Temples of Angkor

Welcome to Cape Verde! Upon your arrival at Sao Vicente, a transfer will take you to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, taking in the sights and sounds of your new surroundings. Stay the night in the lively city of Mindelo.

After breakfast, drive to the southern gate of the “Great City” Angkor Thom. Marvel at the imposing carvings and temples scattered throughout this ancient city, where you may recognise the imposing 23m (75-foot) high stone faces of Avalokiteshvara, featured in the Tomb Raider movie. At the heart of this citadel lies the state temple of Bayon. This temple-mountain, built at the end of the 12th century, is adorned with hundreds of gigantic stone faces. This tour also takes you to the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later in the day you will discover the most famous temples of the 11th century: Baphuon, Phimeanakas Continue on to the visit of Ta Prohm, unforgettable due to the massive trees with thick roots that entangle the walls. As the day closes, explore the grounds of Angkor Wat and enjoy a stop at the Angkor National Museum with its unique collection of Buddhist and Hindu artefacts.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

Guided tour of Angkor complex

Visit of the Angkor National Museum

Rise early to enjoy a memorable sunrise at Angkor Wat. Marvel at the silhouetted central spires before returning for breakfast at your hotel. Continue the day with a visit of Kampong Pluk. Kampong Pluk is an isolated community of three villages built on stilts. These scenic villages are flooded from Aug – Feb, enabling row boat journeys that provide income for the local community. We will take the small boat through the flooded mangrove forests fostering a variety of wildlife. Experience a monk blessing ceremony before driving to the historical temples of Roluos. The Roluos group lies 15km (10 miles) southwest of Siem Reap and includes three temples – Bakong, Prah Ko and Lolei – dating from the late 9th century and corresponding to the ancient capital of Hariharalaya, from which the name of Lolei is derived. Remains include 3 well-preserved early temples that venerated the Hindu gods. The bas-reliefs are some of the earliest surviving examples of Khmer art. As the day concludes, spend the evening enjoying a tuk-tuk street food tour, savouring many delicious Cambodian delicacies. Get a taste of the authentic Khmer night life.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Activities included:

Unique – Sunrise over Angkor Wat temples

Social – Visit of the isolated community of Kampong Pluk

Spiritual – Monk Blessing ceremony

Visit of the temples of Roluos

Taste – Cambodian street food tour

Start your day with a visit to the local market at Domdek before continuing your journey to Beng Mealea Temple. One of the two largest temples outside of Angkor, Beong Mealea Temple is a 12th-century Buddhist sanctuary built from perfectly-squared sandstone blocks, still partly buried under vegetation. The pediments of some buildings are sculpted with narrative scenes from the Ramayana, and while Hindu iconographic themes are plentiful, Boeng Mealea is clearly a Buddhist sanctuary as Banteay Samre, which is more or less contemporaneous. This is confirmed by the magnificent statue of the Bodhisattva Lokeshvara discovered in the monument and today housed at the Angkor Conservancy. Enjoy some lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Banteay Srei temple. Stop and visit the Landmine Museum, founded in 1997. Here you can see (defused and safe) landmines up close and find out how you can help Cambodia and the rest of the world in the on-going efforts of clearing these weapons from the face of the earth. On the return journey, visit a local village to see the sugar palm production and Banteay Samrea temple. Finish the day by enjoying sunset at Pre Rup temple.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Lunch

Insider Experiences:

Visit of a local market at Domdek

Excursion to Beong Mealea temple

Excursion to Banteay Srei temple

Social – Visit of the Land Mine Museum

Visit of a sugar palm production

Excursion to Banteay Samrea temple

Unique – Sunset at Pre Rup temple

It’s time to say goodbye, but just think of all the wonderful stories you will take home. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels.