06 Days Khmer Encounters (Thailand-Cambodia Overland) - Year Round

• Depart from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, which is beautifully located on an island at the confluence of three rivers. Visit Wat Chaiwathanaram occupying a magnificent position on the West bank of the Chao Phraya River. Drive through the historical part of this former capital of Siam and then continue to Phimai. En route short stop the local fruit market at Klang Dong. Continue to the charming little town of Phimai northeast of Korat, known for the magnificent Khmer sanctuary of Prasat Hin. Visit the museum (closed on MON & TUE and public holidays), and Historical Park.
• Note: Phimai National Museum is under renovation and closed until further notice (the museum is expected to re-open sometime in April 2014). Return to Korat with a short stop at one of the biggest Banyan Trees in Thailand. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Visit the pottery village of Dan Kwian. The region of Korat is famous for its beautifully crafted pottery. Continue to Phanom Rung, which is the finest Khmer Temple in Thailand and gives more than only a good idea of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Similar in layout to Phimai, both monuments are believed to have been the prototype for the famous Angkor Wat. Close by there is Muang Tam, another impressive Khmer temple predating Phanom Rung by about 120 years. After lunch, continue to the border town of Aranyaprathet with stops at ancient Khmer ruins along the Thai-Cambodian border. Dinner and overnight at Aran Mermaid Hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning cross the border to Cambodia and travel via Sisophon to Siem Reap. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles", a centre working with young artisans; the team creates, produces and markets a unique collection of ornamental sculptures, lacquer ware, woven silk and silk paintings. The company promotes fair, sustainable development in order to provide benefits to the rural communities. Visit Wat Bo Pagoda. Watch the sunset at Angkor Wat (not before 5pm).

• Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong, the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei, built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at
• Angkor. Return to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, continue your temple tour to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Eastern Mebon, (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the mountain-temple of Pre Rup. Dinner at Viroth's Restaurant and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), Baphuon (recently re-opened after years of restoration), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon temples. Lunch at hotel. Afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Dinner at Bopha Angkor restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art. Visit Banteay Srei, then continue to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. Return to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, you will continue your temple visits to Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som and Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Then, visit Ta Prohm. One of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure flight to the next destination.