Day 1: 
Morning: Roluos Group.
Afternoon: Banteay Srei
Sunset: Pre Rup

Day 2:
Morning: Angkor Wat (If there´s time left) Baksei Chamkrong / Prasat Kravan / Thommanon.
Afternoon: Angkor Thom.
Sunset: Ta Prohm

• Trip Grade:

Easy - Suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and independent mobility.

• Best Travel Time:

There are two seasons in Cambodia, wet and dry. From early May to the end of October is the rainy season. It often rains heavily but for short periods of time, mostly later in the day or during the night, after which the sun returns. The rain cools the air and freshens up the lush green of the rice plantations. It is cooler in the dry season, which runs from early November to early February, when it starts heating up again, building to the hottest month of April. So the best time for rain lovers is between May and October and from November to early March for those who like it dry and cool.

• Trip Tips:

When visiting the temples, be sure to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking as well as sometimes climbing steep stairs.

• Recommended:

When in Phnom Penh, try the Viejo Tonle Restaurant for Italian, Thai and authentic Cambodian cuisine. It’s located on Sisowath Quay just north of Street 144, and is part of the Sok Sabay Centre helping Cambodian orphans.

Day 1: 
• Morning: Roluos Group.
• Afternoon: Banteay Srei
• Sunset: Pre Rup

Overnight at Hotel in Siem Reap town
Lunch included.

Preah Ko is first on the itinerary today, and is located around 12 Km southeast of Angkor. Also originally dedicated to Shiva, the temple area was surrounded by a residential area, which in turn was surrounded by a moat 400 x 500 m. There are 6 prasats (pyramid temples) here, 3 for kings and 3 smaller ones for queens.

Bakong: Some 500 m past Preah Ko, this is the official temple mountain of the city of Hariharalaya, built around 881. An 800 m square moat surrounds Bakong, and it is generally viewed as the prototype for the temple mountain. Here you can see the guardian lions and elephant statues, strategically placed around the pyramids.

Lolei is the last one this morning, and is not too far from Bakong. Built in 889 it was the first to be built on an artificial island, set in the middle of the now-dry Indratataka Baray, or man-made reservoir.

Rebuilt in 1931, Banteay Srei is now one of the best-preserved temples in the area. A small but extremely elegant temple, this one is unusual in that it was built in 967 by 2 Brahmans (wealthy Hindu priests) and not by kings.

The exquisite carvings in the beautiful pink sandstone of voluptuous, divine women also makes it stand out amongst all the others, hence it is known locally as the ‘Citadel of the Women’. Overall, Banteay Srei is one of the masterpieces of Khmer art.

Pre Rup is one of the most important temple mountains, as it not only marks the transition from the pre-classic to classic period, it was also likely to have been the site of a new capital. A very impressive temple, built in 962, it is known as ‘Turning the Corpse’ due to an ancient burial ritual, due to a large sarcophagus being found on the site, however this is unlikely as Pre Rup is another temple dedicated to the mount of Shiva, and the sarcophagus was probably a pedestal for the bull, Nandi.

Enjoy to see the sunset here at the end of the day.

Day 2:
• Morning: Angkor Wat (If there´s time left) Baksei Chamkrong / Prasat Kravan / Thommanon.
• Afternoon: Angkor Thom.
• Sunset: Ta Prohm.

Breakfast & Lunch included.

We start the day at the largest religious site in the world, Angkor Wat.

There are not really enough words to describe this jewel in the crown of Angkor. You have to witness it for yourself. The scale of the complex is certain to be above expectations, covering an area of 2 km2, but you can easily see the majority of the places of interest in a morning, especially if you decide to start early enough to see the sunrise.

Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it faces west instead of the usual requirement to face east. Built between 1113 and 1150, it eventually changed to a Buddhist Wat (temple) in the 13th century after a religious revolution in Cambodia.

You will have plenty of time to explore most of the complex; you will be amazed at the intricate carvings and bas-reliefs, the long terraces, the many different pavilions and galleries.

Depending on time we can visit several more temples such as Baksei Chamkrong, Prasat Kravanor Thommanon.

