Angkor Enhanced

Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, we proceed for sightseeing. Today, we visit Angkor Thom. The fortified city covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most famous sights. Enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. We continue to the dramatically decorated Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings-which were formerly venues for public ceremonies.

We visit the ruins of Baphuon, Royal Enclosure, and Phimeanakas, before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple, which probably is the most fascinating in Angkor. We explore the galleries with beautifully preserved bas reliefs, the central sanctuary, where giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down from every angle.
In the evening, we enjoy the sunset over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.

Overnight in Angkor Riviera Hotel or similar Siem Reap.

Following breakfast, we set out to visit Angkor Wat- the crown jewel of Khmer architecture, which has been the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best-preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings.

We first cross the vast moat; continue along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades and enter the main structure. Now, we ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, we stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface of the temple, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted from the walls. Along with the outer gallery, walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous 'Churning of the Ocean of Milk.' Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are uniquely beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.

Next, we visit Ta Prohm- one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle is not clear. It looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Other monuments we visit are:

Jayavarman VII built ta Som in the late 12th century for his teacher, Som. Ta Som means old Som.

King Jayavarman VII (ruled 1181 to 1201) built Neak Pean Temple. It is a Buddhist temple consisting of a square pool with four smaller square pools arranged on each axis. In the center of the large central pool is a circular island encircled by two nagas with intertwined tails.

Visit Preah Khan, also built by King Jayavarman VII, has towering enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Preah Khan covers a vast area, but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 meters.

Overnight in Angkor, Siem Reap.

Today, we visit the Roluos Group Temples. These monuments mark the beginning of Khmer classical art, and they represent some of the earliest great temples built by the Khmer. They served as the capital of Indravarman (who reigned from 877 to 889). Some of the prominent architectures here are: 
Lolei built on an islet by Yasovarman I (who ruled from 889 to 910), the founder of the first city of Angkor. The sandstone carvings in the niches of the temples are notable, as are the Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts.
In the late 9th century, Indravarman erected Preak Ho, in dedication to his defied ancestors in 880. There are inscriptions in Sanskrit on the doorsteps of each temple.

Bagkong, built and dedicated to Shiva by Indravarman I, this is the largest and most interesting of the Roluos Group of temples and still has an active Buddhist monastery.

Next, we visit Banteay Srei Temple, seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples. This temple is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built-in pink sandstone, exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy cover the walls. Because of its small size, wondrous atmosphere, and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors.

Now, we advance to Banteay Samre. It is a mid-12th-century temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. Next is Pre Rup Temple that consists of a pyramid-shaped temple with the upper-most of the three tiers carrying five square shrines arranged as a quincunx. The name means turning the body and refers to the traditional method of cremation.

Overnight in Angkor, Siem Reap. 

Transfer to the airport for flight to the next destination.