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GEOGRAPHY:
The kingdom of Thailand lies in
the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway
to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and
geography divide into four natural regions : the
mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields
of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the
Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long
coastline of the peninsula South.
The country
comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into
districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the
capital city and centre of political, commercial,
industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat
of Thailand's revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the
King recognized as Head of State, Head of the Armed
Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder
of all religions.
TOPOGRAPHY:
Thailand is divided into 4 natural regions:
The mountainous North, with its
profusion of multi-colored
orchids, fascinating native handicrafts and
winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit
cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and
peaches;
The high Northeast
Plateau, which still jealously guards its many
archaeological and anthropological mysteries;
The Central Plain, one of the
world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing areas with
colorful traditional culture and way of life as well as
the sandy beaches of the East Coast and vibrant
cosmopolitan Bangkok;
The
peninsular South where the unspoiled beaches and idyllic
islands complement economically vital tin mining, rubber
cultivation and fishing.
NEIGHBORING
COUNTRY:
- Myanmar - west and north,
- Lao P.D.R. - north and
northeast,
- Cambodia - southeast and
- Malaysia - south.
AREA:
513,115 sq.
km.
RELIGION::
Buddhism (95%), Muslim (4%),
others (1%)
POPULATION:
Thais are well-known for
their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority of
over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethic Thai,
along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie
in China, India and elsewhere. About 7 million people
reside in the capital city of Bangkok.
PEOPLE:
Thai (80%), Chinese (10%),
Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers,
hill tribes) Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the
area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and
has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity.
Integration is such, however, that culturally and
socially there is enormous unity.
LANGUAGE:
Spoken and written Thai is
largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However,
English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok
where it is almost the major commercial language.
English and some European Languages are spoken in most
hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist
destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are
found nationwide.
CURRENCY:
Thai Baht (THB), which is, as
of September 2006, approximately US$1 = THB 38
TIME:
GMT+ 7 hours
BUSINESS HOURS:
- Commercial company: from 8 am to 5 pm (5
days a week).
- Stores: from 10 am to 10 pm (7 days a
week)
- Government offices:8.30 am and 4.30 pm
(Monday to Friday except on public
holidays)
- Banks: from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm
(Mondays to Fridays
except on public
holidays)
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CHIANG MAI
2-DAY/1-NIGHT
Day
1: City Tour – Meo Hilltribe – Wat Doi
Suthep
Visit
the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai such as Wat Phra
Singh with its famous Buddha image, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat
Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai built by King
Mangrai, Wat Suan Dok which houses the remains of many
generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. After lunch A
beautiful drive takes you uphill to a visit of the Meo
Hilltribes living in simple huts and speaking their own
language. Also visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the
mountains at 3,280 feet (1,056 meters). The temple is reached
by a staircase with 290 steps, flanked by a NAGA balustrade on
either side. The monastery was built by King Gue- Na in 1383.
The center is a big Chedi (spired pagoda) which contains
partial relics of Lord Buddha.
Day
2: Elephants working site – Handicraft
Village
Excursion to the north of Chiang
Mai to visit an elephants working site. Watch the
elephants taking their daily bath in the stream before
beginning to haul timber in the forest. You will be amazed by
their strength and clever team work. On the way, a short
visit the Mae Sa Waterfalls in the Ruckachati
National. Then
go to Bo Srang Umbrella Village, in this village of cottage
industries, visitors can view young women in traditional
costumes hand-paint silk and cotton umbrellas in various
animal and floral designs. There are also craft shops selling
various northern Thai handicrafts. Tour of the Handicraft
factories to see the manufacturing of lacquer ware, the
spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and how paper umbrellas are
made. Also visit a famous Thai wood carving factory with
possibility to buy Burmese antiques.
BANGKOK 2-DAY/1-NIGHT
Day
1: Royal Palace – Temples
Visit
to the amazing Grand Palace, the official residence of the
King of Thailand until the middle of the 20th
century. In the grounds of the palace is also Wat Phra Keow,
the temple of the Emerald Budha. After lunch, we proceed to
the Golden Budha Temple (Wat Tri Mitr) and Wat Pho, where we
will see the reclining Budha Image. After that, we will go to
the Wimarnmek Throne. On the way, we will pass by some
historical sites in town, like The City Pillar Shrine, The
Democracy monument, The Golden Mountain (Wat Srakat), The
Equestrian Statue of King RamaV The Great and The Ananda
Samakhom Throne Hall. Back to the hotel and free evening at
leisure.
