Jungle Wildlife And Temples

📍 Siem Reap Airport - Siem Reap (53 km): 1 hr / Siem Reap – Temples (6 km): 10 mins

On morning arrival into Siem Reap, the charming gateway to the famed temples of Angkor, you will be greeted by your local guide and accompanied to the hotel for check in. 

After settling in to your comfortable new accommodation, you’ll begin your afternoon exploration of Angkor Wat by local Remork (Kmer Tuk Tuk). 

Built in the 12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II, the temple was constructed to symbolize Mount Meru, a sacred mountain in Buddhism considered to be the center of all physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. The temple itself is covered with stone carvings and has more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Angkor Wat is so revered by the nation that Cambodia is the only flag in the world with a building on it – and that building is Angkor Wat. 

19:00 - enjoy a Khmer classic dishes at a restaurant where is another social enterprise restaurant providing disadvantaged youths, and underprivileged adults, professional training and employment in the hospitality industry. Learn about its efforts while dining. 
*The restaurant is closed on Monday so alternative restaurant will be book accordingly. 

Overnight in Siem Reap 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Siem Reap – Kampong Khleang (50km): 1h10 mins / Siem Reap – Temples (6 km): 10 mins

07:30 – This morning by Remork (Khmer Tuk Tuk) visit the famous temple of Ta Prohm, built in the mid-12th to early 13th Centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.

Then continue to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII, surrounded by an 8m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods and demons hold the sacred Naga snake. 

From here you will continue to Bayon temple which is at the exact centre of the city. This 12th Century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is renowned for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must see visits as they’re both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. 

Lunch at a local restaurant. 

This afternoon, take a break from temple touring to experience authentic rural lifestyles. Drive to the outskirts of Siem Reap, past expansive rice fields and through local villages where rice and fish can frequently be spotted drying alongside the road. We will stop at a small but vibrant local market along the way. 

Next, board a private, local wooden vessel for a boat trip along a canal that leads to the Tonle Sap Lake. As we cruise along the canal you will see houses on either side: depending on the time of the visit, the houses will either have immediate access to the water or stand perched on stilts high above the ground, a phenomena caused by the annual rising and receding waters of the Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest lake. Pass by the boats and nets used by local fishermen, some of whom will be fishing in the waters through which the boat passes. Nearing the lake, see floating houses that move location with the annual ebb and flow of the lake’s waters. 

With a full belly and a camera-full of remarkable images, return to Siem Reap. 

(Note: Due to fluctuating water levels on the lake and canals, the village visited will depend on the date and water levels at that time. As it’s a local community experience, the boats are older wooden boats).

18:00 - This night time foodie adventure is an experiential roller coaster through the vibrant Siem Reap dining and social scene mixing high end with real local style! We kick off with cocktails at one of the Tow’s most stylish venues. Our jazzy modern Vespas cruise through the busy streets of this ancient heritage town and introduce you to many aspects of Khmer cuisine – from street markets to food stalls, from exotic fruits to fried bugs. Enjoy high end fusion drinks and classic Khmer dishes. This is unique tour that embraces the local hustle and bustle of street markets and vendors and the accompanying sights, smells, and sounds. It’s a fun and varied tour that embodies the fun-loving nature of the wonderful people of Cambodia! All food and drinks are included on this acclaimed Siem Reap food tour so please, bring a healthy appetite!

Please note the tour is based on a shared basis with other passengers, min. 2pax booking to run the tour. Private tours are also available for a supplement. Please enquire with your consultant for more information

Overnight in Siem Reap

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Temples – Kbal Spean (40 km): 1 hour / Kbal Spean – Banteay Srei (10km): 15 mins / Banteay Srei – Siem Reap (37 km): 45 mins

Start the Siem Reap countryside day tour with an early morning wake up to Banteay Srei before the crowds arrive (Note: the temple opens at 7:30). Because of its remote location, this pink sandstone temple is often passed over by visitors but is probably the best preserved monument of the entire Angkor complex. With few other visitors there just as the tiny temple opens you will have a great opportunity to enjoy the intricate bas reliefs up close and in the soft early morning light.   

After exploring Banteay Srei, drive further away from Siem Reap, passing local villages and farms, to Kbal Spean. This is one of Cambodia’s earliest Hindu sites and refreshingly different from the other Khmer monuments. Take a 3-kilometre trek through the jungle to appreciate the scope and beauty of Kbal Spean. The trek ends at the ‘River of 1000 Lingas’, a riverbed featuring stone carvings of Hindu gods, animals and phallic symbols. Learn about the history of Hinduism in Cambodia while exploring this unique river. (Note: Please note the trek is fairly easy going but as the walk is uphill and on uneven ground it is most suitable for clients with an average level of fitness and not suitable for clients with mobility problems.)

Siem Reap countryside day tour continues with a visit to two fascinating centres. The first is the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), the first nature conservation project in Cambodia. A knowledgeable staff member will explain about the threats to Cambodia’s wildlife and the efforts of ACCB to protect the environment and promote wildlife conservation through education. Also see the various endangered species, reptiles and a beekeeping project that are on site.

Lunch at a local restaurant

Continue on to the APOPO visitor center for an exclusive tour of this fascinating and life-saving organization. Spend up to an hour learning about the devastating impact of explosives that lie buried in the Cambodian countryside and get first-hand experience about this creative solution to the problem. 

