GoPhilanthropic : Cambodia Luxury Tours | Sustainable Vacation Packages

Siem Reap, Cambodia & Angkor Temple Complex

Most who visit this remarkable country come in search of the inspiring temple complex considered one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia-- a true wonder of the world and declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located outside of the town of Siem Reap, stretching over some 400 sq. km, Angkor contains the magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire, dating back to the 9th to 15th centuries. In vastly ranging states of preservation, some stand splendidly proud seemingly untouched by history while others are leveled, reduced to heaps of stones with mother nature’s massive roots vying for power. Visitors from all over the world are said to experience something incredibly powerful, something otherworldly whilst in the temples’ midst.

Visit Angkor Wat – The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings.

Visit Angkor Thom – The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public cermonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.

Visit Banteay Srei Temple – Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, BANTEAY SREI is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors.

Visit Ta Prohm – TA PROHM: one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

Explore the lively floating villages on the Tonle Sap lake: – TONLE SAP (Great Lake). Located in the heart of Cambodia, this extraordinary lake swells up to seven times its original size during the monsoon season. Its ecosystem is one of the richest and most diverse in the region. This boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms.

Visit the workshops of the Artisans of Angkor . LES CHANTIERS ECOLES: vocational centre trains 650 apprentices a year including 160 in fine arts and crafts trades united in the "Artisan d'Angkor production network. Guided tours through the different workshops like stone sculpture, woodcarving, polychromie, and watch the artisan at work.

Get to know Siem Reap – Wander the Old Market. Spend the afternoon getting to know this lively town filled with an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, cafes and boutiques. Wander through the old market in the middle of the town selling a large range of local handicrafts, silks etc..

Stop by Journey’s Within our Communities – and see how couple Andrea and Brandon Ross are changing the lives of hundreds of local residents by installing fresh water wells, offering small business loans and providing continuing education to young Cambodians.

Pay a visit to the Landmine Museum Watch the sun set or rise over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. Photographers from all over the world visit the temples to capture these magical moments.

Visit a Temple for Sunrise or Sunset - with some 15,000 vendors you will see everything from snakes and live chickens to antiques, handicrafts silk and clothing. It’s a must.

Dinner at Raffles Grand Hotel - complete with a traditional Apsara dance show. If colonial elegance is what you are after, this hotel will bring you back to another age. Rich with French colonial history and design Raffles in Angkor is located in the heart of Siem Reap only walking distance to the Old Market and restaurants. Dine in the hotel’s renowned Restaurant Le Grand or sip an aperitif at the famous Elephant Bar.

Visit the remote temples of Beng Mealea - Journey east of Siem Reap to BENG MEALEA, a mysterious temple in the middle of the Cambodian jungle. Surrounded by a vast moat with a haunting jungle atmosphere similar to Ta Phrom.

Balloon Over Angkor - Located Approximately 500 west of Angkor Wat, this stationary balloon offers panoramic views of the temple complex and and Siem Reap. The duration of the ride is 10 minutes.

Prek Toal Bird Conservation Area (Full Day) Part of the Tonle Sap Lake, this sanctuary contains perhaps the most varied collection of birds in all of Southeast Asia.

PHNOM PENH

Explore PHNOM PENH, a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras; today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendor hawk their wares, and pedestrians go about their business.

City Tour: Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Russian Market Start your tour with an insight into Cambodia's cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE, still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's two great markets, the CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, and the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more.

Excursion to the Killing Fields Just outside Phnom Penh, in a peaceful rural setting, the KILLING FIELDS OF CHOEUNG EK provide a stark reminder of the atrocities under the Pol Pot regime. Thousands of people were killed here between the years of 1975 and 1978 and buried in mass graves. Today is possible to see the fileds and visit the MEMORIAL STUPA, which contains 8000 skulls from the human victims of the Khmer Rouge

Tuol Sleng – Genocide Museum – This former torture and detention center is now a museum dedicated to the victims of the Khmer Rouge. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979.
[http://www.tuolsleng.com/history.php]