SIEM REAP PHOTO TOURS IN 5 DAYS

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Int’s Airport, process immigration procedure (visa on arrival is available or obtain in advance via www.evisa.gov.kh), then get your luggage and walk straight to the Exit Gate where Guide and/or Driver is waiting. You’ll be transferred to hotel in the city (check in time is 2pm). Time to fresh-up and relax at hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Early in the morning to beat the crow, we start with Ta Prohm “Tomb Raider” fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

Continue to Preah Khan Temple. It is located northeast of Angkor Thom and just west of the Jayatataka baray, with which it was associated. It was the center of a substantial organization, with almost 100,000 officials and servants.

Next is Neak Poan, “the entwined snakes” is a small temple located on an island in the center of the now dry Jayatataka baray, a water reservoir 3,500-meter-long and 900 meter wide.

Next, will be the impressive Bayon temple with its 54 towers and 216 faces overlooking the defunct city of Angkor Thom. The final stop will be at one of gate of Angkor Thom to capture sunset over the moat.

Dinner with Apsara Dance show at local restaurant.

For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, no visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as ‘Apsara Dance’ after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance better described as ‘dance-drama’ in that the dances are not merely dance but also meant to convey a story or message.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

We start very early in the morning so we can capture the iconic picture of the pre-dawn facing Angkor Wat temple. Sunrise at Angkor Wat can be a busy venue especially during the months of December, January, February and March.

After sunrise, we will explore the vast and rich of Angkor Wat temple, taking pictures at different angles, playing with light and shadows and capturing the most beautiful devatas carved in sandstone.

Continuing to the magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes.

We then visit a Buddhist pagoda, where we may have the chance to interact with Buddhist monks, where you should change to clothes, we can get wet in as here we will experience the ceremony “Srouch Teok”, which roughly translates into “Water blessing”. A monk will chant in ancient Pali as he splashes water over us, washing away our sins and bad luck so we can start fresh and by being a good person can increase our good luck.

Afternoon, we will visit a silk factory and the unique Cambodian savoir-faire.

Watch sunset over Angkor Balloon is a tethered helium balloon which allows you to witness Angkor Wat from a bird’s eye-view and experience a breathtaking view of the temple’s surroundings. Enjoy the views of Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, and West Baray. In clear-sky conditions, you will even observe the Tonle Sap Lake and Phnom Khrom. Take amazing pictures and bring home memories that last a lifetime!

Overnight in Siem Reap.

This tour is all about the fascinating colors of sunrise above an Angkorian reservoir built by the Kings of Angkor during the 11th century. If you want to see sunrise in a different perspective, out of the beaten path, Sunrise at the Countryside Tour is definitely for you. Quite distinctive compared to the famous Angkor Wat Sunrise, this tour will undeniably amaze you with unadulterated wonders of nature. Breathtaking hues of the morning light reflecting on a vast lagoon is one of the most stunning landscapes that you can find and is absolutely out of the ordinary. You will get the chance to capture silhouette of fishermen on their boats in the middle of the reservoir with the golden sunrise as your backdrop. There are specific months during the year when you can see local people working on the paddy fields which are just wonderful subjects to photograph. We will continue the tour by visiting a local market, where we’ll wander amongst the stalls selling fruits, snacks, and other essentials. This is a great place to capture some compelling portraits and street scenes. Our trip leader will help you guide your subjects to create the perfect photo. After the market, we’ll head to an old Buddhist pagoda, a beautiful structure full of historic paintings and saffron-robed monks. Conditions permitting, you will have an opportunity to interact with and photograph the monks and their daily life in the pagoda. We stop at village making basket from bamboo.

We depart to Tonle Sap Lake. We will visit the floating village of Kampong Phluk, which means “Port of Tusks”, located 20 km east of Siem Reap. It is a village built on stilts on the Tonlé Sap. The community largely depends on fishing for a living, spending Cambodia’s rainy season (June-October) fishing. During the dry season (November-April), when the waters of the lake go down, many of them work in agriculture to supplement their income. The excursion will take you to explore the floating village and allow you to see how people live and trade.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.