In a simulated minefield built for training purposes, help guide the rats as they sniff their way along the ground in search of explosive material. Visit the room where the rats live and pose for a photo with the furry rodents and their handlers. Watch an informative video and take the opportunity to learn more about landmines, Cambodia, APOPO, and the HeroRATs through a Q&A session. Every guided tour is led by a mine action professional with real-life experience of humanitarian demining. (Note:  The last tour to visit to APOPO center is at 1630)

After a day in the fantastic outskirts of town, the tour concludes with a drive back to Siem Reap. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Siem Reap – Ang Trapeang Thma (93km): 1 hrs 40 mins

Roll out of bed early today to begin the Siem Reap bird watching tour. At 5:30am you will be picked up by our Bird Guide and driver in A/C 4WD car toward Ang Trapeang Thmor which is about 2 ½ hours from Siem Reap. 

This area was originally constructed for irrigation during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. These days it is surrounded by rice paddies and is home to a great diversity of water birds. A local bird watching guide will select the best places for spotting some of the 200 species that live here or come for breeding. Keep a close eye on the sky for the endangered species that sometimes pass over the wetlands. As well the endangered Eld’s Deer is often sighted here.

You will enjoy the breakfast packed from Siem Reap with a few stops along the way.

Following by the bird watching, we will visit the local silk weaving village. Conclude the Siem Reap bird watching tour late in the afternoon with a return back to the city. 

Note: A variety of bird species can be spotted year-round, but the best season is from January to May.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Siem Reap – Preah Vihear (210km): 3 hrs 50 mins

05:00 – Pick up from your hotel by the bird guide team. 

This is a 2 hour drive from Siem Reap to Stoung Bengal Florican Conservation Area. A prepared breakfast will be provided when we arrive at the site.

06:30 – Birding at Stoung Bengal Florican Conservation Area Our guides have a very good track record of finding these Critically Endangered birds, the first of the six targets, they should be seen within the first few hours of the trip. Whilst we are enjoying the floricans, other birds we typically see include Sarus Crane, storks, Manchurian Reed Warbler, Pied and Eastern Marsh Harrier, Small Buttonquail, Bluethroat and Red Avadavat.

10:00 – Leave Stoung Bengal Florican Conservation Area for Tmat Boey Ecolodge We will travel to the Tmat Boey Ecolodge, birding in dry forest along the way. 

During our birding stops, we will have lunch and hope to see White-rumped Pygmy Falcon

15:00 – Arrive at Tmat Boey Ecolodge.

We will get checked into the Tmat Boey Ecolodge. After we are settled in, we may get a chance to see our second Critically Endangered species in the evening, as we try to see the Whiteshouldered Ibis at a roosting site.

19:30 – Dinner and night at Tmat Boey Ecolodge or in Preah Vihear. 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Preah Vihear – Tmatboey (52 km): 55 mins

04:30 – Wake up to search for Giant Ibis. 

SVC coordinates a scheme where the local people are paid to protect the nests of the two Critically Endangered ibis present – Giant and White-shouldered Ibis. Consequently, our guides have a 90% record of finding these species for visiting birders! We will try to get good views of both species during the time we spend here. The birding is excellent and our guides, with the help of the SVC trained local guides, have made a special effort to locate the day roosts of nocturnal species such as Spotted Wood Owl and Brown Fish Owl.

Return to Tmat Boey for early Lunch before leaving for Preah Vihear Temple. 

The adventurous trip is worth it. The ruins of Preah Vihear stretch nearly 500 metres in length along an ascending hillside from the plains of Southeastern Thailand, into Cambodia, and up to the precipitous edge of the Dangrek Mountains which overlook Preah Vihear province to the south. The first temple at the site was believed to have been built during the reign of King Suryavarman I (1002-105) who constructed many of Cambodia’s most remote and impressive monuments. 

Despite its age, the beautiful Hindu carvings and lintels are remarkably well preserved. Explore the hilltop monument, admiring the buildings as well as the stunning views of the Cambodian and Thai countryside. It is not hard to see why UNESCO named Preah Vihear a World Heritage Site. 

Return to the base of the mountain. 

Arrive back at Tmat Boey for dinner or dinner at local restaurant. 

Overnight at Tmat Boey Ecolodge or in Preah Vihear.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Ttmatboey – Koh Ker (65 km): 1h10 mins / Koh Ker – Beng Mealea (58 Km): 1h10 mins / Beng Mealea - Siem Reap (55 km): 1h10 mins

04:30 – Wake up for last morning of birding in Tmat Boey Prepared breakfast will be provided. We will be concentrating on anything that we have not already seen.

After lunch continue your tour in Koh Ker Temples. Koh Ker gives you the opportunity to explore ancient Khmer history without the abundance of tourists. Koh Ker is a unique pyramidal temple built in 931 AD, strikingly reminiscent of the structures built by the Central American Maya. Not only is the appearance unique but also the history, as this was the location that became the capital of the Khmer Empire. This site also allows explorations in the dry and semi-evergreen forest among seldom-visited outlying temples to discover the birds and incredible butterflies.

Continue to Siem Reap, check in your hotel. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Siem Reap - Siem Reap Airport (53 km): 1 Hr

This morning you will be transferred to the Siem Reap Angkor airport for your onward departure flight (45-60 mins). Please note the standard check out time is at 12:00. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast