20150407. Cambodia. Siem Reap. Banteay Srei and Rolous Group

Rivers, Mountain Trails and Trees. I am in my element.

This is a detailed account of our third day tour around Angkor Archeological Park. After two full days of touring the temples of Angkor, we wanted a change of pace. We started our day with a morning trek to Kbal Spean. We visited and marvelled at the intricate and beautiful carvings and structures of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. We spent the afternoon touring the Roluos Group of temples including the temple-mountain of Bakong. If you are looking for the more famous Bayon and Angkor Wat, you have to check out this link for our first day tour.

This is also part of our seven-day adventure in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh where we spent three days touring and falling in love with the temples of Angkor. We filled a day simply exploring the City of Siem Reap and going around its countless Night Markets. We dedicated a full day getting to know hundreds of pigeons flying around the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. And our last two days were spent in Ho Chi Minh where coffee anywhere and everywhere is just absolutely good.

Third Day Tour

- Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Linga)
- Banteay Srei
- Banteay Samre
- Rolous Group
  -- Bakong
  -- Preah Ko
  -- Lo Lei

Itinerary:
Day 3 April 7 (Tuesday)
0800 Wake up call. Breakfast
0845 ETD Victory Guest House to Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Lingas)

Happiness is having a good amount of sleep!

off to the country side

Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei are far a bit out of the way from the main temples of Angkor Archeological Park. Going around the country side of Siem Reap in a Tuktuk was so relaxing. The view was very different from what we've been seeing for the last two days. The fresh air and unfamiliar houses were very relaxing.

0945 ETA Kbal Spean Jump off. Start Trek

It's always a lovely walk with trees at your side and the earth below your feet

It was the beginning of the hot season in Cambodia and on these months the clean and cool river give way to a murky, insect-infested water. I've even asked around to check if we can swim or at least cool off and wash our faces in the river, but it was impossible on the hot months in Cambodia. I initially thought of passing up a visit to The River of a Thousand Lingas; but after two days and a series of temple explorations, the morning hike to Kbal Spean was a welcome change of scenery. We were all glad that we went.

1015 ETA Kbal Spean. Explore.

River of Thousand Lingas

Being surrounded by trees, the earth beneath my shoes and a hike to a river. Sometimes these things are all I need to recharge. I was in my element.

Be sure to go around the river and explore everything, there are a lot of art and images embedded on the river bed.

The Back End of Kbal Spean

 

1050 ETD Back to Jump off
1105 ETA Jump off
1110 ETD Kbal Spean Jump off to Banteay Srei
1130 ETA Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei is inside a big complex with facilities that allows people to fish and take boat rides. There is also a large selection of souvenir shops and restaurants.

It was already lunch but we were all so excited to explore Banteay Srei. This is also called the Citadel of Woman, or the Citadel of Beauty. If you've been around Angkor, and you heard that there's a temple that's called the Citadel of Beauty, wouldn't you be excited too?

Banteay Srei

There are two things that makes Banteay Srei special:

1) The temple is made of pink/red sandstone. This makes the color of temple stands out from the rest of the temples that you've been accustomed to. The sandstone also makes the temple a very nice retreat from the heat of the sun. However hot it is outside, being inside the shade of Banteay Srei was always so cool and refreshing.

2) There is no place in Angkor Archeological Park that can rival the most intricate Bas-reliefs and carvings of Banteay Srei.

Banteay Srei. Photo by Joy Hipolito

We had fresh coconuts at Banteay Srei before we continued our journey. Coconuts are so refreshing. Remember that you can always have it cut in hald so you can dig in and fully enjoy it.

1330 ETD Banteay Srei to Banteay Samre
1400 ETA Banteay Samre

Banteay Samre. Photo by Joy

Among the small temples of Angkor, Banteay Samre was my favourite. This is only a small collection of a few temple towers; but the intricacy of each one -- from floor, stairs, windows, doors to the roof -- were just a marvel to behold.

The continuous surrounding walkway made it easy to explore the view of the temples in every angle. Because of the intimacy of each towers, you can look in any direction and see a perfect frame. We spent almost an hour falling in love with the place.

