4-Day Siem Reap Temple Tour | Explore Cambodia’s Best Temples

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Angkor Wat with small circuit
6 stops
1
Angkor Wat
Today, we will pick up your group from your hotel at 8:00am where we will journey to visit Angkor Wat temple. You’ll also get to explore some local villages and the forest around Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and the best preserved. It is also an architectural masterpiece of Khmer. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas adorning its walls. Welcome to Angkor Cambodia!
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
2
Angkor Thom South Gate
Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire, is a stunning archaeological site located in Cambodia, near the famous Angkor Wat temple complex. Established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom is renowned for its impressive architecture and rich history. The city is surrounded by a massive wall and a moat, with five monumental gates leading into the city, each adorned with intricate carvings. At the heart of Angkor Thom lies the Bayon Temple, famous for its enigmatic stone faces that gaze out in all directions. The temple is a masterpiece of Khmer architecture, featuring elaborate bas-reliefs that depict historical events and daily life during the Khmer Empire. Other notable structures within Angkor Thom include the Baphuon, the Phimeanakas, and the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a royal viewing platform. Angkor Thom is not only a testament to the artistic and architectural achievements of the Khmer civilization.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
3
Bayon Temple
Bayon is located in the center of Angkor Thom, ancient capital city of the Khmer Empire. It was built by King Jayavarman VII dedicated to Lord Lokesvara, a savior god in the Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon is adopted by 49 towers, each tower is adorned with the four smiling faces. That is why now the tourists love to name Bayon as the Most Beautiful Smiling Faces Temple in the world. These four faces are smiling brightly to the four main directions. East for Shiva, South for Brahma, West for Vishnu and North for Indra. For Buddhism Meaning, these four faces are dedicated to Lokesvara or King Jayavarman VII. These Four smiling faces are dedicated to the four well-known precepts of The Main Buddha” Lovingkindness, Compassion, Joys and Sincerity”. Some of the scholars said that Bayon was a gigantic stone map of Cambodia which was dedicated to the 54 main states of Cambodia during those days. Bayon has 49 towers and 5 tower gates of Angkor Thom city, totaling 54 towers.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
4
Ta Nei Temple
Ta Nei is in the jungle and very peaceful. It is perfect to avoid crowds and it’s a beautiful experience with original ruins. It’s surrounded by the deepest rainforest. Some animals and birds are living inside Angkor dense forest. Gibbons, Monkeys and Hornbills are all appearing on the trees around the temples. Less visitors but a good feeling without having the crowds!
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
5
Ta Prohm Temple
And Next tour is Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm is the major Angkor Temples, top tourist destination, very impressive for its ruins. Trees and roots are grabbing its temple. Ta Prohm is best known as Tomb Raiders Temple where Angelina Julie’s movie was filmed. Ta Prohm Temple was built by King Jayavarman VII in 1186, dedicated to his mother, she took the form of Prachnabaramita, a goddess of Mercy and the personification of the perfection of Wisdom in Mahayana Buddhism. Ta Prohm in Khmer culture means Brahma God. Cambodian people have their own name to call Hindu Gods. The original name of this temple is called “Rajavihara” meaning”The Royal Monastery”.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
6
Prasat Kravan is the massive brick temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, built by King Harshavarman I in 921. The site was cleaned from vegetation around 1930 by the Frenchmen Henri Marchal and Georges Trouvé. The temple is oriented to the east and surrounded by a small moat. Its exterior is striking for its classical lines and symmetry. The central and the south tower have superstructures which take advantage of false perspective by simple means of diminishing tiers. The sanctuary's interiors are remarkable for the large carvings depictions of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi that have been carved into the walls of reddish brick, connected by a vegetable compound. This type of sculptured artwork is rather common in Cham temples, but rare in known Khmer monuments. Then transfer you back to your hotel, enjoy your stay and relax.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Day 2
Angkor Sunrise & Banteay Srei Tour
8 stops
7
Angkor Wat
Today's tour starts at 4:30am. We will pick up your group from your hotel to visit the sunrise at Angkor Wat temple. If you want to capture or experience a spectacular sunrise at Angkor Wat, then there is a spot for you. The reflecting pool in front of the main temple is where you’ll find it. When you reach there, try to position yourself behind the reflection pool. As expected, the colors of the sky will appear mirrored in the water as the sun rises. Then you can capture the most iconic sight on camera. Then to return to your hotel for breakfast and refreshment.
