Cambodia Classic Tours » 5 days itinerary in Siem Reap

DAY 1: ARRIVAL SIEM REAP (ANGKOR)

Arrive at the Siem Reap airport and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we start  the 5 days itinerary in Siem Reap by visiting Angkor Wat. This temple is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters. The temple itself is 1 km square and consists of three levels surmounted by a central tower. The walls of the temple are covered inside and out with bas-reliefs and carvings. Nearly 2000 distinctively rendered Apsara carvings adorn the walls throughout the temple and represent some of the finest examples of Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.
The temple interior is not as densely carved as the first level exterior, but still sports hundreds of fine carvings of Apsaras and scenes from Hindu mythology. At the upper-most of your tour of the temple, the central tower on the third level houses four Buddha images, each facing a different cardinal point, highlighting the fact that though Angkor Wat was constructed as a Hindu temple, it has served as a Buddhist temple since Buddhism became Cambodia’s dominant religion in the 14th century. Some say that it is good luck to pay homage to all four Buddha images before departing Angkor. This is also the best place in Sieam Reap for viewing and enjoy the sunset. Return to Siem Reap.

Meals: Non
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

DAY 3: SIEM REAP (ANGKOR)

Today we enjoy the 5-day Siem Reap tour by visiting Angkor Thom (Big Angkor), is a 3 km2 walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces. The South Gate is often the first stop on a tour.
After visiting Bayon, stop to have the quick visit of Terrace of the Elephants – an impressive, two and a half-meter tall, 300 meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas spanning the front of Baphuon, Phimeanakas and the Royal Palace area at the heart of Angkor Thom. Then transfer to visit Ta Prohm – the jungle temple. Intentionally left partially unrestored, massive fig and silk-cotton trees grow from the towers and corridors offering some of the best ‘tree-in-temple’ photo opportunities at Angkor. Flocks of noisy parrots flit from tree to tree adding to the jungle atmosphere. Ta Prohm is well worth an extended exploration of its dark corridors and open plazas. The temple was originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery and was enormously wealthy in its time, boasting of control over 3000 villages, thousands of support staff and vast stores of jewels and gold. This is also the place where the movie Tomb raider had been filmed. Enjoy lunch at have Cafe Angkor restaurant.
In the afternoon we will take the beautiful drive along then beautiful scenery of rural area in Siem Reap with green rice field and sugar palm trees to visit Banteay Srei. Banteay Srey loosely translates to ‘citadel of the women, but this is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. The walls are densely covered with some of the most beautiful, deep and intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple. The temple’s relatively small size, pink sandstone construction and ornate design give it a fairyland ambiance. The colors are best before 10:30 AM and after 2:00 PM, but there are fewer tourists in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

DAY 3: SIEM REAP – TONLE SAP LAKE – RURAL DISCOVERY

In the 3rd day of Siem Reap tour package, we take the morning boat trip to Chong Kneas village – the floating village on Tonle Sap. On the way you can stop to experience the Ox Cart ride along the typical scenery of rural area in Siem Reap along rice field and local villages. The highlight of the tour will be the villages, the enjoyable off road track, the people and the wonderful smile of the children. Drive to boat station then take the boat trip along the canal leading too Tonle Sap – the biggest fresh water lake in South East Asia. Enjoy the rural scenery as well as activities of local people along the ride before getting to the floating village of Chong Kneas. In here, people living in the floating house that can be moved based on the water level of the lake, so the village is much closer in the rainy season then the dry season. You also can see the local school, Buddhist Monastery and fishing boat along your boat ride. The boat also will stop at the local crocodile farm for you to visit before getting back to Siem Reap for lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, our guide will take you for the walk in the central of Siem Reap by well-known Pub Street and authentic Old Market of the town that selling all the interesting local food and products as well as some souvenir shops. Then visit the National Museum, they can provide you great outline and summary about history, religion as well as Angkor Temples at the end of your trip.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

DAY 4: SIEM REAP (Beng Mealea & Koh Ker)

Today Beng Leadlea and Koh Ker are highlights of this 5 days Cambodia itinerary. In the morning, we take the tour to Beng Melea. Located 63km east of town, this sprawling jungle temple is covering over one square kilometer. The temple is largely overrun by vegetation and is not a touristy destination that giving it an adventurous, ‘lost temple’ feel. The trees growing from the broken towers and galleries offer some of the best ‘tree in temple’ shots aside from Ta Prohm. Constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style under the same king that built Angkor Wat, Beng Melea preceded and may have served as a prototype of sorts for Angkor Wat.
In the afternoon, we continue to discover the temple complex at Koh Ker, northeast of Siem Reap (120kms away from Siem Reap town), the capital of the Khmer Empire from 928 AD. – 944 A.D, under the reign of the kings Jayavarman IV and Harshavarman II. We visit the premier ruin of the complex is Prasat Thom, an imposing 7-tiered pyramid and temple complex. (Get to the top for viewing the nice landscape).We visit to several nicely preserved ruins sit just off the road, impressive prasats and small temple complexes. There are lingas still in place in some monuments such as Prasat Balang and Prasat Thneng. For the enthusiast, there are also dozens of other, more remote ruins in the area. Late afternoon, return to hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

DAY 5: SIEM REAP– DEPARTURE

Morning is free at leisure till your departure to the airport for the flight home. End of Siem Reap 5 days 4 nights itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast

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