The Secret Of Angkor

You will meet our guide and driver in Siem Reap and be taken to Angkor Thom, the old capital of the Khmer Empire, where the Bayon temple stands as a magnificent focal point. You will see the mysterious faces of former King Jayavarman VII gazing in every direction as you get closer. Your guide will show you the Terrace of the Elephants, where the King greeted his triumphant army, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which has intricate carvings along a narrow corridor that leads to the Baphuon complex. You will also visit Preah Khan temple, which was once a Buddhist monastery and school, and dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s father.

After discovery, the temple was mainly left as it was found without renovation. Home-make lunch at the local house (Mr. Peout and his wife, Mrs. Gin living in a small house with a peaceful atmosphere and green garden will serve you a great lunch and share their life story during the Khmer Rouge to present). We will visit the remaining temples in the grand circle after lunch, including Neak Pan, Ta Som, East Mebon, and Pre Rup temples. We will go back to Siem Reap town and relax with a 60-minute foot massage at one of the Khmer Traditional Massage Places before taking you to the hotel. Dinner on your own.

Early wake up in the morning for a transfer to Phnom Krom (13 km south of Siem Reap), we climb up the hill to view the sunrise over the rice paddies and the floating village of Tonle Sap Lake and enjoy the picnic breakfast on the hip of Phnom Krom. After breakfast, take the boat ride visiting the Chong Kneas Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake and take a boat trip to see the daily life in the village. The natural wonder of Tonle Sap offers an insight into the old tradition of riparian life and the natural splendor of the countryside and is followed by an Artisan D’Angkor workshop. Return to the hotel for relaxation, and lunch on your own.

By 3 pm, our guide and the scooter driver (or a tuk-tuk if you like it more) will take you to Krabei Riel Village to see the villagers’ daily work in the vegetable gardens, rice fields, and weaving, with many opportunities for photos and communication with villagers. Then we get to Mr. Ron’s house and are greeted by 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 for dinner, then say goodbye to Mr. Ron’s family and our scooter driver(s) ride you back to your hotel in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Begin your day at 6.30 am, before the crowds arrive, at the stunning Ta Prohm temple, where the movie “Tomb Raider” was filmed. The temple was almost swallowed by the jungle and still has a lush overgrowth, creating a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere. The impressive roots of a tree, squeezing through the massive stone blocks of the temple in a kind of hug, stir up emotions that you may never forget. With no tourists around, you can better admire the harmony of man and nature at this magical place. Next, stroll through the Sra Srong village – located behind Ta Prom temple and observe the villagers crafting wooden sculptures and palm leaf weaving. Enjoy a coffee break at one of the villager’s houses and the opportunity to interact with the local family. Return to the hotel for relaxation, and lunch on your own.

Afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world. Marvel at the enormous scale of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire flourished between the 9th and 13th centuries, when Angkor Wat was constructed. Wander through the elaborately carved corridors that display hundreds of exquisite carvings and find small shrines that are still visited by the local people today. Watch the sunset from Phnom Bakheng, one of the two hills that overlook the plain of Angkor, and see a breathtaking view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Go back to the hotel and have dinner on your own.

We drive to Kbal Spean, which translates to “Bridge Head”. From the entrance, it is an easy 2.5km hike up to the hill passing through a nice forest offering beautiful views over the surrounding plains. At the summit, there is a river with many submerged rocks that bear inscriptions and Hindu sculptures called lingas from the 11th century. There is also a waterfall at the top that pours a lot of water during the rainy season but completely disappears during the peak of the dry season (March/April).

Lunch at the local restaurant On the way back to Siem Reap will stop to visit, the jewel of Khmer art, Banteay Srei temple, located one hour from Siem Reap. This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings in an amazing state of preservation. And a final stop of the day at the small but intriguing Landmine Museum of Mr. Aki Ra. Since Cambodia’s freedom from war, Mr. Aki Ra has dedicated himself to helping the Cambodian people by clearing the mines which have been left behind. Your generous support in any way will enable him to keep working.