Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to incredible Kingdom of Cambodia - the charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors. In Cambodia, ancient and modern worlds collide to create an authentic adventure.

Arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, can’t help but conjure up an image of the exotic. The glimmering spires of the Royal Palace, the fluttering saffron of the monks’ robes & the luscious location on the banks of the mighty Mekong – this is the Asia many daydream about from afar.  

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Phnom Penh International Airport, subsequent to Customs & Immigration, you will be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

Arrive at the hotel & Check-in & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

A hub for both the Khmer Empire & French colonialists, Phnom Penh sits at the junction of the Mekong & Tonle Sap rivers & can be an assault on the senses.

Phnom Penh - the name can’t help but conjure up an image of the exotic & many consider it to be one of the friendliest capitals in Asia, as Cambodians have not yet become jaded by mass tourism. It is a bit unfortunate that one of the tourist industry's selling points for Phnom Penh has to do with wars that took place in the 1970's (i.e. Killing Fields, Toul Sleng), as visitors may associate the city with these historical events when in fact Cambodian culture, including its art & music is quite remarkable.

The Khmer temples & monuments found here are some of the most stunning examples of Buddhist architecture & art, and Phnom Penh has no shortage of these.

Once the ‘Pearl of Asia’, Phnom Penh’s shine was tarnished by the impact of war & revolution. But the city has since risen from the ashes to take its place among the hip capitals of the region, with an alluring cafe culture, bustling bars & a world-class food scene.

Despite being a bit rough on the edges, Phnom Penh retains its former charm as a leafy South East Asian capital with a nice riverside promenade & numerous beautiful Cambodian Buddhist wats, palaces, & other artifacts.

Tuk tuk & Motorbikes whiz through laneways without a thought for pedestrians; markets exude pungent scents; &d all the while the sounds of life - of commerce, of survival - reverberate through the streets. But this is all part of the attraction, watch the street life & absorb the local colour.

The beauty that made it a 'Paris of the East' before 1970 is hidden beneath the reality of modern day Cambodia, though there are a few French colonial buildings remaining. The wide boulevards & promenades envisaged by the French are mostly used as parking spaces & market stalls: pedestrians are not in favour.

The innermost part of the city, known as "riverside" is where most tourists will go, as it hosts cafes & restaurants aplenty. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants & bars are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda & the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market.

The city is slowly gaining high rise buildings, traffic lights & Western style shopping malls. It does not have the huge colonial British architectural heritage like Yangon in Myanmar, and is light years behind Bangkok.

Later in the afternoon, meet your Tour-guide in the lobby at 03.00 pm & proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of some of the city’s most historically significant sites.

Visit a selection of carefully-chosen highlights, from the remarkable buildings featuring some of the most stunning architecture to be found anywhere.

However, there will be 1 stop at a sombre site indelibly linked forever to the history of Cambodia.

Between 1975 & 1979, the Pol Pot-led Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia, with an estimated 2 million people killed or dying from starvation & exhaustion.

Visit the infamous Tuol Sleng High School & Genocide Museum to see the remnants of the S-21 prison camp & hear about how the horrors of the regime unfolded in this innocent location.

This former high school in central Phnom Penh makes for a sobering visit for the horrific role it played during the Khmer Rouge regime. During that time, the former school was transformed into a political prisoners’ camp known as Security Prison 21 (S-21).

The Museum was one of hundreds of detention & interrogation centers created all over Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge who gave the former high school the sinisterly innocuous name S-21 where countless thousands of Cambodians were ruthlessly processed until they were dead. Only 7 prisoners survived, while many others were tortured & killed, or sent to their deaths at Choeung Ek.

Much of the site has been left as it was discovered in 1979 when the Vietnamese army liberated Phnom Penh. The blood-splattered walls, tiny brick cells & abandoned torture tools offer a chilling insight into the brutal regime.

Peruse the sensitive exhibitions within the high school. See the gallery that speaks eloquently of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge as you walk you through the different museum displays.

You might even get the chance to meet one of the survivors, who will enlighten you further on the sordid history of this once peaceful school. 

The tour concludes & you are transferred back to the hotel.

Later in the evening, meet the Rep & transfer to one of Phnom Penh’s most celebrated restaurant - the Malis to enjoy a sumptuous Welcome dinner of authentic Khmer cuisine.

Return to the hotel.

Morning after Breakfast, meet the Rep who will assist in the Check-out & transfer you to the Pier to board the Boat & meet the crew. Your floating hotel for the next 4 nights.

Experience the elegance & luxury along the mighty Mekong River aboard the River Cruise.

The boutique style Mekong river cruise is the first of its kind offering ultimate luxury on 800 square meters public space including 4 beautifully-decorated decks. The Boat itself is the work of art with traditional Vietnamese lacquer paintings & exquisite Khmer bas-reliefs can be found at every turn on the ship.

From the deck to the cabins, every detail of the Boat embodies the finest touch of luxury, boasting 27 expansive & carefully designed staterooms with floor-to-ceiling doors & a private French balcony that offers privacy & unrivaled luxury.

Shortly thereafter, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a full day sightseeing of Phnom Penh. 

There are no shortage of activities to fill your stay in the Cambodian capital, from dipping into Khmer culture and exploring the city’s heritage, to sampling the delights of the array of local food available. Phnom Penh’s Museums offer a fascinating insight into Cambodian culture & heritage, and its turbulent past.

Proceed to visit the Royal Palace, which to this day is still the royal residence, a venue for court ceremony & a symbol of the Kingdom. It is home to His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk & Her Majesty Preah The Royal Residence also houses the sacred white elephant, the most auspicious & revered symbol of royal beneficence within Cambodia.

Gleaming in gold, the Royal Palace is one of Phnom Penh’s most splendid architectural achievements.

Built on the site of the old town which was especially chosen by a Commission of Royal Ministers & Astrologers because it had great geographical significance in relation to the King, who was regarded as a direct descendant of the gods, whose role it was to live and govern on earth under the influence of heaven.

In 1866, the royal family moved from the ancient capital of Oudong to the newly built Royal Palace. The next year, Phnom Penh was officially named the country’s capital.

The Royal Palace contains some spectacular buildings. Not least of which is the Throne Hall, situated to the left of the main entrance. It boasts a 59meter tower. The tower roof is beautiful, having been decoratively tiered with golden coloured tiles. This building is used for high official celebrations, coronations & audiences with foreign dignitaries & government officials.

Selected areas are open to the public. Guests can stroll through the manicured gardens & discover the ornate temples, libraries & galleries inside the palace grounds.

See the amazing royal collection & the beautiful architecture. The sculptures & sheer construction of the palace leaves even the most seasoned traveler in awe because of the stunning structure.

The Palace compound is also home to the extravagant Silver Pagoda also known as Wat Preah Keo or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a prominent temple that takes up a key place on the riverside & is named for its gleaming silver floor.

The Pagoda was originally constructed of wood in 1892 during the rule of King Norodom, who was apparently inspired by Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew & was rebuilt in 1962. It was preserved by the Khmer Rouge to demonstrate to the outside world its concern for the conservation of Cambodia’s cultural riches.

Although more than half of the pagoda’s contents were lost, stolen or destroyed in the turmoil that followed the Vietnamese invasion, what remains is spectacular.

This is one of the few places in Cambodia where bejewelled objects embodying some of the brilliance & richness of Khmer civilisation can still be seen.

It is so named for its floor, which is covered with five tons of gleaming silver. You can sneak a peek at some of the 5000 tiles near the entrance, but most are covered to protect them. The staircase leading to the Silver Pagoda is made of Italian marble.