3 days • Admission ticket not included
8
Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is the most beautiful pink stone temple in Cambodia, it’s located in the north of Angkor Wat temple about 37km. Banteay Srei means Lady Temple, the special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, its small size but excellent for its decoration. Banteay Srei is a real jewel for Khmer Art. Because of its fine and intricate carvings, some locals said it must have been built by the women, that is why the name is Lady temple or Banteay Srei. The original name of this temple was called Isvarapura, built by King Rajendravarman II from the year 967, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Banteay Srei was discovered by The Frenchman in 1914 but the site was not cleared until 1924. The first major temple restoration project was established by EFEO in 1923 by using the reinstating method.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
9
Preah Khan
Preah Khan is a sacred temple in the Angkor main park, built by King Jayavarman VII in year 1191, dedicated to his father name Dharanindravarman II, who is represented in the central sanctuary by Lokesvara, The Savior God in the Mahayana Buddhism, who was much worshiped Jayavarman VII’s reign. During the middle period The stupa was erected in place for Lokesvara in the central sanctuary. It’s located in the north of Angkor Thom city, from the north gate to the west entrance of Prasat Preah Khan temple is about 800 meters. Preah Khan is well known for its beautiful scenery of the original ruins and it served as the University of Fine Art And Culture under the reign of King Jayavarman VII.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
10
Neak Pean
Neak Poan Temple is located in the center of Jayatadak lake, it’s surrounded by water. Neak Pean means “the entwined serpents". Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes (the ancients believed that going into these pools would balance the elements in the bather, thus curing disease); it is one of the many hospitals that Jayavarman VII built. It is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance. Four connected pools represent Water, Earth, Fire and Wind. Each is connected to the central water source, the main tank, by a stone conduit "presided over by one of Four Great Animals (maha ajaneya pasu) namely Elephant, Bull, Horse, and Lion, corresponding to the north, east, south, and west quarters..
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
11
Ta Som
Ta Som is a Mahayana Buddhism temple, built by King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to his ancestors and Master. Some scholars said that king Jayavarman VII dedicated it to his father King Dharanindravarman II. It’s located east of Neak Poan Royal Hospital. Its main attraction with the east gate is still grabbed by trees and its roots. Highly recommended!
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
12
Banteay Samre
Banteay Samre temple is located on the east side of Yasorvarmantadak(water reservoir), built by King Suriyavarman II, dedicated to his family and friends. Banteay Samre is well preserved of its stone gigantic carvings and living harmony with the nature surrounding. It has a quiet and fresh atmosphere, it’s a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat Style. Banteay Samre means “The Citadel of Samre ''. Banteay Samré was excellently restored by Maurice Glaize from 1936 until 1944. The design of its single ogival tower is immediately recognizable as Angkor Wat style along with other temples in the region such as Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda. Due to this temple's similarity to some monuments of north-east Thailand, it has the appearance of a compact Phimai. While there are no inscriptions describing its foundation, it seems likely to have been built by a high official of the court during the reign of King Suryavarman II.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
13
Eastern Mebon
- East Mebon is located in the center of East Baray, built by King Rajendravarman II in 952. It is a temple mountain of combined brick, laterite and sandstone construction. The East Mebon was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honors the parents of the king. Its location reflects Khmer architects’ concern with orientation and cardinal directions. The temple was built on a north–south axis with Rajendravarman's state temple, Pre Rup, located about 1,200 meters to the south just outside the baray. The East Mebon also lies on an east–west axis with the palace temple Phimeanakas, another creation of Rajendravarman's reign, located about 6,800 meters due west.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
14
Siem Reap
Then to transfer you back to your hotel in Siem Reap city, enjoy your stay and relax.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Phnom Kulen & Beng Mealea Tour
