Palace Tours − Luxury Tours Collection the Elephant Ride Experience the Elephant Ride Experience Enjoy This Truly One of A
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Palace Tours − Luxury Tours Collection The Elephant Ride Experience The Elephant Ride Experience Enjoy this truly one of a kind Cambodian experience as you choose to ride your elephant from any of the interesting locations, lending a unique flavor to your tour in Siem Reap. Marvel at the remarkable views of Bayon Temple, or pass the Terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King to witness the beauty of the quiet temple of Preah Pithu. In the afternoon let your elephant take you to view the spectacular sunsets over the forest of Phnom Bakheng, the towers of Angkor Wat and the Western Baray. ITINERARY • Day 1 − Elephant rides to Bayon Temple and Phnom Bakheng In the Morning: AA/− South Gate to Bayon Temple: Starting out around 8:00 a.m., this elephant ride takes you through the famous South Gate of Bayon along the tree lined road to the fantastic Bayon Temple. BB/− Around Bayon: Available from around 9:00 a.m. or as soon as the elephants arrive at Bayon from the South Gate. See the many faces of Bayon from a different perspective as the elephant takes you around this stunning Temple. CC/− Bayon to Preah Pithu: Available as soon as there are elephants at Bayon. This ride takes you past the Terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King to the little−known, quiet temple of Preah Pithu. DD/− Bayon to South Gate: Available from around 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Arrive at the temples later to avoid the crowds and take an elephant from the Bayon Temple back to the South Gate. In the Afternoon: EE/− Up Phnom Bakheng: Available from 4:00 p.m. Let the elephant take you up this steep mountain to view the spectacular sunsets over forest, the towers of Angkor Wat and the Western Baray. FF/− Down Phnom Bakheng: Available as soon as there are elephants at the summit. If you have climbed up to the summit and are growing weary, take the easy option down and ride an elephant, marveling at the beautiful sunset and sights along the way. DESTINATION INFORMATION • Siem Reap Siem Reap City is the capital of Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese−style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market. In town, there are Apsara dance performances, craft shops, silk farms, rice−paddy countryside, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near the Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap today, being a popular tourist destination, has a large number of hotels and restaurants. Smaller establishments are concentrated around the Old Market area, while more expensive hotels are located between Siem Reap−Angkor International Airport and the town along National Road 6. 1 Price Chart All prices quoted in U.S. Dollars ($) per person ** Quoted rates are based on combining this trip with one of our other Land Tour packages. If you are purchasing this tour alone, an extra charge will be applied for a private guide and transportation, etc. Your package includes: • Private land transportation in air−conditioned car, van or bus • Admission fee to the sightseeing destinations • The elephant riding fee Your package excludes: • Travel Insurance • Any meals and/or beverages • Gratuities or personal expenses • Optional visits besides the program above and others not mentioned • A surcharge applies for tour dates on Christmas Eve (24 Dec) and New Year's Eve (31 Dec). Please contact Palace Tours for details. HOTELS AND RESORTS SUGGESTED EXTENSION TOURS Khmer Heritage Experience Immerse yourself in the culture of the Khmer as you travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, visiting marvelous temple sites and major collections of early Khmer artifacts. Discover the rich heritage of Siem Reap and its ancient stone temples which date back to the glorious Angkor era. Rediscover the oft−overlooked Khmer works of art which predated and inspired the Great Angkor civilization. The capital city of Phnom Penh, once renowned and referred to as "Paris of the Orient" during the 1960s, still retains as much charm and attraction for visitors today. Colorful monasteries, traditional Khmer buildings, monuments, French colonial architecture and many other places of interest are included in this itinerary. Highlights of Cambodia This wonderful 10−day itinerary is designed to bring you to the major destinations in Cambodia starting from Siem Reap, home to the world−famous ancient stone temples of Angkor, the world heritage site of Angkor Archeological Park and the fascinating floating and fishing villages in Tonle Sap Lake. Next, fly to the capital city of Phnom Penh, where ten thousand Khmer artifacts of antiquity are on display and where you will find the warm Khmer people are ready to welcome your visit. Your tour nears its end in Sihanoukville, where you have three days to relax