One Day Private Exploration with an Expert The wonders of Angkor
This one day private guide tour, to explore incredible Angkor, the wondrous ruins of the ancient Khmer empire. With your private guide, tour the most interesting parts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Angkor Wat, an enormous temple city built as a model of the Hindu universe in stone; Angkor Thom, an ancient capital filled with iconic sites such as the Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King; Ta Prohm, a temple being devoured by the jungle. This was one of the settings for Lara Croft’s adventures in “Tomb Raider”. For many people this is the highlight of Angkor.The most famous part of the park is, of course, Angkor Wat, known to visitors around the world. This private tour includes transportation, an English-speaking guide, lunch, water, and towels.
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One Day Private Exploration with an Expert The wonders of Angkor
Pickup included
What's included in One Day Private Exploration with an Expert The wonders of Angkor
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Siem Reap
Today, begin exploring the Khmer ruins of Angkor. These incredible monuments are on par with the Great Pyramids or Machu Picchu as a testament to the greatness of a continent’s lost empire. Henri Mouhot, the 19th-century French explorer who is credited with rediscovering the ruins after hundreds of years of neglect, declared in awe that the Angkor complex was greater than anything left to us by ancient Greece or Rome.
Angkor Thom South Gate
This morning, 8:30am meet your personal guide and driver at your hotel lobby and head out to visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). This huge walled complex was the centre of the world’s largest city in 1200. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the King Jayavarman VII decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The scale is simply staggering and we are immediately overwhelmed by the audacity of Jayavarman on arrival at the city’s gates. The causeway is lined by an intricate bridge depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk from Hindu mythology in which the devas (gods) and asuras (devils) play tug of war with a naga (seven-headed serpent) to obtain the elixir of immortality. Its vast walls, some 6m wide, 8m high and 13km in length contain many monuments.
Bayon Temple
Next, visit Bayon temple surrounded by faces on all sides, visitors never forget the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. At the exact centre of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire. Unlike his predecessors who had worshipped the Hindu deities of Shiva and Vishnu, Jayavarman VII adopted Mahayana Buddhism as the fount of royal divinity. This sets the Bayon apart from many other Angkorian monuments. The bas-reliefs here depict intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and offer a wonderful snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period.
Inclusions
- All entrance fees at places listed above 1-Day Temples Pass
- VAT and all taxes and service charge
- Private Professional Licensed English Speaking guide
- 03-05 bottles of mineral water per person per day
- Meal plan as mentioned above one deluxe lunch at a local restaurant
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with experiences safe driver
- Other personal expenses
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Please arrive at the pick up point 30 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
Hello Guests we're happy to pick up from your hotel in Downtown Siem Reap
