Temples of Angkor
Optional Cambodia Extension
November 26 - 29, 2010
INTRODUCTION
Even though the French remained for a century in Southeast Asia, their
influence extends no further than the cities’ colonial architecture,
the railways, and the ubiquitous baguettes sold everywhere. Were it
not for the French, however, the world might not know the existence
of one of mankind’s greatest architectural treasures. Just after
Christmas in 1859, French explorer Henri Mouhot left Bangkok to explore
the uncharted regions of Indochine. It took him a year of hacking through
brush and fending off leopards, leeches and wild elephants before he
arrived at Angkor Wat, the jungle-smothered complex of temples deep
inside the kingdom of Cambodia. Since UNESCO designated it as a World
Heritage site, it has since become one of the world’s great must-see
destinations.
ITINERARY
Friday, November 26, 2010
Arrival in Siem Reap
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel in Yangon, Myanmar, and
transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The
cost of this
flight
is
not included in the tour extension price, and will be added to your
invoice before the final payment is due. Arriving in Siem Reap this
afternoon, we transfer to our hotel and settle in for the evening.
Overnight in
Siem Reap. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Angkor Wat / Preah Khan / Banteay Srei
The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat impresses
visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout,
as well
as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple,
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 and a courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary,
which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the
surrounding
countryside.
On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone
carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial
dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run
the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories
from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean
of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise
and
sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light
on the stones.
Preah Khan is a temple with towered enclosures
and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Preah Khan covers
a very large area
but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around
700 by 800 meters.
Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other
Angkor temples, Banteay Srei is built in pink sandstone,
and the walls are
covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because
of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples
of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors.
Watch the sunset over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces
of an ancient Angkorian temple. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Temples of Angkor
Enclosed
by a wall and wide moats, the fortified city of Angkor Thom includes
many
of
Angkor’s
most popular
sights.
Enter
by
the monumental
South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons
and gods, and continue to the Terrace Of The Elephants and the Terrace
Of The Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned
with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon
Temple, with its galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs. Five brick
towers
built for Hindu worship make up Prasat Kravan, notable for the bas-reliefs
cut into the bricks on the interior walls.
Banteay Kdei is a massive Buddhist
temple dating from the second half of the 12th century, and is surrounded
by four concentric walls. Just opposite lies the basin Sras Srang, with
a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of
what was once a wooden temple. Ta Prohm is a monument only
partially recovered
from the dense jungle and Ta Keo was the first Angkorian
monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated to Shiva.
The temple
Thommanon mirrors Chau Say Tevoda (just
to the north), and both were dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. After
a very full day of touring, we return to our hotel for overnight. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Departure
The tour extension ends officially after breakfast this morning.
We provide one group transfer to the airport today, timed to accommodate
the greatest number of departing passengers. When searching the internet
for flights, use the three letter airport code REP for Siem Reap. Click
here to see your departure flight options to Bangkok. (Breakfast)
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