Rivalling the silver floor is the magnificent 17^th century Emerald Buddha, an extraordinary Baccarat-crystal sculpture sitting atop an impressive gilded pedestal. 

Adding to the lavish mix is a life-sized 90kg solid gold Buddha adorned with 2086 diamonds, the largest weighing in at 25 carats, which was created in the palace workshops during 1906 & 1907. To the left is an 80kg bronze Buddha, and to the right a silver Buddha. On the far right, figurines of solid gold tell the story of the Buddha.

Directly in front of it, in a Formica case, is a miniature silver & gold stupa containing a relic of Buddha brought from Sri Lanka - a large footprint of Buddha, representing the 108 past lives of the Buddha before he was re-incarnated as Prince Siddharta, who subsequently gained enlightenment

Along the walls of the pagoda are examples of extraordinary Khmer artisanship - hundreds of meters of frescos depicting an episode of the Indian epic Ramayana. These are the biggest mural frescos in South East Asia.

There are also intricate masks used in classical dance & dozens of gold Buddhas. Displayed around the room, surrounding the main area are many precious gifts given to Cambodia’s monarchs by foreign heads of state but they appear rather spiritless when displayed next to such diverse and exuberant Khmer art. (Note that photography is not permitted inside the Silver Pagoda).

Break for lunch at a nearby restaurant or the Boat, moored a short distance away.

Move on to the adjacent Museum, home to more than 5,000 artefacts dating back to the ancient Angkorian period.

The National Museum of Cambodia is housed in a graceful sand-stone terracotta structure of traditional design with an inviting courtyard garden.

George Groslier (1887-1945), historian, curator & author was the motivating force behind much of the revival of interest in traditional Cambodian arts & crafts, and it was he who designed this quintessential building that is today synonymous with ‘traditional Khmer’ architecture. It is perhaps better described as a building enlarged from Cambodian temple prototypes seen on ancient bas-reliefs & reinterpreted through colonial eyes to meet museum-size requirements.

Groslier’s intended Museum was soon associated with the Ecole des Arts Cambodgiens (1917) & became known as the Musee du Cambodge in 1919. In 1920, this Museum was soon to be officially renamed Musee Albert Sarraut after the then Governor-General of Indochina.

The original design of the building was slightly altered in 1924 with extensions that added wings at either end of the eastern façade that made the building even more imposing.

Control of the National Museum & Arts Administration was ceded by the French to the Cambodians on 9 August, 1951 & following Independence in 1953, the then Musee National de Phnom-Penh was the subject of Bilateral accords.

1966 marked the appointment of Chea Thay Seng, the first Cambodian Director of the National Museum & Dean of the newly created Department of Archaeology at the Royal University of Fine Arts. This university that from its foundation as the Ecole des Arts Cambodgiens in 1920, was intimately linked with students, artisans & teachers who worked to preserve Cambodian cultural traditions, can still be found to the rear of the Museum.

The Museum closed between 1975 & 1979, the years of Khmer Rouge control & re-opened on 13 April 1979.

The Museum is home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture: a millennium’s worth & more of masterful Khmer design.

Various rooms display a range of rare statues, lingas and other items, including the Leper King from Siem Reap and a giant 11^th century bronze Vishnu. It equips visitors with some great knowledge ahead of a trip to Angkor Wat Archaeological Park.

Most visitors start left & continue in a clockwise, chronological direction. The first significant sculpture to greet visitors is a large fragment - including the relatively intact head, shoulders and two arms - of an immense bronze reclining Vishnu statue, which was recovered from the Western Mebon temple near Angkor Wat in 1936.

Continue into the southern pavilion, where the pre-Angkorian collection begins, illustrating the journey from the human form of Indian sculpture to the more divine form of Khmer sculpture from the 5^th - 8^th centuries.

Highlights include an imposing, eight-armed Vishnu statue from the 6^th century found at Phnom Da & a staring Harihara, combining the attributes of Shiva & Vishnu, from Prasat Andet in Kompong Thom Province.

The Angkor collection includes several striking statues of Shiva from the 9^th - 11^th centuries; a giant pair of wrestling monkeys (Koh Ker, 10^th century); a beautiful 12^th century stele (stone) from Oddar Meanchey Province inscribed with scenes from the life of Shiva; & the sublime statue of a seated Jayavarman VII, his head bowed slightly in a meditative pose (Angkor Thom, late 12^th century).

The Museum also contains displays of pottery & bronzes dating from the pre-Angkorian periods of Funan and Chenla (4^th - 9^th centuries), the Indravarman period (9^th & 10^th centuries) & the classical Angkorian period (10^th - 14^th centuries), as well as more recent works, such as a beautiful wooden royal barge.

You will be shown around by a trained Museum guide who will show you some wonderful pre - Angkorean pieces from the temples as well as a stunning collection of ancient Khmer art. The exhibits are complemented by more recent examples of Cambodian art.

The tour concludes & you are transferred back to the Pier by evening, riding on a traditional “Cyclo”.

Take your time to relax at your comfortable balcony or in the lounge before joining the exciting evening event.

The evening starts with a variety of cocktails served on the sundeck followed by a captivating & comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history. BBQ dinner is served right after the lecture.

You will then enjoy the Apsara dance performance to learn more the richness of this culture & the smooth sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks & barbeque on the sun deck.

Dining under the stars on the open Deck is truly an outstanding experience.

 The boat will depart before dawn.

Cruising from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap surely offers you a panoramic view of the countryside in Mekong River basins. The route is also packed with beautiful attractions, historical sites as well as interesting activities promising you many unforgettable experiences.

Culture & art are always outstanding features attracting tourists all over the world to have an excursion to Cambodia.

Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast as the Boat reaches Koh Chong, a small traditional village of Silk Weavers, situated on the bank of the mighty Mekong River. Though a small remote town, Chong Koh still leaves deep impression on travellers, as you interact with the friendly smiling locals.

Along with agriculture & fishing, Weaving plays an important role in the life of local people in Chong Koh. Thus, it is not surprising that each family has a loom which is made of wood & powered by foot pedals. This machine is usually put under the stilt house. The silk weavers use these weaving looms to create stunning fabrics & scarves with different colors & decorative patterns.

It is very interesting to spend time watching the process of weaving as the artisans show their impressive weaving skills to create beautiful silk masterpieces. You will also have the opportunity to discover the various steps in sericulture as you visit a Silkworm Farm.

You can walk around. There are some primary schools in the village that are open to visitors. The facilities & conditions of the school are getting worse, with faded paint, broken doors & windows. However, you will be amazed by encountering some of the poorest students of the country with big smiles on their faces.

Like other parts in the country, you will easily encounter some beautiful Buddhist stupas & temples in Chong Koh, which has beautiful sculptures & mysterious images of Buddha & sacred animals. These Stupas usually offer free entry, so you can freely enjoy the beauty of Khmer architecture & learn more about Buddhism in Cambodia.

Chong Koh Village welcomes & helps you relax with the idyllic landscape of river, mud path, stilt houses & green trees. In addition, you can also meet friendly people who try to speak English to introduce their village or sell the silk

Silk stuffs are the best things to buy in Chong Koh. You can buy some silk scarfs & pieces of textile at very reasonable prices for your friends & family. Silk table runner with Cambodia traditional patterns & national symbols of all sizes will also be a great souvenirs as well as ideal decoration for your house (we strongly recommend that you buy some souvenirs to bring home for the family as your gesture will be helpful to the locals but your choice, ultimately). .

