ANKOREAN TRIP
Your Dream Vacation is Here
Ankorean Trip Itinerary:
All our planned activities need to have flexibility; weather and road
conditions, unplanned facility closures, delays of any kind can happen –
even guests can have minor issues that need to be resolved during the
planned tour. Flexibility is a “must”
Ankorean Trip Day 1 -- Guest Arrival in Siem Reap
Our English speaking guide will pick you up at the airport, bus depot or boat landing and bring you to your hotel in Siem Reap. Enjoy your new surroundings, relax at the hotel or we can arrange an optional activity (cost not included in tour price), such as:
- Attending an evening show at the Phare Cambodian Circus or an Aspara dance show.
- Our guide will arrange for a suitable time to meet you in the evening for a Cambodian style dinner – either at your hotel or in Siem Reap (regular Cambodian style meal included in the tour cost – but no alcohol).
- In the evening we will introduce you to our planned travel and – if possible – adjust our schedule to include and touch on some of your special interests.
Ankorean Trip Day 2 -- Full Day Trip: leave Hotel at 4:00 am
To experience the sunrise at Ankor Wat pick-up is a 4:00 am – a really early morning. At 5:00 am the visitor center opens and each Ankor Wat visitor has to purchase an entry pass in person – which also includes a photo as identification – made at the visitor center.
- Sunrise at the Angkor Wat Temple,
- Followed by a Cambodian style Breakfast near the Temple
- Ta Prum Temple
- South Gate Of Angkor Thom
- Angor Thom City
- Bayon Temple
- To allow for a rest during the day, we will enjoy a Cambodian style Lunch at a Restaurant in Angkor Wat Complex
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.
The tour will last until mid-afternoon – a long day of walking.
- We will return to your Overnight Hotel in Siem Reap
- If requested, we can arrange an optional activity (cost not included in tour price)
Ankorean Trip Day 3 -- Full Day Trip: leave Hotel at 8:00am
Pick you up at the hotel and we will drive through some of the most interesting neighbourhoods in Siem Reap.
Then we will leave the City and travel south towards Tonle Sap Lake to board a boat:
- Kompong Plok – (Boat Trip) An old traditional village located at the bank of a largest natural reservoir of Cambodia was known as Tonle sap Lake,
The village of about 1000 families is built on stilts and largely depends on fishing for survival: spending Cambodia’s wet season (May – October) fishing and during the dry season (November – April) as the river dries up, many families turn to subsistence farming to supplement their income.
- We will stop for a Cambodian Style Lunch at a Restaurant along the way.
- Angkor National Museum
The Angkor National Museum will take its visitors through the journey back in time from the creation to the highest point of Khmer civilization — visitors will develop a deeper understanding of customs, traditions and different beliefs of the ancient empire. All artifacts are divided into 8 galleries in the order of the evolution which are enhanced by a realistic atmosphere – allowing the Khmer legend to slowly reveal before your eyes. On average visitors will spend about 2 hours in the National Museum.
- Silk-Farm
- We will return to your Overnight Hotel in Siem Reap
- If requested, we can arrange an optional activity (cost not included in tour price)
Ankorean Trip Day 4 -- Full Day Trip: leave Hotel by 7:00am
Mid-morning is a good time to walk through and enjoy a local Cambodian market: smells, colours and new impressions await:
- Don-Dek, local market
A 2 hour drive through the pastoral countryside:
- Beng Mealea Temple
Initially Beng Mealea was built as a Hindu temple, but some carvings depict Buddhist motifs. Its primary material is sandstone and it is largely unrestored, with trees and thick brush thriving amidst its towers and courtyards and many of its stones lying in great heaps. For years it was difficult to reach, but a road recently built to the temple complex of Koh Ker passes by Beng Mealea — about 80 km north east of Siem Reap.
The history of the temple is unknown and it can be dated only by its architectural style, identical to Angkor Wat: scholars assumed it was built in the early 12th century. Smaller in size than Angkor Wat, the king’s main monument, Beng Mealea nonetheless ranks among the Khmer empire’s larger temples.
A 2 hour drive – going north towards the Thailand border
- Preah Vihear Temple
over ownership, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the temple is located in Cambodia.
- Enjoy a Cambodian style Lunch at a restaurant on the way
- Overnight at Hotel in Preah Viher
Ankorean Trip Day 5 -- Full Day Trip: leave Hotel by 9:00 am
Enjoy the leisurely 2 1/2 hour drive – going west
- Visit the Koh Khe City complex
Koh Ker was briefly the capital of the whole empire (928–944 AD) and during this time the style of Koh Ker was developed and the art of chiseled sculpture reached a pinnacle. Due to the remote location the Koh Ker site was plundered many times by looters. Since 1992 the site of Koh Ker is on the UNESCO tentative world heritage list.
- Enjoy a Cambodian style Lunch at a restaurant on the way
We will accompany you when walking through the village and if required we will assist you starting or participating in an engaging conversation or … ?
- Overnight at Home Stay
Ankorean Trip Day 6 -- Full Day Trip: leave Hotel at 8:30am
A Cambodian style breakfast at the homestay followed by
A 1hour drive through the remote and wooded region to
- Visit an ancient City of the Angkorean period at Kulen Mountain
Since 1992 the site of Phnom Kulen is on the UNESCO tentative world heritage list.