Day
2: Floating Market – Phra Patom
Chedi
After early breakfast, we will
go to one of the most famous attractions in Bangkok, the
Floating Market (Damneonsadauk). Shops and customers move
their way around on boats. If you like spicy food, this is the
best place to try the typical Boat Noodles, a specialty of the
Thai cuisine. After that, visit to the Rose Garden, where you
will see villagers, in their natural habitat, working to
create traditional village handicrafts such as silk-weaving,
pottery-making and even the intricate crafting of silver and
laquerware. At your option, you can also see one of the best
elephant shows in Thailand. After that, we will visit the
Buddhamonthon, the tallest Budha Image in Thailand which marks
the center of the largest Buddhist place in the country. In
the late afternoon, back to the hotel for freshen up. In the
evening, we will visit the Lumpini Night Bazar, one of the
best in town. Free time for shopping and
dinner.
NOTE:
In
case the customers are here on a Sunday, we can take them to
the Sunday Market, the best and cheapest place for shopping.
PHUKET 2-DAY/1-NIGHT
Day
1: Phuket – Phuket Fantasea
Depending
on the time of your flight, free afternoon to enjoy the hotel
beach or join one of the optional excursions. In the evening,
we will visit Phuket Fantasea, which won the Thailand Tourism
Award of Best attraction. There, we will see one of the most
amazing shows in Thailand, where they tell a very famous
legend of a blessed kingdom.
Day
02: James Bond Island
Today,
we will spend the whole day visiting some of the most
beautiful beaches in Thailand. Enjoy the crystal clear water
to go snorkeling. See the colorful fishes and beautiful
corals. Back to the hotel in the late afternoon. Free evening
at leisure.
PATTAYA 2-DAY/1-NIGHT
Day 01:
Tiger Zoo – Ripley’s Believe it or not
We start our day traveling by
bus from Bangkok to Pattaya (2h30). On the way, we will have
lunch and visit the amazing Tiger Zoo, which claims to have
the largest number of Bengal tigers in Asia. After that, we
will visit the Ripley’s Believe it or not Museum. The
attraction is located in front of the beach and in a shopping
complex. After the museum, feel free to explore the area. At
your option, in the evening you can also go to the famous
Tiffany’s show.
Day 02:
Nong Nooch Garden – Mini Siam
After breakfast, we
will go to Nong Nooch Garden & Elephant show, where we’ll
also have lunch. In the afternoon, visit to the world’s
wonders miniatures at Mini Siam. At appropriate time, we will
take the bus back to Bangkok.
NOTE:
For more
options and programs, please feel free to
contact
us.
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GEOGRAPHY:
The Socialist Republic of
Vietnam is an independent country with its sovereignty,
unification and entire territory. It includes mainland,
islands, territorial waters and air space. Looking at
the map, you can see Vietnam which is a curved and S
shaped land strip. It is located in the centre of South
East Asia with the area of 329,241 km2 and the coast of
3,260 km and the land border of 4,510 km. On the
mainland, from the north pole to the south pole (as the
crow flies) it is 1,650 km long, from the east pole to
the west pole, the widest place is 600 km and the
narrowest one is 50 km..
NEIGHBORING
COUNTRIES:
- China - north,
- Lao P.D.R. and Thailand -
southwest, and
- Cambodia -
south.
AREA:
513,115
sq. km
PEOPLE:
There are 54 different ethnic
groups in which Kinh ethnic group occupies nearly 90% of
the whole population, the rest of over 10% is the
population of 53 groups.
POPULATION:
76,324,753, as of April 1999.
There are 54 different ethnic groups in which Kinh
ethnic group occupies nearly 90% of the whole
population, the rest of over 10% is the population of 53
groups.
RELIGION:
Buddhism comes from India,
Confucianism, Taoism come from China, Catholicism,
Protestantism come from the West.
LANGUAGES:
As Viet (Kinh) ethnic group
occupies more than 90% of the population, it becomes the
official language of Vietnam. Other 53 ethnic groups has
its own language.
