Tour Code  : KTL Price  : From US$639/Adult
Trip Style : Naga Duration  : 4 Days
Country Visit  : Cambodia
Region Visit: : Siem Reap, Ouddarmeanchey, Preah Vihea
Start Location  : Siem Reap   
End Location : Siem Reap   
     
THE TRAIL OF THE LOST TEMPLES

DAY 1:  PHNOM KULEN - ANLONG VENG   

After pick up and drive 48 km northeast of Siem Reap to the Phnom Kulen (Lychee Mountain), a sandstone plateau considered sacred by the Khmers. This place is widely regarded as the birth place of the ancient Khmer Empire.

Our vehicle will take us up a steep dirt road almost to the top of the mountain; on the way you will see dramatic scenery.  There are ancient sculptures on the riverbed while crossing the bridge, then up steps to a pagoda nestled between large rocks where you will see the biggest reclining Buddha of the country, carved in the rock.

We will rest here to enjoy the view of the countryside then continue our hike to the 30 meter high waterfall where you will have a picnic lunch. This is a very popular place for Khmer people who come and enjoy picnics on the weekend. More carvings stand in the riverbed above the waterfall.

After a good and refreshing swim with the locals, (don’t forget your swimsuits), we will continue our drive to the north on a countryside road.
This 2 hour trip through the jungle will pass few signs of civilization until arriving late afternoon at Anlong Veng, a small city close to the Dongrek Mountain which offers a panoramic view over to Thailand. Anlong Veng is sadly famous for having been the last Khmer Rouge stronghold. Some remains testify to this recent past such as the Pol Pot’s residence and cremation site and the villa of Ta Mok, a right-hand man of Pol Pot otherwise known as the “Butcher”.
We will check-in at our hotel before going to dinner. Overnight in Anlong Veng

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 2:  ANLONG VENG - PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE

After breakfast, we will have some time to explore Anlong Veng and its most popular destination, Oh ChiK, an artificial lake initially built as a moat by Ta Mok for his house. Ta Mok was a maniacal dam builder, and flooded much of the area while trying to develop the lake, now a popular swimming spot for the children.

At 10am, we will resume our journey and drive about 4 hours to Preah Vihear.  At an altitude of more than 700 m, this temple dominates the plain from its prominent position in the Dongrek Mountains, which straddle the Thai border. The way to the top is very steep on the Cambodian side while it slopes gently towards Thailand. However our efforts will be rewarded as on clear days there is a stunning view onto the surrounding reaching all the way to Phnom Kulen to the west and the intersection of the Lao, Thai and Cambodian borders to the east.

Preah Vihear, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, was built in the late 9th century under the reign of Yasovarman I with significant later additions by the following kings, especially Suryavarman II (1112-1152), the builder of Angkor Wat. The temple complex runs 800m along a north-south axis, and consists essentially of a causeway and steps rising up the hill towards the sanctuary, which sits on the cliff top at the southern end of the complex. It has four levels and four courtyards, and also five Gopuras, or entrance pavilions, sometimes surmounted by a tower.

We will have plenty of time to visit the temple and the area and enjoy the beautiful sunset on the top of the hill before having dinner and spending the night in one of the guesthouses near the temple. Overnight in Preah Vihear

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 3:  PREAH VIHEAR - TBENG MEANCHEY 

If you wish you will be able to get up early in the hope to catch the sunrise from the top. We will have breakfast and spend some more time to visit the temple with the morning light before leaving this magical place.
From here we will drive about 5 hours on a cart track through the deciduous dipterocarp forest and grassland mosaic of the Northern Plains of Cambodia, home of some of the rarest bird species of South-east Asia, such as some Ibis (like the Giant Ibis, the Cambodia’s national bird), Vultures and Ducks; most of them are endangered. Mid afternoon we will arrive in the small provincial capital city of Tbeng Meancheay.
Here we will have time to relax and visit the Joom Noon Silk Project and Wat Chey Preuk, few remaining structures of an ancient Pre-Angkorian temples, before having dinner.

The Joom Noon Silk project is a local initiative to help rehabilitate people with disabilities and which produce some of the country’s finest silk. Overnight in Tbeng Meanchey

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 4:  TBENG MEANCHEY - KOH KER - BENG MEALEA TEMPLE

After breakfast, we will leave Tbeng Meanchey around 8 am and drive to Koh Ker - about 2 hours.
Koh Ker was the capital city of the Khmer Empire from 928 to 944 during the reign of Jayavarman IV.  He is sometimes considered a usurper because of the disruption in the royal succession at the time of its accession.

Two kings reigned in Koh Ker; Jayavarman IV, who probably already lived there since 921, and his son Harshavarman II who stayed on the throne only 3 years, from 941 to 944. Rajandravarman II, Harshavarman’s II son, moved back the capital to Yashodharapura (Angkor) after his accession. The main ruins at Koh Ker consist of an impressive seven-storey sandstone pyramid (Prasat Thom).

The second biggest structure of Koh Ker is Prasat Krahom (red temple) built with red bricks and lost in the jungle. The surrounding land was irrigated by the Rahal Baray, similar to, but smaller than, the ones at Angkor. It is believed that over 80 ruins lie in this area. A lot of the beautiful carvings created in Koh Ker are now kept in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. After a picnic lunch near the temples, we will resume our journey.

A one-hour drive will take us to Beng Melea. Beng Melea was built during the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II, at about the same time as Angkor Wat of which its layout and style closely mirror. However, Beng Melea is completely ruined and largely overrun by vegetation and competes with Ta Prohm for the “lost in the jungle” ambience. It is a tangle of trees, lichen-covered stones, broken towers and galleries. Many impressive sculptures are hidden among the rubble and the vegetation. This temple is very lightly touristed and offers plenty of picturesque photo opportunities.
After the visit, we will drive to the south and along the national road 6 to reach Kompong Kdei bridge.
Phra Phutthos, better know as Kompong Kdei bridge because of its vicinity to the city of the same name, was constructed at the end of the 12th century during the reign of Jayavarman VII. This is an imposing stone structure with more than twenty narrow arches spanning 75 meters. Receiving few visitors, Phra Phutthos is notwithstanding the longest corbelled stone-arch bridge in the world and really worth the detour! After the visit, we will drive back to Siem Reap for your departure flight or your extend stay in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Experience Indochina, the local way…

Our adventures are designed to be flexible with comfortable accommodation arranged depending on the itineraries and the areas visited.  We use a combination of Guesthouse, Motel, Homestay, Camping, Boutique Hotel and 3, 4, 5 star hotels with swimming pool depending on your choice of journey.  Each will be suitable to your choice and stay during your holiday.  All accommodation is carefully chosen - hotels are clean, with unsuited bathroom, air-conditioning and television.   The Guesthouse, homestay and camping will have shared bathroom facilities.  All are clean and comfortable.  We really care about your accommodation during your holiday and as we are local Khmer people ourselves, we understand the accommodation that we will choose for you and your family. 

Choosing locally owned facilities helps the Indochina people in their lives - and will support our local families during your journey.  These people are friendly welcoming and exceptionally hospitable.  We are sure you will sleep soundly and eat very well.

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