LWT 08
Luang Prabang World heritage site - Siem Reap Angkor Wat
14 Days / 13 Nights
Day1: From Chiang Rai Thailand - Lao border Houyxay -Pakbeng by boat.
you will be met your Guide at the Lao border, Then we take by traditional boat down stream on Mekong River. On the way stop to visit minority villages, Hmong hill tribe. Lunch served on boat. Arrive in Pakbeng late afternoon. Overnight in Pakbeng.
Day2: Pakbeng- Luang Prabang by boat.
Today continue our journey to Luang Prabang and also on the way we stop to visit villages and Pak Ou cave which is natural cave contains 2.500 Buddha statues which located on the Junction of Mekong River and Nam Ou River met together. You will see two different color of water during dry season. Arrive in Luang Prabang before sunset. Lunch served on boat. Overnight in Luang prabang.
Day3: Luang Prabang- city tour.
In the morning we take sight seeing tour in the town to visit temples such as: Wat Visoun Temple the originally was built in 1513 by the King Visounarath made of wood. It was destroyed by black Chinese (Hor) in 1887, now has become the museum of the temple. Visit Wat Aham Temple and the National Museum (Former royal palace) which was collected the antiques keep inside included sacred Prabang Buddha statues. We then visit Wat Xiengthong Temple is the most beautiful temple and the oldest Wat was built in 1560, the only one was not destroyed by the war. Walk around city, then clime up Phousi Mount for over looking the view of Luang Prabang 328 steps to the top of Phousi. Shopping at night market.
Day4: Kuangsi Waterfall.
After breakfast, we drive to Kuangsi Waterfall 25 km. On the way we stop at Ban Na Sao, Ban Na Ouan - Hmong villages. On Arrival at waterfall, we walk through forest take a short trekking. Possible to swim. Return back to Luang Prabang, on the way back we visit weaving village of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xieng Lek.
Day5: Luang Prabang - Vientiane by flight.
Early morning offering the food for Buddhist Monks, over 300 Monks walking a line on street side for collecting food. And then do not miss to see local market, we come back to hotel for breakfast, you have free time till transfer to Airport for flight to Vientiane .
After lunch, taking for sight seeing tour to visit religious museum Wat Sisakhet Temple, the oldest temple, its cloister contains more than 8.000 Buddha statues, Hor Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statues, but today it contains a collections of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found around Vientiane. Visit That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest of Buddha. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day6: Vientiane – Pakse – Done Kong Island by flight.
Early morning, transfer to airport for fly to Pakse On arrival, we drive on the National Road No. 13th south to Champasak and visit the ruins of Wat PhouTemple, which is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between9th –13th centuries. Here is also a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines, after a short stop to explore, we continue to Done Kong Island. Overnight in Kong Island.
Day7: Explore Don Kong Island by traditional slow Boat.
After breakfast, we explore the local villages of Ban Khone Village, where the old French colonial buildings and its retrace the old colonial past with seeing the first Lao railway with its locomotive. We continue discover the area of 4000 islands by our leisurely boat to visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls of marking the end of Lao boundary to Cambodia call Liphi waterfall, known as the Samphamith. Return back to Ban Nakasang Village and drive to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng waterfall the largest waterfall in the world.
Day8: Don Kong Island - Boleven Plateau.
We continue our journey towards Tad Lor through Boleven Plateau where famous tea and coffee plantation and other lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil are incredible all along the way. and stop at Pha Seoam waterfall to visit the hill villages of the Katu, Nge ethnic minorities. Arrive Tad Lor resort late afternoon. Accommodation at: Tad Lor Resort.
Day9: Boleven Plateau- Pakse.
In the morning we explore some villages by elephant tour around Boloven Plateau, then drive to Pakse, visit Wat Luang Temple and market. Accommodation at: Pakse Hotel.
Day10: Arrival – Siem Reap.
Upon arrival time at Siem Reap Airport you will welcome by local English-Speaking guide
Then, We travel back in time to one of the earliest capitals in the Angkor area, Hariharilaya, now known as Roluos. We begin with a visit to the brick temple of Lolei, originally set on an island in the centre of the Indratataka baray (reservoir). This temple has some well-preserved sandstone carvings and the vast stone doors are carved from a single piece of stone. We continue to Preah Ko (sacred cow), named in honour of Shiva’s mount, Nandin. This temple owes more to the pre-Angkorian brick sanctuaries of Cambodia’s earlier Chenla Empire than the sandstone behemoths that came later. Originally coated in stucco and painted, there is still some of the ancient plaster visible on the rear towers.
Finally, we encounter Bakong, the earliest of the Temple Mountains, which later became the signature of Khmer kings. It is a giant pyramid, its cardinal points marked by giant elephants. We climb to the summit for views over the surrounding countryside.
For those that are interested, we can offer a short diversion to the small country town of Roluos, a world away from the circus of Siem Reap. Only 10 minutes from Angkor, we help you discover the real Cambodia.
In the afternoon, we take a break from the temples, we travel out to the mighty Tonle Sap Lake to visit the floating village of Chong Kneas. Nestled under the hill of Phnom Krom, this floating community moves location with the waters of the lake. During the wet season when the lake swells to five times its size, the village is near Phnom Krom, but during the dry season, it moves as much as 4km from the hill.
Everything floats on water in this living fishing community. There are floating schools, floating shops, floating petrol stations, even floating karaoke bars. Many of the houses are floating fish farms with large pens of fish underneath. For those that are interested, we can also make a stop at the Gecko Environment Centre to learn more about lake, which is like the heartbeat of Cambodia, providing sustenance to millions of Khmers. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day11: Siem Reap.
We rise early to travel to Ta Prohm in the dawn light. 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.
