2-Day Angkor Wat and Siem Reap Tour with Tonle Sap Lake

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Visit the jungle-clad temple of Beng Mealea
• 02 Explore Kompong Phluk on Tonle Sap Lake
• 03 Witness sunrise at Angkor Wat
• 04 Discover the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom
• 05 Pay your respects at Baphuon and Phimeanakas temples
• 06 Admire the charming and iconic Ta Prohm

Immerse yourself in Cambodian culture as you explore Siem Reap's ancient treasures, including Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Banteay Srei, and Beng Mealea. Witness the stunning architectural marvels of the Angkor complex, pay your respects at sacred pagodas, and take in the beauty of the countryside. This 2-day experience also includes a visit to Kompong Phluk, a traditional stilted village on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake.

The silhouette of the largest religious monument ever built slowly emerges before you as darkness gives way to the first rays of dawn.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Siem Reap, Beng Mealea

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea and Tonle Sap Lake

• Meet your driver and tour guide in the lobby of your hotel at 8:00 am and travel to the small temple of Banteay Srei, well known for its beautiful, delicate carvings in warm pink sandstone. This late 10th-century temple is fairly compact and very different from other Angkorian temples.
• Once in a complete state of disrepair and resembling a giant jigsaw puzzle, your next stop is Beng Mealea, which has recently been made more accessible with the addition of a wooden walkway throughout the structure. This assures safe access and slight elevation, allowing a better view. This mid-12th-century temple features a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu attributes and is particularly mesmerising in the wet season.
• Later in the afternoon, travel to Kompong Phluk, an authentic stilted village on the edge of the great Tonle Sap Lake. Khmer, Vietnamese, and Cham people live here in harmony with the rising and falling water levels of the lake. Fun fact: most households own boats as well as motorbikes, as their road becomes a water channel during the monsoon. The biggest attraction in this neighbourhood is the eerie Flooded Forest, accessible by boat during the wet season.

2

Day 02

Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm

• You will be picked up from the lobby of your hotel at 4:45 AM and transferred to Angkor Wat. The silhouette of the largest religious monument ever built slowly emerges before you as darkness gives way to the first rays of dawn. This is a truly spectacular sight and well worth the early start. You may wish to take the classic viewing position by the lotus pond to see Angkor Wat and its reflection, or find a different vantage point to appreciate and photograph this mesmerising temple.
• When the colours of sunrise begin to fade, you will explore the inner parts of Angkor Wat and learn about its history and the fascinating stories behind the intricate carvings adorning the walls of the temple galleries.
• After that, continue to the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, along with some other iconic temples. You will enter the ancient city through its South Gate. In the very centre lies the temple of Bayon - silent witnesses of time, the 216 enigmatic faces gaze over the horizon, and one can only wonder what they have seen throughout the ages. Your guide will point out the best angles for photography here and explain the many intricate carvings on the walls of the galleries.
• You will then continue to Baphuon with its long causeway and impressive giant Reclining Buddha, a jigsaw puzzle only put back together in 2011 following a 37-year-long disruption caused by the war. Phimeanakas hides in the shaded jungle and offers a decent over-the-tree-tops view to those who conquer the steep steps to the top.
• Continuing further, you can admire the Esplanade of the Royal Palace, more commonly known as the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King.
• Having gained its 21st-century fame from the Tomb Raider movie, the charming and iconic Ta Prohm features on most visitors' itineraries, and rightfully so. Here, nature takes over ancient human-made structures, and golden Spung tree (Tetrameles nudiflora) roots wrap themselves around mossy stones in a tight embrace.
• Return to your hotel and end of service.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver/guide
• Professional guide
• Professional photographer guide
• Private tour
• Transport by private vehicle
• Toll roads
• Car parking
• Cold water and wipes
• Gasoline
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

What's Not Included

• Entrance fees (temples and Tonle Sap Lake)
• Meals
• Accommodation

What to bring

• Some cash
• Hand sanitizing gel
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Power bank and charger
• Daily medicine
• Camera or phone

Know before you go

• Dress code: Revealing clothes such as shorts and skirts above the knees, and bare shoulders, are prohibited in sacred places. Respectful attire is strongly encouraged in Angkor.
• Monuments: Touching carvings, sitting on fragile structures, leaning on temple structures, moving or taking archaeological artifacts, and graffiti are strictly prohibited. Backpacks, umbrellas with sharp tips, tripods, and high heels are discouraged inside the temples.
• Sacred sites: As Angkor is a sacred site, loud conversation, noise, and other behaviour considered inappropriate in Cambodian culture may offend and disturb other visitors. Please remain calm and respectful.
• Restricted areas: For your own safety and for the conservation of Angkor, please comply with all signs on the site and be mindful of your steps at all times. Do not climb on loose stones.
• Smoking and littering: As a member of the World Health Organization, Angkor has been a smoke-free site since 2012. Smoking disturbs others, and cigarettes can start bush fires. To protect the environment, please do not smoke or litter.
• Candy or money to children: Buying items from, or giving candy or money to, children encourages them not to attend school but to beg. If you wish to help children, please consider donating to a recognized charity.
• Monks: Monks are revered and respected. If you want to take pictures, please ask for permission first. Women should not touch, stand, or sit too close to monks.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Tour start

Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.