Return to the Boat to continue your journey, contemplating the landscape along the Mekong & its fishing villages.

Next stop will be the village of Angkor Ban, where time stands still. The houses here are truly rustic without the impact of modern life. You could even join the daily activities of the villagers to experience firsthand their unique lifestyle.

Located along the Mekong River, Angkor Ban is a khum meaning commune. It is not a tourist hub but it is worth paying a visit to the village to enjoy the rustic life in remote areas in Cambodia in which variety of century-year-old wooden houses still exist.

Escaping the Khmer Rouge's ransacking wasn't the only reason Angkor Ban was nicknamed the "lucky village", though. As Somnang, our guide from the 24-cabin Mekong Pandaw ship that has ferried us along the Mekong River from Siem Reap, tells us, it also survived the flash floods that often touch the region, and American bombing of the country, too. As a result, time here seems to have stood still, turning this laid-back riverside town into a window into how the whole country might have once been, before all its hardships.

“Beneath the stilted timber house the man lazes in his red netted hammock, swaying gently through the sticky afternoon air. A few metres away, a white humpbacked Brahmin cow stands in the shade of a banana tree, her wet brown eyes staring into the distance & her tail switching back & forth. A skinny black chook scratches at the base of a nearby haystack, and a young boy trundles by on a creaking bicycle that is too big for his gangly frame”.

Witnessing this slice of rural life, which has barely changed since 100 years ago, is quite rare in Cambodia. Most rural villages were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge during the mid-1970s, but not this one.

No, Angkor Ban, in Battambang Province in the country's north-west, was claimed by the Khmer Rouge during their reign, who used the village houses either to live in or as storage. Hence, it escaped the scars of that dark era.

Angkor Ban enables you to enjoy new experiences of a living without chic shops, restaurants, highways, traffic jam, bustle which you are familiar with in the modern life. It welcomes you by its rural life with fresh air, lush green trees, village cows grazing on the fields & friendly residents

Walk along the dusty village paths, soaking up the mellow rhythm of local agricultural life. Knowing what these stilted houses, most of which are more than a century old, have endured makes them that much more beautiful.

People believe that blue is lucky color, thus it is not surprising as you find out that all houses have doors and windows painted blue. According to the local, it is a way to allow happiness to enter the home.

Marvel at the cleverness of their stilted design. This keeps them out of the mud in the rainy season, pushes air through the house on the hottest days, & gives families extra space below in which to keep their livestock, firewood & wooden carts - "Cambodian BMWs". The internal space is quite large. Like other houses today, it also has bedroom, living room & kitchen. Except for wooden floor, in some places in the house, there are see-through bamboo floors which support the air circulation & light in winter & summer.

You will see people whir by slowly on bicycles laden with green leafy vegetables & see small children clad in red T-shirts running through verdant laneways, shrieking with delight. Every few metres, you will pass another small Buddhist shrine, miniature versions of the real things, dotted between the coconut palms & banana trees.

Scattered among this peaceful bucolic scene, however, are signs of modernity. The odd vine-choked electricity pole. The pairs of rubber flip-flops gathered at front doors.

And when you see the local primary school, a simple open-sided room equipped with electric lights, ceiling fans & a brand-new whiteboard, time instantly fast-forwards to the modern day.

You also can find here in the Angkor Ban, a Pagoda built in Khmer style, which is dedicated for the Buddha. This 2 storey Pagoda surrounded by many stupas decorated with beautiful patterns. The Monks will also give blessing to you before you leave this peaceful place.

Back to the Boat & sail to Kampong Cham, where the Boat will moor for the night (night sailing is not allowed).

The Boat will depart at dawn for Wat Hanchey located a short sail away.

Wake up early today to embark on a 4 hour excursion to see the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey located at the top of a hill 20 km north of Kompong Cham. Wat Hanchey will satisfy you with not only its beautiful structures but the breath-taking views over the Mekong River as well.

To go on the top of the hill visitors can use a motor scooter but we recommend that you climb over 303 steps since it is a good way to improve your health & enjoy the beauty of nature on the both sides of stairway (not steep, easy climb, although long). Once on the top of the hill overlooking the river, you will be amazed at stunning views over the region. It offers a panoramic view overlooking the Mekong River, promising great photo opportunities. The mood around here is also full of fresh air & the comfortable smell of alluvium from the Mekong River.

Cycling out here through the pretty riverbank villages is a good way to explore.

Considered as a thriving religious site for both Hindu & Buddhist temples, this magnificent hilltop Pagoda was an important centre of worship during the Chenla (pre-Angkorian) period, when, as today, it offered some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia.

In Khmer's belief, home of Hindu gods was on the Mountain Meru, but there was no actual mountain in this part of country. Thus, people built the temples on the hill which was modeled the cosmic mountain to worship gods. Under the rule of Khmer Rouge, the buildings in Wat Hanchey complex were damaged but they have been restored recently.

The oldest part in this complex dating from 8^th century played an important role in the worship during the time of Chenla Empire when it was an important transit stop on journeys between the ancient pre-Angkor cities of Thala Boravit (near Stung Treng to the north) & Angkor Borei (near Takeo to the south).

The foundations of several structures, some of them destroyed by American bombs, are scattered around the compound, along with a clutch of bizarre fruit & animal statues.

The most notable structure in this weather-worn red brick complex is Chenla-era brick Sanctuary in front of a large, contemporary Wat, with well-preserved inscriptions in ancient Sanskrit on the doorframe. A hole in the roof lets in a lone shaft of light.

Nowadays, the residents in this area are Buddhists, but this ancient temple which once was used to dedicate to Hirahara - a god in Hindu religion still stands beside the other temples worshiping Buddha. It seems to represent the relationship between the past & present in Cambodia and remind people about the Khmer’s veneration to their religious history as well as religious monuments.

Another outstanding structure here is single story Theravada pagoda built in Khmer style with the main colors are yellow & blue, dedicated to Buddha. The stunning sculptures & statues such as nagas & lions with different colors inside & outside the pagoda leave strong impression on visitors.

One of the new structures is very unique with special decoration and architecture such as some paintings depicting the life of Khmer people.

Noticeably, Wat Hanchey is also home to many young Cambodian monks. Every day, their daily lives going on by praying, studying, hanging out & taking a break with each other around the Temple. Inside, during lunch time, you will see their simple meals, mostly donated by local people &  pilgrims.

Going inside the Pagoda is a good way to enrich your knowledge about Buddhism, through the colorful paintings on the wall and ceiling. You could also get to know more the unique lifestyle of some of the monks in the area as a traditional water blessing ceremony performed by local monks & a string tied around your wrist to bring luck & happiness.

Head back to the Pier & the Boat will sail back to Kampong Cham, as you enjoy lunch.

Later, proceed for a visit to the peaceful provincial capital Kampong Cham, spread along the banks of the Mekong, known for its French colonial buildings.

Long considered Cambodia’s 3^rd largest city after Phnom Penh & Battambang, it has lately been somewhat left in the dust by the fast-growing tourist towns of Siem Reap & Sihanoukville.  However, it remains a travel hub & acts as the stepping stone to eastern Cambodia.

But it still has much to offer, from temples to deep forests of numerous rubber plantations (a legacy of the French colonial period) to peaceful stalls along the river where visitors can sit back & soak in the atmosphere over a beer or fresh coconut.

It was an important trading post during the French period, the legacy of which is evident as you wander through the streets of crumbling yet classic buildings. The town is quaint & charming with its bustling morning river scene and wide boulevard streets beside the river

Kampong Cham is a mix of the old & the new, with a new temple being built in & around old ruins and the big ferry boats taking people and goods to the other side of the Mekong, right next to the construction of the first bridge ever built here.