Cindy, Rommel and Joy at Banteay Samre

Far away from the usual crowded temple. The peace was a blessing

1515 ETD Banteay Samre to Lo Lei
1600 ETA Lo Lei

A ruined section of the Hindu Temple. Photo by Joy

Lo Lei was more of a buddhist temple than the normal temples you find across Siem Reap. The remaining Hindu temples were under construction when we went there. So we just had a quick tour of the place and had our lunch.

Our morning was filled with so many beautiful sights that we didn't care for lunch. There are a couple of eateries around this place, but not much choices when it comes to a meal. I forgot that I was already hungry until my delicious fried rice arrived!

1645 ETD Lo Lei to Preah Bakong
1700 ETA The temple-mountain Bakong

The pathway to Bakong

According to four materials: two travel magazines I've read in our hostel, a book we bought along the way, and the travel guide I brought with me; the temple-mountain of Bakong has been ranked as a must see temple. It's also far from the other temples and only those people who have time and truly wants to see it gives the effort to go here. And you know what they say, fortune favours the bold.

Temple-mountains have exceptional architectures and views. This feature can only be rivaled by magnificent temple complexes like Angkor Wat and Bayon and the ancient city of Preah Khan. Atop the temple-mountain, between to stone lion guards, you could see the ruins below with all their splendour, the view of the forest beyond completes the scenery. It was a majestic view.

The temple-mountain of Bakong

1730 ETD Bakong to Preah Ko
1735 ETA Preah Ko

Preah Ko

Preah Ko was a small but relaxing temple. This looked like it belonged to the same minds that created the beautiful East Mebon and Prerup.

Cindy and Joy at Preah Ko

1800 ETD Preah Ko to Victory Guest House. Free Time

We also bought our tickets for the Night Bus to Phnom Penh at Giant Ibis Terminal near the Angkor Night Market by the River. Giant Ibis Night Bus is the best land transfer choice from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.

Where to stay?

Victory Guesthouse

Telephone number: (855) 012 516 566 / (855) 012 451 286

Email: victoryguesthouse@yahoo.com / kolyan2008@yahoo.com / info@victoryguesthouse.com

Website: www.victoryguesthouse.com

Alternative Options: Mad Monkey, Mandalay Inn, Bou Savy Guest House

Note: Always check Tripadvisor and Hostelworld for recent reviews and ranking of any place to better guarantee a nice visit.

Sample Tour

Information: http://www.victoryguesthouse.com/service-tour-information-readmore.php

Day 1: South Gate of the Angkor Thom, Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leperking), Takoa, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdey, Srah Srang and the World Heritage Angkor Wat. Visit Sunset at Bakheng Mountain or Angkro Wat.

Day 2: Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Krol Kou, Tasom, East Mebon, and Angkor Wat.

Day 3: Visit Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Linga), Banteay Srey, Banteay Samre, Rolous Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lo Lei)

My Favourite Sites:

Day 1: Bayon, Angkor Wat, Baphuon, Ta Prohm

Day 2: Preah Khan, East Mebon

Day 3: Kbal Spean, Banteay Samre, Bakong Temple

Itinerary Summary:

Day 3 April 7 (Tuesday)
0800 Wake up call. Breakfast
0845 ETD Victory Guest House to Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Lingas)
0945 ETA Kbal Spean Jump off. Start Trek
1015 ETA Kbal Spean. Explore
1050 ETD Back to Jump off
1105 ETA Jump off
1110 ETD Kbal Spean Jump off to Banteay Srei
1130 ETA Banteay Srei
1330 ETD Banteay Srei to Banteay Samre
1400 ETA Banteay Samre
1515 ETD Banteay Samre to Lo Lei
1600 ETA Lo Lei
1645 ETD Lo Lei to Bakong
1700 ETA The temple-mountain Bakong
1730 ETD Bakong to Preah Ko
1735 ETA Preah Ko
1800 ETD Preah Ko to Victory Guest House. Free Time

Expenses:

