Day 1:

Transfer and flight to Siem Reap (lunch aboard). Visa on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

You will have lunch in a local restaurant.

You will then head to the temple of Angkor Wat.
Located 6 kilometres north of Siem Reap, the temple of Angkor Wat is surrounded by a 190-metre wide moat, constituting a 1,500 by 1,300 metres rectangle. Unlike most Khmer temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west rather than the east, as it is a funeral monument, dedicated to Vishnu and in the honour of Suryavarman II.

You will have dinner watching an Apsara dance performance.

You will spend the night at your hotel.

DAy 2: SIEM REAP

After breakfast, the day will be dedicated to the discovery of the famous ancient capital of the Khmer empire. The city was inhabited for 500 years, from its foundation in the IXth century, until its decline in the XIVth century. In 889, King Yasovarman I, the heir of the kingdoms of Fou-Nan and Tchen-Ie, built a capital, which carries his name. Yet, the Cambodians simply called it Angkor (meaning “capital” in the Khmer language). The location was chosen because of the nearness of a big lake (Tonle Sap), but also for its hills and its river (Siem Reap) - the fertile banks of which, allow rice cultivation.

You will then visit the Bayon temple, the central monument of Angkor Thom (end of XIIth - beginning of XIIIth century). The temple has around fifty towers. Each tower carries four colossal faces of Buddha with an enigmatic smile and facing the four cardinal points. The Bayon temple was built by Jayavarman VII, a fervent Buddhist and an accomplished builder.

You will continue with the Baphuon Temple, a royal temple considered as the centre of the 3rd …

The Terrace of the Elephants is 350 metres long (from North to South) and 3 metres high, with sculpted lions and garudas to support walls. Scenes of elephants participating in hunting with big cats, deer and wild oxen are also featured.
The Terrace of the Leper King is a 7-metre high platform, located to the north of the Terrace of the Elephants, hosting a statue that seems asexual, probably representing Shiva.

You will have lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Thommanon and Chausay Tevoda.

Preah Khan, on the road to Neak Poan, at the northeast of Angkor Thom (in the big circuit) is one of the most important temples of the XIIth century (1191). With its 700-metre surrounding wall, this funeral temple was dedicated to the father of Jayavarman VII. It remains in very good condition.
Neak Poan, located at 10 kilometres from Siem Reap, through a small road surrounded by forest at the north of the oriental Baray, is an attractive monument of the XIIth century, built under Jayavarman VII. There is a big reservoir, filled with water in the rainy season and where rites of purification took place.
Thommanon, which is part of the small circuit, is located at 500 metres from Angkor Thom, when leaving through the Victory gate. On its side is the Chausay Tevoda Temple. Because of their location, analogy of plans and styles, the two temples are inseparable. Thommanon was built between the end of the XIth century and the middle of the XIIth century, and was dedicated to Brahmanical cults.
Chausay Tevoda is in a very advanced state of ruin. There are numerous and remarkable stone fragments in the surroundings. This temple has two gopuras and two libraries.
You will have dinner, watching an Apsara dance performance, before going back to your hotel.

Day 3: Siem Reap

You will have breakfast at your hotel.

You will visit Banteay Srey (located at around 40 kilometres from your hotel), a delightful temple made of pink stone, and well known for the delicacy of its adornment, dedicated to women. You will make a stopover at the Banteay Samre Sanctuary.

You will have lunch in a local restaurant.

You will then discover the mountain-temple of Pre Rup, dating from the Xth century. Its impressive towers of brick and laterite dominate the plain and offer one of the most beautiful views of the region. You will head to Srah Srang (royal bath). The pool was initially built by Kavîndrârimathana, the architect of king Rajendravarman, in the Xth century. However, the wharf and the banks in stoneware were done under Jayavarman VII.
The sight on the pond, guarded by two lions and nagas, is particularly soothing. You will finally visit the mysterious temple of Ta Prohm, still overrun by jungle (because it has voluntarily been left to its natural state). Ta Prohm is a former monastery dating from 1186, located at the South East of Takeo temple. It is one of the most important buildings of Angkor, built by Jayavarman VII.

You will have dinner in a local restaurant and will spend the night at your hotel.

Day 4: SIEM REAP – BANGKOK

You will have breakfast at your hotel.

You will then go to the pier of Siem Reap. You will get aboard a motorboat and will sail on the Tonle Sap lake, which is connected to the Mekong River by a 100-kilometre long channel.
During the rise of the water level of the Mekong River, in the rainy season, this lake is approximately 7,500 km², with a depth of about 10 metres, while in the dry season, it measures only 3,000 km² and is about 2 metres deep.
The Tonle Sap lake is in a way a "surplus" of the Mekong River. It helps to avoid devastating floods downstream.
You will also discover the traditions and the daily life of the Cambodians living permanently on their boats.

You will then continue your visit to the school “Artisans d’Angkor” to discover the delicate work of craftsmen. There, young Cambodians are taught to revive ancient traditions: stone and wood sculptures, lacquer work, polychromy, etc.

You will have lunch in a local restaurant.

You will enjoy some free time inside the market.

Transfer and flight