Baksei Chamkrong is a relatively small but very impressive pyramid temple built around 947 A.D. and only 250 metres from the south gate of Angkor Thom, which we will visit in the afternoon. Known by the local as ‘bird with sheltering wings’, which comes from a story of a large bird that saved the life of a Khmer king by shielding him against his enemies with its wings.

Prasat Kravan is known as the ‘Cardamom Sanctuary’ and was originally surrounded by a reservoir (Prasat meaning ‘tower’). The line of 5 prasats has been restored in recent times, although one of the four side towers has its original second floor.

Thommanon can be found about 1/3 of a mile from the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom. It is small but very elegant in many ways, having had some restoration in the 1960’s.

It may not be possible to see all 3, but time permitting would be a great way to end the morning.

Angkor Thom
In its heyday, Angkor Thom was the ‘Great Capital’, home to a million inhabitants. Inside the walls were found the courts, priests, high officials and bureaucrats, with the commoners living around the outside. It’s an impressive 3 Km along each of the 4 sides, encircled by a 100 m wide moat, behind 8 m high walls.

Touring around this invincible city will take several hours, but there are many interesting smaller temples scattered around the outside, some only 2-300 m into the forest.

Ta Prohm

Consecrated in 1186, and built originally in a residential area, Ta Prohm has become a favourite of many tourists due to it being deliberately left in the grip of the jungle. It’s popularity increased when it was used as a location in the Tomb Raider movie.

This is another impressive temple, built inside a 1000 x 600 m enclosure. At its height around 12,500 people occupied it, and if you include the surrounding villages that tended to the needs of the temple, there was almost 80,000 in total. Watching the sunset here concludes an amazing day 2.

* Please note that the checkout time is 12:00 noon.

This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The ‘Price From’ quoted is for a party of 6 to 8 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.

• REMARKS:

We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your holiday in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. All of our prices are calculated on a twin-shared basis. As a guide, Travel Loops defines hotel grades as follows:

>> Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 60 USD/room/night
>> Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 110 USD/room/night
>> Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180 USD/room/night

Price based on twin shared accommodation.
Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
More people means more discount. Please enquire for more details
  Tour prices based on superior level (3 Star Hotel)

TOUR INCLUDES:

1. Entrance Fees.
To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.

2. Meals.
All meals as specified in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).

When the meals are not included in the program, our guides will be more than happy to recommend one from our list of approved restaurants. While not always possible, we endeavor to ensure that a choice of western and Asian breakfasts are available; however, there may be occasions when only an Asian-style breakfast is available in some of the more remote locations.

3. Private Transfers & Airport Pick-up and drop-off.
Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide (as mentioned in the itinerary).

4. Professional Tour Guide.
As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city and will remain with you throughout your stay in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available.

5. Accommodation.
Hotel costs are based on double occupancy of one twin room. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily Western or Asian breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless otherwise specified.

6. Service Charge & Government Taxes.

7. Arrangements Fees.
The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

TOUR EXCLUDES:

1. International/domestic Airfares, Airport Tax, Fuel Fee.

Any International/domestic flight tickets.

2. Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar,Thailand or Laos Entry Visa Fees.

3. Excess Baggage Charges.
Passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 20kg, for economy class. Total weight of carry-on baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5kg. The size may not exceed 20 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm.

4. Personal Expenses.
Expenses of a purely personal nature such as Tips and gratuities, laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals that are not included in the tour itinerary.

5. Meals.
Any meals that are not specified in the tour itinerary.

6. Single Room Supplement.

7. Travel Insurance.

8. Payment fees.
 

The hotels listed below are just our suggestions offering the best value for this trip according to the hotel category chosen., but Travel Loops also offers more options to cater for different grades, personal taste, and budget. Please let us know if you have any specific choice of hotels, or personal preferences/requirements.

Note: Our first choice for each level of accommodation has been highlighted in orange. As mentioned above our selection criteria are based on: prior client reviews, hotel management and staff training, facilities maintenance, location, business relationship and advantages given exclusively to our clients on price and service.