After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our tour of the Angkor temples. Our first stop will be Angkor Wat, which is the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture and the national symbol of Cambodia. It is the largest, best-preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, impressing visitors with its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout. As you approach the temple, you will cross a vast moat and continue along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. Upon entering the main building, you will ascend through a series of galleries and courtyards before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. Along the way, you can admire the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras or celestial dancers sculpted into the walls. The outer gallery walls feature the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, narrating stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.
Next, we will visit Ta Prohm, one of the most popular attractions in Angkor. Much of the jungle has not been cleared, giving the temple a mystical atmosphere, and it looks very much like most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.
We will then continue our temple tour to Banteay Srei Temple. Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, Banteay Srei is considered the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built of pink sandstone, its walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere, and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors.
Afterward, we will visit Takeo, Thommanon, and Chau Say Tevoda, all beautiful temples in the area. Finally, we will end the day at Ta Prohm, which has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the way most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.
After the temple tour, we will transfer back to the hotel for check-in. Overnight in Siem Reap.
---------------------------------
Accommodation Options:
La Niche D’angkor Hotel - 3-star or similar
Royal Angkor Resort - 4-star or similar
Angkor Village Hotel - 5-star or similar