Travel through centuries of history with this Preah Vihear tour. Journey through rugged jungles and up steep hills to gaze in awe at the 1000-year-old temple. Uncover the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge with a visit to the home of the notorious Pol Pot.
Programme Details
Depart early from Siem Reap for the 3-4 hour drive to Preah Vihear Province. Enjoy the views of the countryside and scenes of rural life in the early morning hours. Stop en route for a short visit to Trapaeng Prasat Temple which offers an excellent view of the Dangrek Mountain.
Reach the foot of the Mountain and transfer to a local pick-up truck for the next section of the journey. The steep and winding road makes for an exciting drive and showcases the remoteness of this area.
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. Before returning to the base of the mountain, enjoy a picnic lunch in this scenic spot.
Having experienced Cambodia’s ancient past, it is time to take a closer look at more recent history. Stop in the town of Anlong Veng which played an important role in the brutal Khmer Rouge era. The remote area was used as a hiding place for the leaders of the regime. Visit the last residences of Ta Mok, so-called ‘Brother Number 5’ and Pol Pot. Although there is little to see, just being in the presence of the sites brings chills to the spine. The guide may also share some of his or her personal stories of that horrible era in Cambodian history.
Wrap up the Preah Vihear tour with a drive back to Siem Reap, returning to modern day Cambodia with a new understanding of the country’s chequered history. (L)
Inclusions:
🥘 Lunch
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Nick Ghosh
Global Director of SalesEXO Sales Team
Having spent much of his childhood between Southeast Asia and the UK, Nick has the passion and destination knowledge of a true local. After teaching English at Shanghai University in 2006, Nick returned to the UK to work for a top tour operator for ten years. Serving as a Southeast Asia Product Manager prior to joining EXO, Nick became our UK Sales Director in 2016 and since August 2018 our Global Sales Director based in the UK.
Lucas Arruda
Sales Manager, Latin AmericaEXO Sales Team
Hailing from Brazil, Lucas leverages a deep well of professional experience, destination knowledge and love of travel to his role as Sales Manager for Latin America. He initially joined EXO in our China offices, gaining a strong understanding of EXO services and products, which he brings to this new role.
Sophie Rowley
Sales Manager UK & IrelandEXO Sales Team
Sophie's passion for travel began when she was young, joining her parents for trips abroad. Captivated by the allure of new destinations and diverse cultures, she went on to pursue a degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management. After a decade working for a renowned UK travel agent, she transitioned to her role as EXO’s Sales Manager for the UK & Ireland.
Pantanida Jantsakool Pitz
General Manager German MarketEXO Sales Team
Born in Bangkok, Pantanida began her career in the travel industry in the early 2000's. After travelling around Southeast Asia for a period of time, she moved to Ho Chi Minh City to help start up the German department for EXO Travel. She has been based in Germany since 2008, where she looks after our German-speaking clients.
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Amanda is a graduate in Hospitality and Tourism Management and calls Boston home. She first fell in love with Asia in 2012 then worked as a travel specialist creating bespoke luxury journeys to Asia for a leading US tour operator. Her passion to bring unforgettable travel experiences for all clients ensures she brings the best in terms of support for our trade partners in North America.
Kate Winslow
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Kate joined EXO Travel in 2023 as North American Sales Manager. With a history of extensive travel in Asia and a proven track record as a Virtuoso advisor, she enriches the travel planning process and promotes EXO's diverse destinations with a fresh perspective. Her passion for unique journeys is a boon for both EXO and our partners.
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Alice caught the travel bug early, accompanying her parents on cultural and architectural trips as a young child. She went on to study tourism and work for a well-known tour operator before taking a solo trip across three continents. In 2017, Alice joined EXO Malaysia as Inbound & Product Manager and, in 2023, returned to Paris as Sales Manager to support EXO's partners in the French-speaking market.