Angkor Temples Tours, Big Circuit (sunset optional)

Banteay Srei - Banteay Srei is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian Art. A Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built in 10 century, it’s cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes some of the finest stone carvings seen anywhere on earth. It’s one of the smallest sites at Angkor, but what it lacks on size it makes up for stature. It’s wonderful well preserved and many of its carving are three-dimensional. Banteay Srei was the first major temples-Restoration undertaken by the EFFEO in 1930 using anastylosis method

Banteay Samre - Banteay Samre dates from the same period as Angkor Wat and was built by Suryavarman II in 12 century dedicated to Hindu god Lord Vishnu. The temple is in fairly healthy state of preservation due to some extensive renovation work. It’s isolate temple hidden behind Preah Dak village, it got very few visitors. It’s good place for travelers wish to avoid the crowds, have a peaceful time to enjoy the ruin by yourself.

Preah Khan - Preah Khan ( Sacred Sword ) is one of the largest complexes at Angkor - a maze vaulted corridors, fine carvings and lichen-clad stonework. It is counterpoint to Ta Prohm and generally sees slightly fewer visitors. Prreah Khan was built by Jayavarman VII in 12 century, the mighty Buddhist king in Angkor Period. The central sanctuary of the temple was dedicated in 1191AD and a large stone stele tell us much about Preah Khan’s role as a centre for worship and learning. The temple was dedicated to 515 divinities and during the course of a year 18 festivals took place here, requiring a team of thousands just maintain the place.

Neak Pean - The Buddhist temple of Preah Neak Poan ( Intertwined snake ) is a petite perfect temple built by Jayavarman VII, it was built on the artificial island locate in the middle on manmade lake Jayatataka or north Baray. It has a large square pool surrounded by four square pools. In the middle of the central pool is another circular ‘island’ encircled by the two Nagas whose intertwined the tails give the temple its name. In the pool surrounded the central island there were once four statues, but only one remains, reconstructed from debris by the French archaeologists who cleared the site. The curious figure has the body of a horse supported by a tangle of human legs. It relates to a legend that Avalokiteshvara once saved a group of shipwrecked followers from an island of ghouls by transforming into a flying horse. The water once flowed from the central pool into the four peripheral pools via ornamental spouts, which still can be seen in the pavilions at each axis of the pool. The spouts are in the form of Elephant’s head, a horse’s head, a lion’s head and a human’s head which each one are the symbol of one of the four elements( water,wind, fire and the earth elements )

Ta Som - Ta Som is the satellite temple of Preah Khan so this temple also built by Jayavarman VII,late 12 century. The temple is very small but still worth it to stop for a quick look, at the eastern gate has big head with 4 faces of Lord Brahma style but its the symbol on Buddhist’s divine Avalokiteshvara, the lord of compassion, covering by giant fig tree.

Eastern Mebon - Eastern Mebon is a Hindu temple, erected by Rajendravarman II (r 944-68), would have been on an islet in the centre of Eastern Baray ( Eastern water reservoir ) but now have been much on dry land. The temple-mountain form topped off by the now familiar to quincuncial arrangement of towers. The elaborate brick shrines are dotted with neatly arranged holes, which attached the original plasterwork. The base of the temple is guarded its corners by perfectly carved stone figures of elephants, many of which are still in very good state of preservation.

Pre Rup - Pre Rup built by Rajendravarman II in the 10 century, is about 1 km south of Eastern Mebon. Like its predecessor, the temple consists of a pyramid-shape temple-mountain with the uppermost of the three tiers carring five lotus towers. The brick sanctuaries were also once decorated with plaster coating, fragments of which still remain on the southern tower.

Pre Rup means ‘turn the body’ and refer to a traditional method of cremation, after burning the body, the priests take the ashes out then flatting it and drawing human figure on it, we believe that if the priest can draw perfect picture for a person who died, that person will get the perfect body next life.

Pre Rup is second choice for watching sunset ( optinal )

• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Goods and Services Tax (GST)