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Angkor Wat

Following is one suggested itinerary. This is meant as a starting point for discussion. You can use this as is, or modify to suit your interests and time. Please call to discuss.

Day 1 From Bangkok, Singapore or Saigon: Morning flt to Siem Reap.

Full day sightseeing Angkor Temples ANGKOR THOM: a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometres) built by King Jayavarman VII who ruled from 1181 to 1201. The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 metres wide. In the centre of the walled city are the city s most important monuments including Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas with Royal Enclosure.

BAYON: Jayavarman VII's temple mountain that stands at the centre of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces.

BAPHUON: the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount Meru and it marks the centre of the city that was here before Angkor Thom.

PHIMEANAKAS: near the centre of what was once the royal palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means Celestial Palace, though today there is not much left to indicate its former splendour.

FORMER ROYAL PALACE: nothing remains today except two pools that were used by royalty for washing.

TERRACE OF ELEPHANTS: this terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies and was a base for the King s grand audience hall. The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the retaining walls.

TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING: North of the Terrace of Elephants is a platform named Terrace of the Leper King . On the platform is a nude statue one of Angkor s mysteries.

ANGKOR WAT: temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous for its beauty and splendour. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site. Visit Phnom Bakheng for sunset over Angkor

PHNOM BAKHENG: temple ruin on a hill which provides one of the best views of Angkor Wat, especially at sunset. Jul 20 Full day sightseeing Angkor Temples Visit Banteay Srei Temple

BANTEAY SREI: built in the late 10th century, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple is square with entrances onthe east and west. Of main interest are the three central towers which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work. Boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake Journey up the Tonle Sap River (links theTonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River) and onto the Tonle Sap Lake.

TONLE SAP (Great Lake): takes up much of the centre of Cambodia and changes in size depending on the season. During the dry season in February it shrinks to a tenth of its original size and is then one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. The boat trip explores the lake s fishing villages.

PHNOM KROM: hill south of Siem Reap with spectacular views over the lake and a temple dating from the 10th century. The three towers on it are dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva andBrahma.

Day 2 CHONG KNEAS: Visit floating village on the lake where both Khmer and Vietnamese live. Transfer - Flight Siem Reap -Bangkok , dep 7pm, arr 8pm or to Singapore.

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