Phnom Kulen is an isolated chain of small moderate height mountain plateaus and part of Phnom Kulen National Park. The highest point is 487 metres and formed of sandstone; an important quarry location in Angkorian times
Phnom Kulen is considered a holy mountain in Cambodia – with special religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists who come to the mountain in pilgrimage.
Phnom Kulen has major symbolic importance for Cambodia being the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire; Phnom Kulen was further developed and was made the capital of the Ankor empire.
At its peak, the Kulen development was larger than modern-day Phnom Penh and one of the largest cities in the 11th-century world. It would later be eclipsed by Angkor, but still served a vital role.
Near these mountains is Preah Ang Thom, a 16th-century Buddhist monastery notable for the giant reclining Buddha, the country’s largest
- 16 Century Buddha
- River of Thousand Linga and Waterfall
Enjoy a Cambodian style Lunch at a restaurant on top of mountain near the waterfall
It will be a 2 hour drive to return to Siem Reap, arriving in the early evening:
- Overnight at Hotel in Siem Reap
There is still an opportunity to arrange for an optional activity (cost not included in tour price) or enjoy the Siem Reap nightlife.
Ankorean Trip Day 7 – Depending on your activity intentions leave Hotel by 9:00am
We will provide a rental pedal bike and helmet for your use and will accompany you on a 4 to 6 hour pedal bike tour.
Depending on your preference we can:
- Cycle in the temple areas or
- Cycle on quiet roads through the rural countryside – stopping at vegetable gardens, orchards, plantations, fishing spots, rice
fields and villages along the way
tonnes of vegetables are being produced daily and the number of products is set to increase.
- Overnight at Hotel in Siem Reap
Ankorean Trip Day 8 – flexible – you decide!
We will provide a rental pedal bike and helmet for your use and will accompany you on a 2 to 3 hour pedal bike tour.
Depending on your reference we can:
- Cycle in the temple areas or
- Cycle across the rural countryside – stops at orchards or plantations , villages or souvenir shops or any place you want to see
In late afternoon the family of the local guide will arrange for a Cambodian style Family Farwell Dinner
- Family Farewell Dinner
- Overnight at your Hotel in Siem Reap
… and please keep in mind:
If you require reliable and comfortable transport to Phnom Penh, Kampot, Saigon, Vientiane, Bangkok, Phuket or any other location in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam or Thailand – our vehicle and driver/ guide are available to chauffeur you in comfort.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Cambodian Style Meals | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1: | Arrival in Siem Reap | Free leisure | Dinner in Siem Reap | Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap |
Day 2: | Sunrise at Angkor Wat temple | Angor Thom City | Breakfast and | Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap |
Day 3: | Kompong Plok-(Boat Trip) | Angkor Natural | Lunch at a restaurant | Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap |
Day 4: | Don-Dek, local market | Preah Vihea Temple | Lunch at a restaurant | Overnight at Hotel in Preah Viher -- Relax with swimming pool |
Day 5: | Koh Khe City complex | Walk through local | Lunch at a restaurant | Overnight at Home Stay |
Day 6: | Visit an earliest city of Angkorean | River of Thousand | Lunch at a restaurant | Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap |
Day 7: | Cycling around temple area or | Cycling around | Lunch at a restaurant | Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap |
Day 8: | Cycling around countryside | Free leisure | Family Farewell | Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap |
Note to Day 2: The Ankor Wat visitor’s office opens at 05.00 am and in order to experience the sunrise each traveller should be right at opening time at the visitor reception center. Each person has to pick up & pay their individual Ankor Wat Visitor Pass: this requires a picture being taken in person.
Home -Stay at Koh Khe
- Only 500m walk to Koh Keh temple area
The overnight homestay accommodation is in a traditional Khmer wooden stilted -house.
- Ground-floor is used by owner of the house
- Guests stay for one night on private top floor
- Separate bedroom for two people (bed, mosquito-net & fan)
- Regular toilet (flat) & bath-room (no hot shower– cold only)
- Balcony: Fresh air– to spend time reading and relaxing
- Guests can enjoy a walk around the village or
- Walk to the temple for sunset and sunrise next morning
Cambodian style home made dinner and breakfast (next morning) provided by the homeowner family
The Traditional Rural Khmer house:
The rural Khmer house is a perfect example of a dwelling whose simple structure serves its main functions; providing a living and working area. The building serves as a shelter — of vital importance in the everyday life of a home in a rural setting that is exposed to the elements.
Typically, rural Khmer two -storey buildings are raised on stilts extending as high as 3 metres off the ground. Rural farmers are able to use the ground level area beneath the house for work.
A staircase provides access to the upper floor. The simplest houses consist of only one room on the upper floor but in most houses partitions are installed to provide a bedroom for the parents and a further space for unmarried daughters.
Upstairs — the area where visitors are received is defined by four central pillars; in this space there will be a figure of Buddha, a television, and a battery -operated electric light in the centre attached to the pillars.
During the day the house functions as a large umbrella. Work and life go on at ground level, where the most effective shade is provided. This area is also used for eating and resting, as well as craftwork.
A common feature in every house is a 5–10 cm gap, on all four sides, between the top of the wall of the upper floor and the roof — allowing air to flow in and out, preventing heat accumulation below the roof: a natural ventilation system that allows for a cooled and draft free environment — in absence of any electric or mechanical air conditioning .