Private Guided Tour Khmer Temples Beng Mealea and Koh Ker
We head to the lost temple of Beng Mealea, the titanic of temples, a slumbering giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. Nature is re-staking her claim on the ruins of Beng Mealea. En route, pass small traditional villages before coming upon this mysterious temple being enveloped by the jungle. You’ll understand the thrill French explorer Henri Mouhot surely felt when he came upon the overgrown temples of Angkor in the mid-19th century.
Next, continue drive to Koh Ker served as the capital of the Khmer Empire from 928-944 A.D. Within Koh Ker is Prasat Thom, a tall temple mountain which offers a sweeping view of the forest and plain below. Within the complex itself are temples dedicated to the Hindu deities Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Given its isolation and distance from Siem Reap, Koh Ker exudes a quiet, peaceful charm that stands in contrast to Angkor Wat.
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Private Guided Tour Khmer Temples Beng Mealea and Koh Ker
Pickup included
What's included in Private Guided Tour Khmer Temples Beng Mealea and Koh Ker
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Prasat Beng Mealea
Today, meet your personal guide and driver and travel to the lost temple of Beng Mealea, the titanic of temples, a slumbering giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. It is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat, but utterly consumed by the voracious appetite of nature. Constructed by Suryavarman II (1113-1150), the builder of Angkor Wat, the forest has run riot here and it is hard to get a sense of the monument’s shape amid the daunting ruins. Here it is possible to enjoy an Indiana Jones experience clambering about the vast ruin. For those who want a more gentle adventure, there is also a sturdy wooden walkway running right into the heart of the temple. It is also possible to visit a nearby Angkor-era quarry from where stone was cut to build these massive monuments.
Koh Ker Temple
We then head into the bush to the remote Angkor capital of Koh Ker is an Angkorian site in northern Cambodia 70 miles northeast of Siem Reap; it was briefly the capital of the Khmer empire between 928 and 944 under king Jayavarman IV and his son Hasavarman II. After the Khmer empire had been established in the Angkor area (Roluos), Jayavarman IV moved the capital in 928 to Koh Ker. Here a vast number of temples were built under his reign, until his successor returned to the Angkor area about twenty years later. The Koh Ker site is dominated by Prasat Thom, a seven-storey step pyramid, a 30-meter-tall temple-mountain raising high above the plain and the surrounding forest. Great views await the visitor at the end of an adventurous climb. The area was only recently de-mined and the road improved. This makes Koh Ker very attractive for anyone who would like to experience what Angkor must has been like half a century ago. After exploring Koh Ker, begin the drive back to Siem Reap.
Inclusions
- All entrance fees at places listed above Beng Mealea & Koh Ker
- VAT and all taxes and service charge
- Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with experiences safe driver
- 03-05 bottles of mineral water per person per day
- Professional Licensed English Speaking guide
- personal expenses or travel and health insurance
- 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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Please arrive at the pick up point 30 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
We're happy to pick up our guests from Siem Reap Downtown Hotels