Trip Name: Siem Reap ancient temple highlights
Type of trip: Private
Trip Duration: 3 Days
Starting: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Finishing: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Trip Grading: Regular itinerary, moderate walking
Destinations: Siem Reap
Flexibility: This sample itinerary can be amended accordingly to meet your expectation.
Highlights: Siem Reap was little more than a village when the first French explorers re-discovered Angkor in the 19th century. With the return of Angkor to Cambodian, or French, control in 1907, Siem Reap began to grow, absorbing the first wave of tourists. The Grand Hotel d'Angkor opened its doors in 1929 and the temples of Angkor remained one of Asia's leading draws until the late 1960s, luring visitors like Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Kennedy. In 1975, the population of Siem Reap, along with that of the rest of the cities and towns in Cambodia, was evacuated by the communist Khmer Rouge and driven into the countryside.
As with the rest of the country, Siem Reap's history (and the memories of its people) is coloured by spectre of the brutal Khmer Rouge Regime, though since Pol Pot's death in 1998, relative stability and a rejuvenated tourist industry have been important steps in an important, if tentative, journey forward to recovery. With the advent of war, Siem Reap entered a long slumber from which it only began to awake in the mid-1990s.
Day 1 : Sai Gon - Siem Riep
Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, the guide will meet and transfer you to hotel. Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: 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 symbolizes the ocean beyond Sunset 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.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 2: Siem Reap - Angkor Tours (B)
In the morning, you will continue your temple visits. Included are Prasat Kravan (with its unique brick sculptures), Srah Srang ("The Royal Boths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four 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.
In the afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue to the temple tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery, then, visit Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Meal: Breakfast
Day 3: Siem Reap Departure (B)
Breakfast is at your hotel. You are free at leisure until being transfered to Siemriep airport for boarding your onward flight. End of service
Meal: Breakfast
This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on your hotel choice, number of people in your group and time of travel.
Please enquire for availabilities & the most up dated price.
Tour price included:
• Transported by A/c private car or van
• English or French-speaking guide
• All Entrance Fees
• Meals as indicated in the program as : B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
• 4 nights hotel accommodation based o¬n 2 guests sharing a Twin or Double room Siem Reap
Tour price excluded:
• International flights
• Other meals not mentioned in the program.
• Airport tax & personal expense
Cambodia visa fee (Visitors can obtained visa upon arrival at US$ 21 with 2 photos).
• Acient capital of Angkor Thom (12th Century)
• South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean milk)
• Bayon Temple (the Royal Enclosure)
• Phimeanakas
• The Elephant Terrace
• The Terrace of the Leper King
• Angkor Wat: the most famous of all temples
• Prasat Kravan: unique brick sculptures
• Srah srang: The Royal Boths
• Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls)
• Eastern Mebon
• Moutain Temple
• Ta Prohm