Angkor Wat & Small Loop Tours

Angkor Wat - Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, was constructed in the 12th century by the Khmer king Suryavarman II. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it was converted into a Theravada Buddhist temple in the 16th century. Angkor Wat is the most impressive mountain-temple ever built by the Khmer king. It symbolizes Mount Meru with its five central sanctuaries and the moat representing the cosmic ocean. Its exquisite bas-reliefs are unparalleled at the Angkor site. In 1585, the Portuguese traveler Diego Do Couto described Angkor Wat: “Half a league from the city (Angkor Thom) is a temple called Anga…this temple is such a unique construction that it is difficult to describe with a pen, nor can it be compared to any other building in the world.” His description remains accurate even today!

Bayon Temple - Bayon was constructed by Khmer king Jayavarman VII in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. It served as his state temple at the center of Angkor Thom, the capital city he fortified with walls. He placed his kingdom under the protection of Buddha, whose statue was in the temple’s central shrine, and the Bodhisattva Lokeshvara, whose features are depicted on the temple’s towers, extending the king’s compassion and divine protection over the entire kingdom.

In addition to the giant smiling faces on the temple towers, visitors can see bas-reliefs depicting daily life, such as cooking, kickboxing, cockfighting, trade between Cambodians and Chinese, and a woman giving birth.

Ta Prohm - Ta Prohm was built by Khmer King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism, particularly to the goddess Prajnaparamita, whom his mother identified with. This temple is embraced by nature, with many giant trees growing on its roof. It gained additional fame after being featured in the 2001 Hollywood movie “Tomb Raider.”

Banteay Kdei - Banteay Kdei, another temple built by King Jayavarman VII, is dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism and dates back to the late 12th century. It is also a temple embraced by nature, slightly smaller than Ta Prohm, but with trees growing on top as well. Most tourists visit Ta Prohm, making Banteay Kdei a less crowded destination.

Banteay Srei and Grand Circle Tours

Pre Rup - Pre Rup was constructed in the 10th century by Khmer king Rajendravarman II, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. This state temple is a pyramidal structure with five towers made of bricks.

Eastern Mebon - Built by Rajendravarman II in the 10th century, this brick temple commemorates his ancestors at the center of East Baray (a water reservoir that has since dried up). The five sanctuaries were devoted to the main idol Cri Rajendreshvara in the form of a Linga (symbolizing fertility, energy, and strength), to Shiva and Parvati in the likeness of the king’s father and mother, and to Vishnu and Brahma.

The carvings on the lintels are remarkably well-preserved, and the eight elephant statues, each carved from a single piece of sandstone, are about the size of real Asian elephants!

Ta Som - A satellite temple of Preah Khan, built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, this Mahayana Buddhist temple features several representations of Lokeshvara. The temple has two main gate towers adorned with giant heads with four smiling faces facing the cardinal directions. The east gate is overgrown by a giant banyan tree.

Neak Pean - This Mahayana Buddhist temple was built by Jayavarman VII (also known as Jay7). This serene site, set in an enchanting environment, offers a pleasant break during your visit to the Angkor temples.

Neak Pean is an island temple built in the middle of the water reservoir Jayatataka or North Baray of Angkor. The temple’s design features an artificial island inside the water reservoir, with five ponds on the island and a temple inside the central pond.

Neak Pean symbolizes the mythical lake Anavatapta of Buddhist mythology. The lake is located at the center of the world, somewhere in the Himalayas, and feeds four sacred rivers: the Indus, the Oxus, the Tarim, and the Ganges. These rivers fertilize territories inhabited by lions, bulls, horses, and elephants, respectively. Each of the four chapels connecting the central pond to the satellite basins houses a large head (of a king, a lion, a horse, and an elephant). Water from the central pond flowed through their mouths to fill the basins. The central sanctuary stands on a circular base symbolizing a giant lotus flower. Two Nagas (serpents) whose bodies run along the base guard its access. In Khmer tradition, Nagas are creatures associated with water.

Preah Khan - Preah Khan is one of the large temples of King Jayavarman VII and Angkor, a Buddhist temple built in the late 12th century. The temple was constructed as a tomb for the king’s father and as a Buddhist learning center.

Preah Khan offers some of the most beautiful Devatas and pediment carvings, as well as several structures, notably its Hall of Dancers and a unique building set on high columns, which are in a relatively good state of preservation. The king’s father, identified with Lokeshvara (the god of compassion and considered the father of all Buddhas), was venerated in Preah Khan, a large city temple surrounded by a moat. On each of the cardinal points, a causeway provides access to the temple domain. The causeways feature rows of Devatas (gods) and Asuras (demons) pulling Nagas, symbolizing the Hindu mythology of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Banteay Srei - Banteay Srei is a Hindu temple dedicated in 967 AD. The temple was founded by a Brahmin named Yajyanavaraha, who was attached to King Rajendravarman II and Jayavarman V.

Banteay Srei is often described as a gem of Khmer temples, built in pinkish sandstone with intricately detailed carvings still in excellent condition!

Perspective: A visual effect enhancing perspective was used at Banteay Srei. The size of the gates progressively diminishes as one walks towards the temple, giving the impression that the temple is farther away than it actually is. The doorways of the central sanctuary are so small (a little more than one meter) that even in Angkor times, one surely had to bend one’s head to access the small cella housing the idol.

Beng Mealea and Koh Ker, Less Touristed Temples Tours

Koh Ker Temple - In the early 10th century, King Jayavarman IV moved the capital from Angkor to create his own city, Lingapura or Koh Ker, as it is known today. During a brief 20-year period, he built a large city with numerous temples. He constructed Prasat Prang as his state temple. Prasat Prang is one of the great terrace pyramid monuments in the world today! Visitors can also explore Prasat Bram, Neang Khmao, Prasat Linga, and Prasat Damrei, which are abandoned temples in the jungle, offering a peaceful and private experience in the ruins.

Beng Mealea - Often referred to as a “Mini Angkor Wat,” Beng Mealea was built in the 12th century by the same king, Suryavarman II. It is located near Phnom Kulen mountain, where sandstone quarries are found (visitors may choose to see them). Beng Mealea is reclaimed by nature, with the temple collapsed and many plants and trees growing on its roof.

• Lunch included
• Air-conditioned transportation

• All Fees and Taxes

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.