CLIMATE:
Vietnam is strongly
influenced by the North East wind. In general, Vietnam
has a hot season with a lot of rains and a quite cold
season with little rain.
CURRENCY:
Vietnamese Dongs (US$
1=15.750.000 VND). US$ can be exchanged into VND or
cheques at banks or foreign exchange offices, hotels and
gold, silver and gem trading shops.
TIME:
GMT+ 7 hours
BUSINESS HOURS:
All state-owned companies
work from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm, from Monday to Friday.
Banks opens at 7.30 am or 8.00 am and close at 3.30 pm,
closed on Saturday afternoons and Sunday. Private shops
open from 8 am or 8.30 am and close at 9 pm or 10
pm.
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SAIGON STOPOVER TOURS
(3-DAY/2-NIGHT)
Day
1: HO CHI MINH ARRIVAL

Meet
on arrival at Tan Son Nhat / International airport and
transfer to the hotel for check-in. Pm: Sightseeing around the
city including Reunification Hall (Former
Presidential Palace), History Museum, Vinh
Nghiem Pagoda, Ben Thanh market. Photo stops at famous
tourist sites such as City Hall, Grand Theatre, Notre Dame
Cathedral and Center Post Office. Dinner at local
restaurant. Accommodation.
Day
2: HO CHI MINH - CU CHI
Breakfast at hotel. Drive
to Cu Chi and visit the amazing complex of underground
tunnels used during the American war. Lunch at local
restaurant. PM:
Drive back to Saigon free yourself for shopping or discovering
HCM city. Accommodation.
Day 3: HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel.
Free
time until transfer to the airport for international departure
flight.
HANOI STOPOVER TOURS
(3-DAY/2-NIGHT)
Day
1: HANOI ARRIVAL
Meet on arrival at
Hanoi / Noi Bai International airport and transfer to the
hotel for check in. PM: City tour (if
time permits): Ngoc Son & Quan Thanh Temples and
the old quarter of Hanoi. Dinner at local restaurant. Evening
: Enjoy water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese
traditional art. Accommodation.
Day
2: TOURING HANOI

Breakfast at hotel.
Full
day Hanoi City tour: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed on
Monday, Friday and the whole October-November) and his
residence, One-Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, Army
Museum. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to visit
Temple of Literature built in the 11th
century as Vietnam’s first university, Fine-Art Museum and
Dong Xuan market. Have shopping at Ha Noi Old’s
Quarter. Dinner and
accommodation.
Day 3: HANOI DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel.
Time
at leisure until transfer to Hanoi / Noi Bai airport for
departure.
EXPLORING THE HIDDEN CHARM OF VIETNAM
(6-DAY/5-NIGHT)
Day
1: HANOI ARRIVAL
PM:
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport. Welcome and transfer to
hotel. Short city tour to Temple of Literature - the
first university of Vietnam (1076), Restored Sword Lake
(Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple, stroll around
the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter. Dinner
followed by water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day
2: HANOI
- HA LONG
AM: After breakfast, an
excursion to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One
Pillar Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. Lunch at
restaurant. PM: Coach trip to Halong, the most beautiful
landscape in Vietnam while enjoying Vietnam's rural
scenery. Transfer to hotel. Dinner at the local restaurant.
Overnight
in
Ha Long.
Day
3: HA
LONG - HANOI

AM:
A morning on the boat to view the emerald water of Halong Bay
(5 hours) and many charming islets. Visit two natural caves –
Thien Cung & Dong Go grottoes with various shapes
of stalagmites. Have a view to Dog Islet, Insences
Burning Islet, Fighting Cock Islet. sunbathing at a
white sand beach. Seafood lunch on boat. PM: Drive back to
Hanoi. A stopover to Dong Trieu Ceramic village.
Arrival at Hanoi. Dinner in the local restaurant. Overnight in
Hanoi.
Day 4: HANOI - HO CHI MINH
CITY
AM: Breakfast. Transfer to Noi
Bai Airport for early fight to Ho Chi Minh. Check in. Lunch
at a local restaurant. PM: Back to the city, visit to
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, War Remnants Museum and the
Reunification Conference Hall. Back to
hotel. Cruise on Saigon River while dining on boat.