3 stops
15
Phnom Kulen National Park
Phnom Kulen is a sacred mountain in Cambodia, there are lots of things to do in here, including the holy waterfalls, the reclining Buddha, a sacred river with thousand Lingas, Srash Damrei and Bat Cave. Phnom Kulen means “The Lychee Mountain”, it’s a Cambodian National Park and Historical Archeological sites. Phnom Kulen has a major symbolic importance for Cambodia as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire. King Jayavarman II has proclaimed himself as The God King and initiated The Devaraja Cult. This is a sacred mountain for King Jayavarman II to proclaim his independence as well. During the Angkorean Era the relief was known as Mahendraparvata, meaning “The Mountain of Great Indra”.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
16
Prasat Beng Mealea
After Phnom Kulen Tour, next we will continue to visit Prasat Beng Mealea. Beng Mealea is the most popular remote jungle temple in Cambodia, it’s located in the north east of Siem Reap city about 66 Km by road. Beng Mealea is the incredible ruins that still living harmony in the nature of its original ruined condition. It’s untouched by the restoration and conservation project. It opened to visitors in the early 2000 after the land mine was cleared. Beng Mealea was built by King Suriyavarman II and then completed by King Dharanindravarman II. The sarcophagus looking urn: “Indiana Jones” kingdom of the environment with piles of falling stones and dark galleries. Enjoyable, provided you exercise caution during your visit!
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
17
Siem Reap
Cambodian county-side, most of the Cambodian people are farmers and fishermen. These larger groups of people are interested in living their village lives, they are easily moving around to farming and fishing, these two jobs are their main careers to earn their lives and to support their family. They are taking rice and fish for their daily meals. Cambodia is one of the largest flooding countries in the world, so agriculture is the main crop of growing in Cambodia. We do planting rice, potatoes, cashews, bananas, mangoes, durian, peppers, sugar palms trees, jackfruit, oranges, and vegetables. Cambodian crops are growing organically from Cambodia fertility. It’s really amazing to take your few hours tour to explore the local villages and their community. Then to transfer you back to your hotel in Siem Reap city, enjoy your stay and relax.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Preah Vihear & Koh Ker Temple Tour
3 stops
18
Preah Vihear Temple
Today you will depart early from your hotel, we are picking up your group from your hotel at 5.30am please ask your hotel for the breakfast boxes. We will stop at Anlong Veng small town for our breakfast and refreshment. Anlong Veng small town was the last stronghold capital city of Khmer Rouge Army before 1998. Mr Pol Pot died in this area. There is a popular historical site for your visit as well. It is Ta Mok’s House. His houses are now impressive for tourists. Then we will continue our journey to visit The incredible Hindu temple of Preah Vihear. It’s on top of the DangRek Mountain Range, very close to the Thailand border, and you can see the Thai army from the Cambodia site. It will take about two hours to tour here. Before going up to the temple center, you will need to buy your temple ticket. And we will need to rent a pickup truck, this is my account, to go up to visit Cambodia Preah Vihear temple.
3 hours • Admission ticket not included
19
Koh Ker Temple
After your visit to Prasat Preah Vihear, you will continue to visit and explore Koh Ker Group Temple, Ancient Capital City of King Jayavarman IV, he relocated his city from Angkor in 921 A.D, was called Chhoarkoki or Lingapura, it is adopted by hundreds of Hindu temples that were built by King Jayavarman IV from 921-944. Koh Ker used to be a famous capital city under the reign of King Jayavarman IV. This ancient city was adopted by many holy sanctuaries, farmlands , water reservoirs, rivers, large populations and traditional houses. King Jayavarman IV was one of the best rulers of the Empire. Making your tour here is well-seeing, not many tourists have enough time to visit this ancient city, some of the holy sanctuaries are not available for your visit, but all the major ones are available. Some tourists love to combine their visit with Preah Vihear temple or Beng Mealea temple. Koh Ker is preparing to enlist for the New World Historical Heritage Site by UNESCO in the near future.
2 minutes • Admission ticket not included
20
Siem Reap
After your amazing exploring Preah Vihear and Koh Ker group temples already, we will transfer you back to your hotel in Siem Reap city, enjoy your stay and relax.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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