Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Pre- or Post-Trip, 4 Days

One of the world’s great architectural achievements, Angkor has tantalized Western travelers since Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist, stumbled upon it in the jungle in 1858. Delve into this incredible site with a guide and discover the ancient world of the Khmer Empire at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Examine its elaborate irrigation system, ride an elephant to the enigmatic faces of the Bayon Temple, and explore temples engulfed by thick jungle roots at Ta Prohm.

---

Itinerary - 4 Days

Day 1 — Bangkok/Siem Reap, Cambodia

Fly to Siem Reap, where you will be met and transferred to the hotel. After some time to relax, set out to explore the extraordinary temple complex of Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious temple. Built by a succession of kings during the golden age of the Khmer Empire, between the 9th and the 13th centuries, the temple reflects the evolution of the Khmer’s belief system from Hinduism to Mahayana Buddhism. Venture into galleries to examine stunning bas-reliefs that depict scenes of battles, the Ramayana, and the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. See some of the 3,000 apsaras, or heavenly nymphs, that are carved into the temple walls. Cap off the day watching the sun set over this ancient wonder.
La Residence d’Angkor (D)

Day 2 — Angkor

Spend the morning discovering Angkor Thom, last capital of the Khmers. Ride an elephant to majestic Bayon temple, a 12th-century masterpiece known for its enormous carved faces — more than 200 of them silently survey the landscape. After lunch visit Preah Khan, the “sacred sword,” a 12th-century temple built under Jayavarman VII. Explore its myriad halls and pavilions, causeways and moats, and look for the delicate frieze of apsaras in the Hall of Dancers. From there visit the small temple of Neak Pean, the “coiled serpents,” surrounded by four ponds. This evening watch the sun set over the storied galleries and towers of Angkor Thom.
La Residence d’Angkor (B,L)

Day 3 — Angkor

Travel to Banteay Srei, one of the jewels in this remarkable city. The citadel of women, this tiny, enchanting temple, was built of red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Enjoy a picnic lunch and then continue to Kbal Spean, or “the River of the Thousand Lingas.” Take a lovely walk up through the forest to a site where the riverbed of the Siem Reap River has been elaborately carved with Hindu images said to bless the water before it runs downhill to irrigate the city. Just under the water’s surface are more than a thousand small carvings etched into the sandstone riverbed. Further downstream larger blocks of stone are carved with apsaras, Vishnu, and other figures. This afternoon, visit the temples of Thommanon, Chao Say Tevoda, Ta Keo, and Ta Prohm. The last is known as the Kingdom of Trees because of the way in which the roots of the giant fig, banyan, and kapok trees, have worked their way into the temple structure, reclaiming it for the jungle.
La Residence d’Angkor (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Siem Reap/Bangkok

After breakfast, visit the National Angkor Museum to browse an impressive collection of Khmer artifacts. Time-permitting, stop by the Artisans d’Angkor where you can watch young Cambodians being trained in their traditional arts and crafts. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Bhutan (pre-trip) or home (post-trip).
(B)