Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat tour and Artisans d'Angkor
5
Details
After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a full-day exploration of the Angkor temples. This morning, visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom – the last capital of the great Khmer Empire. You will visit the sprawling Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the enchanting Bayon. This 12th-century masterpiece lies at the very center of Angkor Thom City and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs but the main features are the towers each with 3 or 4 gently smiling faces, over 200 in total. PJ de Beerski wrote of them; “godliness in the majesty and the size, mystery in the expression.”
Continue your exploration of the Angkor Temples at Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its “re-discovery” by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelop the stone like tentacles. It is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Historians have noted its mystical charm.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, you will visit Angkor Wat, arguably the largest religious building in the world, with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build. It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king. It has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks and is well preserved. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story but the most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea of Milk, which is located on the east wing, the guide will explain the mystical tale.
This afternoon, we take a short walk along the road in front of the King’s Residence to see the Main Shrine, where the local people usually worship, with its statue of Yeay Teap, Preah Ang Chek and PreahAng Chorm. Buying jasmine and lotus flowers to worship is very important for the Cambodians then going to visit the local market of Siem Reap via Kandal Village.
Continue to Old Market (Phsar Chas) is a very popular of the various traditional Cambodian markets in Siem Reap. The Old Market offers the deepest selection of souvenirs and curios. There are souvenir vendors throughout much of the market, especially on the river side. The north side of the market along street sports several inexpensive cafe stalls serving Cambodian fare in an interesting, local atmosphere.
Finally, visit Artisans d’Angkor, a Cambodian company which was originally created to help young rural people find work near their home village. As the offshoot of an educational project called Chartiers - Ecole de Formation Professional, aiming at providing professional skills to communities with limited educational opportunities, Artisans Angkor has maintained its commitment to education by developing its own training program.
Breakfast and lunch are included today
Activity Info
Schedule
Start Time
Feb 22
to
End Time
Feb 22
Location
Hotel lobby (Siem Reap)
Supplier Info
Goway - Preferred