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DAY 01
ARRIVE IN PHNOM PENH
Arrive in Phnom Penh and transfer to hotel. This city was once
considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its
recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm. In the
afternoon visit the National Museum – built in 1917 in traditional
Khmer style, houses the worlds largest collection of ancient Khmer
artifacts dating from the 4th to the 13th centuries ; the Silva
Pagoda also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha gets its name
from the 5,000 silver tiles that cover its floor. It is also known
for its two Buddha Statues, a 90kg solid Gold Buddha Statue and the
Emerald Buddha Statue which is actually made of crystal ; the Royal
Palace - residence of the King and Queen of Cambodia, is closed for
visitors but this beautiful building and its palatial gardens can be
viewed from outside ; Wat Phnom hill ( the only hill in town ) to
visit the Wat Phnom Temple built in 1372, shows some good examples
of the Khmer architecture. Return to hotel in the evening.Overnight
in Phnom Penh.
DAY 02
PHNOM PENH
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast visit the Tuol Sleng Museum - a
former detention and torture center, for a chilling reminder of the
brutal crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge regime; Cheung Ek –
the site of the infamous Killing Fields. In the afternoon explore
the colourful Russian and Central markets of which the Art Deco
Style Central Market with its huge domed roof, is best known for
selling everything from carved stone heads to fruits and vegetables.
In the late afternoon enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong. Overnight
in Phnom Penh.
DAY 03
PHNOM PENH / SIEM REAP
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast transfer to Pochentong Airport
for flight to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the
fabled temples of Angkor - the ancient capital of the Khmer empire.
On arrival begin a tour of Siem Reap visiting the temples, including
the early – Angor era temples of the Roluos Group which are Preah Ko,
Ba Kong and Lo Lei, these temples differ from other early temples as
they are made of brick with carved plaster reliefs. In the afternoon
visit the Banteay Kdei - this temple was constructed by Jayavarman
VII during the 12th and 13th Centuries. Its system of galleries and
vestibules that were added after the construction of the main towers
makes it look like a cloister. It was built in sandstone, which has
deteriorated quite badly. However, there remain some very beautiful
lintels and pediments ; Srah Srang - the Royal Pool situated
opposite the east gate of Banteay Kdei, is known as the Kings bath ;
Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon and the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple embraced
by the roots of enormous fig trees and the gigantic creepers.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 04
SIEM REAP
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast embark on a city tour visiting
the famous temples including the Angkor Thom built by Cambodia
greatest builder Jayavarman VII. There are five twenty meter high
gates one in each of the North, West and South Walls and two in the
East Wall. Enter Angkor Thom from the South Wall. Access is via
causeways over the moat that are flanked by statues of gods on the
left and devils on the right, all seemingly engaged in a tug of war;
the Bayan in the geographical heart of Angkor Thom is a
remarkable 54 Tower Temple. Initially the temple appears to be a
shapeless mass of gray and brown stone but as you get closer you
realize that every tower has the carved face of Avalokiteshvara on
it ; the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. In
the afternoon the visit the magnificent 12th century Angor Wat – the
symbol of which is seen in the center of the national flag of
Cambodia. Angkor Wat is a legacy of the might that was once the
Khemer Empire, a detailed history of which has been carved into the
many walls of this fortified temple. Access to the temple is by a
giant stone causeway across the hundred and ninety meter wide moat ,
an incredible feat of engineering in itself. End the tour by viewing
a spectacular sunset over the Angor Wat. Return to hotel. Overnight
Siem Reap.
DAY 05
SIEM REAP
Breakfast at hotel.After breakfast proceed to visit Banteay Srei -
built by a Brahman in the 10th Century, this temple was dedicated to
Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of
beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. While not a
particularly large temple complex, the beauty of Banteay Srei is
found not in the scale but the detail. Some say the bas relief work
is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining.En route visit
Kbal Spean - river of thousand lingas. Five centimeters under the
waters surface over thousand small carvings are etched into the
sandstone riverbed while further downstream larger blocks of stone
are carved with Apsaras, Vishnu and other figures. In the afternoon
enjoy a boat trip on the great Tonle Sap Lake ( best season to visit
from July to February ) visiting the Floating Villages and the
Magical Flooded Forest. Evening return to hotel. Overnight in Siem
Reap.
DAY 06
SIEM REAP
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast visit the Pre Rup Temple - This
temple was built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman. Its
proportions are perfect, a truly beautiful piece of work. In its
construction we can see the first appearance of the long halls which
are very common in the construction of temples with continuous
galleries. Pre Rup means turning the body and the Khmer people
believe this temple was a funeral monument ; Eastern Mebon - also
built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman, this temple was
situated on a small island in the middle of the Oriental, or
Eastern, Baray. It has all the characteristics of the mountain
temple but was accessible by boat only. From the inscriptions found
close to it, we know that Rajendravarman dedicated it to his
parents; Neak Poan - built by Jayavarman VII, this temple is the
perfect representation on earth of the cosmic world. It has been
said that this monument was consecrated to Buddha who reached
perfection in Nirvana, and the ornamental lakes surrounding it were
meant as places where pilgrims could wash and purify themselves
before reaching the supreme perfection. In the centre of these
ornamental lakes there is a small temple surrounded by two nagas,
whose heads allow a passage on the West side. This temple is one of
the beauties of Khmer art ; Preah Khan – to arrive in the center of
the temple, a row of galleries and doors which become more and more
low has measure that one approaches the centre (to show his
respect). There are small holes in all the walls in the center of
the building. Originally, in every hole was some gold and diamonds,
one says that all this was taken and resold by the Red Khmers.
Magnificent sculptures of the gods barattant the sea of milk, as
well as Vishnu and Lakshmi (his wife), and the place of 3 Lingams
(sex of the Gods), circle on the base for Shiva, square for Brahma
and octagonal for Vishnu. One finds as in Ta Phrom, a luxuriant
vegetation which resumed its rights.Afternoon visit the Siem Reap
Market. Evening return to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 07
SIEM REAP / BANGKOK
Early breakfast at hotel. After breakfast transfer to airport for
flight to Bangkok. On arrival in Bangkok independent transfer to
hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for your own activities. Overnight
at hotel.
DAY 08
DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for your own
activities. Late evening independent transfer to the airport for
return flight to Colombo.
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