 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Angkor Wat is Asia's single most important wonder. Ten centuries ago, as many as a million people lived here in what was the world's largest settlement. Sprawled across a vast plain, almost 400 square kilometers in area, are remains of 1000 Hindu and Buddhist temples built by dynasties of Khmer kings and connected together by a laterite highway running in a stupendous, straight line all the way to Phimai in Thailand. A decade ago visitors did not dare to explore Angkor without armed guards. Thankfully, Cambodia is once again at peace. Accommodation is in nearby Siem Reap and we use comfortable, new hotels built to an international standard. This program allows enough time for you to experience Angkor in depth. If you have less time, you may prefer our Essential Angkor package. We may adjust the itinerary below to accommodate your arrival and departure flight times.
Arrive on an early morning flight and follow your personal guide through the south gate of Angkor Thom, a city-fortress of perfect proportions designed at the height of Angkor's artistic daring. Wander awestruck by the sheer magnitude of these haunting remnants of celestial cities modeled on Hindu cosmology. The jewel of this immense collection of temples and palaces is the temple of Bayon, with its sensational, towering stone faces and epic sculpture galleries. Beyond are the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants. The remainder of the day is devoted to Angkor Wat, epicenter of an empire that once stretched to present-day Burma. Centered within a mile-square moat, it is probably the largest religious monument ever built. The portico still resonates with visions of saffron-robed monks and muscled artisans carving a mile of stone reliefs depicting the Ramayana epic and the military conquests of the god-kings who built Angkor. If you like, climb the steep steps to the very zenith of the temple for a glorious view. End this most amazing day with a million riel sunset (the riel is the national currency).
Get an early start this morning for one of the most eventful days of your adventure. Begin with a drive deep into the countryside to the seldom-visited
Beng Melea temple ruins. You may be the only visitors since it is too far out of the way for visitors who make only brief stops in Angkor. The sprawling temple covers over one square kilometer and is mostly eaten by the surrounding forest, which gives it a temple-lost-in-the-jungle feeling. While many of the buildings are in total ruin, others are almost intact. A wooden walkway built by a French film company lets visitors cross huge toppled stones effortlessly to go deep into the heart of the complex. After a
lunch break you drive a winding mountain road to the top of Phnom Kulen, an ancient
hilltop retreat that is still a mystical and holy place for the Khmer people. Water played an important role in the spiritual live of the people of Angkor, and much of the water came from
Phnom Kulen. This was the personal spiritual retreat of King Jayavarman II, who built the Angkor temple. He had
almost two kilometers of stone stream bed carved with more than 1000 lingas
and many other Hindu religious images to bless the water as it cascaded to the cities below. Local people still come to the spectacular waterfall here for ritual baths. You
can read more about Phnom Kulen here.
Return to Siem Reap early evening.
Continue your adventure early to take advantage of the cool morning. You will no doubt see busloads of tourists being herded about and will appreciate having your personal guide all to yourself as you wander, awestruck, through the ficus root-engulfed temple of Ta Phrom, built to house the divine image of the Queen Mother; Ta Keo, where five towers rest atop a five-tiered pyramid; Srah Srang, a ritual bath large enough for a thousand women; and the Eastern Mebon, a terraced pyramid that was once an island on a man-made lake larger than all of ancient Rome. Tonight, why not enjoy a culinary adventure in one of Siem Reap's traditional garden restaurants, where a feast can be had cheaply?
You probably noticed the Western Baray as you landed in Siem Reap. This immense, rectangular man-made reservoir holds the equivalent of 17,000 swimming pools. If the weather is hot and you feel up to it, a swim here is a
wonderful way to begin your day. If you prefer not to get wet, you can take a boat to see the ruins of an island temple. Later, you stop at a lovely inn run by two Khmer women. Enjoy one of the best meals of your visit in a tropical garden. (They grow their own organic produce and make the best jam on the planet.) After lunch and a cooking lesson you can nap or have a massage in a beautiful teak sala built over a lotus pond. Return to Siem Reap late in the afternoon.
Or instead, you have the option to visit the floating villages at Tonle Sap. You will still have plenty of time to explore the town's charming Old Market area, and pick up some bargain handicrafts for your friends at home.
Your morning is free until your transfer to the airport. If you depart on an evening flight, consider additional sightseeing. There's plenty more to see and do in and
Around Siem Reap including
Overlooked Angkor,
or experience an unforgettable scenic flight by helicopter. Trained, licensed guides are in short supply and should be arranged in advance.
PRICE PER PERSON FOR ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE
(DOLLARS/EUROS/POUNDS/BAHT):
Standard: Ta Prohm
Hotel Superior: Steung
Siem Reap Hotel Sublime: Borei
Angkor Hotel Delectable: Shinta
Mani Faaabulous: Hotel de
la Paix Deluxe: Victoria
Angkor (Deluxe Room) VIP: Grand Hotel
d'Angkor
choose from these
Club Sanook Members who use our packages in Bangkok, Siem
Reap, Phuket, Beijing or Shanghai can use a Club Sanook mobile phone free
during your trip if you make arrangements with me in advance. We will give you
the number before you depart so you can leave it with friends and family. There
are a few rules, of course, but I will send you details before your trip. Please
make your arrangements in advance.
Please indicate you are a member when you reserve. You can join today free! Just
click "Join the Club. Compulsory meals and/or surcharges may apply during Christmas/New Year period Prices are based on currency exchange rates of 01 May 2008 and are subject
to change.
Compulsory meals and/or surcharges may apply during Christmas/New Year period |
private airport transportation accommodation with daily breakfast personal guided sightseeing private car and driver Angkor admissions
 Recommend This Page to a Friend Surf Better Traveling for Business? You can get an instant discount when you combine Angkor Adventure and our Phnom Penh package. See details on the Club Sanook website (see details on the left) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