Nearby attractions include several Angkorian temples, as well as some atmospheric riverbank rides for cyclists & motor-bikers. The town offers an accessible slice of the real Cambodia: a land of picturesque villages, pretty wats & fishing communities. The people of Kampong Cham are very friendly & open to engaging with tourists.

After spending an hour there, continue on to the outskirt of the town to Wat Nokor Bachey, where a modern Pagoda is built on the site of an Angkorian temple and is considered a cultural & historical site. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Kampong Cham.

The original fusion temple, Wat Nokor is a relatively modern Theravada Buddhist pagoda built in the middle of the 11^th century during the reign of Suryavarman II & King Ouphey dedicated to Brahmanism, squeezed into the walls of a 12^th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine of sandstone & laterite.

Wat Nokor Bachay is a kitschy kind of place - a Russian doll temple, dating back to the era of Jayavarman VII, where many of the older building’s archways have been incorporated into the new building as shrines for worship.

This was the same warrior king who also built Bayon, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Chhmar & many, many more. The original sandstone & laterite temple is made up of a central tower decorated with motifs & Buddhist scenes characteristic of Bayon,& is surrounded by four laterite enclosures.

Embedded within the inner walls, a working Pagoda with a beautiful tiled floor & painted pillars offers a shady respite from the heat outside and you may come across some monks or nuns there. The old & the new, despite their very distinct styles, blend together well.

More boundaries can be seen further outside the temple grounds, in scenes that blend in ancient Angorian structures with a more recent Chinese cemetery & modern working pagoda buildings.

Oedipal stories seem to be common currency around Kompong Cham. According to one legend told about Wat Nokor, 2 of the stupas within the temple were built by the son of the prince who had originally constructed the temple, Preah Bath Bachay Bachas. The son was sent to China while only 4 years old, where he was trained & then kept as a valuable advisor to the emperor.

But his yearning for his homeland finally overcame him in his 30s & he returned, taking the name Prom and taking refuge with a beautiful widow, whom he eventually married. When she confessed that she had been the prince’s bride, he realised to his horror that he had married his own mother.

In order to restrict the damage to their respective karmas, his mother instructed him to build twin, opposing stupas within his father’s temple to store the remains after their deaths.

At least, that’s what the legends say…

On weekdays, there are only a few monks in the complex & it is peaceful to wander among the alcoves & their hidden shrines.

On the way back to the Boat, cross the famous Bamboo Bridge.

The longest Bamboo Bridge in the world, it is rebuilt every year once the rainy season passes & the Mekong subsides to reveal the sandy banks below. Almost a kilometre long & made entirely of blonde bamboo poles, the bridge remains functional until it is submerged & washed away again every year when the Mekong, flush with snows from the Himalayas, surges again.

Only a 15 minute walk from the main riverside area, or quick hop on a bicycle or moto, the rickety but spectacular bamboo bridge is an experience in its own right. The curious rattling as vehicles of all descriptions - even trucks and a horse & cart - pass over it to get to Koh Pen, the very scenic island on the other side.

This is a lovely jaunt if you are looking for a relaxing diversion & a chance to see one of the prettier Cambodian villages. The island seemed to be virtually litter-free, which is painfully unusual. Along shaded lanes, wooden, stilted houses are tucked in along palm & sandalwood trees & great blooms of bougainvillea.

Return to the Boat.

Rest of the evening is at leisure.

As the sun rises on the horizon, the Boat will set sail towards Kampong Chhnang on the tranquil Tonle River, gliding through leafy swaths of the Southeast Asian jungle.

Along the way, you may be greeted by the cacophonous noise from friendly children who waive enthusiastically from the river banks when they bring their livestock for a bath in the meandering Tonle River.

Reach Kampong Chhnang - Cambodia’s “water-world” where everything is on stilts balanced on water rich soil - by mid-morning, a great place to enjoy Tai Chi session on the deck in the tranquil setting of the region.

Witness an impressive show of life on the water of the inhabitants of this province & their unique stilt houses.

Venture ashore to visit the town.

Kampong Chhnang is a relatively wealthy small provincial town thanks to its proximity to the capital and its fishing & agricultural industries & abundant water resources, out of the main tourist path, not to say you will be the first setting foot there.

While nothing much may be happening in the province's sleepy capital city of Kompong Chhnang (Clay Pot Port), the bustling dock on the Tonle Sap River is the jumping-off point for serene boat rides to two floating villages.

Outside of town, you will find a lush landscape of yellow-green rice fields. Here, in the tiny hamlets where cows slumber beside curvaceous hay bales, the area's distinctive pottery is crafted underneath stilted homes, providing another reason to linger.

There are also some nice sights to check out & if you are interested you also may rent a motorized boat to explore the Tonle Sap River area around the town. The new river walkway is the place for a stroll & that is where the locals head to for the early evening social hour. It is the evening & weekend spot to be seen.

Skimming through the watery streets in a tiny wooden paddle-boat as the late-afternoon sun sends a shimmer over the river is a gorgeous way to end a day.

Hop on to long small motorboats & sail along the Tonle Sap to an island & then a short bus trip over flat red-dirt roads to see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. 

Rather than noisy factories with busy workers, you will be greeted by smiling dwellers of the Aundaung Russey Village. Feel the absolute warmth they offer to foreign visitors, clearly in their nature. The genuine smiles, the bright faces, the readiness to greet & accept.

Gather around young women working on some pots – looking up at visitors to smile & nod, as you watch.

Now, comes the surprise. Instead of spinning a platform around & around to work on the clay pot, they shape it by walking around it.

Then, the Guide will explain that they are adhering to an age-old tradition in Cambodia: you pat the clay with your hands, then with wooden pieces that look like miniature boat paddles. It can be done more effectively if you’re standing up and walking around the pot.

Continue the visit with a quick walk to more traditional stilt houses where women display small clay candleholders, bells & piggy banks - made in the shape of elephants. One wonders what these are used for, as they are too small for money bills, while coins aren’t used in this country.

Walk around the village, stopping at a few more houses where the open areas are filled with mounds of clay, as workers calmly but efficiently pounded blocks of clay into dozens & dozens of clay cookers, while others covered them with tin sheets & painted the inside a blood-red color.

Head back to the Boat for a sumptuous lunch.

Post lunch, it is back to the river for an adventurous motorboat excursion to the wetlands, floating houses & fish farms in the region.

Cruise past fishing boats, floating houses & trees rising up from the riverbanks, reaching for the sky, the stilt houses with corrugated tin roofs showing through the thin branches & leaves.

Return to the Boat.

Enjoy the peacefulness & tranquillity of the lake as the Boat sails on along the narrow & meandering Tonle Sap.

In the evening, a sumptuous spread will be served. And for the big surprise - bring along your dance shoes & learn to jiggle the Cambodian way with our staff doubling up as dance instructors.

Continue sailing on the Tonle Sap, considered the largest freshwater lake in Asia, home to a variety of birdlife & fish. The lake is so wide that one cannot see its shores from the middle of the lake.

Partake an early sumptuous breakfast as you enjoy the stillness of the water & the quiet tranquility all the way to Siem Reap.

The Cruise experience comes to an end as you reach the Siem Reap Jetty around 09.00 am & prepare to disembark.

Arrive in Siem Reap, the gateway to an ancient world capital city

On arrival, you will be welcomed by The Journeys Rep who will ensure your comfort, assist with the disembarkation & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program.

