain Range: Morning, drive through the typical Khmer countryside to the holy Kulen Mountain range which provided some of the stones used to build the Angkor temples. With beautiful sceneries to admire on the way up, our vehicle will bring us on a steep dirt road to the top of the mountain. There we first will see the site of the Lingas carved in the riverbed by successive

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kings of the Angkor period and a walk further will bring us to the site of a huge natural rock with on top a big reclining Buddha carved in the rock. Our walk will also bring us to a waterfall, don't forget your swimsuits and join the locals! More carvings in the riverbed can be discovered above the waterfall. This is also a very popular place for Khmer people to come and enjoy their weekend with a picnic.

Option 2 Beng Mealea: Morning, drive to the remote Beng Mealea temple through the typical Khmer countryside (60 km from Siem Reap). Explore the long abandoned temple (11th century), strangled by the jungle.

Lunch box will be provided at the site. Proceed to the Banteay Srei temple (10th century) regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. Stop at a local village to visit families who are producing palm sugar. Then visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration using the method of "anastylosis". The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Drive back to Siem Reap. Dinner not included. Accommodation not included.

Day 4 : SIEM REAP (-/-/D)

Early bird special: Transfer to the archaeological site for sunrise from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Or sunrise at Angkor Wat. (We recommend to bring a torch) Return to the hotel. Breakfast not included. After breakfast drive to the country side and take an ox-cart ride through the villages and the rice fields. At the end of your ride, have a fresh coconut drink with the family and do not hesitate to talk with the local people to get to know more about their lives. Then take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia and visit a floating village. The village moves with the water level and during wet season houses are anchored around an island pagoda.

Lunch not included. Afternoon, visit Preah Khan. Built by King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder- hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, though, it's well preserved and ongoing restoration efforts should improve this situation. Visit as well Neak Pean a fountain built in the middle of a pool, the temple of Ta Som and Srah Srang reservoir (known as "The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing). Dinner with Apsara Dance Show at local restaurant. Accommodation not included.

Day 5 : SIEM REAP- DEPARTURE (-/-/-)

Breakfast not included. In the morning, continue the temple tour to Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Ta Prohm, one of the area's most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.

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Lunch not included. Visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles", this centre is working with young artisans; the team creates, produce and market a unique collection of ornamental sculpture, lacquer ware, silk weaving and silk painting. The company promotes fair, sustainable development in order to provide benefits to the rural communities. Spend time at leisure at the local market (if time permits). Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination. includes excludes

Meals as stated in the programme, L= Lunch Box, D= dinner at Accommodation and meals at the hotel local restaurant Domestic airfare (quoted separately, if requested) Transfers and tours with local English guides (guides in other International airfare to / from Cambodia (quoted separately, if languages are on request and may be subject to supplements) requested) in private air-conditioned vehicles Optional tours All entrance fees, boat fees and / or cyclo fees as mentioned in Surcharges for other language guides the programme Personal travel insurance Bottled water and cold towels available on the vehicles Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme Drinks with meals Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges which will be advised at the time of booking Visa fees Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme notes

Ideally a tour to the Tonle Sap Lake is only done during the high-water-level months of July to possibly mid of February. When the water is low boats may get stuck and also the distances to the floating villages increase.

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com