Lets go Indochina - Travel and more

Additional Info

• Detail Itinerary:

  DAY 1 - Arrive in Siem Reap where our guide and driver will greet you from your flight at Siem Reap airport. Transfer to hotel for check in.
  Overnight in Siem Reap
  
  DAY 2 - Morning: We commence with a visit to the infamous and treasured legacy of Angkor Wat. The masterpiece and holy grail of the temples of Angkor, Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious building and an insurmountable legacy left by Suryavarman II. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, there is almost one kilometer of exquisitely detailed carvings depicting the intricacies of the Khmer empire through dramatic and humorous stories of love, life, war, religion and mythology. Marvel at the quincunx of towers, and the powerful energy that this sublime temple inspires, and admire the carvings and architectural symmetry and perfection of the complex as a whole.
  We shall continue our visit to Ta Prohm. Of Tombraider fame, Ta Prohm is an Angkorian treasure, and it’s going to stay that way. A fascinating aspect to Ta Prohm (except for its size, beauty and pleasantly eerie atmosphere) is that it can be appreciated perfectly as it would have been a mere 900 years ago, as it has been ‘left as it was found’ by the French explorers who discovered it in the 19^th century. Ta Prohm is a sight to behold, a veritable maze with exquisite carvings and gigantic golden trees strangling the stone foundations at every juncture.

  Lunch in Siem Reap

  Afternoon: After lunch we commence our exploration of Angkor Thom. Known as the ‘Great City’, Angkor Thom was Jayavarman VII’s ultimate creation, his true expression of design excellence. Angkor Thom was an entire city housing 150,000 people across nine square kilometers which thrived upon a complex system of agriculture and waterways. 5 magnificent gates 23 metres high spiritually guard the complex - we will enter through the Victory Gate, complete with a causeway with two emanating rows of Devas and Asuras wrestling a powerful Naga. From here we will converge upon the centre of this extraordinary city, and begin to explore, starting with the Elephant Terrace, a royal platform used as a viewing gallery for grandiose royal spectacles, decorated wonderfully with statues of elephants. Adjacent is the Terrace of the Leper King, unique for possessing the statue of Yama (the Leper King), god of Death. From here we will proceed through the forest to Preah Palilay. Guarded by a large Buddha this is a small but beautiful temple from the 13^th century. Afterwards we will proceed to Phimeanakas, a 10^th century largely uncarved but beautifully constructed pyramid temple affording terrific views, before Baphuon, an imposing 50 metre tall temple dedicated to Shiva which houses one of the world’s largest reclining Buddhas. And finally to Bayon, arguably the most stunning of all the Temples of Angkor, adorned with 37 towers decorated with wonderful giant stone faces and beautifully decorated carvings throughout.
  Finally we will proceed to Srah Srang, a stunning man-made lake used by kings of old for bathing, irrigation and leisure where we will stop at a gorgeous spot to appreciate the sunset.
  Return to Siem Reap, overnight at hotel.

  DAY 3 - We will head out 45km from Siem Reap to Kbal Spean. Set within beautiful Cambodian countryside and a popular place for the locals to enjoy family picnics, Kbal Spean, also known as the valley of the 1000 lingas, is a remarkable place where natural meets man-made phenomenon – 1000 hand carved lingas lie on the bed of the Kbal Spean River downstream from the stunning waterfall, believed to have been placed there in ancient times to fertilize the river.
  
  Lunch at a local restaurant.

  We will then proceed to Banteay Srei 30km from Siem Reap, a unique and exquisite temple, glowing red and in perfect symmetrical detail, which possesses a truly unrivalled beauty all of its own. The carvings here are undoubtedly the most detailed of any of those in Angkor, and the perfection and attention to detail are remarkable. Then on our return to Siem Reap we shall visit Preah Khan, an immense creation from the prestigious king Jayavarman VII, dedicated to his father, before stopping at Srah Srang – a vast and beautiful man-made lake where the Royals of Angkor would bathe, relax and unwind, for what is usually a breathtaking sunset.
  Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

  DAY 4 – Morning:  After a beautiful drive through the heart of Siem Reap province’s magnificent countryside we will discover Beng Mealea, one of King Jayavarman VII’s most extraordinary creations. Over a huge one square kilometer, this temple is built in the same style of Angkor Wat, and although partly collapsed its immense grandeur is still a sight to behold. Lost to the jungle, and with fewer visitors, Beng Mealea will bring out the explorer in you.
  
  
  Picnic Lunch
  
  Afternoon: After lunch we shall stop at Roluos, the modern name for what was the 8^th century city of Hariharilaya, where the 3 temples of Preah Ko, Lolei and Bakhong are located. Preah Ko, or ‘Sacred Bull’, named after the statues of bulls guarding the entrance, is known for its wonderful carvings. Next Lolei, once an island temple, with beautiful views across the countryside and busy monks going about their business, before Bakhong, an immense ‘temple mountain’ constructed in the same style as Angkor Wat. A beautiful moat, a modern pagoda, swinging palm trees and the great Bakhong Temple itself comprise the site.
  Return to Siem Reap, overnight at hotel.

  DAY 5 – Morning: Today we’ll visit the beautiful Great Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. After taking in the rice paddies and local way of life to reach the water’s edge, we will transfer to our boat and proceed to sail through mangroves, visit floating and stilted villages, and experience a fascinating, traditional and unique way of life. This lake with an area of 16000 square kilometers during the height of the wet season is an astonishing place, so significant to Cambodia and Southeast Asia as a whole, and it’s home to great number of rare species of wildlife and some of the most resourceful communities on this earth. On our way back to Siem Reap we shall visit Wat Athvea, a little known 12^th century temple set in a riverside village. Silent except for the occasional chanting of monks and birds, Wat Athvea is an elegant temple set in these peaceful and serene surroundings. Here you will be treated to lunch with the monks where you can share each other’s worlds and experiences.

  Lunch in Siem Reap
  
  

  Afternoon: If time permits after lunch we can visit the local markets and the best of Siem Reap town, or simply relax in your hotel before we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

   

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