Journey to the heart of Khmer splendors
Siem Reap - Angkor - Kbal Spean - Boeng Mealea - Koh Ker - Preah Vihear
Duration: 7 days
Ref: CCR07J-RBKPV
DAY 1
Siem Reap - Welcome
You will be met at the airport by our private driver. Transfer and free time at your chosen hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 2
Siem Reap - Discover the famous Tonlé Sap Lake
Our temple-specialized guide will greet you at the hotel reception. This morning, you'll depart by private car to discover the magnificent Tonlé Sap Lake, located 20 km from the city center. You'll take a private boat tour to see the unique and fascinating fishing villages of Kampong Pluk. On the way back, enjoy a short rowboat excursion through the flooded forest of Kompong Phluk, home to a vast mangrove forest. On the way back, you'll discover the Rolous group, which includes Prasat Preah Ko, Prasat Lolei, Prasat Bakong, and Prasat Prei Monti. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, you'll continue exploring the city of Siem Reap. A short city tour will take you to discover the Angkor artisans and the Satcha Craft Center, as well as the main market, Psar Chas, a lively area in the evening. Restaurants, massage parlors, and Khmer handicraft shops are all nearby. Free time and overnight stay in Siem Reap
DAY 3
Siem Reap - Discovery of Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei
Accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide, explore the sacred site of Kbal Spean by private car, 50 km from downtown Siem Reap, also known as the River of a Thousand Lingas. After a hike of approximately 1.5 hours through the jungle, marvel at the linga and yoni sculptures adorning the riverbed. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, continue your visit to the Banteay Srei Temple, also known as the Citadel of Women, built in the 11th century. This unique temple, made of fragile pink sandstone, features magnificent carved motifs, representing precious Khmer art and attracting the attention of André Malraux in 1923. On the way back, you will visit Prasat Banteay Samre, which was built in the mid-12th century. This slightly off-the-beaten-path monument, which showcases magnificent sculptural work, is definitely worth a visit. Return to your hotel and free time! Overnight in Siem Reap
DAY 4
Siem Reap - Discover Angkor Thom
A day of sightseeing by tuk-tuk with our guide. This morning, explore the temples of Angkor Thom, including: South Gate, Prasat Bayon, Prasat Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants, the former Royal Palace, Terrace of the Leper King, Prasat Phimeanakas, and Prasat Preah Palilay. Lunch at your leisure. Depending on time and your pace, we'll continue our visit to Prasat Preah Khan and Prasat Neak Poan. Return to your hotel and free time. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 5
Siem Reap - Angkor (Dinner Show)
In the morning, meet our guide at the hotel and depart by private car to visit the magnificent Khmer temples on the short circuit: Prasat Kravan, Prasat Banteay Kdei, Prasat Ta Prohm, and Prasat Takéo. If time permits, you can also visit Prasat Thommanon and Prasat Chao Say Tevada. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, continue your visit to the famous Angkor Wat. Then, head to Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset. In the evening, you will attend an "Apsara" dinner show with your guide at the Amazon Angkor restaurant. Return to the hotel and free time. Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 6
From Siem Reap to Preah Vihear via Boeng Mealea and Koh Ker
Without a guide Towards Preah Vihear, 200 km. On the way: Visit the Beng Mealea temple, garland of flowers. Prasat Boeng Mealea is located about 60 km from Siem Reap. It is a model of Angkor Wat, meaning it was built 30 years before Angkor Wat. A mysterious temple is overgrown by the Angkor jungle. A French film by Jean-Jaques Annead, "Two Brothers," was filmed there in 2004. The temple's architecture and decoration will amaze you, even though nature and man have left it in ruins. You continue towards Prasat Koh Ker, an isolated site abandoned in the Cambodian jungle over the years of civil war. It is located 120 km from Siem Reap. This Prasat was built in the 10th century and is the former capital of King Jayavaraman IV. This immense site now houses around a hundred temples built of sandstone and brick. Prasat Koh Ker now reflects the great evolution in Khmer architecture. Lunch at leisure. There are local restaurants on site. Arrival at Preah Vihear in the late afternoon. Book your hotel. Overnight stay in Sra'ème, approximately 25 km from the Preah Vihear site.
DAY 7
Preah Vihear - Siem Reap via Anglong Veng
Discover the Preah Vihear site with the site's English-speaking guide. This morning, depart to visit the magnificent Preah Vihear temple, perched atop the Dangrek mountain range, at an altitude of approximately 750 meters. This ancient Hindu temple, built over more than three centuries (from the 10th to the 12th century) by Khmer kings, was once a nerve center of the Khmer empire. From the hotel, you'll drive 25 km to the temple. Once you reach the mountain, you'll change vehicles for a 4x4 ascent, one of the only means of transport to access the site. You'll continue exploring the temple on foot. At the summit, you'll be rewarded with a superb panoramic view of Thailand and Cambodia. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, drive to Siem Reap via Anlong Veng, 200 km away, a former and last Khmer Rouge resistance zone led by General Ta Mok. Arrival in Siem Reap in the late afternoon. If your flight is scheduled for the evening, after visiting the site, head to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI). End of the trip.