Arrive into Siem Reap and fast track visa assistance will be provided to those guests eligible for visa of arrival. After completing arrival formalities head out to your waiting guide who will transfer you to the hotel. Check in and relax for the remainder of the afternoon. 

In the Evening head out for dinner at of the cultural centers, showcasing the Apsara dance performance. Cambodia has a rich artistic heritage that stretches back thousands of years to the pre-Angkor era. While much of it came close to being wiped out during the Khmer Rouge reign from 1975 to 1979, huge efforts have been spent during the last few decades to rekindle the scene. The most popular form of classical Cambodian dance is apsara, which dates back to the 7th Century. A walk around the majority of the temples will show apsara dancers carved into the walls and bas reliefs, with their dance forming an essential part of Khmer culture. Believed to be beautiful female creatures that came from heaven to entertain kings and gods with their dance, the dance is slow, hypnotic, and gentle. Each of the careful hand gestures and foot movements holds its own meaning, with the elaborate costumes mirroring the majestic moves.

While enjoying the show from your pre-booked table relish a delicious spread of local and European buffet. After the show, head back to your hotel and retire for the night. 

This morning after breakfast, meet up with your guide and head out touring. A great deal of walking is estimated; hence we recommend a good pair of walking shoes, sun screen and a cap.

We begin with exploring the temple complex of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with Columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple.

Angkor Wat was constructed during the reign of King Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1113 to at least 1145. In those days, it was customary for the Khmer Empire to maintain a state temple in the heart of the city. However, when Suryavarman assumed power, the existing Baphuon state temple was dedicated to Shiva. Suryavarman worshiped Vishnu, and wished to honor him with a new temple south of the existing capital. This new state temple came to be called Angkor Wat, meaning "The city that is a temple."

Unlike other Khmer temples, the entrance faces west in the direction associated with Vishnu. A person entering the temple first approaches an entrance causeway that takes him across the 200 meter wide moat. On the opposite shore is an entrance pavilion measuring 230 meters north-south. Its central bays include three passages that elephants could fit through for royal processions. Past the entrance gate is a long causeway that runs for over 300 meters, decorated with mythical snake-like animals called Naga. On either side are isolated buildings called "libraries" though their true function is unknown. Near the temple are two small pools probably built in the 16th century.

After an inspiring tour of Angkor Wat, we head over to another gem the Ta Prohm. Before exploring we make a quick stop at The Angkor Reach Restaurant to try some Khmer food. The Fish Amok their national dish is a must try along with the many other seafood and poultry options. 

Ta Prohm was built during the reign of Jayavarman VII, a great king who reconquered the Khmer empire from Cham invaders in the years 1177-1181. Needless to say, the war caused great damage to the ancient capital of Angkor. The ambitious king set about making it into a proper seat of power by ordering the reconstruction of a number of temples. Ta Prohm was the centerpiece of his master plan, located roughly in the center of the capital. Though the temple covers barely 2.5 acres, its walls and moat encompass 148 acres, which would have sheltered a town attached to the temple. According to a stele found here on site, 12,640 people lived at the temple, supported by a population of 79,365 who worked in nearby villages to provide food and supplies. In its own era, the temple was known as Rajavihara, the 'Royal Monastery'.

Ta Prohm housed the deity Prajnaparamita, the 'perfection of wisdom.' It was consecrated in 1186. Like many Khmer kings, Jayavarman had it carved in the likeness of his mother. The Prajnaparamita statue was surrounded by 260 lesser divinities, housed in their own sanctuaries. This temple also gained immense popularity due an international movie named Tomb Raider shot at this locale. (Optional excursion: Boating on the Tonle Sap Lake).

After visiting the two main temples we head back to the hotel for some rest and relaxation. We do recommend a relaxing spa treatment at the hotel spa and a foot reflexology is highly recommended for those tired feet. For the adventurous, they can call in a local Tuk-Tuk (scooter rickshaw) and head out to Pub Street where the city comes alive with lounge bars, open disco’s, amazing street food and the night market selling a little of this and a little of that. Hand churned ice cream brings all of this together beautifully before you head back to the comfort of your hotel. 