Arrive at the hotel & Check-in & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Wrapped in rainforests, edged by golden sands, crowned by volcanoes, studded with ruins of lost civilisations: this is Southeast Asia as you have always imagined it. The life-support system & gateway for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap was always destined for great things

Breathtaking Antiquity | Empire of Temples | Cambodian Spirit

Siem Reap, a once quaint laid-back & pleasant village, located on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia, in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the world famous temple ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9^th - 15^th centuries. The life - support system & gateway for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap was always destined for great things. The name of the city literally means Siamese defeated, referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17^th century. 

Siem Reap has reinvented itself as the epicentre of chic Cambodia, with everything from backpacker party pads to hip hotels, world-class wining & dining across a range of cuisines, sumptuous spas, great shopping and a creative cultural scene that includes Cambodia's leading circus. The proximity of the Angkorian ruins has turned Siem Reap into a boomtown in less than half a decade.

Visitors come here to see the Temples, of course, but there is plenty to do in & around the city when you are templed out. Angkor is a place to be savoured, not rushed & this is the base from which to plan your adventures. Still think three days at the temples is enough? Think again with Siem Reap on the doorstep

Siem Reap, a once quaint laid-back & pleasant village, located on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia, in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the world famous temple ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9^th - 15^th centuries. The life - support system & gateway for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap was always destined for great things. The name of the city literally means Siamese defeated, referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17^th century. 

Balance of the morning is at leisure to relax or explore independently (we shall be happy to offer suggestions for Optional activities & arrange).

Later in the afternoon, meet your Tour-guide in the lobby at 01.00 pm & proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of some of the city’s most historically significant sites.

Drive by a selection of carefully-chosen highlights, from the remarkable buildings featuring some of the most stunning architecture to be found anywhere.

Stop at the Angkor National Museum.   

Looming large on the road to Angkor is the, a state-of-the-art showpiece on the Khmer civilisation & the majesty of Angkor. Displays are themed by era, religion & royalty as visitors move through the impressive galleries.

Visiting the mammoth, 20,000 square-metre building may be a surreal experience. Its shopping mall-like feel contrasts with the thousands-year-old artefacts contained within it.  It is composed of 8 separate galleries, all connected by a vaulted corridor with a series of fountains & lined with what seems like all the Angkorian limestone lion & demon heads missing from statues at the temples.

Exhibits include touch-screen videos, epic commentary & the chance to experience a panoramic sunrise at Angkor Wat. Although there appears to be less sculpture on display here than in the National Museum in Phnom Penh, the presentation of the artefacts here is cutting edge.

After an explanatory film screening called Story behind the Legend, you are pointed toward the galleries.

Enter the Zen-like Gallery of a Thousand Buddhas, which has a fine collection of images.

This is the only gallery that is just one large room, rather than a series of maze-like alcoves & the sight of all these Buddhas at once is striking. Hundreds of small & miniature Buddha figurines, made of metals, jewels & wood, all individually illuminated, line the walls here, identified according to the period they were made during & where they were discovered. In the centre, life-size & larger Buddha characters are displayed. The display includes Buddhas from Banteay Kdei, Bayon, Angkor Wat & Preah Vihear.

The 2^nd Gallery & all the subsequent ones combine mural-size explanations and short films through maze-like rooms explaining Angkorian history. The styles of figurines precede the trademark Angkor style, and there's a large collection of lingas, lintels & colonnettes

Other exhibits include the pre-Angkorian periods of Funan & Chenla; the great Khmer kings; Angkor Wat; Angkor Thom & the inscriptions.

Some of the standout pieces in the collection include a late 12^th century seated Buddha sheltered by a naga (mythical serpent-being); a 7^th century standing Vishnu from Sambor Prei Kuk in Kompong Thom; & a stunning 10^th century lintel from the beautiful temple of Banteay Srei.

Gallery 3 entitled Religion & Beliefs, explains several of the most significant Hindu & Buddhist religious stories and folk tales depicted on Angkorian temples, including the most memorable “Churning of the Sea of Milk” carved into the rear wall at Angkor Wat. Carvings of Buddhist & Hindu religious figures are concentrated here as well.

Gallery 4 focuses on the Great Khmer Kings - Jayavarman II, Yasovarman I, Soryavarman II & Jayavarman VII, those most responsible for Angkor's greatest constructions. Figures of the kings & relics from the temples they commissioned abound.

Gallery 5 features beautiful, panoramic images of the Angkor Wat temple & explanations of how it was constructed. There are also many restored figures from the temple itself as well as post-Angkorian wooden statues used for worship at the temple until several hundred years ago

Gallery 6 showcases the history & artefacts recovered from the vast irrigation projects commissioned by the king Jayavarman VII who built Angkor Thom, with his smiling face looking out from every tower.

Gallery 7 entitled “Story from Stones” is one of the most interesting, featuring a collection of stone pallets with ancient Khmer & Sanskrit inscriptions. The writing on each slate is explained on placards below. The writings includes the declaration of the construction of a new hospital, lists of slave names, mediations of land disputes and adulations of kings & gods.

Gallery 8 contains the busts & statues showing distinct fashions & styles as they evolved throughout Angkor time. There is also a collection of ancient jewellery & headdresses, from Apsaras & kings to princesses & warriors.

Audio tours (direct payment) are available for those who want a more comprehensive understanding of the exhibits on display.

Spend 2 hours to explore the Museum. At the end, you might want to visit the Gift Shop where upscale imitations of these fashions shown in Gallery 8, abounds. Finish off with coffee & sweets inside the attached Cafe.

Come back to the hotel to freshen up to get ready for another interesting ‘not to be missed’ Cambodia experience.

Evening around 06.00 pm, meet the Rep & proceed to see the breathtaking show "Phare -The Cambodian Circus" featuring the energetic & talented young professional artists & high-flying acrobatics with live music.

The Show is one of Cambodia’s most innovative social enterprise models. Profits generated through ticket, refreshment, merchandise & private performance sales support the free education, professional arts training & social support programs of Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang.

More than just a Circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance & modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk & modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm & talent.

All Phare artists are students & graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s (www.phareps.org) vocational training center in Battambang, formed in 1994 by 9 young men coming home from a refugee camp after the Khmer Rouge regime. They were greatly helped during that time by an art teacher using drawing classes as therapy who wanted to share this new skill among the poor, socially deprived & troubled youngsters in Battambang.

The Group founded an Art School & a Public School offering free education. A Music School & Theatre School were next and finally, for the kids who wanted more, the Circus School. Today more than 1,200 pupils attend the public school daily & 500 attend the alternative schools. Phare Ponleu Selpak also has extensive outreach programs, trying to help with the problems highlighted in their own tales.

“Phare - the Cambodian Circus” offers these students & graduates a medium to hone their skills & a place to earn a decent wage. Money that will take them out of poverty & give them self-respect & freedom.

The Phare experience begins from the moment you approach the venue in Siem Reap. You will see larger-than-life images of Phare artists on banners & billboards along the street.

As you enter the site, you are greeted by the smiling faces & a warm welcome of the customer service team. You pause to take your first photo of the evening: the authentic red big top with colorful lights made from recycled plastic bottles.

With your ticket in hand, you pass by the story panels that provide you a little background of the artists as you enter the newly redesigned Phare Boutique, where you can get some of the most extraordinary souvenirs, including original artwork from Phare visual artists. Maybe, one of the hand-crafted items will catch your eye. Of course, you know you need to take home several Phare t-shirts & polo shirts as souvenirs for your friends & family. Don’t worry if you can’t make up your mind just yet. Phare Boutique will be open after the show as well.