After soaking up the unique atmosphere of Ta Prohm, we continue to the giant pyramid of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area. Built at the end of the 10th century, it was never completed. Some scholars contend this was due to an inauspicious lightning strike during construction. Others have suggested the high quality sandstone was simply too hard to carve in detail.
This morning we also visit the remains of an old Angkorian bridge which once spanned the Siem Reap river. Like the Romans before them, the Khmer kings built long, straight roads connecting the outposts of their empire and these included many magnificent bridges. There is also the option to visit the smaller temples of Chau Sey Devada and Thommanon for avid temple enthusiasts.
In the afternoon, we travel to the large stone temple of Eastern Mebon, originally located on an island in the centre of the now dry Eastern Baray (reservoir). A low pyramid, this temple has large guardian elephants on each corner. This is one of the few temples where we can understand the construction techniques of the ancient Khmers, as there are still large soil ramps on each side of the temple, showing us how they moved these heavy stones into place.
We visit the royal bathing pond of Sra Srang. No bath will ever be quite the same again when you have set eyes on this vast pool, once for the exclusive use of the king and his concubines. Originally lined with sandstone steps, we climb up on to the western terrace and meet friendly local children jumping in the water.
We walk to the first great Buddhist monastery in Cambodia, Banteay Kdei, built in 1186 by Jayavarman VII who was a Mahayana Buddhist. We explore its extensive corridors and elegant sculptures. Although it is in a ruinous state, it often receives far fewer visitors than nearby Ta Prohm, giving it a serene atmosphere.
We then return to Siem Reap via the temple of Kravanh. Built entirely from brick and dating from 921, this temple was extensively restored in the 1960s. Inside the small towers are some of the best brick carving found anywhere in the Khmer empire, including a giant Vishnu.
We journey to the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng to see the sunset cast its soft light over Angkor Wat. A winding path cuts through the jungle or there is the option of an elephant ride to the summit. This temple is the signature spot for sunset, so it can get very crowded. Please advise the guide if you want to experience sunset at a quieter location.
Day12: Siem Reap.
In the morning, we visit the immense walled city Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The scale is simply staggering and we are immediately overwhelmed by the audacity of Jayavarman on arrival at the city’s gates. The causeway is lined by an intricate bridge depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk from Hindu mythology in which the devas (gods) and asuras (devils) play tug of war with a naga (seven-headed serpent) to obtain the elixir of immortality.
We begin our visit at the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. We continue along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman in the 11th century. It has undergone a massive renovation by the French and is now once again open for viewing.
Our climax is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. At the exact centre of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire. Before clambering upwards, we unravel the mysteries of the bas-reliefs, with their intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and their snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period
This afternoon, we travel to the mighty temple of Preah Khan or 'Sacred Sword', built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Sister temple to Ta Prohm, the cruciform corridors here are impressive and there are some wonderful carvings adorning the walls, including the spectacular hall of dancers. Look out for the curious two-storey structure that is almost Grecian in inspiration. This is one of the few temples originally dedicated to Buddhism and Hinduism. The original eastern entrance was for Mahayana Buddhists, while the other cardinal points represented the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
We then continue on to the elegant curves of Neak Poan. This petite temple is the ultimate ornamental fountain, its series of elaborate spouts including the heads of lions and elephants. Originally Neak Poan was on an island at the centre of vast baray (reservoir), known as Jayatataka or reservoir of Jaya.
We finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside.
Day13: Siem Reap
Rising at the crack of dawn, we journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor. We stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. We begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one kilometre, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world’s longest unbroken piece of art.
Following in the footsteps of the devout and the destructive before us, we then continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all, as pilgrims of old were to stoop on their pilgrimage to encounter the Gods. Finally the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that few moments will measure up.
We travel to the Western Baray, the largest reservoir constructed during the Khmer Empire. Stretching an incredible 8km in length and 2km in width, this was a key element of the advanced hydraulic system that ensured the ancient Khmers mastered the seasonal cycle of water. It provided irrigation for the surrounding land, providing multiple rice harvests to feed a burgeoning population.
We travel by boat to a small island at the centre of the baray where we visit the ruin of Western Mebon temple from the 11th century. This was the location where the giant reclining bronze Vishnu in the National Museum in Phnom Penh was found.
We return to Siem Reap to visit the Artisans D'Angkor workshop. Set up to revitalize the handicraft industry of Siem Reap, artisans are chosen from poor, disadvantaged, rural communities. Stone carving, wood carving, silverwork, silk weaving, laquerware, the standard of work produced here is among the best in the South-East Asia. We tour the workshops seeing the artisans at work and then take the opportunity to visit their famous gallery.
Day14: Siem Reap - Departure.
We journey north to the Kbal Spean. The original ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. The river flows down to the Tonlé Sap lake, and in ancient times its holy waters breathed life into the rice fields of the empire via the most complex irrigation system the world had ever seen. The Khmers venerated its limestone bed with a riot of carvings, including the delicate deities Vishnu and Shiva with their consorts. Lingams are phallic representations sacred to Hindus as fertility symbols and hundreds, perhaps thousands, are carved into the bedrock here. The carvings were only rediscovered in 1969 when French researcher Jean Boulbet was shown the river by a local hermit.
A trip to Kbal Spean is one of the easiest ways to experience a short jungle trek in the Angkor area, as it is a steady but scenic climb to reach the river carvings. The path winds its way through knotted vines and big boulder formations and occasionally offers big views over the surrounding jungle. And there is a small waterfall below the carved riverbed, perfect for cooling off after the hot climb.Picnic lunch at the temple
On the way back to Siem Reap, we visit to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man.
Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture.
Late afternoon, transfer directly to the airport for the departure flight to Bangkok.
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