Siem Reap 3 days / 2 nights

Day 1

Siem Reap - Arrival  ( -/ L / D)

Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not be ready until the afternoon). In the morning, transfer to the archaeological site. Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara).  Lunch local restaurant. Visit Preah Khan, built by the King Jayavarman VII and, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Neak Pean, a fountain (built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), the temple of Ta Som, as well as the unique brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan. Sunset at Pre Rup. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.Lunch at restaurant.Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara). Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Morning, Visit Banteay Srei temple (10th c), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art.  Continue to visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration using the method of "anastylosis".  The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers.  No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat.  The proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid.  A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Lunch at restaurant. Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination.

Quote in USD per person based on private tour ( valid until 30 Sept 09) :

Trip includes :

English speaking guide

Transfer in air-conditioned private vehicule
Entrance fees

Meals as indicated ( B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Dinner)

Goverment tax & service charge

Trip does not include:

International departure tax ( 25 USD)
Visas and visa fees ( 20 USD)
Travel insurance
Admission fees during free time Personal expenses such as shopping; telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
Tips and gratuities