Cambodia was originally not in our plans of places to travel to; however, we are already so close we decided to add it to our list. We will be flying from Bangkok to Siem Reap to explore as much as we can in 4 days. We are using the tour company, Intrepid, in order to learn as much as possible about this historically rich place and to make the most of seeing Cambodia in such a short period of time. Below is the general itinerary that Intrepid has put together for us.
Day 1 Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat
Explore the temples of Angkor, beginning with Angkor Wat - easily the most famous of the temples. Move on to Angkor Thom to see the Bayon with its 216 smiling stone faces. Stop for pictures at the photogenic South Gate before lunching Khmer-style in a village surrounded by rice paddies. After lunch visit the beautiful Ta Prohm temple, made famous by the Tomb Raider film. If time permits, finish the day climbing one of the oldest buildings in the Angkor complex, the brick temple of Pre Rup.
Day 2 Siem Reap / Bantea Srei
Take a trip through the countryside to the small village of Kbal Spean and see rural Cambodian life in action. Embark on an easy jungle trek to the River of a Thousand Lingas. See Hindu sculptures carved into the river's granite banks more than a thousand years ago. Next up is the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity, home to various animals that have been saved from trafficking including gibbons, anteaters and the bright-eyed lorus. After enjoying a tasty Khmer lunch, head to the temple of Banteay Srei and, if time permits, explore the former monastic complex of Banteay Kdei to enjoy sunset at the picturesque reservoir of Sra Srang.
Day 3 Siem Reap / Tonle Sap
Explore Siem Reap by remork before heading out of town to Tonle Sap. Take a boat trip around the lake to see floating villages and get a taste for life ruled by monsoonal rains and water-based agriculture. Take the back roads on your return to town, stopping at a local village to pick up Khmer snacks and paying a visit to a modern Buddhist monastery.