Overnight
in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 5: HO CHI MINH CITY - ME KONG
DELTA

AM:
Departure for My Tho (the first province in the Mekong
Delta hub - about 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City). Visit to
Dong Tam snake-farm and Vinh Trang
Pagoda. Boat trip on Mekong river to visit a fruit
garden. Lunch at a local restaurant. PM: Back to the city,
visit Jade Emperor Pagoda. Dinner by your own tonight.
Overnight
in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 6: HO CHI MINH
DEPARTURE
AM:
Breakfast. Shopping at the city's center before coach transfer
to airport for departure.
NOTE:
For more
options and programs, please feel free to
contact
us.
UNVEILED ANGKOR 3DAYS/ 2
NIGHTS
Day 1: SIEM REAP
ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at Siem Reap
airport, meets and transfers to hotel. Visit
the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See
the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the
churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (unique
for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of
Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the
Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples
on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex
cover 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial
Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are
emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century
masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime
example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's
five tower symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall
represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the
surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond. Sunset from
Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of
Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the
Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Accommodation at
hotel.
Day2:
SIEM REAP TOUR
Breakfast
at hotel. In the morning, you will continue your temple
visits. Included are Prasat Kravan (with its unique
brick sculptures), Srah Srang ("The Royal Boths" was
once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded
by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at
its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of
which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the
"Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup until sunset. In the
afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue to
the temple tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most
beautiful temples in the area. Ta Prohm has been left
relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains
much of its mystery. Then, visit Takeo,
Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples.
Accommodation at hotel
Day
3: SIEM REAP DEPARTURE
Breakfast
at hotel. Visit the floating village of the Chong
Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a
traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap,
the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. In the
afternoon, visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor – Chantiers
Ecoles" of Siem Reap and time at leisure at the local
market (if time permits) Transfer to Siem Reap airport for
departure to the next destination.
LEGEND OF ANGKOR 4DAYS/
3NIGHTS
Day 1: SIEM REAP ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at Siem Reap
airport, meets and transfers to hotel. Visit
the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See
the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the
churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (unique
for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of
Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the
Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples
on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex
cover 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial
Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are
emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century
masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime
example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's
five tower symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall
represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the
surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond. Sunset from
Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of
Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the
Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Accommodation at
hotel.
Day2:
SIEM
REAP TOUR
In
the morning, you will continue your temple visits. Included
are Prasat Kravan (with its unique brick sculptures),
Srah Srang ("The Royal Boths" was once used for ritual
bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric
walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone
figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a
reasonable state of preservation) and the "Mountain Temple" of
Pre Rup until sunset. In the afternoon, transfer to the
archaeological site and continue to the temple tour. Visit
Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the
area. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since
it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Then, visit
Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda
temples. Accommodation at hotel.
Day
3: SIEM
REAP TOUR
Breakfast
at hotel. Morning, drive to Kbal Spean. Walk 45 minutes
through the forest to the top of the hill to reach Kbal
Spean, the "Thousand Linga River." Discover
the 10th-12th century sculptures chiseled into the rocky
riverbed, the Royal Bath and the waterfall. Continue to the
enchanting temple of the Banteay Srei, nearly
everyone's favorite site. The special charm of this temple
lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation,
and the excellence of it decorative carvings. In the
afternoon, visit Banteay Samre, one of the most
complete complexes at Angkor due to the "anastylosis"
restoration method being used. The name Samre refers to an
ethnic group of mountain people that inhabited the region at
the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the
Khmers. No inscriptions have been found at this temple, but
the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of
the middle period, similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of
Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior
moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must
have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Return
to Siem Reap at the end of the afternoon. Accommodation at
hotel.
Day
4: SIEM REAP DEPARTURE
Breakfast
at hotel. Visit the floating village of the Chong
Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a
traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap,
the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. In the
afternoon, visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor – Chantiers
Ecoles" of Siem Reap and time at leisure at the local
market (if time permits). Transfer to Siem Reap airport for
departure to the next destination.
PHNOM PENH-SIEM
REAP 7DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
Day
1: PHNOM PENH ARRIVAL
Upon
arrival at Phnom Penh airport, meets and transfers to hotel.
