Secrets of Angkor

Welcome to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor Temples. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins, including Bayon, Banteay Srei, and the legendary Angkor Wat. 

At the airport, the guide and driver greet guests and transfer them to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, they head out of town and embark on a short cruise along Tonle Sap Lake and visit the local floating villages. Enjoy the sunset on the lake before going back to the town in the evening. 

This evening, savor a welcome dinner while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance at one of the city’s finest restaurants.

Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Wake before dawn and take a “tuk-tuk” ride to visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm. Sunrise is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples, whose ancient sandstone blocks are gilded gold by the early morning rays.  

After returning to the hotel for breakfast, guests have a full-day temple tour. Starting with the magnificent Angkor Wat, the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture, they proceed to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon Temple, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. 

If the weather permits, they can enjoy a bird’s eye view of these amazing temples from a hot air balloon ride over Angkor Wat.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Discover the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine in a half-day cooking class, but first begin with a walk along the local market. The guide explains the use of herbs, vegetables, spices, and fresh ingredients that are central to Cambodian cuisine. The sights, sounds, and aromas of the market create a vivid introduction to local food culture. Returning to the kitchen, guests take part in a hands-on cooking class, preparing a selection of traditional Khmer dishes under the guidance of an experienced chef. After the session, they enjoy lunch made from their own creations.

In the afternoon, the journey continues to visit some of the oldest temples in the Angkor complex. An hour drive out of town to the ancient capital of King Indravarman I (877-889), now referred to as the Rolous Group and known as the birthplace of classical Khmer art and architecture.

On the way back to Siem Reap, they stop at a shadow puppet workshop and enjoy a traditional shadow puppet performance by the children of the Little Angels orphanage before returning to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.  

After breakfast, guests drive into the countryside to reach Kbal Spean. Kbal Spean was the refuge of 11th – 13th century religious hermits, and over the centuries, they carved lingas, stands, animals, and sacral friezes into the surrounding rocks and riverbeds. 

From the base of the site, they follow a well-marked uphill trail that takes around 45 minutes to complete. Guests are rewarded for their effort by a stunning waterfall and rock pools in which to bathe and cool off. In addition to the carvings, there is also a variety of fauna at Kbal Spean, and the trees and rock pools attract a colorful array of butterflies.

After lunch, the tour continues to Banteay Srei, a temple renowned for its fine pink sandstone and intricate carvings that remain remarkably well preserved. The final visit of the day is Preah Khan, one of Angkor’s largest temple complexes, built in the 12th century under King Jayavarman VII. It contains long corridors, crumbling stone halls, and hidden shrines surrounded by jungle. 

Guests return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.  

After breakfast at the hotel, guests have free time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing before the driver takes them to the airport for their departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A