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Treasures of Angkor Ref SCA
Kbal Spean Banteay Srei Angkor Thom Phnom Krom Chong Kneas Angkor Wat Prasat Koh Ker Beng Mealea
SIEM REAP
Roluos Temple Group Kompong Phluk Floating villages Kompong Kdei Spean Praptos Bridge Sambor Prei Kuk
LAKE TONLE SAP
KOMPONG THOM
CAMBODIA
Wat Guha Nakor
Wat Phnom Royal Palace Silver Pagoda
PHNOM PENH
km 0 75
Me
ko
ng
To
n le S ap
Skoun
Choeung Ek `Killing Fields'
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Phnom Penh. 2 Arrive Phnom Penh; visit Royal Palace and Wat Phnom. 3 AM visit National Museum; PM Visit Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields. 4 Drive Kompong Thom via Wat Guha Nakor; visit pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. 5 Drive Siem Reap visiting Roluos group temples en route. 6 AM visit Ta Nei, Ta Keo and Ta Phrom; PM visit Preah Khan, Neak Poan and Pre Rup for sunset. 7 AM visit Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean; PM visit Prasat Kravan, Sras Srang, Eastern Mebon. 8 Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat; PM boat trip to floating villages and flooded forest of Kompong Phluk. 9 Free AM; PM visit Angkor Thom. 10 Visit Beng Mealea and Koh Ker. 11 Fly London. 12 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 9nts hotel; 9 breakfasts included. See p15. Mode of Travel: Bus/Boat. Comment: A comprehensive tour focusing on the ancient temples of Angkor and beyond as well as providing an insight into contemporary Cambodia. Evening lectures, presentations and discussions will explore a wide range of topics from ancient Khmer history and architecture to modern day politics and life. Tour Staff & Support: Guest lecturer and Expore Tour Leader Nick Ray (Guest lecturer Darryl Collins March 2008 departure date), some local guides, driver(s) and boatmen. Group Size: Approx 15 to 20.
CAMBODIA
Faces of the Bayon
TREASURES OF ANGKOR
12 DAYS HOTELS WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT KHMER EMPIRE For more than five centuries the ancient capital of Angkor was the political centre of a Khmer empire ruling over much of Indochina. Thai occupation in the fifteenth century, led to the city's abandonment and its wonders were subsumed by the rampant vegetation of the tropical jungle and all but forgotten until stumbled across by a French naturalist in 1860. Our guest lecturer Mr Nick Ray, is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Cambodia and contributor to various guidebooks. He has also written articles for publications such as Wanderlust and the Sunday Times. Nick is now resident in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh & the road to Angkor Flying into Phnom Penh, we get a taste of what's to come later in our journey, at the splendid National Museum, home to an array of fine Khmer sculpture. A visit to the genocide museum of Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek provide a disturbing yet essential insight into contemporary Cambodia. Leaving the city on the road west, we visit the ancient 7th century capital of Sambor Prei Kuk where over 100 temples dedicated to Shiva lie hidden in the jungle. Treasures of Angkor Much has been written of the fabulous temples of the Angkorian kings, which lay hidden in the jungle for years, yet nothing can prepare you for the magical experience of witnessing your first sunrise at the iconic Angkor Wat from across lily-clad ponds. Starting with the earliest 9th century temple grouping at Roluos, each day is carefully planned to allow us a detailed exploration of the key sites which all have their own unique atmosphere. We also spend a fascinating afternoon exploring by boat amongst the floating and stilted villages, which line the channels feeding into the vast Tonle Sap lake. The Temples Beyond Spending a full 6 days in Siem Reap allows us to travel further a field to some of the lesser visited but equally interesting and important temples. At Kbal Spean a pleasant walk through the shade of the forest takes you to the
Ref SCA
River of a Thousand Lingas where ancient rock carvings lie in the riverbed. An exploration of Beng Mealea is a real "Indiana Jones" style adventure as this massive complex, similar in size to Angkor Wat, has yet to be cleared of jungle. Koh Ker, with its central pyramid reminiscent of a Mayan temple, sees even fewer visitors and is accessed by a dirt road bordered by signs warning of the danger of land mines.
DATES AND PRICES Flight Inc 12 days Mon to Fri
REF:SCA
2008 deps flight land Price in £s inc only *03 Mar-14 Mar 1445 805 20 Oct-31 Oct 1399 805 2009 Price in £s 02 Mar-13 Mar 1445 835 Land Only tour: 10 days - start Phnom Penh day 2 (Tue), end Siem Reap day 11 (Thu) * Guest lecturer Darryl Collins Plus Local Payment: US$300 (approx £145) payable Phnom Penh Single Room Option: £165* see p14 for details. These are guide prices, see p17 for details.
10
Essential information about our tours see p.13-23
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