" He who does not travel does not know the value of men " by - Moorish proverb
Sample Intinerary:
DAY 1
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 at hotel.
In the afternoon, continue your temple tour to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing), 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 and overnight at hotel.
DAY 2
In the morning, 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.
Lunch at hotel.
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), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat.
DAY 3
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 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.
Lunch at hotel.
Proceed to the Banteay Srei temple (10th century) regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. 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.
DAY 4
Transfer to the archaeological site for the sunrise from the 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 (Diethelm Travel recommendation: Access is steep and may be slippery especially after rains. Not recommended for elderly people). Or sunrise at Srah Srang. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a boat trip in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia.
Lunch at hotel.
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 and the temple of Ta Som.
DAY 5
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.
Lunch at hotel.
After lunch, visit to "Les Artisans d'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles" of Siem Reap and spend time at leisure at a local market (if time permits). Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination.
End Tours
Rates in based on per person in USD
Hotel Used in Program |
Rate per person in US dollars (Min 2 Pax) |
| Central Boutique Angkor Hotel / La Niche D' Angkor Boutique | 5555 |
| Stueng Siem Rea Hotel / Ree Hotel | 5555 |
| Angkor Century Resort / Empress Angkor Hotel | 5555 |
| Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa | 5555 |
| La Residence D' Angkor | 5555 |
Guests will find all of the finest amenities in each of the 20 rooms in this popular Boutique hotel in Siem Reap. There are air conditioning, in room safe, internet access – wireless, television in each of the hotel's well-equipped rooms. La Niche D' Angkor Boutique Hotel boasts bar/pub, disabled facilities, room service as part of its superior facilities and services.
Those looking for first-rate sporting and leisure facilities will find garden, outdoor pool. Guests will find this service-oriented hotel with superb facilities and amenities provides excellent value
What we are going to do?
Angkor Gate Project for Life provides both a home and educational environment for kids, the majority of whom were left orphaned by the poverty, while others have been rescued from homeless or abusive household in the region.
Soon!!! Angkor Gate Project for life will struggle to build a hotel training school, dedicated to tutoring young adults aged between 17-30 years old. Its focus is to help students gain employment in the booming tourist industry around Siem Reap city.