Day 3

8.4 *25/3 Angkor Tour. Victory Guesthouse

1 Iced Coffee

.75 Coconut

2 Fried Rice

.25 Water

1 Soda

1 Iced Coffee

1.1 Pocari Sweat

15 Giant Ibis Bus Ticket. Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

3 Dinner at Steven Corner

.5 Water

6.4 *19/3 Accommodations. Victory Guesthouse

_________

USD 40.4

20150406. Cambodia. Siem Reap. Big Circuit Temple Tour

As the Sun rises over Angkor Wat

This is a detailed account of our second day tour around Angkor Archeological Park. We started our day with the most amazing sunrise at Angkor Wat. We were completely entranced walking inside the Ancient City of Preah Khan. And we ended the day waiting for the sunset on top of Phnom Bakheng, a temple on a hill. If you are looking for the more famous Bayon and Angkor Wat, you have to check out this link for our first day tour.

This is also part of our seven-day adventure in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh where we spent three days touring and falling in love with the temples of Angkor. We also filled a day simply exploring the City of Siem Reap and going around its countless Night Markets. We dedicated a full day getting to know hundreds of pigeons flying around the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. And our last two days were spent in Ho Chi Minh where coffee anywhere and everywhere is just absolutely good.

Angkor Map

From http://www.websushidesign.com/blog/uploads/food-travel/cambodia/angkor-map.jpg

Second Day Tour

- Sunrise at Angkor Wat

- The temple-mountain of Baphuon

- Angkor Big Circuit Tour:

  -- Preah Khan

  -- Neak Pean

  -- Krol Kou

  -- Tasom

  -- East Mebon

  -- Pre rup

- Sunset at Phnom Bakheng

Itinerary:

Day 2 April 6 (Monday)
0430 Wake up call and waited for our Tuktuk driver
0500 ETD. Victory Guest House to Angkor Wat
0530 ETA. Angkor Wat. Pool area just outside the Retaining Wall

For our second day visit, we woke up even extra earlier to witness the stunning sunrise at Angkor Wat. There were already a lot of people when we got there. By a lot, I mean a few hundred people. And a lot more came as the minute passed. It was such a celebrated event that I think more than a thousand of people came to greet the sunrise at Angkor Wat. It is something the you need to experience at least once in your life.

The first few moments of the waking world

0540 First light of the Sun

The first few moments of the waking world

As the Sun rises over Angkor Wat

Everyone stays quiet until the sun is settled in the sky

0715 ETD. Angkor Wat to Victory Guest House
0730 Breakfast. Prepare for Big Circuit Temple Tour
0815 ETD. Victory Guest House to Angkor Thom
0840 ETA. The temple-mountain Baphuon

Path to Baphuon 

From a distance, this ranks as my third favourite view of all temples in Angkor. The first and the second place would be between Angkor Wat and Bayon.

Before we moved on to the Big Circuit Temples, we came back to the majestic temple-mountain that is Baphuon. This temple was the only temple in the Small Circle Tour that we weren't able to explore on our first day. But we saw it and it was so beautiful and enticing that I knew I would regret not going back. To get to Baphuon, you have to cross a narrow but a very long bridge. Man-made lakes fills the empty space of each side of the bridge. From the beginning of this bridge, you would already see how majestic a temple mountain should be. I could only imagine how it was in the olden days when this lake was still clean. Even with the murky water there were flowers and lotuses floating beautifully on the water. It wasn't hard to imagine if the ancient Khmer Empire used this beautiful walkway for royal weddings.

And then it was time to finally meet Baphuon

The large wall that depicts the reclining Buddha at the backend of Baphuon

1030 Walked from Baphuon to Terrace of Elephant
1050 ETD. Terrace of Elephant to Preah Khan

On the way to the Ancient City! Photo by Joy

1100 ETA. The ancient city of Preah Khan

The Ancient City of Preah Khan. Photo by Joy Hipolito

Walking around the majestic temples of Angkor renders you speechless and in marvel. But walking around Preah Khan just makes you imagine how the ancient people have lived their day to day lives. Being inside the ruins gives you a different perspective of the Angkor people. And a longing to belong to their time.

