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Magic Angkor
Code: CCT04 - Duration: 6 DaysStart: Siem Reap | Finish: Siem Reap
Built by the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th century, the Kingdom of Angkor is one of the greatest and most spectacular Hindu religious sites in the world representing the peak of ancient Khmer architecture, art and civilization. This ancient city houses the magnificent Angkor Wat – the largest and best preserved monument. It is also the most impressive in the character of its grand architectural composition, being comparable to the finest of architectural achievements anywhere. By means of its perfectly ordered and balanced plan, by the harmony of its proportions and the purity of its lines – of a solemnity that one rarely encounters in the Khmer themselves – and by the very particular care taken in its construction. Magic Angkor enables you to discover all must see Angkor Temples and major places to visit when you are in Siem Riep.
Highlights:
- Visit the monuments of Roluos, one of the earliest of the Khmer Capital cities
- Admire the amazing architecture of Angkor Wat and its jungle temples
- Explore Bayon Temple at the center of Jayavarman’s capital, Angkor Thom
- Trip to the sophisticated carvings of Banteay Srei temple, the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art
- Take a boat trip on beautiful Tonle Sap Lake, visit the floating village of Chong Khneas to integrate into the local life
- Charming hotels in great locations
- Comfortable & spacious vehicle for transfers
Itinerary in brief:
Day 1: Siem Riep arrival - Rolous Group (-/-/D)
Day 2: Banteay Srei - Banteay Samre - Preah Khan - Neak Pean (B/L/-)
Day 3: Angkor Wat (B/L/-)
Day 4: Beng Mealea - Koh Ker - Chok Gargyar (B/L/-)
Day 5: Floating village - Tonle Sap Cruise - Takeo (B/L/-)
Day 6: Siem Riep - Silk Farm - Western Baray - Departure (B/L/-)- Ability to change the direction of the program
- Possibility of an extension in Laos or Vietnam
Notes:
- We specialize in “tailor-made” tours for groups of two or more. We carefully inspect each step of your journey from the accommodation to the perfect guide to suit your needs
- The itinerary is open to modification to fit your personal travel needs
- Modifications to the itinerary may increase the price of the package
- For the price of this trip, just ask for a quote by clicking on "TOUR PRICE"
- If you are looking for a trip modified to your requirements, please send us your needs by filling out the form in“Customize your trip”
- We will contact and send you a quote, excluding holiday period, within 48 hours of receiving your request.-
Day 1: Siem Riep arrival – Rolous Group (-/-/D)
Siem Riep – Airport: 7km, ~15min drive
Upon arrival at Siem Riep airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel by our guide and driver. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight.This afternoon, we visit the Roluos Group which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong, the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei ,built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. Enjoy dinner at local restaurant and traditional Apsara Dance Show.
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem RiepDay 2: Banteay Srei – Banteay Samre – Preah Khan – Neak Pean (B/L/-)
Morning after breakfast, we drive to the typical Khmer countryside and visit Banteay Srei temple (10th c), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. Continue to visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration using the method of "anastylosis". The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will continue our temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Prea Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Continue to Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), and Ta Som.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem RiepDay 3: Angkor Wat (B/L/-)
In the morning after breakfast, we visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the South Gate , the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem RiepDay 4: Beng Mealea – Koh Ker – Chok Gargyar (B/L/-)
Siem Riep – Beng Mealea: 60km, ~2h drive
Morning after breakfast, we drive to the remote Beng Mealea temple through the typical Khmer countryside (60Kms from Siem Reap). There is a lot to see in the approximately 2 hour drive as it takes us through many lively villages and along kilometers of rice paddies. Explore the long abandoned temple (11th century), strangled by the jungle. Lunch box will be provided at the site. A further 1h drive will bring us to Koh Ker, situated in the northeast of Siem Reap. Discover the long abandoned temples in the forests of northern Cambodia. Also known as Chok Gargyar, it served as the capital of Jayavarman IV (reigned 928-42). His son and successor Harshavarman I moved the capital back to Angkor in 944. There are a remarkable number of religious buildings in the Koh Ker region, considering the short space of time that it was the capital of the empire. There are more than 30 major structures and experts believe there may have been as many as 100 minor sacred buildings in the region. It was also a prolific period for gigantic sculpture and several of the most impressive pieces in the National Museum in Phnom Penh come from Koh Ker, including a huge garuda (half-man, half-bird creature).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem RiepDay 5: Floating village - Tonle Sap cruise – Takeo (B/L/-)
Morning after breakfast, we drive south visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10km from Siem Reap. Upon arrival, we embark a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. We continue our trip to Wat Bo pagoda to view its well-preserved paintings. You will also observe monks making the various moldings, which adorn the pagodas. Visit a workshop where traditional shadow play puppets are made. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our temple tour with Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area, as it has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem RiepDay 6: Siem Reap - Silk Farm - Western Baray - Departure (B/L/-)
Morning after breakfast, we drive from Siem Reap to the district of Puok to visit the Silk Farm of Puok. Arrival here, we can learn the different stages of the complex process of producing handmade silk. Before returning to Siem Reap, we will visit the nearby Western Baray and the temple of Western Mebon. Lunch will be served at local restaurant.The afternoon is set at leisure before you are transferred to Siem Reap airport for your flight to the next destination. End of our services!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Prices
This trip is private and therefore can be altered to suit your needs, date of commencement and budget requirements.
Prices vary due to a number of specifics:
- Seasonal: during high season (October-April), the prices of services are generally higher when compared to the low season (May-September).
- The number of participants: the more of you that travel together the less you will pay!
- The choice of hotels: Fairly obvious one here; a 5-star hotel can cost ten times as much as a 2 star hotel.
- The activities during the trip: Two trips on the same itinerary and of the same length can have two different prices depending on the number and nature of activities included.
- The booking date: In some cases, booking your trip late can drastically affect prices due to their low availability.
Inclusion:
- Accommodation as recommended or similar category according to availability.
- Transfers according to program by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver except free day
- English-speaking guide’s assistance at every stage
- Meals as indicated in program (B: Breakfast /L: Lunch / D: Dinner)
- Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Private traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake
- Water and cool tissues
- Government taxes & service charge
Exclusion:
- Other drinks and meals not clearly mentioned
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Personal expenditures, tips
- Personal insurance (compulsory)
- Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
- International air transfers associated with airport taxes
- Visa and visa arrangement (available upon request)
Booking
Here are 2 steps to book your trip with Tonkin-Travel:
Step 1. Focus on your travel program:
You can choose this trip as is or customize it to your specific desires. Just click on the “Customize this trip” tab and fill in the form. One of our travel consultants will contact you within 48 hours to develop the travel program based on your specifications.
Step 2. Booking:
- Following the first step, tour program is selected and we access the rates.
- Upon confirmation of the trip, the registration must be accompanied by a deposit up to 25% of the total estimate.
- For programs with private junk (cruise) and/or 5 star hotels, the deposit is represented by 30% of the total estimate.
- Tonkin-Travel carries out the booking process upon receipt of the deposit. Confirmation of these reservations is sent to customer within 10 days via email
Nature of travel
This trip is private. That implies:
- You will be escorted by a private guide and driver. This approach guarantees a smooth trip with fewer organizational constraints.
- You will be the master of your trip. We guarantee flexibility in organizing visits at your request.
- Our services will be personalized according to your desires. Thus the proposals in this package are not fixed and you can bring suggest all the desired changes.
- You receive individualized care: ample food, organizing small events (anniversary, honeymoon, etc.), targeted information, followed necessary modifications, etc.
Accommodation
- Accommodation is an important expenditure of your trip. When you choose a luxury trip for example, the accommodation can represent three quarters of the price. Thus, your choice of hotels is closely related to your budget.
- Tonkin-Travel has negotiated rates with a wide range of hotels from 2 to 5 stars.
- In some places you will have the option to choose ‘home-stay’. Although this provides less comfort that a hotel it is a truly authentic experience and highly recommended for at least one night of your journey.
Transport
All transfers during your trip are covered by private vehicle with driver, unless otherwise indicated in our offer. We ensure that our vehicles are new and comfortable. Fuel, tolls, accommodation, compensation and the driver are included in our offer. Only gratuities are not included and are at your discretion.
The size of the selected vehicle is based on the number of tour participants according to the following quality standards:
No. of participants
2 pax
3 pax
From 4 to 7 pax
From 8 to 14 pax
From 15 to 20 pax
Vehicle size
Car 4-7 seats
Car 7 or minivan
16 seatsMinivan 16 seats
Bus 24 seats
Bus 35 or 45 seats
Domestic flights
If your trip includes domestic flights if any, they will be operated by Vietnam Airlines, the largest airline in Vietnam. The fleet consists mainly of Airbus and Boeing. On some short trips, the company operates 72 ATR and some Fokker.
Rail transport
Train travel can be offered (particularly between Hanoi-Lao Cai and Hanoi-Hue). Travelling at a speed of 60km/h on average it is not necessarily the fastest but an interesting experience nonetheless.
This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation-
This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation
