Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival to Angkor Wat to Bakheng Sunset

   • Arrive by the morning flight at International Siem Reap Airport, meet your Siem Reap guide holding your name board to warmly welcome and then transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

   • Visit Angkor Wat, which is a World Heritage site. It was the Hindu temple and largest monument in the world that was built in the early 12th century by Khmer King Suryavarman II.

   • Walk on the causeway from the front side, facing to the west, which is believed to be the direction of the Vishnu god. There is a big original statue of Vishnu, standing, holding tools in his four hands in the first gopura.

   • Stroll into center parts. There is an amazing hall with Buddhist statues and all galleries depicting stories from India Epic. Some of the bas relief is shiny as the new polish is being used to preserve/ restore carvings on the wall presently. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas adorning its walls.

   • Take a short time to climb up to visit Bakheng Hill to view the bright sunset on the top of temple hill. This temple was also Hindu and has 108 towers surrounding it that represent Mount Meru. Enjoy the view of Angkor Wat from here.

   • Enjoy welcome dinner and Apsara dancing show at a local restaurant.

   Overnight at the hotel.

2. Day 2: Angkor Thom to Ta Keo to Ta Prohm (B)

   • Proceed to South Gate of Angkor Thom - this Great city was adorned by Asura and Devtas statues holding serpents on each side. Moat is surrounding the outer enclosing wall of the huge complex. It is the access to the temple axe of Bayon and other temples. 

   • Visit Bayon temple to see a massive face of the Bodhisattva of Compassion called Avalokitesvara or Lokesvara erected in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. There are 54 towers representing four basic attributes of Buddhism. A piece of sandstone was juxtaposed and superimposed in the shape of a dome from the bottom to the top tower with a smiling face.

   • Walk along the gallery. There are so many bas relief scenes about daily life, fighting and other epics of the past time. 

   • At Baphoun, visit the Hindu Temple, a single temple mountain sanctuary situated on a high base. There are sculptures and carvings on small square stones depicting many scenes. The temple is under restoration, but still, they permit tourists to climb up to view its architecture. 

   • Start exploring the Phimeanakas Temple that was the ancient Royal Palace in the 10th century. It also was believed that this palace was crowned golden pinnacle. The temple was decorated with lion, elephant statue pedestals that are badly ruined. It is possible to go up to the top to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the Angkor Thom Complex view. 

   • Head over to the Elephant Terrace. This place served as the King's platform in the 12th century to view parade and ceremonies. It is standing in front of Phimeanakas Palace. The three elephants are flanking a long staircase with ornamented elephant fighting scenes portrayed on the base wall underneath.

   • Visit Leper King Terrace, a weird platform of King Jayavarman VII at the end 12 century. Bas relief is remarkable and shows a carving of exterior and interior wall.

   • In the afternoon, visit Ta Keo Temple, which is in the shape of a pyramid and was dedicated to Hindu God in the 10th century. There is no carving or bas relief on the sandstone and tower. On the top is a nice view of the Angkor jungle complex. 

   • Check out Ta Prohm, a well-known temple with an abundance of gigantic tree cover and shroud in the jungle dedicated to his mother named Prajnaparamita in the late 12th century. Be amazed and feel as though you were in the ancient time with the view of huge and old root intertwining over the temple. There are many tiny holes portraying the central tower from which supposedly the precious stones and diamonds were removed. 

   • Not far from Ta Prohm temple, reach Bantey Kdei. The sight of this temple is remarkable due to its structure. It is the original Buddhist temple of the late 12th century which was converted to a Hindu temple after religious conflicts.

   • Land up at Srah Srang, King's Royal bathing of the late 12th century. It is a man-made pond with an elegant platform for King. It is always full of water and greenery.

   • Stop by Kravan Temple. This has brick towers surrounded by a moat. A unique sculpture of Vishnu God and the pedestal of Linga are revealed in the interior tower, and there is more scenery depicted on the Lintel and wall.    

   Overnight at the hotel.

3. Day 3: Preah Khan to Neak Pean to Bantey Srei to Bantey Samre (B)

   • Walk into this temple which is flanked by Asura and Devas of the gate. The temple was built and dedicated to King’s father in the late 12 century. You will see a brilliant Garuda sculpture holding Naga. This was the symbol of a powerful temple.

   • Reach the central shrine. There is a sandstone stupa that was deposited for worship and prayers in a later period. The two-floor building was built in the shape of a circular column of western architecture.  

   • Walk along the small path for 300 meters to visit the superb tower surrounded by small pools. The temple was supposedly an ancient hospital in Angkor time, as shown by the inscription. There is a horse sculpture with people clinging to it in the middle of the pond. 

   • Stroll on to see Ta Som, the Buddhist temple which was built in the late 12th century during the Khmer Rough Regime. This was used as a weapon warehouse. The spot of attraction is tree root shrouding the backside of the east gate. 

   • Drive 35 km from Siem Reap town to visit the special charm of Banteay Srei Temple. It lies in a remarkable state of preservation. It is small in size and has an excellent decoration of Pinkish sandstone, which lends itself to superb carving. There are many sceneries of epics depicted on the lintel and front of the towers. 

   • Reach Banteay Samre, a Hindu temple which was built by King Angkor Wat, apart from the Angkor complex.  The structure is well preserved. Tiny King coffin was excavated from here and kept in the central tower. Pre Rup mean in Khmer – Change the body. The temple was built and dedicated to Shiva, god of Hinduism, and five superb towers on the top represented Meru mountain. It is a romantic place to watch sunrise, sunset and rice paddy fields from the top. 

   Overnight at the hotel.

4. Day 4: Beng Mealea to Rolous Group to Departure (B)

   • Explore one of Angkor Wat temples built by King Suryavarman II in 1113 – 1150 CE. It is a mirror image of mighty Angkor Wat, but totally and utterly consumed by the jungle. Some of the construction was badly ruined by Khmer Rough and people who were looking for treasures. Visit the old capital of Hariharalaya Rolous wherein was the city of Hindu god. Lolei was dedicated to Shiva god in the late 9th century. Its carving is recognizable and fabulous. 

   • Visit Preah Ko temple, called Sacred bull in English. Even the surrounding enclosing wall was badly ruined, but the structure is still seen in plan with a porch in each cardinal direction, and the sculpture was covered with elaborate stucco.

   • Last of all, visit Bakong, which was dedicated to the Hindu Shiva god in 881 CE. The architecture of the temple shows only one tower on the top, which was supposed to represent Mount Meru. There is one Buddhist Pagoda created in the compound as it was renovated, as the construction was destroyed over the years.  On the top of the tower is the best view to see the Angkor jungle and sunset. 

   • Transfer back to the airport for a departure flight to your next destination or home.