Siem Reap Unique Adventure
Umberto: “Cambodia with AMO TRAVEL and all is ok !!!!!” we contact via the web “I Love Vietnam” on December 28, 2015 asking for a 3 day tour of the siem reap temples with Italian guide departing from Bangkok on January 1, 2016. After a large number of mail exchanges with various proposals we find an agreement the day before departure on 31/12. They said that because of the high season period and the short notice the service would be changed. For us it was the first trip to the east and we found a great organization regarding transfers, accomodations and excursions. also our ns. Referent Miss Chi (who speaks Italian) was always available on the web and also found some Italian guides on returning to Bangkok. Positive experience to keep in mind for other trips. Definitely advised agency !!!!”
Umberto and Beatrice
Tour name: Cambodia Highlights
Group name: Mr. Umberto Barreri
Travel Date: 1/1/2016 – 5/1/2016
Here’s our client’s review on Tripadvisor!
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1.01/01/2016: Siem Reap Arrival (B / – / -)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap,
Arrival in Siem Reap, welcome and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and lodging in the hotel.
Day 02.02/1/2016: Siem Reap – Grand Circuit (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda)
A whole day is dedicate to visit the temples of Angkor: the largest archaeological site in the world where archeologists classified 276 monuments of primary importance.
Departure to visit Angkor Thom (large cities) will begin with the South reef and the famous Bayon temple of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, dedicated to Buddhism. The Temple is composed of no less than 54 laps and 216 gigantic faces of Avalokitesvara. Then, you will continue your visit with the terrace of the elephants, along 350m which is at the foot of the Royal Hall and is a place used to organize public ceremonies. Following the terrace of the Leper King, built in the twelfth century, which has several sculptures of apsaras … .and Phimean Akas, Baphuon, Elephant Terrace.
Continue to visit Angkor, and starting to reach the two beautiful times Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda of the twelfth century, built during the reign of Suryavarman II. Here you will find the sculpture in honor of Shiva, Vishnu and Devatas (especially in Chau Say Tevoda).
The afternoon will begin with a visit to the Temple of Preah Khan, built by Jayavarman VII in 1191 in honor of his father, who is represented as the god of Buddhism Mayahanista saver. The temple was originally a real city and a place devoted to Buddhist studies.
Belonging to the same age, Neak Pean, also called “braided Nagas”, its only island-temple of Angkor. It is said that symbolically represents Anavatapta: the sacred lake and the legendary Himalayas, revered in India for the healing properties of its waters. The large central basin is connected to 4 other smaller basins representing the four great rivers of the earth and the four cardinal points. Each of them has a gargoyle in the shape of a lion, horse, elephant and man. The most interesting part is definitely a wonderful statue of Balaha, representing the legend of the rescue of a group of castaways.
Then discover the marvelous temple of Angkor Wat, the world’s heritage of ‘humanity that was built in the twelfth century (1112-1152) in honor of Vishnu and covers an area of 200 hectares and surrounded by a canal and a wall of 1300m x 1500m. Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world and famous for its slender laps and its extraordinary bas-reliefs and is’ considered one of the most extraordinary monuments ever conceived by man.
Watch the sunset on the hill Bakeng.
Dinner and accomodation in hotel.
Day 03.03/1/2016: Siem Reap – Smail Circuit (Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Sras Srang) – Banteay Srey – Banteay Samre
During the morning you will visit the temple of Banteay Srei where is kept one of the finest jewels of Khmer art. Built in the tenth century, this small temple of pink sandstone, whose name means “The Citadel of Women contains masterpieces of sculpture still in good condition. André Malraux made him famous at the beginning of the twentieth century thanks to the gathering of some “apsara” heads that have been returned to the community in 1923. During the trip you will visit the temple of Bantey Samre where, according to legend, a peasant became King: the king of sweet cucumbers. Admire the remarkable sculptures of this classical temple, preserved with great care.
After lunch at local restaurant, continue with a visit to the temple Ta Promh, the great Buddhist monastery that Jayavarman VII conspired in 1186 and where it was found: gigantic trees rise between the shrines of sanctuary towers, huge roots surround the galleries, thick shrubs sprout from the roofs of each building and the visitor fails more to distinguish man’s work from the creations of nature.
Near Ta Prohm, we can also see the artificial logo Saras Srang where the Khmer celebrate the New Year’s gala boat and the Banteay Kdei temple. You can enjoy the sunset again in the temple of Pre Rup.
Please note: Siem Reap is hot during the summer. Bring suncream or leave early to avoid heat.
Day 04.04/01/2016: Siem Reap – Ruolos – Lago Tonle Sap
Breakfast.
Visit of the archaeological site of Hariharalaya, the pre-Angkorinese town that was home to the 9th Khmer Kings. In this place, now known as Rolous, we can admire temples built with more rudimentary and primitive techniques than Angkor, but equally loaded with charm. In the 9th century the sandstone was not yet used and both the imposing Preah Ko temple and the little Lolei have towers entirely built in bricks. Rolous’s greatest attraction, however, is the mastodontic Bakong, a “mountain temple” whose steep five-stage pyramid stands at the center of a wide canal that surrounds it.
Head off to the floating village of Kompong Khleang which is located about an hour’s drive from Siem Reap and is visited every year by thousands of tourists. Kompong Khleang is one of the most impressive villages for the height and the size of its houses on stilts. Walking tour in the village to learn about the people and entrance to a house where a family lives that breeds crocodiles. Afterwards you will board a local boat that will go through all the channels at a time of great lake where people move their homes with the seasons. You will return to the village and lunch on site.
Free time for a visit to the old market.
Dinner and accomodation in hotel.
Day 05.05/01/2016: Siem Reap Partenza
Breakfast then free time until the hour of meeting for the transfer to the airport for the return flight.