Going further and further inside the city felt like I was going back in time. It wasn't hard to imagine how little kids from distant past used to play along the elaborate and long hallways of the once great city of Preah Khan.

I saw a picture in the information center here at Preah Khan on how this temple looked like on the rainy season, and I am now tempted to go back on to get the chance of being inside Preah Khan while its raining. It's not a beauty that every can appreciate, the rain has different effect on people. But me? I love the rain. And I wondered how the floors of the temple would look like covered in small pools of water. What if the system of small canals in this city gets filled again? I think it would be a wonderful experience.

More than a Temple: City to discover

Walking around Preah Khan

Joy at Preah Khan

1230 ETD. Preah Khan to Neak Pean
1245 ETA. The artificial island that is Neak Pean

There is nothing much to see in Neak Pean itself but it's an interesting walk from the drop off point to here. Neak Pean is separated from the road by a large stretch of what looks like a marshland. Don't worry, you don't have to walk through the marsh. They've provided a narrow bridge just enough for two person to stand side by side, and it's elevated enough so you can how wide the area is. Some of the locals walk through the water catching fish with their makeshift spears and bear hands. It's a landscape view that you would normally see opening an epic movie. It's a completely different scenery and yet it also felt natural. Nothing felt out of place.

A seeming wasteland that provides life

Neak Pean

1315 Lunch at Neak Pean Restaurants

There are a lot of eateries in Neak Pean. You can always find canteens around Angkor, but this is a good place to eat lunch because of the wide selection. Easier to find a bargain as well.

1400 ETD. Neak Pean to Ta som
1405 Passed by Krol Kou
1420 ETA. Ta som

1500 ETD. Ta som to East Mebon
1515 ETA. East Mebon
1545 ETD. East Mebon to Pre rup
1550 ETA. Pre rup

East Mebon and Pre rup shared the same style and colors. But both have different beautiful features. These two temples just amazes you from the foot to the top. I easily realized my natural affinity for Temple-mountains. Pre rep is a larger counter part of East Mebon. One can see East Mebon from the top of Pre rup.

East Mebon

Pre rup

Pre rup by Joy

1615 ETD. Pre rup to Bakheng Hill
1645 ETA. Bakheng Hill

Atop Bakheng Temple. Waiting for the Sunset

Remember that Bakheng Hill closes at 5:30PM. But really, it is best to get there early so you can have a beautiful spot for the sunset. The top of Bakheng Hill is a 15 minute trek inclined to about 35-degree angle . If you absolutely can't do this because of the day's exhaustion and heat, you can opt to take an elephant ride up to the top of the hill and to the entrance of the temple. I do not condemn all elephant rides, but please always check the health of the elephant. Some elephants across Asia are treated like friends by their trainers, but sadly, some of them looks weak or sad, I don't think I would like to support any kind of business where they don't take good care of our animal friends.

At the last few moments of the short trek, I definitely think that you'll forget the day's exhaustion. I wasn't prepared to see a the temple on the hill. I forget there was a temple altogether, so I was surprised by the initial view of the temple. I had to stood a few meters outside the large outer wall for a full 5 minutes to remember the beautiful sight. Sorry, I was so taken a back that I forget to take a photo. This is absolutely a nice place to end the day.

Atop Bakheng Temple. Waiting for the Sunset

Sunset atop Bakheng Hill by Joy

1745 Sunset
1800 ETD. Bakheng Hill to Victory Guest House
1830 ETA. Victory Guest House. Free time.

Where to stay?

Victory Guesthouse

Telephone number: (855) 012 516 566 / (855) 012 451 286

Email: victoryguesthouse@yahoo.com / kolyan2008@yahoo.com / info@victoryguesthouse.com

Website: www.victoryguesthouse.com

Alternative Options: Mad Monkey, Mandalay Inn, Bou Savy Guest House

Note: Always check Tripadvisor and Hostelworld for recent reviews and ranking of any place to better guarantee a nice visit.

