Day 3 Siem Reap
Today we’ll discover the temples of Angkor, from the walled city of Angkor Thom to the ruins of Ta Prohm - a temple being reclaimed by nature. Now, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Angkor complex was originally built between the 9th and 15th centuries and served as the capital of the Khmer Empire.
We’ll start our day of discoveries at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where statues of gods and demons line your approach. There will be time to explore Bayon, where more than 200 stone faces are carved on to the temple towers of the upper terrace, before heading to Phimeanakas, a pyramid shaped temple offering views over the complex. At Ta Prohm, one of Cambodia’s most photographed temples, the ruins have mostly been left as they were found, with towering trees growing through the stonework.
We’ll return to Siem Reap for lunch at New Hope Cambodia’s Restaurant. This social enterprise aims to provide unemployed and often undereducated Khmers with valuable cooking and hospitality training that will help build their confidence and skills for future employment opportunities.
This afternoon we’ll visit Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II over three decades as a state temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Its five central towers represent the peaks of Mount Meru, home of the gods in Hindu cosmology. Here we’ll take in the temple’s scale, the detail of its bas-relief carvings, and intricate architecture.
We’ll complete the day at Pre Rup Temple, watching as the sun sets across the complex before returning to Siem Reap for the evening.
Meals included:
B,L