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If you've come this far, you will not want to miss the "Prize of Southeast Asia" — the Temples of Angkor which are short one-hour flight from Saigon or Bangkok.

Angkor what? Many people have heard of the main temple Angkor Wat, but what they don't realize that Angkor consists of over 70 discovered ruins spread over 200 square kilometers. Angkor Wat itself is a kilometr-wide and the greatest Buddhist monument ever constructed. There are astounding structures of equal impact surrounding it. This density of ruins is unparalleled anywhere else in the world, and is often called "the Nile Valley of Asia."

Siem Reap, our launching off point is only a short flight from Saigon and a couple of miles from Angkor itself. Lodging at the magnificent 5-star Grand Hotel d'Angkor, a beautifully restored French Colonial gem. The New York Times article on this hotel can be read here and Pico Iyer provides another perspective.


TYPICAL ITINERARY

Day 1: One-hour flight from Saigon (or Bangkok) to Siem Reap. After checking into hotel, we begin exploring the magnificent temples of Angkor including the enormous Angkor Wat, the south gate of Angkor Thom and the Bayon. The day concludes with a panoramic view of the area and dramatic sunset from the summit overlooking Angkor Wat. Dinner and accommodation in Siem Reap.

Day 2: After breakfast, continue exploration of mystical Ta Prohm where its original structure, embraced by overgrown roots of giant fig trees, has been preserved by archeologists as an example of what the entire Angkor complex may have looked like when it was first discovered. Other temples in the area include Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevoda, Thammanon, Banteay Kdei and Srah Srang. Dinner and accommodation in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Morning sightseeing includes the wonderfully carved Banteay Srei, Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, Mebon and Pre Rup temples. Afternoon visit to Roluos group of monuments or optional boat trip on Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest lake, and waterfront villages. Dinner and accommodation in Siem Reap.

Unusual diversions? Explore rare wildlife our daytrip to the Preak Toal Bird Sanctuary.

  


Angkor Wat is really only the tip of the "monument iceberg" when it comes to exploring the temples in the area around it. In this piece, travel writer Michael Buckley gives us a glimpse of the treasures of neighboring Angkor Thom: The Splendors of Angkor Thom  by Michael Buckley

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

The most dramatic temple in terms of scale, Angkor takes up to a full day and more to explore it's many structures and entire galleries of carved reliefs.

Ta Phrom

Ta Phrom

Left to the jungle, Ta Phrom over the centuries has been overrun by plant life. The contrast has created an incredible setting of stone and plant.

Bayon, Angkor Thom

Bayon

In Angkor Thom lies the Bayon. From the distance has a myriad of large, stone towers that are on closer inspection the faces of Buddha.


Escorts

Renowned Khmer historian Dr. Pich Keo, who has been interested in Khmer Arts and the history of Angkor since a young boy. In 1965 he attended the school of fine art in Phnom Penh until 1970. After graduation he was employed by the Ecole Francais d'Extrem Orient (EFEO) working for the Angkor conservation until the Khmer rough took over the area in 1975. In 1980, after the fall of the Khmer Rouge to the Vietnamese army he started working again with the ministry of culture and fine art.

In 1992 he became the Director of the National Museum in Phnom Penh and recently he has been promoted to be the Director of Department of Angkor Conservation working in cooperation with the UNESCO and the Ministry of fine art and culture

Readings: We recommend bringing the following books to reference during your exploration of the temples:

Angkor, An Introduction to the Temples
by Dawn Rooney. (1994, Passport).

Angkor, Heart of an Asian Empire by Bruno Dagens (Thames and Hudson).

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