Sample Tour

Information: http://www.victoryguesthouse.com/service-tour-information-readmore.php

Day 1: South Gate of the Angkor Thom, Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leperking), Takoa, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdey, Srah Srang and the World Heritage Angkor Wat. Visit Sunset at Bakheng Mountain or Angkro Wat.

Day 2: Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Krol Kou, Tasom, East Mebon, and Angkor Wat.

Day 3: Visit Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Linga), Banteay Srey, Banteay Samré, Rolous Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lo Lei)

My Favourite Sites:

Day 1: Bayon, Angkor Wat, Baphuon, Ta Prohm

Day 2: Preah Khan, East Mebon

Day 3: Kbal Spean, Banteay Samre, Bakong Temple

Itinerary Summary:

Day 2 April 6 (Monday)
0430 Wake up call and waited for our Tuktuk driver
0500 ETD. Victory Guest House to Angkor Wat
0530 ETA. Angkor Wat. Pool area just outside the Retaining Wall
0540 First light of the Sun
0715 ETD. Angkor Wat to Victory Guest House
0730 Breakfast. Prepare for Big Circuit Temple Tour
0815 ETD. Victory Guest House to Angkor Thom
0840 ETA. The temple-mountain Baphuon
1030 Walked from Baphuon to Terrace of Elephant
1050 ETD. Terrace of Elephant to Preah Khan
1100 ETA. The ancient city of Preah Khan
1230 ETD. Preah Khan to Neak Pean
1245 ETA. The artificial island that is Neak Pean
1315 Lunch at Neak Pean Restaurants
1400 ETD. Neak Pean to Ta som
1405 Passed by Krol Kou
1420 ETA. Ta som
1500 ETD. Ta som to East Mebon
1515 ETA. East Mebon
1545 ETD. East Mebon to Pre rup
1550 ETA. Pre rup
1615 ETD. Pre rup to Bakheng Hill
1645 ETA. Bakheng Hill
1745 Sunset Viewing
1800 ETD. Bakheng Hill to Victory Guest House
1830 ETA. Victory Guest House. Free time

Expenses:

Day 2

6 *18/3 Angkor Tour. Victory Guesthouse

.75 Coconut

5 Lunch at Neak Pea

.75 Water

4.5 Dinner at Victory Guesthouse

6.4 *19/3 Accommodations. Victory Guesthouse

_________

USD 23.4

20150405. Cambodia. Siem Reap. Small Circuit Temple Tour

The Majestic and Enchanting Prasat Bayon

This is a detailed account of our first day tour around Angkor Archeological Park. This story starts from its neighbouring city, Siem Reap. Check out this link to view how we got here.

This is also part of our seven-day adventure in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh where we spent three days touring and falling in love with the temples of Angkor. We also filled a day simply exploring the City of Siem Reap and going around its countless Night Markets. We dedicated a full day getting to know hundreds of pigeons flying around the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. And our last two days were spent in Ho Chi Minh where coffee anywhere and everywhere is just absolutely good.

Angkor Map

From http://www.websushidesign.com/blog/uploads/food-travel/cambodia/angkor-map.jpg

First Day Tour - Angkor Small Circuit

- The World Heritage Angkor Wat

- Banteay Kdei

- Srah Srang

- Ta Prohm

- Takeo

- Thommanon

- Chau Say Tevoda

- Central Angkor Thom:

 -- Terrace of Elephant

 -- Terrace of Leperking

 -- Courtyard of Baphoun

 -- Bayon

Itinerary:

Day 1 April 5 (Sunday)

0730 Wake up call and talked with the reception about our itinerary for the day.

0800 Breakfast. Chocolate Banana Pancakes and Iced Coffees!

0900 ETD Victory Guest House. Start Angkor Small Circuit Tour

0915 ETA Angkor Archeological Park Entrance and Ticketing House

All first time visitors need to pass by here to purchase passes for the park.

There are three types of passes: One day for $20, Three days for $40 and Seven days for $60.

Carry your passes all the time since this is your access to the temples inside the park.

Popular places outside the park like Phnom Kulen and Beng Melea have different admission fees.