and rejvenate on the pristine beaches. The Great Khmer Cultural Journey This tour is hand−crafted to suit any visitor who intends to thoroughly cover the Khmer historic sites and understand more about this rich civilization. Begin your trip with a visit to the richest fish−producing body of fresh water in the world, the Tonle Sap Great Lake. Here you can see fascinating life on the water of fishing and floating villages (where cows "graze" atop rafts) and a water fowl sanctuary. Then commence your wonderful temple tours with a visit to the former Khmer capital of Angkor (9−15th century AD) where the seventh Wonder of the Ancient World stands today. Your journey continues to Sambor Prey Kuk or Isanpura where hundreds of clay−brick temples were built for the place 2 that stood as the Khmer capital during the 6−7th centuries AD. From there, travel to Kratie, home of the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. Your next stop is Phnom Penh, where the Khmer people established their current capital almost 600 years ago on the conjunction of upper Mekong, lower Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers that is called the Chaktomouk (four faces) River. An interesting fact about the Tonle Sap River is that it is the only river in the world whose current reverses twice every year. Your tour culminates in Takeo Province where many ancient sites and temples which pre−date Angkor are among the highlights, some dating from the 1st century AD. Discover the Secrets of Angkor Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and beauty of Cambodia as Palace Tours takes you on this marvelous two−week circular journey from Phnom Penh, renowned as the "Paris of the Orient." Experience the best sightseeing and history that Cambodia has to offer as you discover the local way of life in several villages around Phnom Penh and the 7th century group of temples in Kampong Thom. Journey onwards to Siem Reap's world−famous ancient stone Angkor temples, and then to the floating villages of Tonle Sap Great Lake and further to the ancient temples in the Takeo province. Visit the crab market of Kep, explore the 6th century temple in the cave of Phnom Chhgnok in Kampot and unwind on the pristine beaches of Sihanoukville as you near the end of your exotic journey. The Heart of Cambodia Join Palace Tours on this unique 16−day adventure through the heart of Cambodia! Rediscover the glory and prosperity of the ancient Khmer civilization as you visit temples, monuments and more. Begin your journey in Siem Reap and explore its many temples including the magnificent Angkor Wat and the jungle temple of Ta Prohm. Continue on to the Tonle Sap Great Lake to discover its floating villages and wildlife sanctuary. Observe the culture and traditional customs of the many hill tribes as you travel through Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom and Ratanakiri. You can also find many beautiful forests, semiprecious stones and waterfalls in this unspoiled land. Sail peacefully along the Mekong River as you learn about the dolphins near Kratie and end your river cruise at the capital city of Phnom Penh where the warm Khmer people are ready to welcome your visit. Travel onwards to fruit orchards in Kampot, the bustling crab market in Kep, and unwind as your journey nears its end on the pristine beaches of Sihanoukville. Angkor Golf &Heritage Tour This 3−night package is ideal for the golf lover who only has a short time to spend in Siem Reap. In addition to a full day of sightseeing and visiting some of the ancient temples of this "Home of Angkor," you will enjoy a round of outstanding golf at the Phokeethra Country Club. Southeast Asia's premier golf resort is ready to welcome you, offering you the finest golfing experience in a unique setting, close to Angkor's UNESCO World Heritage Site. As always, feel free to adjust the package to include as many nights and rounds of golf as you or your group desires. Course Information: Phokeethra Country Club embraces the essence of a unique golfing experience. Near historic Angkor Wat, Cambodia's debut international golf course boasts a fully equipped pro shop, challenging fairways, specialty cuisines and superb services, fully catering to the executive golfer. Designed by V Golf Design Co. Ltd, it stretches 7,145 yards, par 72. The course reflects Phokeethra's dedication to create a unique golfing experience. With a combination of Paspalum grasses, both professional and casual golfers are provided with the highest standards of playing surfaces all year round. Southeast Asia’s Premier Golf &Angkor Exploration Join Palace Tours on this unique 5−night package in Siem Reap, the home of the Angkor, as you explore ancient temples and then golf on a world−class course. You will have three days of guided sightseeing tours so that you can fully explore the numerous temples and monuments of the lost city of the Khmer Empire, which reached its peak during the 9th to 13th centuries AD.