The Angkor Wat Temples Day Tour begins after breakfast, and we’ll spend a full day exploring the stunning temples of Angkor Thom. Our first stop will be at Angkor Thom (the Great City), where we’ll visit the Southern Gate and the famous Bayon Temple, which remains one of the most intriguing temples of the Angkor group. The Bayon Temple is composed of 54 gothic towers decorated with 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. We’ll also visit Baphuon Temple, lying just north of Bayon, which is a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru.
We’ll then continue to the Terrace of Elephants, which was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall. We’ll also visit the Terrace of the Leper King, which is a platform standing 7m high, with statues and temple walls covered in emerald-green moss intertwined with roots that many consider the most charming of all.
Finally, we’ll end our morning excursion at Ta Prohm. Lunch will be at a local restaurant where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous Khmer feast near Sras Srang, the Royal Pool of Ablutions, originally reserved for the king and his consorts.
After lunch, you can either laze in a hammock or explore the traditional way of life and say hello to the Cambodians living nearby.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit the magnificent Angkor Wat Temples – one of the seven greatest architectural wonders of the world. This temple and mausoleum were built for King Suryavarman II during the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century. Angkor Wat is probably the best-preserved of the Angkorean temples, with a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. The central monument represents the mythical Mount Meru, the holy mountain at the center of the universe, which was home to the Hindu God Vishnu. The whole complex covers 81 hectares, and its greatest sculptural treasure is its 2km-long bas-reliefs around the walls.
Late in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Phnom Bakheng Temple, the first temple in the Angkor region built by King Yacovarman I in the first half of the 9th century. Located on a gently sloping hill, it provides a picturesque view of the marvellous sunset and the distant Angkor Wat in the jungle.
In the evening, you’ll enjoy a buffet local dinner with Cambodian Cultural Performance, including the famous Apsara Show. This show features traditional Khmer dances, music, and costumes, providing an immersive cultural experience that highlights Cambodia’s rich artistic heritage.
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Accommodations: 3-Star Hotel