Visit the Victory Monument and the National
Museum, the Royal Palace, built by the French in
1866 on the site of the old town, and Silver Pagoda,
which located within the Royal Palace ground. You will then
end your tour with a visit to Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom
Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree
lined avenues of the city during sunset. Accommodation at
hotel.
Day
2: PHNOM PENH TOURS
Depart
from Phnom Penh. En
route, visit a Cham Muslim village.
Arrive at Phnom Baset. Visit the pre-Angkorian temple (8th
century) and the pagoda to view the reclining
Buddha.
Enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding plains and
rice-fields from the hilltop. Drive to Udong where a picnic
lunch will be served. Then, visit the various temples and the
three large stupas where the ashes of three former Kings are
preserved. Next, visit the most impressive structure of the
site, the "Vihara of the 18-Cubit Buddha". En route to Phnom
Penh, stop to visit a silver craft village. Overnight
in Phnom Penh.
Day3:
PHNOM PENH TOURS
Breakfast
at hotel. Depart from Phnom Penh to Tonle Bati. Visit the late
rite temple of Ta Prohm built by King Jayavarman VII (ruled
1181 to 1201), on the site of a 6th century Khmer shrine. The
main sanctuary consists of five chambers with in each is a
lingam. Then, visit Yeay Peau temple, named after King Ta
Prohm's mother, located 150 m north of Ta Prohm. Visit a silk
weaving village before proceeding to Prasat Neang Khmao. Visit
Prasat Neang Khmao, the temple of the Black Virgin (10th
century). Return to Phnom Penh for lunch. Visit the notorious
Toul Sleng Museum. In 1975 Toul Svay Prey High School was
taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and turned into a
prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the
largest such center of detention and torture in the country.
More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the
extermination camp at Choeun Ek to e executed; detainees who
died during torture were buried in mass graves in the prison
ground. The museum displays include room after of these
photographs of men, women and children covering the walls fro
floor to ceiling; virtually all the people pictured were later
killed. Choeung Ek museum, between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000
men, women, children and infants detained and tortured at S-21
prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung
Ek. They were often bludgeoned to death to avoid wasting
precious bullets. Fragments of human bone and bits of cloth
are scattered around the disinterred pits. Over 8,000 skulls,
arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass
panels of the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in 1988.
Overnight
in Phnom Penh.
Day
4: PHNOM
PENH - SIEM
REAP
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to
Phnom Penh airport for departure to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at
Siem Reap airport, meets and transfers to hotel. Visit the
ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the
South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the
churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple(unique for
its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of
Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the
Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples
on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex
cover 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial
Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are
emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century
masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime
example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's
five tower symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall
represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the
surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond. Sunset from
Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of
Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the
Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Accommodation at hotel.
Day
5: SIEM REAP
TOURS
Breakfast
at hotel. In the morning, you will continue your temple
visits. Included are Prasat Kravan (with its unique
brick sculptures), Srah Srang ("The Royal Boths" was
once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded
by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at
its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of
which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the
"Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup. In the afternoon,
transfer to the archaeological site and continue to the temple
tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples
in the area. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched
since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.
Then, visit Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say
Tevoda temples. Accommodation at hotel.
Day
6: SIEM REAP
TOURS
Breakfast at hotel. Morning,
drive to Kbal Spean. Walk 45 minutes through the forest to the
top of the hill to reach Kbal Spean, the "Thousand
Linga River." Discover the 10th-12th century sculptures
chiseled into the rocky riverbed, the Royal Bath and the
waterfall. Continue to the enchanting temple of the Banteay
Srei, nearly everyone's favorite site. The special charm
of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of
preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carvings. In
the afternoon, visit Banteay Samre, one of the most
complete complexes at Angkor due to the "anastylosis"
restoration method being used. The name Samre refers to an
ethnic group of mountain people that inhabited the region at
the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the
Khmers. No inscriptions have been found at this temple, but
the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of
the middle period, similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of
Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior
moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must
have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Return
to Siem Reap at the end of the afternoon. Accommodation at
hotel.
Day
7: SIEM REAP
DEPARTURE
Breakfast
at hotel. Visit the floating village of the Chong
Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Rea |