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Angkor Wat tours and Cambodia travel information with the country specialist
Example Siem Reap 6 day tour
Summary
This Siem Reap 6 day tour is an example tour from our Guiding Research Centre based in Siem Reap. At a glance it may look like many other mass market, week-long tours of Cambodia but the routing and attention to crowd avoidance around Angkor Wat, the UNESCO park and the lake give a vastly different experience to the visitor.
Customise this itinerary for your own holiday style or Contact us to book it "as is". The tour presented is typical of how one might spend a week based in Siem Reap, Cambodia, going out beyond the temples into the countryside. We see the 'Must see' and some of the lesser Angkor temples, rural life and subsistance fishing communities on the margins of Tonle Sap lake.
Variations and inspirations for your vacation to Cambodia can be found on our Cambodia tours library or browse the tours by travel style collection.
Typical Costs
For 5 nights accommodation and 4 days full touring around Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.
$2110/$1473 - Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
$1818/$1223 - Hotel de la Paix
$1668/$1083 - Victoria Angkor
$1275/$993 - Angkor Village Resort
$987/$808 - Tara Angkor
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Prices per person for 2010 peak/low season, twin shared accommodation, all touring, entry fees and Golf & Spa package included
Itinerary
Day 0 - Arrive at Siem Reap
Met from your flight with a private transfer to your chosen hotel
Day 1 - Angkor Thom & Temples of the Forest
Start the day at the old Royal Bathing quarters of Srah Srang then move on to the much-photographed and much loved Ta Prohm temple ("made famous by the film, Tomb Raider") temple. We will then travel to Ta Nei temple, which you may have all to yourself, before finishing the morning at the imposing temple mountain of Ta Keo.
After lunch, we enter the walled city of Angkor Thom at the Victory gate before walking along the 8m high wall through the forest to the East (Death) Gate. From the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King we walk though the shaded parkland behind Phimeanakas and Baphuon, before arriving at Bayon temple.
Watch the Sunset over calm waters at a gorgeous place we know of with a drink in hand.
Day 2 - Angkor Wat & Golf or Spa Package
A pre-dawn start today with sunrise at Angkor Wat, one of the great achievements of mankind, exploring the central complex and surrounding bas-reliefs, and the associated stories, with an optional local breakfast if starting early, or you can always return back to your hotel for a more leisurely breakfast.
Relax in the afternoon with a round of golf at the Sir Nick Faldo-designed Angkor Golf Resort (professional coaching is available). Alternatively, unwind with a combined massage and treatment package at one of our recommended spas in Siem Reap.
Day 3 - The Grand Circuit
We travel by car through Angkor Thom to Preah Khan, a large site with the only existing two-storey structure remaining from the Angkor Era. We continue to the unique and charming Neak Pean, before coming to the much-photographed temple ruins Ta Som, a smaller scale Ta Prohm - without the crowds, optionally we could include the smaller site of Krol Ko - a pleasant escape.
Continuing after lunch, we visit the impressive Angkor Wat-style temple of Banteay Samre where the view from the causeway with the guardian lions out into the jungle are quite spectacular, and finish at the twin temples of East Mebon and Pre Rup, perhaps to enjoy sunset there.
Day 4 - Countryside and Remote Scenes
Across ancient reservoirs and through pretty villages and rice paddies, we travel by road to Kbal Spean, a Siem Reap tributary where Hindu gods and more than 1000 lingas - a symbol of fertility - were carved into the river rock. The 1.5km hike through jungle filled with squirrels and birdsong requires a moderate fitness level, but plan to cool off beneath the sacred stream's waterfall. After enjoying a local lunch, continue by road to Banteay Srei, the beautifully carved 'womens' temple.
Day 5 - Tonle Sap and Roluos
This morning we visit Psa Leu, a local wholesale market, which will assault all of your senses (in a good way), on our way to Tonle Sap lake. Here we can see the photogenic stilted village of Kompong Khleang all inclusive of markets, pagoda and school. We return to the peaceful Roluos group of temples, visiting Preah Ko and Bakong in the late afternoon with an optional visit to the (leather) puppet making workshop situated in front of Preah Ko, which teaches disadvantaged youth this traditional art form or you can take an optional nearby water blessing in Lolei by the buddhist monks.
Alternatively, an early finish allows us to visit the workshop of the Institute for Khmer Traditional Textiles (IKTT) on your return to Siem Reap to see some of the beautiful silk and organic cotton products created by the women that work there.
Day 6 - Cart rides and Cuisine
A relaxing finish to your week begins with your private chef, who will take you on a tour (by tuk tuk) to the local market to buy ingredients, which you will use to learn the art of Khmer cooking, and to enjoy your efforts (hopefully).
In the afternoon, explore the countryside around Siem Reap by either horseback, or by horse-cart, or simply relax in town, and visit the numerous art galleries and boutiques.
Day 7 - Departure
Private transfer to your flight
Not staying this long?
For those staying only 2 or 3 days, then we would typically remove the Kbal Spean and/or the Tonle Sap days. Look at our Angkor Wat Essentials (2 day) or Angkor Wat & Further Temples (3 day) example tours.
Staying for longer?
You have the time to visit other great places such as Koh Ker or other non-temple activities - have a look at the Cambodia 2 weeks tour for inspiration. Alternatively travel further afield to Phnom Penh or Battambang, e.g. Cambodia Taster Tour.
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