DAY 1 Arrive Siem Reap (D)
Arriving in Siem Reap you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel for overnight accommodation.
DAY 2 At Angkor Complex (B, L,D)
We begin exploring the vast temple complex by visiting Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was built by King Jayavarman II at the end of the 12th century, shortly after the completion of Angkor Wat. It is surrounded by a massive perimeter wall and a moat with five monumental gates and covers an area of more than ten square kilometers, indeed Angkor Thom means ‘Great City’. The most important monuments are located in the centre of the city, namely the Bayon, Baphoun and the Terrace of Elephants. The Bayon in particular is a fascinating piece of architecture and one of the most photographed. It is a bizarre structure, with a total of 54 towers elaborately decorated with over 200 enigmatic smiling faces. Ta Prohm temple’s principal attraction is that it has not been rescued from the thick jungle, as the rest of Angkor Complex has. It looks much the same as it would have done when the French explorers came here 140 years ago, shrouded in undergrowth and the huge roots of old Banyan trees. One French writer eloquently described Ta Prohm this way: “With its millions of knotted limbs, the forest embraces the ruins with a violent love”.
DAY 3 Visit remote temples (B,L,D)
Following breakfast this morning we will have a 45-km drive to Bantaey Srei, also known as the “Pink Temple” and Bantaey Kdei where we have the option to travel around the temples by bicycle. Banteay Srey is one of the most impressive temples in Cambodia with it’s intricate, beautiful carvings. We then travel to the newly opened Boeng Mealea. This is a fantastic temple as it is still in the grips of the lush jungle and has not yet been cleared. A walkway has been built around the temple so we can explore this fascinating site away from the normal tourist trail. The drive back home is past little seen Khmer villages and settlements, far from the “coach highway” that links the main temples near Siem Reap. In the afternoon we tour the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple. Angkor Wat was built between 1112 and 1152 by King Suryavarman II and dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation, although some people believe it is actually dedicated to the king himself as the temple faces west, representing death. It is the best preserved of all the temples. Its layout and its scale are simply breathtaking: the wall surrounding the enclosure measures 1,000 by 800 meters in length and the moat, said to represent the oceans of the world is 200 meters wide. The five towers that dominate the scene are said to represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, the mythical home of the omnipotent Hindu deity Shiva. Beautiful bas beliefs and carvings adorn the inner sanctuaries depicting various Hindu mythological epics, including the longest continuous bas relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls. From here we proceed to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng, and as the end of the day approaches, we climb the imposing remains for a truly memorable sunset.
DAY 4 Drive to An Long Veng (B,L,D)
This morning is at leisure to enjoy breakfast and explore Siem Reap. After lunch we meet up with our driver and 4WD and head into the remote North of Cambodia. An long Veng is 250 km North of Siem Reap and the drive takes us through picturesque landscapes of Khmer villages and thick untouched jungle. The areas are truly off the beaten track and have only recently been opened by the Cambodian government. The scenery and forest surroundings are lush and green and dotted with little Khmer villages. Travelling through here provides us with a great opportunity to see peaceful Khmer people going about their daily routines. Along Veng is where the Khmer Rouge housed their headquarters during the long and bloody Civil war. The drive here is not for lovers of comfort. This is a very remote part of Cambodia and the road is rudimentary at best. We undertake the journey in comfortable private vehicles with air con however the road is very bumpy and in shocking condition. The drive to An Long Veng can take anywhere between 3 – 5 hours. On arrival we will go for dinner before retiring to our new Guest House for the night.
DAY 5 Day trip to Preah Vihear (B,L,D)
Early this morning we rise to the sounds of the local markets and people going about their daily business. After breakfast and we drive for 2-hours along the new road to the remote Preah Vihear located on the border of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. This is extremely remote area of lush forrest’ rolling mountains and open plains. We visit the imposing mountain temple of Prasat Preah Vihear located in a dramatic setting over 600mtrs above the surrounding fields. From here we have a wonderful panorama view of the whole of Northern Cambodia and into Thailand with the holy mountain of Phnom kulen proudly sitting in the distance. The monastery dates back to the 9th century and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The trip to the top of the mountain can be done by a 2-hour walk or by vehicle, depending on weather. The temple’s causeway spans 800mtrs long with small temples running off to each side. The temple is also the site of the last strangle hold of the Khmer Rouge and this was where the Khmer finally surrendered to government forces in 1998. We take the opportunity to walk around this stunning location before returning to An Long Veng for a well-earned rest. After lunch we visit Pol Pot’s grave and walk amongst the wonderful rolling hills and pristine surroundings as well as visiting some intricate carvings of Khmer Rouge soldiers before returning to our guesthouse for the night.
DAY 6 An Long Veng to Siem Reap (B,L,D)
This morning after breakfast in a local eatery we take some time to observe life in An Long Veng. Our Khmer guide will be on hand to recount tales of this historic area. We then return to the bumpy road heading South to Siem Reap were we spend the afternoon at leisure.
DAY 7 In Siem Reap, trip concludes (B)
Today our trip concludes in Siem Reap and we will be transferred to the airport for our departure flight.
Rate U Rate USD Per Pax: Validity of 01 Oct 2010 – 31 Mar 2011
| Hotel & Guest House | Rating | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3-5 Pax | 6-8 Pax | 9-11 Pax |
| REP: Casa Angkor (Standard) ALV: Lucky Star (Standard) | 3* | $ 1724 | $ 979 | $ 1074 | $ 858 | $ 786 |
| REP: Tara Angkor (Superior) ALV: Lucky Star (Standard) | 4* | $ 1920 | $ 1077 | $ 1172 | $ 956 | $ 884 |
| REP: Angkor Palace Resort (Deluxe) ALV: Lucky Star (Standard) | 5* | $ 2284 | $ 1315 | $ 1410 | $ 1194 | $ 1122 |
| Peak Season 20 Dec 2010-05 Jan 2011 | $ 2340 | $ 1343 | $ 1438 | $ 1222 | $ 1150 |
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