CONIFER TRAVEL - Intimate Angkor programme

Round trip: Intimate Angkor programme
Duration: 6 Days - 5 Nights
Itinerary:

Day 1: WELCOME TO SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA ( D,G )
Upon arrival at Siem Reap International airport in the city of World Heritage, Angkor Wat! Our guide and driver will meet and pick you up at the airport then transfer to hotel for check-in.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2: SIEM REAP- ROLOUS GROUP ( B,L,D,G )
Breakfast at hotel we journey the earliest capitals in the Angkor area, Hariharilaya, now known as Roluos. We begin to visit temple of Lolei, originally set on an island in the centre of the Indratataka baray (reservoir). We continue to Preah Ko (sacred cow), named in honour of Shiva’s mount, Nandin. This temple owes more to the pre-Angkorian brick sanctuaries of Cambodia’s earlier Chenla empire. Finally, we visit Bakong, the earliest of the temple mountains, It is a giant pyramid, its cardinal points marked by giant elephants. We climb to the summit for views over the surrounding countryside.
In afternoon, we continue to the large stone temple of Eastern Mebon, originally located on an island in the centre of the now dry Eastern Baray (reservoir). We visit the royal bathing pond of Sra Srang. And we walk to the first great Buddhist monastery in Cambodia, Banteay Kdei, built in 1186 by Jayavarman VII who was a Mahayana Buddhist. And we return to Siem Reap via the temple of Kravanh. Built entirely from brick and dating from 921, inside the small towers are some of the best brick carving found anywhere in the Khmer empire. We journey to the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng to see the sunset cast its soft light over Angkor Wat.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: SIEM REAP-ANGKOR ( B,L,D,G )
After breakfast at the hotel visit the famous old palace, Angkor Thom (this last capital was indeed a 'Great City' as its name implies and it served as the religious and administrative center of the vast and powerful Khmer Empire. It was grander than any city in Europe at that time and have supported a considerable population as high as one million) within Angkor Thom are Bayon (the giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most but not all sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points), Baphoun, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11th century, viist Phemean Akas andTerrace of Elephant, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports, then visit Terrace of Leper King, This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. Visited Ta Prohm built by Jayavarman VII and was one of the first major Buddhist temples. Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, we visit Angor Wat (Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus like towers rising 65 meters from the ground level. Angkor Wat is the center piece of any visitor to the temples of Angkor).
Dinner at local restaurant with buffet and traditional Apsara Show and Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: SIEM REAP-ANGKOR ( B,L,G )
After breakfast, we travel through the traditional village of Preah Dak to the 12th century temple of Banteay Samre. Built by King Suryavarman II, the genius behind Angkor Wat. And continue further north to Banteay Srei, this petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture.
After lunch we visit Kbal Spean, The original ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. A trip to Kbal Spean is one of the easiest ways to experience a short jungle trek in the Angkor area, as it is a steady but scenic climb to reach the river carvings. The path winds its way through knotted vines and big boulder formations and occasionally offers big views over the surrounding jungle. And there is a small waterfall below the carved riverbed, perfect for cooling off after the hot climb.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5: SIEM REAP-BENG MELEA – KOH KOR ( B,L,G )
After breakfast at hotel, our guide and drive will travel to the lost temple of Beng Mealea, the titanic of temples, a slumbering giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. It is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat, but utterly consumed by the voracious appetite of nature. Constructed by Suryavarman II (1113-1150), the builder of Angkor Wat, the forest has run riot here and it is hard to get a sense of the monument’s shape amid the daunting ruins.
We then continued to the remote Angkor capital of Koh Ker. The history of Cambodia is riven with dynastic spats and political intrigue and one of the most memorable came in the 10th century when Jayavarman IV (928-942) fell out with his family, stormed off to the northwest and established the rival capital of Koh Ker. And back to Siem Reap twon.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6: SIEM REAP-TONLE SAP-DEPARTURE ( B,L,G )
After breakfast at hotel we visit the Great Lake (Tonle Sap Lake) in Indochina with a 100km, in 1-2 hours cruise you will experience visiting the Fishing Village where fisherman are living on the water, you will see how different their lives with other Fishing Village around the world. And back to Siem Reap Town, visit Chantier Ecole-Artisan d’angkor, the place is in the Ministry of Education that was constructed in 1992, this place renowned woodworking, stone carving and polychrome training center and workshops. Free tour of different classes and workshops offer a glimpse into the unique skills training program, teaching young artists about the techniques and styles of classic Cambodian Artistry.
After lunch we visit Old Market for shopping then transfer to the airport for flight off.
End of service.

CONIFER TRAVEL