Angkor Sunset & Sunrise

Start the tour by visiting 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. Then we continue to visit the Angkor National Museum, which opened its doors in 2007, offering a comprehensive collection of Cambodian artifacts showcasing the origins of Khmer art, culture, and architecture. With eight galleries in total, it covers in depth the history of Cambodia and the Khmer Empire as well as a fascinating collection of Buddhist artifacts. Enhance your knowledge of Khmer history and culture by attending a lecture by a Khmer archaeologist who has over 11 years of experience in this field. He has been working for the World Monuments Fund on projects including the Angkor Wat temple. Besides, he teaches at the Faculty of Archaeology at the Royal University. Have lunch at a local restaurant and then go to Wat Thmey, where one of Pol Pot’s killing fields was located in 1975-79, to gain more insight into the Khmer Rouge Regime and Cambodia’s civil war from 1979 to 1999. And 4.00 pm we drive to visit Phnom Bakheng temple and view the sunset from the top of this mountain temple. Phnom Bakheng temple was built on a natural hill in the 9th century. Commonly referred to as le-mountain because it is an earthly facsimile of Mount Meru, it is located on the left side of the road from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom and attracts scores of tourists who come to watch the sunset. Return to the hotel in Siem Reap, dinner 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 lead you to a peaceful spot where you can witness the spectacular sunrise as the first beams of the day greet the splendid temple. It is surely one of the most amazing places in the world for sunrise but be aware, you will have company! After the sun rises, we will continue to explore Angkor Wat Temple at level 1, level 2, and level 3, an architectural wonder, 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.

We will drive to Srah Srang (the royal pool where King Jayavarman VII bathed in the 12th century) and stroll through the village to one of the local houses for high tea and picnic breakfast, where the hosts will welcome us as friends and offer us fresh fruits, snacks, coffee, hot tea, and picnic breakfast. We will then visit the Ta Prohm temple, famous for “Tomb Raider”, the temple that was almost swallowed by the jungle and still overgrown, creating a strangely eerie and exotic scene. The majestic roots of a tree, wrapping around the huge stone blocks of the temple in a kind of hug, will stir emotions that 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) In the afternoon, discover the mysterious Royal city of Angkor Thom. Its 50-tower temple is a magnificent sight. At first sight, it looks like a shapeless pile of stone, but closer inspection reveals a face, and then another and another until you are surrounded by the silent, heavy, mysterious, silent stare through half-closed eyes, looking out from an ancient and distant time. Enter through the South Gate and walk along the 8m high wall through the forest to the Death Gate, which is less crowded with tourists. Walk behind the Terraces of Elephants and Leper King through the shaded parkland to Phimeanakas and Baphuon temples, where you can learn about the local trees and fruits. Finish our sightseeing this afternoon with a visit to Bayon temple with its famous carved faces. Drive back to Siem Reap – End of services!