Designed for visitors who have limited time, the tour will take you to temples that have historical and architectural significance to the ancient Khmer Kingdom such as Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom, Angkor Thom and Banteay Srei.

Destination:	Siem Reap, Cambodia
Activity:	Arts & Culture
Price:	start from $87 per person
Duration:	1 Day

Tour Rates* (Price/Person) in U.S. Dollars
Period	Single	Double	Triple	Group 4-6	Single Supplement
12 Jul 2009 – 31 Dec 2009	127	87	80	N/A	N/A

Rates include 7% VAT tax and 10% hotel service charge. Major credit cards accepted. No extra charge, no minimum

Note: Booking should be made at least 7 days in advance. The Triple rates are based on a twin sharing room with an extra bed for the third person.

Itinerary

Pick up at Siem Reap airport or the hotel in Siem Reap in the morning.Visit: Banteay Srei to see one of the most intricate carving works in Khmer era then explore the mysterious Ta Prohm, which is overgrown with jungle trees.Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon visit Angkor Thom, South Gate of Angkor Thom. Bayon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephant & Terrace of Lepper King and Angkor Wat - It is one of the Seven Wonders of the New World. Carvings on the walls of the Temple tell us what they believed / practiced, or even how they lived in those days. .Drop off at the hotel or the airport.

Price Includes:

• One day tour in Siem Reap
• Private vehicle and English speaking guide
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Entrance Fee

Price Excludes:

• Air Ticket to and from Siem Reap
• Personal expenses
• Cambodia visa fee (current rate: USD 20 per person)
• Airport tax 25 US Dollar for Siem Reap International Airport
• Other services not mentioned in the program

Note

• The price of 127 USD is based on one person traveling alone. The price of 87 and 80 USD is based on two persons and three persons respectively traveling together.

Visa Application:

• Visa is required to enter Cambodia for all nationalities. These can be obtained upon arrival at Siem Reap and Phnom Phen Airport for US$ 20 and 1 passport sized photo per person.
• For your information, the airport tax at Phnom Phen Airport is 20 USD per each person.
• Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond your visit.

About the Package

Angkor Wat
With its incredible symmetry, Angkor Wat is the masterpiece of Khmer architecture. It was built by king Suryavarman II (1113 – 1150) to honor Hindu God Vishnu and for funerary purpose – it is the only Angkorian temple whose entrance faces the west. The rest faces the east. The temple complex is stunning in its size (the largest temple of the Angkor group) and rich in meticulous decorations.Covering an area of more than 240 hectares, this massive monument consists of a tall three-tiered main pyramid enclosed by four stone towers – each is linked by galleries. The central pyramid is the highest building in Angkor Wat. Inside the temple are pools, libraries and courtyards. The entire temple complex is surrounded by a 200-meter wide moat.However, the main draw of Angkor Wat temple is its long and elaborate galleries of bas-reliefs. The 2-meter high reliefs are carved in sandstone with panels covering a surface area of about 1 square kilometre. They depict the legends of Vishu, King Suryavarman II and scenes of the Hindu mythology of Ramayana. Scenes of the battle and ways of life of ancient Khmers are also displayed in some sections of the galleries too.

Angkor Thom
Known as the last capital, Angkor Thom is actually a great city. Built by a Buddhist king Jayavarman VII during the end of the 12th century, it was a center of administration and home to the king and his family, officials and priests.

Located about 2 kilometres from Angkor Wat, the city covers an area of more than 900 hectares and is surrounded by a large long moat and a 30 feet high stone wall. It is believed be able to accommodate up to 1 million populations during its time. It can be entered through 5 causeways, which prevent the sections of the moat from connecting to each other. The south gate of the city is the most visited and photographed site before going into Angkor Thom city. Its causeway is franked by 108 stone figures of gods, demons and giant snakes that guard the gate tower – all seem to be engaged in a game of tug of war.

There are several temple ruins and shrines within the wall of Angkor Thom city. Some of them are famed for its mystery while some are known for its beauty.

Bayon
The most eccentric temple in Angkor Wat, Bayon consists of dozens of remarkable tall stone towers of eerily smiling faces – whose face they are representing are still the subject of the debate. Some experts believe they belong to the face of King Jayavarman VII who commissioned the construction of Bayon. Some assert that they portray the compassionate face of Bodhisattava Buddha or perhaps the combination of both.

From the distance, the temple looks like a messy shapeless formation of grey and brown stones. However, as you approach the temple, the image of hundreds of carved stone faces become apparent. In addition to the carved stone towers, the highlight of Bayon is the bas reliefs which adorn the walls of galleries around the temple. Each wall has diverse themes depicting scenes of the military procession, sea battle, childbirth, cockfighting, palace and daily life of the locals. Built about 100 years after Angkor Wat, Bayon is now the second most popular site after Angkor Wat.

Terrace of Elephants and the Leper King
Terrace of Elephants and the Leper King is a 350m-long terrace used as a reviewing platform for public ceremonies. Built in the reign of Jayavarman VII during the 12th century, it features the enclosure walls of bas reliefs, a water filled basin and a statue of the Leper King, whose origin and historical record are still mysterious. Visitors can walk along the corridor of the walls and admire carved stones of serpents, giants with multiple arms, seated women with naked torsos, mythical creatures and serpents. Note that the statue of leper king is a reproduction. the original one is displayed at the National Museum, Phnom Penh.

Ta Phrom
Built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm is a shrine devoted to the king’s mother. This is one of the must-see sites in Siem Reap besides Angkor Wat and Bayon. It was originally a big Buddhist monastery that housed more than 3000 villages and accommodated more than 70,000 residents. The monastic complex of Ta Prohm consists of a series of long, low buildings connected with passages and galleries. A rectangular, laterite wall that encloses the entire complex is 700 by 1,000 metres (about 2,200 by 3,200 feet).

However, what makes Ta Prohm a remarkable place to visit is that it is only partially restored. This monument is shrouded in jungle, largely covered by massive fig and silk-cotton trees. The temple’s galleries are wrapped by towering Banyan trees’ gigantic roots. Tree branches intertwine to form a shelter above the terraces. Some areas of the temple are impassable while some can be reached only by narrow passages. This is Ta Prohm at its natural state, a fascinating aspect that is not found in any temple in Siem Reap. There are several spots in Ta Prohm where you can simply enjoy the serenity and reflect on the grandeur of this structure.

Banteay Srei
Among all temples in Siem Reap, Banteay Srei has the most delicate and well-preserved bas-relief and carvings. The temple is apparently smaller than Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm but this pink sandstone religious complex is perhaps the most beautiful in Siem Reap. The Hindu temple, also known as the ‘citadel of women’, was built by a Brahin spiritual teacher of King Jayavarman V in the 10th century. The name ‘citadel of women’ probably derived from intricate carvings of Apsara – female fairies in the Ramayana – in niches. Indeed, all of the towers are meticulously carved from the base to the top.