Essential Angkor Temples Discovery

You will arrive in Siem Reap today. According to the flight schedule, your guide is ready to meet you at the airport. Then a comfortable ride will take you to the hotel for checking in. Have a nice break.

Before visiting the Angkor complex, it is recommended to visit the Angkor National Museum to learn about the Khmer culture in different periods and lay the foundations for the trip. From the collections, you will have a basic understanding of the Hindu temples, Buddhist temples, religious history stories, as well as the Angkor art. Your guide will show you around this museum in the afternoon.

Kindly Reminder:
Angkor National Museum is temporarily closed. If it still cannot be visited at the time you travel, we will arrange for you a visit to the WatThmey Pagoda, where you will see the former killing field and learn about the Khmer Rouge history.

Getting up earlier this morning since you will be escorted to the Angkor Wat to appreciate the breathtaking sunrise view, which is considered to be among the most beautiful in the world. The guide will find you the best place for sightseeing and shooting this grand scene. Later, you will be transferred back to the hotel for breakfast, or you may choose to get breakfast takeout and enjoy a morning picnic at the site.

Angkor Wat, covering an area of over 400 acres, is the world's largest religious structure and a representative Khmer architecture. It was originally built as a Hindu temple complex but became a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century. Thus we can see both exquisite Hindu and Buddhist bas-reliefs. As you explore this temple, your guide will narrate the stories of this monument and show you the nice places for taking photos.

Then, you will be guided to the Angkor Thom, the "great city" of the Khmer Empire as well as its last city. The heart of the Angkor Thom is the Bayon Temple, where you could see the famous "Khmer smile". After that, you will visit the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King to see their meticulously executed carvings on both interior and exterior walls.

Next, we will show you around the Ta Prohm, which was built by the King Jayavarman VII for his mother. This temple is well known for the massive trees growing out of its walls. The popular Hollywood movie Tomb Raider once used it as the backdrop. Exploring this jungle temple, you will be surprised by the power of nature and embraced by a mysterious atmosphere.

The last stop today is the Bakheng Temple, where you will have a panoramic view of the Angkor ruins under the sunset. Following the wonderful day tour, you will enjoy an Apsara Dance Show with buffet dinner before getting back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Apsara Dinner Show

The first stop today is Preah Kahn, which was once the temporary residence of the King in the Khmer Empire. The whole building is cross shaped with the central sanctuary in the center. We will then visit some villages to see how the locals go about their daily life on the way to Banteay Srei. Hailed as the "pearl of Angkor Wat", the temple of Banteay Srei impresses visitors with its red sandstone and intricate bas relief carvings.

After having lunch, we will guide you to the Roluos Group site, where you will visit the temples of Bakong, Lolai and Preah Ko. Built in the 9th century, which is earlier than Angkor Wat, this archaeological site has been the capital of the Angkor Dynasty for 70 years and it was regarded as the beginning of the Angkor architectural art. The buildings here are made of sandstone and clay bricks, which are not only beautiful, but also very distinctive. With fewer tourists and quiet environment, it is well worth your exploration. On the way back, there is an orphanage school. We can schedule a visit if you wish.

At the end of the tour, you may choose to return to the hotel directly or get off at the Old Market of Siem Reap, where you can not only explore local bazaars for interesting handicrafts, but also enjoy dinner and night life in the nearby pub street. Finally, you could get back to the hotel by tuk-tuk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Please check out of the hotel this morning. Your guide and driver will come to meet you and then transfer you for about 40 minutes to the Tonle Sap Lake, where you will take a boat trip to explore the floating villages. Your guide will narrate the history of these villages and tell you more about the people's life there.

Afterwards, you will be escorted to the airport for your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant outbound journey!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch