Upon your arrival in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed by your local English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel for check in.

Siem Reap is the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor and a charming riverside town. Take a rest from your flight at the hotel or discover Siem Reap on a stroll through its beautiful pagodas and the colourful market on your own.

This afternoon, depart on a very special sightseeing tour of the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.

During sunset time, Angkor Wat is less visited, and the Apsaras will shine in the most beautiful light. Return to your hotel.

This evening you will have a welcome dinner at the beautiful Madame Butterfly restaurant set in a traditional Khmer wooden house.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Siem Reap Airport – Siem Reap (8 km): 15 mins

Siem Reap – Temples (7km): 10 mins

Start your day with a tour to the temples of the Small Circuit. The most famous among these is Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid 12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Your visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.

Return to Siem Reap for lunch at the Square 24 restaurant to sample some of the more modern Khmer fusion food set in a contemporary setting.

Later today, visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom by ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai ‘tuk tuk’). Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.

From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. Return to your hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Siem Reap – Temples (7km): 10 mins

Depending on your departure flight you have the option of taking an excursion to see the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake:

Option: Kampong Phluck floating village (half day)

This morning, you will embark on an interesting boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Tonle Sap is South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season, as it is swelling to about four times its size during the wet season. Board a local boat and visit Kampong Phluck, a village where you will see houses on stilts that are submerged when Tonlé Sap Lake extends. On the way, you will pass floating houses and impressive flooded forests, portraying life on the water. (Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from June to March. However an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas can be arranged instead).

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Siem Reap – Tonle Sap (20km): 30 mins