Day 1

Morning Time

After breakfast, we’ll start the tour with a short journey to Banteay Srei which is a beautiful temple located about 35km outside of Siem Reap town. It’s best viewed in the morning time, which is why we’ll go there first. You’ll also have the opportunity to stop at a local community along the way and I will help you to experience the daily life of the locals living there. We can also taste some palm wine and palm sugar (depending on the season) and try other local products.

We’ll then stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue the tour with a visit to Pre Rup temple which was builtin 962 by King Rajendravarman II. It’s a temple mountain made from brick, laterite, and sandstone.  We’ll then go to see East Mebon temple which is another early temple built in the 10th century and now sits on a dry reservoir. Next is Ta Som temple which is a small temple built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It’s located just northeast of Angkor Thom and to the east of Neak Pean which is next on the tour. Neak Pean is a small temple which was built on an artificial island in the middle of a baray. This baray was associated with Preah Khan temple which now lays in ruins and is a wonderful thing to see. The temple succumbed to the jungle and there are trees growing through the structure.

Day 2

Morning Time

After breakfast, we’ll then go to visit Angkor Thom and the site of the ancient Royal Palace, the Terrace of the Leper King, The Elephant Terrace, Baphuon Temple, and the popular Bayon temple. Bayon is famous for the many faces which always seem to be looking right at you! Bayon was built in the 13th century and is also popular for its many galleries of bas-reliefs that tell the story of what life was like at that time. We ‘ll also stop to get photos of the Angkor Thom South Gate with it’s stunning gate and causeway.

After Angkor Thom, we’ll see Ta Prohm which is one of the most famous temples in the park. It was built in the mid 12th to early 13th century and was originally used as a Buddhist monastery and university. Nowadays, it’s more famous for its appearance in Tomb Raider movie.

Afternoon Time

After lunch, we’ll go to see the one you’ve been waiting for – Angkor Wat. This huge temple was built in 1113 – 1150 AD by King Suryavarman II and it measures 330 metres by 260 metres. Angkor Wat has three levels with 5 main towers. Inside the temple, the walls are covered in bas-reliefs which depict ancient Hindu mythology and a war which happened during the reign of King Suryavarman II. Angkor Wat has become the national symbol of Cambodia and is even found on the nation’s flag as it symbolises the soul of the country.

Day 3

Morning Time

We’ll leave your hotel after you’ve eaten breakfast and head out east to see the three temples at what is today called Roluos. The site used to be the capital city of the Khmer Empire before it was moved briefly to Koh Ker and then permanently to Angkor Thom. Lolei is the northernmost temples situated inside the Roluos Group which were built in the late 9th century. All of the temples, Lolei, Preah Ko, and Bakong were Buddhist temples.

In Preah Ko, you can see the 3 towers with stone lions and intricate carvings. At Bakong temple, you’ll see the first temple mountain made of out sandstone during the Khmer empire. On the way back to Siem Reap we’ll stop at the Genocide Museum and at a local Buddhist Pagoda.

We’ll then stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon Time

After lunch, we’ll visit a local village and market. You can see how the locals go about their everyday business and stop to look around a market where you can buy cheap gifts for your loved ones.  We’ll then head over to Bakheng Mountain which was established in the early 10th century to see the wonderful view over Angkor Wat. The mountain was dedicated to Shiva and built during the reign of the first King Suryavarman II. This is the site of the first capital city of the ancient Khmer empire before it was moved to what is today called Roluos.

Day 4

Morning Time

After breakfast, we will head over to Wat Thmei pagoda which is on the way to Angkor Wat. Here you can learn more about Cambodia’s tragic past as it was formerly the site of a killing field during the Khmer Rouge regime.

We’ll then go to see Artisans d’Angkor where you can see local craftsmanship including stone and wood carvings and more. We’ll then stop for lunch at a restaurant of your choice.

Afternoon Time

In the afternoon, we’ll head out to the Tonle Sap lake to see the floating village. You can witness first-hand how the locals  have adapted to living their lives’ on top of the water.