Between Phare Boutique & the Big Top, you will discover open-air Phare Cafe, serving drinks, snacks and delicious meals. Here, before the Show, you will enjoy a 3 course meal (included, no drinks) dining on Fish Amok & Beef Kroeung & other delicacies.

Another drink? Popcorn with real butter? No problem. You’re welcome to take it into the Big Top.

08.00 pm – time to proceed to the Tent for the main event.

The smile automatically comes to your face as you find a seat in the traditional, authentic, circular Big Top. May be, you are thinking of a circus you went during your childhood, but guaranteed, this will be unique. The music, acting, acrobatics & high-energy music will captivate you. At the end, the artists welcome you on stage for a chat or group photos.

You exit the Big Top feeling exhilarated. When you pass back through Phare Boutique on the way out, you know exactly which souvenirs you will take home.

With your bag in hand, you jump in one of the tuk tuks waiting for you back to the hotel to look at all the pictures you took & upload them to your social media?

Or may be, you want to discover the Pub Street? (if you do, then you will have to find your own way back to the hotel).

And now comes the ‘raison d’etre’ of coming to Cambodia in the first place.

Wake up at dawn, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 06.00 am & head to Angkor Wat for sunrise & a morning tour of the temple before the crowds arrive. .

Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise & sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.

Welcome to heaven on earth.

Angkor’s vast complex of intricate stone buildings includes preserved Angkor Wat, the main temple, which is pictured on Cambodia’s flag.

Wat is the Khmer name for temple, which was probably added to "Angkor "when it became a Theravada Buddhist monument, most likely in the 16^th century. After 1432 when the capital moved to Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat was cared for by Buddhist monks

Angkor is the earthly representation of Mt Meru, the Mt Olympus of the Hindu faith & the abode of ancient gods. The temples are the perfect fusion of creative ambition & spiritual devotion. The Cambodian ‘god-kings’ of old each strove to better their ancestors in size, scale & symmetry, culminating in the world’s largest religious building, Angkor Wat.

Angkor’s vast complex of intricate stone buildings, in their beauty & state of preservation, is unrivaled & its mightiness, magnificence bespeak a pomp & a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. The main temple is pictured on Cambodia’s flag.

The largest, best preserved & most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor Wat impresses visitors both by its sheer scale & beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. An architectural masterpiece, its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief's & sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, it was originally constructed in  the first half of the 12^th century as a Hindu temple  dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu god), in Yasodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, by King Suryavarman II. It was the state temple & his eventual mausoleum.  

It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary temple for King Suryavarman & oriented to the west to conform to the symbolism between the setting sun & death. The bas-reliefs, designed for viewing from left to right in the order of Hindu funereal ritual, support this function. Angkor Wat is the earthly representation of Mt Meru, the Mt Olympus of the Hindu faith & the abode of ancient gods. The Cambodian god-kings of old each strove to better their ancestors’ structures in size, scale & symmetry, culminating in what is believed to be the world’s largest religious building.

It is the largest religious monument in the world, on a site measuring 162.6 hectares & is acclaimed as one of the most inspired monuments ever conceived by the human mind. It was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of his reign

As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation, was never abandoned to the elements & has been in virtually continuous use since it was built. It is considered the epicentre of Khmer civilisation & a source of fierce national pride.

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The traveller's first glimpse of Angkor Wat, the ultimate expression of Khmer genius, is matched by only a few select spots on earth. Simply unique, it is a stunning blend of spirituality & symmetry, an enduring example of humanity’s devotion to its gods. Relish the very first approach, as that spine-tickling moment when you emerge on the inner causeway, will rarely be felt again.

To approach the temple, visitors first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of galleries & courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway & across the surrounding countryside

The plan of Angkor Wat is difficult to grasp when walking through the monument because of the vastness. Its complexity & beauty both attract and distract one's attention. From a distance Angkor Wat appears to be a colossal mass of stone on one level with a long causeway leading to the center but close up it is a series of elevated towers, covered galleries, chambers, porches & courtyards on different levels linked by stairways.

The sandstone blocks from which Angkor Wat was built were quarried from the holy mountain of Phnom Kulen, more than 50 km away & floated down the Siem Reap River on rafts. The logistics of such an operation are mind blowing, consuming the labour of thousands. According to inscriptions, the construction of Angkor Wat involved 300,000 workers & 6000 elephants, yet it was still not fully completed.

Covered galleries with columns define the boundaries of the first & second levels. The third level supports five towers - four in the corners and one in the middle & these is the most prominent architectural feature of Angkor Wat. Graduated tiers, one rising above the other, give the towers a conical shape and, near the top, rows of lotuses taper to a point.

The height of Angkor Wat from the ground to the top of the central tower is greater than it might appear: 213 meters (699 feet), achieved with three rectangular or square levels (1-3). Each one is progressively smaller & higher than the one below starting from the outer limits of the temple.

Enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface of the outer gallery walls with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. The temple is admired for the grandeur & harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs which narrate stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk & for the numerous devatas adorning its walls.

Mid-morning head back to the hotel in time for breakfast before relaxing in the garden, by the pool, or in your own room through the heat of the day

Later in the afternoon, head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city covering an area of 10 sq km.

Enter through the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons & gods, each carrying a giant naga.

Continue to the Terrace pf the Elephants & the Terrace of the Leper King, former spaces for public cermonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit

See the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple, one of the most popular & compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs & ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find magnificent giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.

Angkor Thom is undeniably an expression of the highest genius. It is, in three dimensions & on a scale worthy of an entire nation, the materialization of Buddhist cosmology, representing ideas that only great painters would dare to portray.

Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire, was a fortified city enclosing residences of priest, officials of the palace and military, as well as buildings for administering the kingdom.

These structures were built of wood & have perished but the remaining stone monuments testify that Angkor Thom was indeed a "Great City" as its name implies. Temples inside the walls of the city are Bayon, Phimeanakas, Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Prah Palilay, Tep Pranam & Prasat Suor Prat.

The Royal Palace situated within the city of Angkor Thom is of an earlier date & belonged to kings of the 10^th - 11^th centuries. Although the foundations & an enclosing wall around the palace with entry towers have been identified, little evidence remains of the layout of the buildings inside the enclosure.

The French ascertained a general plan of the Royal Palace. It included the temple-mountain of Phimeanakas & surrounding pools together with residences & buildings for administering the capital, which were probably at the back of the enclosure. Jayavarman VII reconstructed the original site of the Royal Palace Palace to erect the city of Angkor Thom, which was centered around the Temple of Bayon & surrounded by a wall.

At the center of the Kingdom complex rise a Golden Tower flanked by more than twenty lesser towers & several hundred stone chambers. On the eastern side is a golden bridge guarded by two lions of gold, one on each side, with eight golden Buddhas spaced along the stone chambers. North of the Golden Tower of Bronze (Baphuon), higher even than the Golden tower. a truly astonishing spectacle.

A quarter of a mile further north is the residence of the King rising above his private apartments is another tower of gold, These are the monuments which have caused merchants from overseas to speak so often of "Cambodia the rich & noble "

Symbolically, Angkor Thom is a microcosm of the universe, divided into four parts by the main axes. The temple of the Bayon is situated at the exact center of the axes and stands as the symbolical link between heaven and earth. The wall enclosing the city of Angkor Thom represents the stonewall around the universe and the mountain ranges around Meru. The surrounding moat (now dry) symbolizes the cosmic ocean.