Angkor Pass

0930 ETD Entrance to Angkor Wat

0940 ETA Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat taken from our second day in Siem Reap

Angkor Wat, even from a distance, is breathtaking. I’ve seen it several times from our visit here but It never fails to capture our full attention. It took us three hours to explore Angkor Wat. We didn’t even delayed and checked out souvenir shops or any food stalls. We were completely focused and mesmerized by the grand beauty of this magnificent temple complex. You really need to allot a big part of your day to explore Angkor Wat. This being the largest religious monument in the world was conceptualized to resemble Mount Meru, the center of all universes as believed by Hindus and Buddhists. It would be better if you acquaint yourself as to why Angkor Wat is considered by thousands of experts as a world-class achievement and an exceptional architectural and engineering work of genius before going here. Don’t forget to look up to the ceiling, touch the walls, look at the floors, study the intricate carvings and bas-reliefs and just be lost in the whole history of Angkor Wat.

Taking shelter at a library near the entrance

At the inner wall before the climb to the towers

View of Angkor Wat up the stairs leading to the towers

1240 ETD Angkor Wat to Khmer Angkor Kitchen

This meal cost us a lot. We were new to the idea of negotiating the price of your meal and asking for discounts in restaurants. Restaurants and eateries in popular destinations in Siem Reap would always show you a menu with very expensive dishes. Most people just accept the price as is, but almost any price in Siem Reap is negotiable. It doesn’t mean that it’s cheap because they always start with outrageous prices. Some people enjoy and engages negotiations like this like a sport, but it gets tiring after a while. Fortunately, there are also a lot of restaurants with fair priced menus around Siem Reap.

These are mostly at the outskirts of popular destinations and around less famous Night Markets. You just have to look for them. If you arrive there late and don’t have time to explore, you can always count on "Steven Corner” near Pub Street for a good dinner, drinks and delicious fruit shakes.

1340 ETD Khmer Angkor Kitchen to Banteay Kdei

1345 ETA Banteay Kdei. Sras Srang

Banteay Kdei is a small temple complex that resembles the Ancient city of Preah Khan in its sophisticated structure and Ta Prohm Temple in its inevitable ruin. This temple is also overran by large white trees like the famous Ta Prohm.

Banteay Kdei

1455 ETD Banteay Kdei to Ta Phrom

1505 ETA Ta Prohm. This temple was made famous by the film Tomb Raider and is famous for big gigantic white trees eating aways the walls and roofs of collapsed temples.

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm with Joy

1555 ETD Ta Prohm to Takeo

1600 ETA Takeo. I went around taking in every angle of the top level of this temple-mountain and the view that it offered. Seeing and exploring the first temple-mountain I've ever seen in real life was amazing.

Cindy and Joying scaling the uneven and large stairs of Ta Keo

1625 ETD Takeo to Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda

1630 ETA Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda

While Angkor Wat was as grand as the ambitions of its creators, I found solace in the humble temple of Thommanon. It can be explored in fifteen minutes. But the stillness of the place was so inviting we decided to stay for a while. Make sure you you explore and go around the outer enclosure of the temple to give a different perspective of the place.

Relaxing Thommanon

The inside of most temples are a very welcome respite from the heat of the sun

View of Thommanon from the back

1655 ETD Thommanon to Angkor Thom

1700 ETA Central Angkor Thom. This is where you can find the Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leperking,  Baphuon and the magnificent Bayon.

Baphuon Temple

Since we spent a lot of time in other temples, we were already rushing by this time. But just looking at Baphuon from a distance, I knew that I would have to go back and explore this temple-mountain.

Viewed from afar, this ranks as my third favourite view of all temples in Angkor. The first and the second place would be between Angkor Wat and Bayon.