After breakfast this morning we head out to explore the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace &  the Terrace of the Leper King. 

 

Angkor Thom is quadrangle of defensive walls totalling 12 kilometres that once protected the Khmer capital of the same name (Angkor Thom means 'Great City'). Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries by King Jayavarman VII, the walls are divided by two axes running north-south and east-west. The south gate of Angkor Thom is the best preserved. It is approached from outside via a causeway that extends about fifty meters across a moat. On each side of the causeway are railings fashioned with 54 stone figures engaged in the performance of a famous Hindu story: the myth of the Churning of the Ocean. On the left side of the moat, 54 'devas' (guardian gods) pull the head of the snake 'Shesha' while on the right side 54 'asuras' (demon gods) pull the snake's tail in the opposite direction. In this myth, the body of the snake is wrapped around the central mountain—Mt. Meru—perhaps corresponding here to the Bayon temple at the center of the site. In any case, the myth relates that as the Devas pulled the snake in one direction and the gods pushed in the other, the ocean began to churn and precipitate the elements. By alternating back and forth, the ocean was 'milked', forming the earth and the cosmos anew.  The central tower of the stone gate is capped by three face-towers that face the four directions (the central tower faces both out and in). Below them at the base of the gate are two sets of elephant statues that flank the entrance on both sides. Sitting on each elephant is a figure of the god Indra carrying his usual weapon, the vadra (a lightning bolt). The gate itself is shaped like an upside-down 'U' and is corbelled at the top (instead of arches, the builders of Angkor preferred to use corbelling to span distances). It is still possible to see where wooden doors once fitted to the gate through openings in the stone.

 

After a break for lunch we continue our exploration and head to Banteay Srei. Along the way we stop at the Preah Dark village, for some local souvenir shopping. 

Located away from the main monuments is the Banteay Srei temple, one of Angkor’s highlights. This temple contains the finest, most intricate carvings to be found in Angkor. Located in a remote area the temple was rediscovered in 1914 and cleared some 10 years later. It was reconstructed using the method of anastylosis by French conservator Henri Marchal during the 1930’s. Today the Banteay Srei is a very well preserved monument. Its exquisite ornamentations that cover most of the temple show great skill and precision. The temple was built by Yajnavaraha, a Brahmin priest and counsellor of King Rajendravarman II and his brother.  The pink sandstone structure is small compared to other Angkor monuments. This is probably because the Banteay Srei was not build by a King, and it would be considered disrespectful to build a monument larger and grander than a Royal sponsored temple. To prevent further deterioration of this magnificent and much visited temple, the inner sanctuary has been closed to visitors.

On the way back to the hotel we stop over at a local temple for the Buddhist blessing ceremony and enhance our chances of good luck and prosperity. The evening thereafter is yours. Relax at the hotel or head out to the old market, the night market or once again to Pub street and party away your last night in Siem Reap. 

Today we check out of our hotel and head to the airport for our flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival be met by a guide who will transfer you to the hotel. Remainder of the day is free to explore the city on your own. 

 

This morning after breakfast we head out sightseeing. First visit Wat Phnom, which is situated near the northern boundary of the city. This site contains some good examples of Khmer architecture and statues. Continue along the lively riverfront to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple you will view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze. Then visit the National Museum, built in traditional Khmer style and houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artefacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!

 

After lunch explore Tuol Sleng Museum & the Killing Fields. Gain insight into Cambodia’s dark history on a visit to the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in the former school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture center named ‘S-21’. Further visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. A grim, but important visit that will allow you to dig below the surface and understand Cambodia better.

 

After the tour we head over to the hotel to freshen up and head out once again to explore the local food scene on a Vespa food tour. Sample a dozen local delicacies while you zip around town and hop over from a restaurant to a local street stall to sample it all. 

Enjoy your final breakfast of this tour before you check out and transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to another exciting destination. We do recommend you consider adding in Vietnam, Laos or Thailand to your Cambodian experience. (B)