The Angkor Wat Experience

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to visit Angkor Thom (Great City). You will begin with the South Gate and the famous Bayon Temple from the 12th and 13th centuries, dedicated to Buddhism. The temple consists of no fewer than 54 gigantic towers and 216 faces of Avalokitesvara. Next, you will continue your visit with the Terrace of the Elephants, 350m long, located at the foot of the Royal Hall and used as a site for public ceremonies. This is followed by the Terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century, which features various sculptures of apsaras… as well as Phimeanakas, Baphuon, and the Elephant Terrace.

You will continue the Cambodia Angkor Wat Tour with a visit to the Ta Prohm temple before the lunch break. In the afternoon, you will set out to discover the marvelous Angkor Wat temple, a World Heritage site built in the 12th century (1112-1152) in honor of Vishnu; it covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat and a wall measuring 1300m x 1500m. Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world, famous for its slender towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs, and is considered one of the most remarkable monuments ever conceived by man.

In the late afternoon, you will have the choice to admire the sunset from Bakheng Hill or return to Siem Reap for a short Tuk Tuk ride, with the opportunity to participate in a Buddhist ceremony where you will be blessed by monks wishing you happiness and prosperity for your holiday. 

Check-in and accommodation at the hotel.

During the morning, you will visit the temple of Banteay Srei, which houses one of the most extraordinary jewels of Khmer art. Built in the 10th century, this small pink sandstone temple, whose name means “Citadel of the Women,” contains sculptural masterpieces that remain in an excellent state of preservation. André Malraux made it famous at the beginning of the 20th century following the recovery of several “apsara” heads, which were returned to the community in 1923. During the journey, you will visit the temple of Banteay Samre where, according to legend, a farmer became king: the king of sweet cucumbers. You will admire the remarkable sculptures of this classic temple, preserved with great care.

In the afternoon, you will begin with a visit to the Preah Khan Temple, built by Jayavarman VII in 1191 in honor of his father, who is represented as the saving god of Mahayana Buddhism. The temple was originally a true city and a place dedicated to Buddhist studies. Dating from the same era, Neak Pean, also called “Entwined Nagas,” is the only island-temple in Angkor. It is said to symbolically represent Anavatapta: the sacred and mythical lake of the Himalayas, revered in India for the healing properties of its waters. The large central basin is connected to four other smaller basins representing the four great rivers of the earth and the four cardinal points. Each of these features a gargoyle in the shape of a lion, horse, elephant, and man. The most interesting part is undoubtedly a marvelous statue of Balaha, representing the legend of the rescue of a group of shipwrecked survivors. You will continue the visit of Angkor, departing to reach the two beautiful 12th-century temples of Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, built under the reign of Suryavarman II. Here you will find sculptures in honor of Shiva, Vishnu, and the Devatas (particularly at Chau Say Tevoda). 

Check-in and accommodation at the hotel.

Wake up early this morning to head toward the floating village of Kompong Khleang, located about an hour’s drive from Siem Reap and visited by thousands of tourists each year. Kompong Khleang is one of the most impressive villages due to the height and size of its stilt houses. Take a walking tour of the village to meet the inhabitants and enter a home where a family raises crocodiles. Afterward, you will board a local boat to navigate through the canals toward the great lake, where the residents move their houses according to the seasons. Return to the village for a packed lunch on-site. Free time for a visit to the Old Market until the meeting time for your transfer to the airport for your return flight. Rooms are at your disposal until noon. Check-in and accommodation at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your return flight, concluding the Cambodia Angkor Wat tour.

Please Note: 

From April to October, cruises may not be possible due to the low water level of Lake Tonle Sap. As an alternative, you can visit Chong Kneas on the lakeshore or the pre-Angkorian Roluos Group, including the temples of Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lolei.

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