Monkeys around Baphuon are a common sight

Terrace of Elephant

1730 Bayon

Joy mesmerized by the beauty of Bayon

The next main temple that we were going to see was Bayon. And like Angkor Wat, you would like to have a lot of time to take in all of its beauty. Sunsets in Angkor Archeological park are normally viewed atop Bakheng Hill or with the view of the majestic Angkor Wat. Our Tuktuk driver warned us that we only have 30 minutes in Bayon Temple if we want to catch the sunset in one of these iconic sites. We stayed for more than an hour in Bayon. How could we leave at such a magical time? When the Sun started its descent, features of gigantic smiling faces started to unravel themselves. It was as if the stone faces sparkled in happiness at the last touch of the dying lights from the Sun.

The Bayon

The smiling faces of Bayon

1830 ETD Bayon to Victory Guesthouse

1915 ETA Victory Guest House

2100 Checked out Lucky mall grocery and explored Night Markets

It was hard to pick a favourite on our first day exploration of the temples of Angkor Archeological Park. Everything was new to our senses and every temple had a distinct character that moves you to marvel. Angkor Wat and the temple of Bayon, built nearly a thousand years ago by a civilization from another time, has become an echo and a gateway to the past. These two magnificent temples were just beauty with legendary and timeless proportions.

Where to stay?

Victory Guesthouse

Telephone number: (855) 012 516 566 / (855) 012 451 286

Email: victoryguesthouse@yahoo.com / kolyan2008@yahoo.com / info@victoryguesthouse.com

Website: www.victoryguesthouse.com

Alternative Options: Mad Monkey, Mandalay Inn, Bou Savy Guest House

Note: Always check Tripadvisor and Hostelworld for recent reviews and ranking of any place to better guarantee a nice visit.

Sample Tour

Information: http://www.victoryguesthouse.com/service-tour-information-readmore.php

Day 1: South Gate of the Angkor Thom, Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leperking), Takoa, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdey, Srah Srang and the World Heritage Angkor Wat. Visit Sunset at Bakheng Mountain or Angkro Wat.

Day 2: Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Krol Kou, Tasom, East Mebon, and Angkor Wat.

Day 3: Visit Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Linga), Banteay Srey, Banteay Samré, Rolous Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lo Lei)

My Favourite Sites:

Day 1: Bayon, Angkor Wat, Baphuon, Ta Prohm

Day 2: Preah Khan, East Mebon

Day 3: Kbal Spean, Banteay Samre, Bakong Temple

Itinerary Summary:

Day 0 April 4 (Saturday)

1930 ETD Ninoy Aquino International Airport T3

Travel time is around 3 hours.

Cambodia time is an hour behind from Philippines.

2130 ETA Siem Reap International Airport

2200 ETD. Tuktuk. Siem Reap International Airport

2220 ETA Hotel. Check inn Victory Guest House

2230 ETD. Walk to Victory Guest House to Pub Street

2245 ETA Pub Street

2300 Dinner. Explored pub street. Rest.

Day 1 April 5 (Sunday)

0730 Wake up call

0800 Breakfast

0900 ETD Victory Guest House. Start Angkor Small Circuit Tour

0915 ETA Angkor Archeological Park Entrance and Ticketing House

0930 ETD Entrance to Angkor Wat

0940 ETA Angkor Wat. Explore

1240 ETD Angkor Wat to Khmer Angkor Kitchen

1340 ETD Khmer Angkor Kitchen to Banteay Kdei

1345 ETA Banteay Kdei. Sras Srang

1455 ETD Banteay Kdei to Ta Prohm

1505 ETA Ta Prohm

1555 ETD Ta Prohm to Takeo

1600 ETA Takeo

1625 ETD Takeo to Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda

1630 ETA Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda

1655 ETD Thommanon to Angkor Thom

1700 ETA Central Angkor Thom

1730 Bayon

1830 ETD Bayon to Victory Guesthouse

1915 ETA Victory Guest House

2100 Checked out Lucky mall grocery and explored Night Markets

Expenses:

Day 1

5 *15/3 Angkor Tour. Victory Guesthouse

40 3 Days Angkor Pass

9.5 Lunch and Drinks at Khmer Family Kitchen

.75 Water

3.4 Dinner at Lucky Burger

.6 Milk

.8 Water

6.4 *19/3 Accommodations. Victory Guesthouse

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USD 66.45