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Dawn at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap Photo by David Sim

  Cambodia Tours

Siem Reap tours from the ancient Angkor temples tour of the Rolous Group and those of the Small Circuit, from temples of South Gate of Angkor Thom and Bayon to the grand Angkor Wat, from Banteay Srei and Grand Circuit to the rarely visited temples of Beng Melea and Koh Ker, as well as excursions to Anlong Veng and the lake villages of Tonle Sap

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Siem Reap is where the Angkor temples are hence for most this town constitutes the must-see part of Cambodia. Siem Reap can be easily visited as a side trip from Bangkok or Cambodia's capital of Phnom Penh. Siem Reap tour packages start from half-day tours to full day tours, one night tours to week-long tours that follow in the footsteps of the Khmer civilization and the itinerary will include number of the outlying temples and other sites worth a visit, for example Anlong Veng. The suggested very minimum stay to make the most of your visit in this area is 2 nights, 3 days. Following is a breakdown of the key sites organized into half-day long excursions. You can combine them into full day programs. Only in some cases where we take you on a full-day trip to outlying areas it is necessary to allocate a full day to accommodate the program.

If you are on a limited time, temples of South Gate and Angkor Wat make up a full day program. Next is the Rolous Group and temples of the Small Circuit. Third may be Banteay Srei and temples of the Grand Circuit. If you are truly in a hurry, consider taking the short Helicopter Scenic Flight. For a quick feel of Siem Reap and Angkor temples sited in flat plains near the shores of Tonle Sap, the flight will give you a good sense of the architectural extent of the Angkor civilization.

Angkor temple tours:

Key sites organized into half-day long excursions

1. South Gate - Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of Leper King.

2. Angkor Wat - tour is usually combined with a sunset view from Phnom Bakheng Hill. Alternatively combine with Ta Prohm Temple (The Jungle Temple).

3. Rolous Group including temples of Preah Ko, Bakong, Lo Lei.

4. Small Circuit including Prasat Kravan (Cardamon sanctuary), Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang (Royal Bath), Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple), Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda.

5. Grand Circuit including Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Preah Khan and Baksei Chamkrong.

6. Banteay Srei (Citadel of the Women) and Banteay Samre.

7. Beng Melea - largely overgrown by vegetation and considerably little visited, this early 11th century temple makes for a rewarding outing.

8. Koh Ker temples - located in Preah Vihear province, northeast of Siem Reap and just to the south of Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary, Koh Ker was for sixteen years a capital of Khmer Empire (from the 928 to 944). The temple city only relatively recently immerged from being engulfed by jungle for a thousand years. As Beng Melea, this great archaeological site is a must-see for those with serious interest in the Khmer civilization.

Tonle Sap tours:

7. Trip to Anlong Veng - visit Ta Mok's House, Brother #5, as well the former house of Pol Pot, two of Khmer Rouge most infamous leaders. En route visit temples of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre.

1. Tour to floating village and boat trip on Tonle Sap
A half-day tour to floating villages typically combined with sunset view at Phnom Krom.

2. Excursion to Kampong Kleang combined with boat trip on Tonle Sap. Kampong Kleang is located about 50 km from Siem Reap on the northeast shore of the lake. Boat trip offers insight into
the fishing farms of the floating villages.

Other optional tours from Siem Reap:

1. Phnom Kulen / Kulem Mountain, visit archeological park, admire ninth century Lingas, stone carvings, Sleeping Buddha, and the Phnom Kulen Waterfall.

2. Reserve of Prek Tuol - visit the floating village of Prek Tuol en route to the bird sanctuary teeming in storks, pelicans and ibises.

3. Silk Farm at Puok 15 km west of Siem Reap. Learn about growing and harvesting of mulberry, the breeding process and life cycle of the silk worm, collection of cocoons, separation and spinning of the silk fiber. Watch the dying process as well as weaving on simple back-strap looms.
 

4. Les Artisans d’Angkor, Chantiers Ecole - observe students learning traditional carving and finishing techniques; combine with shopping at Siem Reap Market; half-day.

5. War Museum, combine with a visit to Les Artisans d’Angkor / Chantiers Ecole and shopping at Siem Reap Market; half-day.
 

6. Cambodian Cultural Village - a sprawling new cultural attraction in Siem Reap, intended to introduce the visitor to Cambodian culture and history.

7. Sunset from Phnom Bakheng Hill

8. Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Sample Siem Reap 3 Days 2 Nights tour:

Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap in the morning. Tour the Small Circuit including Prasat Kravan (Cardamon sanctuary), Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang (Royal Bath), Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple), Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, In the afternoon visit to the legendary temple of  Angkor Wat. Enjoy sunset at Phnom Bakheng Hill.

Day 2: In the morning tour South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon continue with a visit of the Grand Circuit including Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Preah Khan and Baksei Chamkrong.

Day 3: In the morning visit the Les Artisans d’Angkor - Chantiers Ecole; then go shopping for arts and crafts at Siem Reap Market. Afternoon free at your own leisure until your departure from Cambodia to your next destination.

Sample Siem Reap 4 Days 3 Nights tour:

Day 1: Arrive in the morning, check in and set out on a tour of the Rolous Group, including Preah Ko, Bakong, Lo Lei. In the afternoon tour the sites and temples of the Small Circuit including Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang (Royal Bath), Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, with the highlight being Ta Prohm, the Jungle Temple.


Day 2: Tour South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. Afternoon visit the  Angkor Wat plus sunset at Phnom Bakheng Hill.

Day 3: In the morning tour the Grand Circuit including Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Preah Khan and Baksei Chamkrong. In the afternoon take a boat trip on Tonle Sap, visit floating village and view sunset at Phnom Krom.

Day 4: Departure
Morning free at your own leisure until transfer to the airport for your departure.
 

Combine Siem Reap with Phnom Penh tours:

Depending on your available time to travel we can design the optimum journey combining both towns and including their most desirable sites. Following is a sample 4 Days 3 Nights itinerary but

options what attractions to include are many, hence contact us for more ideas:

Taste of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh:

Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap, check in your hotel. In the afternoon embark on a tour to floating village and a boat trip on Tonle Sap.

Day 2: Tour sites and temples of South Gate. Afternoon visit the  Angkor Wat. Sunset at Phnom Bakheng Hill.

Day 3: In the morning transfer to the airport and fly to Phnom Penh. Afternoon half-day Phnom Penh City Tour (see the page on Phnom Penh tour options.

Day 4: In the morning continue sightseeing or we take you to go shopping at the Russian Market or Central Market, and departure.

For details of other Siem Reap tour packages, email us.

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