Angkor Explorers

Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire, awaits your discovery with our guide and driver in Siem Reap. The Bayon temple, a stunning masterpiece of architecture, is the highlight of this city. As you approach, you will notice the enigmatic faces of former King Jayavarman VII looking in every direction. Your guide will accompany you to the Terrace of the Elephants, a historical platform where the King used to welcome back his victorious army. Following this, you will visit the Terrace of the Leper King, which features intricate carvings along a narrow passageway leading to the Baphuon complex. Next, you will head to the Preah Khan temple, originally a Buddhist monastery and school dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s father. This temple has been left mainly untouched since its discovery. You will then enjoy a homemade lunch at the residence of Mr. Peout and his wife, Mrs. Gin, who live in a peaceful house with a green garden. During lunch, they will share their life stories from the Khmer Rouge era to the present. After lunch, the tour will continue to visit other temples in the grand circle, including Neak Pan, Ta Som, East Mebon, and Pre Rup temples. On the way back to Siem Reap town, there will be a stop at a Khmer Traditional Massage Place for a 60-minute foot massage before dropping you off at your hotel. Dinner on your own.

Early morning at 5 am, we leave the hotel for Tonle Sap Lake Boat Pier to embark on the local boat to ride to Prek Toal Floating Village. A breakfast box will be provided on board, and the boat rides through Mechreay Floating Village and the open lake of Tonle Sap, it will take us about 60 minutes to arrive at the Prek Toal Floating Village, the biggest floating village in Tonle Sap Lake. On arrival, we meet the bird guide and change to a smaller boat to proceed to the Bird Sanctuary. Among the three biospheres on the Tonle Sap Lake, the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is the most stunning and easy to visit. It’s a paradise for bird lovers, with a rich diversity of rare species in a compact space, such as the enormous lesser and greater adjutant storks, the milky stork, and the spot-billed pelican. Even the uninitiated will be impressed, as these birds have huge wingspans and build enormous nests. After visiting the floating village, you will see how the locals weave water hyacinth into baskets, handbags, and more. You will savor a delicious lunch prepared by the community, then take the boat to the mainland and drive to Siem Reap. You will have some free time in the late afternoon, and dinner will be on your own.

Wake before sunrise this morning and make the 15-minute journey with your guide to Angkor Wat, a legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site. Said by some to symbolize the soul of the Khmer people, the magnificent temple was built during the reign of King Suryavaman II in the early 12th century. According to historians, the wars of the mighty king are immortalized by many of the fascinating basreliefs and stone carvings. Images of Apsara dancers decorate the five famous towers which replicate the universe according to Hindu mythology.

Your guide will take you to a serene viewpoint where you can experience the dramatic sunrise as the first rays of the day kiss the magnificent temple’s good morning. You will witness one of the most amazing sunrises in the world, but be prepared to share the experience with many others! After the sun comes up, we will go to the backdoor of Angkor Wat Temple and explore its three levels, a stunning example of architecture and one of the world’s most remarkable ruins that reveals the depth of Khmer Culture and Civilization. The temple features exquisite carvings of Apsaras in stone from the Angkor era. Then we will stroll through the quaint village at Srah Srang and visit one of the Khmer Traditional Houses where our high tea and picnic breakfast are ready, the host will offer us hot tea, coffee, snacks, and fresh seasonal fruits and picnic breakfast. And continue to visit the Ta Prohm temple of “Tomb Raider” fame, the temple that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. You will be amazed by the sight of a tree’s majestic roots, wrapping around the huge stone blocks of the temple in a kind of hug, that will stir emotions you may never forget. Without the distraction of tourist crowds, you can better enjoy the harmony of man and nature at this enchanting site. Go back to the hotel for a lunch break (lunch on your own).

At 4.30 pm, your guide and the driver will come to get you again to take you to Phnom Bakheng, the mountain temple that was built on a natural mountain in the 9th century. Enjoy the sunset from the top of the hill, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, and have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Return to your hotel in Siem Reap, dinner on your own.

08 am, our guide and the scooter driver (a tuk-tuk is available to ride instead of a scooter if you prefer a tuk-tuk better) pick you up and ride you to Phnom Krom (13km south of Siem Reap). We ascend the slope of the mountain to see the floating village on Tonle Sap Lake and then we continue to Krabei Riel Village to observe the villagers’ daily work in the vegetable gardens, rice fields, and weaving, with many stops for photos and communication with villagers. Then we get to Mr. Ron’s house, and greeted his family, we will enjoy the cooking class that will lead by his wife, Mrs. Sina. Our guide will assist to do the presentation of his family and also bring you around his vegetable garden before we begin to learn to cook 3 Cambodian dishes with his wife. Taste the food you cooked as lunch, then say goodbye to Mr. Ron’s family, and our scooter driver(s) ride you back to your hotel in Siem Reap for relaxation.

At 4.00, the driver and tuk-tuk driver pick you up and ride you to Wat Damnak, which is one of the most beautiful pagodas in town with French colonial architecture reflecting its history and a large garden filled with statues. Bring candles and incense sticks to the pagoda and participate in a private good luck blessing ceremony, performed by local monks that reside at the temple. Sit on the mat while the monks chant blessings and sprinkle holy water on you – a traditional way that is believed to pass on the good luck of the gods. Afterward, a sacred thread will be tied around your wrist. This will protect you from any evil spirits or accidents. Before you continue on your journey, you will receive a small keepsake from the monks to remind you of this special moment. Continue to ride around the outskirt of Siem Reap and taste some Cambodian snacks, fruits, and food that are available, and take a short walk through the night markets and pub street in the old market area. And stop at one of the restaurants for dinner before coming back to the hotel.

Embark on a full-day journey to Koh Ker and Beng Mealea, two scenic destinations in the countryside of Siem Reap. Travel off-the-beaten track for 2 hours before arriving at Koh Ker, the former capital of the Khmer Empire between 928 and 944 A.D. The style of the Koh Ker temple is different from any other temple in Cambodia and has more of a resemblance to the ancient pyramids of Egypt. This temple and its surroundings, partly covered by the forest and home to only birds, are a remarkable experience. Enjoy an authentic picnic lunch near the temple and continue to visit other ancient structures in the peaceful area. On your way back to Siem Reap, stop by the splendid remains of Beng Mealea, which was built by King Suryavarman II (1113-1150). It came before and may have been a model for Angkor Wat. Unlike Angkor, there are few carvings or bas-reliefs to be seen. The temple is mostly covered by plants and the stone walls are falling apart, which makes it more appealing in a special way. After your visit, drive 1.5 hours back to your hotel.