5 Days Angkor in depth

Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, meet and start the sightseeing. (Standard hotel check-in time: 14h00)

Visit to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, SrahSrang ("The Royal Baths"), which was once used for ritual bathing), BanteayKdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), and Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. The NeakPean is a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake) and Preah Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. However, unlike Ta Prohm, Preah Khan Temple is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel

In the morning, visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12th century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk; the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara; the Phimeanakas; the Royal Enclosure; the Elephant Terrace; and the Terrace of the Leper King. 

In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: 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. Enjoy the wonderful sunset from the top of Pre Rup Temple.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast is served at the hotel.

Today we will drive up the Kulen Mountains for a visit to the Grand Buddha Statue, the River of Thousand Lingas, and the Great Waterfall. On the way back, we will visit Banteay Srey, known as the Citadel of Women or the Pink Temple, and Banteay Samre Temples.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast is served at the hotel.

In the morning, we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake at Kampong Phluk Village. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in Southeast Asia and flows into the Tonle Sap River, which joins the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, a floating police station, etc. It is like a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" moves from place to place following water levels and currents.

In the afternoon, we will drive out of the city to the Khmer Village. You will go past rice paddies, palm trees, ox-drawn carts, and the odd ruin. A visit to a local family can also be included, which adds a unique personal touch to the whole excursion. Tour highlights

• See rice planting—June to December. Rice harvest—December
• See villagers’ vegetable farms such as string beans and eggplants.
• See a remote temple in the jungle called Banteay Ampil (you don’t need an Angkor Pass for this temple).

Return to Siem Reap in the evening.

Breakfast is served at the hotel. Transfer to Siem Reap airport for a flight to your next destination.