CODE CMSIC003E TEMPLES OF ANGKOR VALIDITY 01.04.2020 – 31.03.2021 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS TYPE SIC START Sundays (every 2 weeks) SIEM REAP FOCUS ASIA // WWW.FOCUS.ASIA 1 I. HIGHLIGHTS Rise up before dawn to explore the grounds of the sacred Angkor Wat with a torchlight in time to watch the spectacular sunrise over the temples famous spires. Journey through the Cambodian countryside and see enter the gates to Angkor Wat where you will gain your first view of the many faces of the Bayon temple. Stroll through Domdek local market before making your way to the historical Cambodian Landmine Museum. II. ITINERARY DAY 1 SUNDAY SIEM REAP (ARRIVAL) On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers over welcome drinks while your Tour Leader explains some important details and logistics of the journey ahead. (-) Overnight in SIEM REAP DAY 2 MONDAY SIEM REAP Start your discoveries at the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom ‘Great City’. This will include many of the finest Temples of King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1220. At the southern gate of Angkor Thom, you will marvel at the imposing 23m (75-foot) high stone faces of Avalokiteshvara, featured in the Tomb Raider movie. These astonishing carvings inspire awe and wonder in all who view them. At the centre of this citadel lies the state temple of Bayon, which we will also visit. This temple-mountain, built at the end of the 12th century, is adorned with hundreds of gigantic stone faces. This tour also includes the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King. Later in the day, you will discover the most famous temples from the 11th century: Baphuon, Phimeanaka. We will then continue to visit Ta Prohm. It is unforgettable due to the massive trees with thick roots that entangle the walls. They were left here intentionally by the archaeologists working on the site. While clearing back the forest it was decided to leave them in place to serve as a reminder of how the original discovers found it and other temples. Many of the trees have grown around and through the remains soaring high above the temple. End of program today, we explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, built under Suryavarman II. Finish the day with visit to Angkor National Museum, The Angkor National Museum is classified as one of Cambodia’s premier museum sites. On display are thousands of important Buddhist and Hindu sculptures from the various Angkor temples. Many original pieces recovered for safe keeping by the authorities from the temple ruins are also on exhibit at this museum. FOCUS ASIA // WWW.FOCUS.ASIA 2 (B) Overnight in SIEM REAP DAY 3 TUESDAY SIEM REAP Don’t forget to set you’re alarm today as we start at pre-dawn to witness the breathtaking view of the Sunrise over Angkor Wat temple. Afterwards, visit Kampong Pluk floating village, Kampong Phluk: an isolated community of three villages built on stilts. These scenic villages are flooded for around half the year (Aug/Sept - Feb), enabling row-boat journeys that provide income for the local community. You will take the small boat through the flooded mangrove forests; this unique ecosystem survives on wet soil for half the year, fostering a variety of wildlife. Visit Roluos group (9th century): Preah Ko, Bakong, Lolei. The Roluos group lies 15km (10 miles) southwest of Siem Reap and includes three temples - Bakong, Prah Ko and Lolei - dating from the late 9th century and corresponding to the ancient capital of Hariharalaya, from which the name of Lolei is derived. Remains include 3 well-preserved early temples that venerated the Hindu gods. The bas-reliefs are some of the earliest surviving examples of Khmer art. Modern-day villages surround the temples. Conclude the day with foodie tour, where you will travel like a local to enjoy the real Cambodian food scene in Siem Reap. (B) Overnight in SIEM REAP DAY 4 WEDNESDAY SIEM REAP Start the day with a tour to Beng Mealea Temple, along the way stop by to visit t local market at Domdek. The remains of Beng Mealea, which are still partly buried under vegetation, consist of perfectly squared-off sandstone building blocks. The outstanding decoration dates from the first half of the 12th century. In various times, the pediments of some buildings are sculpted with narrative scenes from the Ramayana, and while Hindu iconographic themes are plentiful, Beng Mealea is clearly a Buddhist sanctuary as Banteay Samre, which is more or less contemporaneous. This is confirmed by the magnificent statue of the Bodhisattva Lokeshvara discovered in the monument and today housed at the Angkor Conservancy. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before you continue on to Banteay Srei temple. Afterward visit Land Mine Museum, founded in 1997. Here you can see (defused and safe) landmines up close, find out how they work and how you can help Cambodia and the rest of the world in the on-going efforts of clearing these weapons from the face of the earth. Along the way back to town we visit local village to see the sugar palm production and Banteay Samre temple. (B, L) Overnight in SIEM REAP FOCUS ASIA // WWW.FOCUS.ASIA 3 DAY 5 THURSDAY SIEM REAP (DEPARTURE) It’s time to say goodbye, but just think of all the wonderful stories you will take home. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels. (B) — END OF SERVICES — ACCOMMODATION CITY VAR 1 Siem Reap La Niche D’Angkor Boutique Hotel (Deluxe) or similar Accommodation in hotels is subject to availability. If the listed hotel is fully booked, alternate accommodation will be booked within the same hotel category without surcharge/reduction. If no hotel in same category available, we preserve the right to apply a surcharge for any higher category or a reduction for any lower category. All hotel ratings are according to the local accreditation authority. Compulsory surcharges and meal options apply during peak holiday periods such as Christmas, May 1st, New Year and Chinese New Year. These will be advised at the time of booking or at any time should the hotel apply on an ad hoc basis. SERVICES INCLUDED SERVICES EXCLUDED SERVICES All described sightseeing as per program above Airfares to and from your departing Transfers and tours as mentioned by private air-conditioned destination vehicle with local English-speaking tour guide. Visa fees Accommodation in hotels with daily breakfast Travel Insurance of all kinds Admission fees to indicated sights Meals not mentioned in itinerary Meals mentioned in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, Compulsory Meals D=dinner) Drinks during Meals Domestic gov’t tax and service charge Other personal expenses Tipping Early check-in and late check-out AGENT: SGJ PCM CODE: SGJ - TOA_JAN-APR/OCT-DEC20 SGJ - TOA_MAY-SEP20 TRAVEL PERIOD: Apr 20 – Mar 21 FOCUS ASIA // WWW.FOCUS.ASIA 4 .