IN5-CCB9D: POIPET - SIEMREAP - KOMPONGTHOM - KOMPONGCHAM - PHNOMPENH
9 days/8 nights

Day 2: Siem Reap (B,L,D)
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.
Visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 3: Siem Reap (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel.
Choose between the visits of Kulen Mountain or Beang Mealea.
Option 1/ Kulen Mountain: Morning, drive through the typical Khmer countryside to the holy Kulen Mountain range which provided some of the stones used to build the Angkor temples. With beautiful sceneries to admire on the way up, our vehicle will bring us on a steep dirt road to the top of the mountain. There we first will see the site of the Lingas carved in the riverbed by successive kings of the Angkor period and a walk further will bring us to the site of a huge natural rock with on top a big reclining Buddha carved in the rock. Our walk will also bring us to a waterfall, don’t forget your swimsuits and join the locals! More carvings in the riverbed can be discovered above the waterfall. This is also a very popular place for Khmer people to come and enjoy their weekend with a picnic.
Option 2 / Beang Mealea: Morning, drive to the remote Beng Mealea temple through the typical Khmer countryside (60Kms from Siem Reap)
There is a lot to see in the approximately 2½ hours drive as it takes you through many lively villages and along kilometers of rice paddies. Explore the long abandoned temple (11th C), strangled by the jungle. Lunch box will be provided at the site.
Proceed to the Banteay Srei temple (10th century) regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. Then 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. Drive back to Siem Reap. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 4: Siem Reap (B,L,D)
Morning transfer to the archaeological site for the sunrise from the Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat (Diethelm Travel recommendation: Access is steep and may be slippery especially after rains. Not recommended for elderly people).
Or sunrise at Srah Srang
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a boat trip in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia.
Note: From Feb-July, the visit to the Tonle Sap lake is not recommended because of the low water level. The below visits will be provided instead in the morning:
Silk Farm of Puok. Learn the different stages of the complex process of producing handmade silk. Then continue to Wat Inkosei built on the site of an ancient temple, which still remains. and to Wat Bo pagoda to view its well-preserved paintings. You will also observe monks making the various moldings, which adorn the pagodas.
Afternoon, visit Preah Khan. Built by King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, though, it’s well preserved and ongoing restoration efforts should improve this situation. Visit as well Neak Pean a fountain built in the middle of a pool and the temple of Ta Som. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 5: Siem Reap (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel
In the morning, continue the temple tour to Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. After lunch, visit to “Les Artisans d’Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap and spend time at leisure at a local market. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 6:Siem Reap – Kompong Thom (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel.
Depart Siem Reap for Kompong Thom (147 km. the road from Siem Reap to Kompong Thom is now in good condition. The drive takes around 2 ½ hours). En route, visit traditional villages and stop at the ancient Naga Bridge (Spean Pratpo), located 40 Km from Siem Reap. Arrive in Kompong Thom and transfer to your hotel.
Lunch at local restaurant
Afternoon depart Kompong Thom for Sambor Prei Kuk, located 35km northeast of Kompong Thom. Visit the ancient capital of Chenla with its 100 temples dating from the Pre-Angkorian period. Return to Kompong Thom. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at Stung Sen Hotel (2-star, best available).

Day 7: Kompong Thom-Kompong Cham-Phnom Penh (B,L,D)