A long causeway leading to each entry tower is flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side - demons on the right & gods on the left-to make a total of 108 mythical beings guarding the city of Angkor Thom. The demons have a grimacing expression & wear a military headdress whereas the gods look serene with their almond-shaped eyes and wear a conical headdress. (Some of the heads on these figures are copies; the original ones have been removed and are at the Angkor Conservancy in Siem Reap).

There are several beautiful spots from which to watch the sunset & the Tour-guide would take you to a vantage point. Relax & enjoy a memorable end to your day at the temples.

The Tour finishes & you return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore independently (we shall be happy to offer suggestions for Optional activities & arrange).

Wake up early today, too.

Meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 07.30 am & proceed for a full day sightseeing.

First stop will be the Kbal Spean & One-Thousand Linga River, which is a unique site in Cambodia as there is no Temple, unlike the bulk of the country.

Kbal Spean is an ancient Khmer site in Phnom Kulen National Park, a remote place located away from Siem Reap & the main Angkor monuments. Accidently ‘discovered’ in 1969, when ethnologist Jean Boulbet was walking in the area with a hermit.

Kbal Spean which actually translates to “stone bridgehead” is named after the natural stone bridge under which the river flows. There is a series of carvings at the bridgehead itself, some of which were hacked off in the past few years, but have since been replaced by excellent replicas.

To protect the lingas & sculptures from further decay the river bed has been fenced off & visitors can view the ancient carvings from a distance.

From the car park, the visit takes about 2 hours including the 2 km uphill walk to the carvings, along a pretty path that winds its way up into the jungle, eventually splitting to the waterfall or the river carvings.

At the top of the waterfall are many animal images, including a cow & a frog, and the path winds around some interesting boulder formations, to a wooden staircase leading down to the base of the falls.

Immediately north of the waterfall is a small pool. Hidden under the water surface are carvings in the rock of a crocodile & Vishnu reclining on Ananta-Shesha, as well as carvings of the Hindu Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva.

Several sections of the river bed of the Stung Kbal Spean river, known as the “river of a thousand lingas” stretching out over a length of about 150 meters deep in the jungle to the northeast of Angkor, are covered with hundreds of lingas (phallic symbols) & several yonis that have been elaborately carved out of the sandstone river bed & alongside the riverbank, during the 11^th century reign of King Udayadityavarman II.  The linga is the representation of Shiva, while the yoni is the female counterpart of the linga.

A number of spectacular carvings of Hindu deities have been made in rocks along the river, including several impressive carvings of Vishnu reclining on Ananta-Shesha, the King of the Nagas & Lakshmi, his consort massaging his feet. Other carvings show depictions of Brahma, the Hindu God of creation and Shiva & his wife Uma riding the bull, Nandi.

The river water was sanctified by running over the lingas in the river bed. The water then flowed from the hills of Phnom Kulen to Angkor & the temples.

There are food stalls at the bottom of the hill that can cook up fried rice or a noodle soup,

Enjoy lunch at the fancy, excellent Borey Sovann Restaurant (not included - direct payment). Or, if you want more time to build up an appetite, you can eat at one of several small restaurants, complete with ornate wood furnishings cut from Cambodia’s forests, near the entrance to Angkor Wat.

Drive back to the Angkor complex to see some more Temples.

Banteay Srei is a 10^th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, located in the same area of Angkor, north-east of the main group.

First discovered, it was assumed to be from the 13^th or 14^th centuries, as it was thought that the refined carving must have come at the end of the Angkor period. It was later dated to AD 967, from inscriptions found at the site. It is one of the smallest sites at Angkor, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in stature.The art gallery of Angkor, Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, is wonderfully well preserved & many of its carvings are three-dimensional.

Considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei is cut from stone of a pinkish hue & includes some of the finest stone carving anywhere on earth. Banteay Srei means ‘Citadel of the Women’ and it is said that it must have been built by a woman, as the elaborate carvings are supposedly too fine for the hand of a man.

Banteay Srei is one of the few temples around Angkor to be commissioned not by a king but by a brahman, who may have been a tutor to Jayavarman V.

The temple is square & has entrances at the east & west, with the east approached by a causeway. Of interest are the lavishly decorated libraries & the three central towers, which are decorated with male & female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work.

Classic carvings at Banteay Srei include delicate women with lotus flowers in hand and traditional skirts clearly visible, as well as breathtaking re-creations of scenes from the epic Ramayana adorning the library pediments (carved inlays above a lintel). However, the sum of the parts is no greater than the whole – almost every inch of these interior buildings is covered in decoration. Standing watch over such perfect creations are the mythical guardians, all of which are copies of originals stored in the National Museum.

Then, proceed to the 12^th century Banteay Kdei, a massive Buddhist monastery from the latter part of, is surrounded by four concentric walls. Banteay Kdei, meaning "A Citadel of Chambers", also known as "Citadel of Monks' cells", is a Buddhist temple in Angkor. Each of its four entrances is decorated with garudas, which hold aloft one of Jayavarman VII’s favourite themes: the four faces of Avalokiteshvara. The outer wall of Banteay Kdei measures 500m by 700m. The inside of the central tower was never finished & much of the temple is in a ruinous state due to hasty construction.

Continue on to the ultimate Indiana Jones fantasy, Ta Prohm is cloaked in dappled shadow, its crumbling towers & walls locked in the slow muscular embrace of vast root systems. Undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor, Ta Prohm should be high on the hit list of every visitor. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been swallowed by the jungle & looks very much the way most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.

Then, visit the Cambodian Land Mine Museum, for a rather sombre & humble look at the land mine problem, past & present.

The Museum & Relief Facility is located near the Banteay Srey Temple complex & has eye-opening displays on the curse of land mines in Cambodia. The impressive collection includes mines, mortars, guns & weaponry, and there is a mock minefield where visitors can attempt to locate the deactivated mines. What is even more impressive is the story of one Khmer man, Aki Ra, who disarmed the majority of these landmines alone & established the museum.

Proceeds from the museum are ploughed into mine-awareness campaigns & the museum strives to educate the visitors of the importance of clearing landmines in Cambodia. With potentially 5,000,000 still in the ground, landmines have immensely impacted the history & culture of this amazing society. They also educate & support over two dozen at-risk Khmer children who otherwise would never have had this bright of a future. The Relief Center where they & staff, live is located on the museum property.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore independently (we shall be happy to offer suggestions for Optional activities & arrange).

Morning, meet the Tour-guide again at 08.00 am & proceed for another tour to delve into the moving history of Cambodia.

Journey through the Cambodian countryside, to visit the Phnom Kulen mountain massif located in Phnom Kulen National Park, a lovely adventure that will bring you back to the ancient Khmer Empire in the year 802 AD.

Driving through the rural landscape, through the peaceful forest provides you the opportunity to interact with the locals, see the daily lives.

At the summit of the hill you can see Buddhist pagoda & a huge reclining 16^th century Buddha statue 8 meters length carved into a sandstone boulder and 56 Angkorian temples made of bricks & volcanic stones, built during the reign of King Jayavarman. The hill was used as the site in AD 802 by Jayavarman II to declare himself as god king and announced independence from Java, then giving birth to present day Cambodia.

Kulen is considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and it is a popular place for domestic visitors during weekends and festivals.

Some of the preserved sites are Prasat krau Romeas, Rong Chen (the first mountain temple) & Sra Damrei (Elephant pond),

There is an attractive waterfall which splits in two. There is also a river where you will see several thousand Lingas carved on the river bed. The water here is considered holy & Khmers like to bottle it to take home with them. The source of water eventually flows in to Tonle Sap Lake & is thought to bless the water ways of entire Cambodia. 

After spending an hour on the hilltop, depart for the imposing 9^th century pyramid temple town of Koh Ker (also called Chok Gargyar)  passing through remote villages & a beautiful forest populated by deer,.

Koh Ker comes close to what is called "capital of a forgotten empire" or "lost city in the jungle". It is Cambodia's second largest temple complex but isnpite of the enormous size, is not a major attraction, being in the shadow & proximity of the more famous of Angkor Wat.

Koh Ker was briefly the Khmer capital during the reign of Jayavarman IV (928-942 CE). Inscriptions mentioning Koh Ker as the capital were found outside Koh Ker, too, in Siem Reap, Battambang, Kampong Cham & even in Takeo province in the very south of the empire. At least 10,000 inhabitants lived in the new capital.

Jayavarman IV had been the principal resident in this area & had erected monuments in Koh Ker already before ascending the throne of the entire Khmer empire. After his rival Ishanavarman II had died in Angkor, Jayavarman IV decided to continue to reside in Koh Ker & made it his capital.

Those days, it was called Chok Gargyar "Island of Glory" & Lingapura "Phallus-city". During the reign Jayavarman's son & successor Harshavarman II, the elites in Angkor managed to gain the upper hand again, and Rajendravarman II finally shifted the capital back to Angkor in 944.

There are remnants of more than 180 temples in Koh Ker, in an area of more than 8,000 hectares. The number is still increasing, since more ruins have constantly being discovered in the surrounding of Koh Ker, particularly on satellite images.

But plenty of land mines in this region make it difficult to explore the remote structures. However, the archaeological zone with the major monuments that are of interest for travelers can be visited without risk.

The first significant ruin that one comes to when approaching from Siem Reap is Prasat Pram, named for its 5 towers. Two of the towers are heavily overgrown, with roots strangling the buildings. The roots of the strangler fig of the northeastern tower are the most picturesque example of a "jungle temple" anyone can imagine.

The next structure along the Koh Ker circuit road is Prasat Neang Khmau on the right side. The temple got its name "Temple of the Black Lady" from the intriguing dark bluish colour of its laterite. The colour is the result of an oxidation process. The single tower belongs to a complex of approximately 50 square metres, enclosed by laterite walls

The next single tower at the circuit is called Prasat Aob Neang, built of bricks. The bricks used in Koh Ker were comparatively small & of excellent quality. As in the case of Angkor, the layers of organic mortar (of an unknown formular) are almost invisible. In the course of time, brick sanctuaries in Koh Ker proved to be more stable than the laterite constructions.

The principal structure of Koh Ker is Prasat Thom, buiIt already before Koh Ker became the capital. It forms a prestigious procession way towards the pyramid called Prang. The alley connects two complexes, the first one being an enlarged entrance, the inner one an ensemble of nine Prasat towers surrounded by an impressive moat. The next compound includes the temple pyramid Prasat Prang. This layout is not the usual concentric one, it is linear. This means, the complexes are arrayed in a line, one after another instead of inner courtyards surrounded by outer ones. A few decades later on, parts of this layout were copied by the most lovely Khmer temple, Banteay Srei.

Under Jayavarman IV the art of sculpture reached a pinnacle. Statues in the style of Koh Ker belong to the most celebrated of Asia because of their vividness and expressiveness. They fetch record-breaking amounts on auctions. Many of the Koh Ker sculptures were stolen. Most of the remaining statues are in museums and private collections now.

Sanctuaries with Shiva-Lingams already existed already before Koh Ker became the capital. Almost all huge-scale monuments in Koh Ker were erected by Jayavarman IV, most even before he seized the throne of the Angkorian empire.

Spend 2 hours exploring the complex before heading back to Siem Reap.

Enroute, stop at the Prasat Boeung Mealea Temple.

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The vast expanse of this “Jungle Temple” covers an approximate 1.20 square kilometers & is being invaded by the forest. Built in the Angkor Wat style, Boeung Mealea must have served of a prototype of sort for Angkor Wat, located at about 60 km from Siem Reap. Its solemn beauty is certainly due to its peaceful & out-of-time atmosphere and to the constant fight between Mother Nature & the Mineral Stones!

A spectacular sight to behold, Prasat Beoung Mealea (name means "lotus pond") is one of the most mysterious Temple in the Angkor Wat style at Angkor. Exploring this titanic of temples, built to the same floor plan as Angkor Wat, is the ultimate Indiana Jones experience.

For years it was difficult to reach, but a road recently built to the temple complex of Koh Ker passes Beng Mealea and more visitors are able to access the site.

Entering from the south, visitors wend their way over piles of finely chiselled sandstone blocks, through long, dark chambers & between hanging vines.

The history of the Temple is unknown & it can be dated only by its architectural style, identical to Angkor Wat, so scholars assumed it was built during the reign of king Suryavarman II in the early 12^th century, for his primary deity Vishnu.

It is enclosed by a massive moat measuring 1.2km by 900 metre & was built mostly of sandstone as it very close proximity from the angkorian sandstone quarries of Phnom Kulen, as the crow flies. Presumably sandstone blocks used for Angkor were transported along artificial water canals and passed from here. Despite of lack of information, the quality of architecture and decorations has drawn the attention of French scholars right from its discovery.

The Temple used to be utterly consumed by jungle, but some of the dense foliage has been cut back and cleaned up in recent years.  But largely unrestored, with trees & thick brush thriving amidst its towers & courtyards and many of its stones lying in great heaps.

Though it was built as Hindu temple, there are some carvings depicting Buddhist motifs.

Smaller in size than Angkor Wat, the king's main monument, Beng Mealea nonetheless ranks among the Khmer empire's larger temples: the gallery which forms the outer enclosure of the temple is 181 m by 152 m. It was the center of a town, surrounded by a moat 1025 m by 875 m large & 45 m wide.

Beng Mealea is oriented toward the east, but has entranceways from the other three cardinal directions. The basic layout is three enclosing galleries around a central sanctuary, collapsed at present. The enclosures are tied with "cruciform cloisters", like Angkor Wat. Structures known as libraries lie to the right and left of the avenue that leads in from the east. There is extensive carving of scenes from Hindu mythology, including the ‘Churning of the Sea of Milk’ & Vishnu being borne aloft by the bird god Garuda. Causeways have long balustrades formed by bodies of the seven-headed Naga serpent.

The central tower has completely collapsed, but hidden away among the rubble & foliage are several impressive carvings, as well as a well-preserved library in the northeastern quadrant. The Temple is a special place & it is worth taking the time to explore it thoroughly.

The large wooden walkway to and around the centre was originally constructed for the filming of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s Two Brothers (2004), set in 1920s French Indochina & starring two tiger cubs.

A small Angkorian bridge just west of Chau Srei Vibol temple is the only remaining trace of the old Angkorian road between Beng Mealea & Angkor Thom; between Beng Mealea & Preah Khan there are at least 10 bridges abandoned in the forest.

Boeung Mealea has a large baray to the east & some atmospheric satellite temples such as Prasat Chre. Apsara Authority has plans to reflood the ancient baray, as they did earlier with Jayatataka (Northern Baray), surrounding Neak Poan temple.

Its solemn beauty is certainly due to its peaceful and out-of-time atmosphere and to the constant fight between Mother Nature & the Mineral Stones!

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore independently (we shall be happy to offer suggestions for Optional activities & arrange).

Finally, the mystical experience comes to an end and it is time to say good-bye.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the  use of facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Siem Reap International Airport for the flight back home.  B

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