ITINERARY

Jan 21: CHIANG MAI / SIEM REAP
Depart Chiang Mai this afternoon for Siem Reap in Cambodia by flight. Arrive in Siem Reap. Greeting and transfer to the ANGKOR CENTURY HOTEL.

Jan 22: FULL DAY ANGKOR SIGHTSEEING
Angkor Thom: A fortified royal city built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1201. The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 meters wide. In the center of the walled city are the city’s most important monuments including Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas with Royal Enclosure.

Baypon: The temple mountain that stands at the center of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces.

Baphoun: The pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount Meru and marks the center of the city that was here before Angkor Thom.

Phimeanakas: The center of what was once the royal palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means ‘Celestial Palace’, though today there is not much left to indicate its former splendor. Nothing remains today of the former royal palace, except two pools that were used by royalty for washing.

Terrace Of Elephants: This terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies and was a base for the King’s grand audience hall. The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the retaining walls.

Terrace Of The Leper King: North of the Terrace of Elephants is a platform named ‘Terrace of the Leper King’. On the platform is a nude statue – one of Angkor’s mysteries.

Angkor Wat: A temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site.

Phnom Bakheng: A hilltop temple ruin which provide one of the best views of Angkor Wat, especially at sunset. Overnight at the ANGKOR CENTURY HOTEL. (B)

JAN 23: FULL DAY ANGKOR SIGHTSEEING
Ta Prohm: One of the most popular attractions of Angkor, although 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.

Ta Keo: Built by Jayavarman V who ruled from 968 to 1001), it was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated to Shiva. The summit of the central tower is 50 meters high and is surrounded by four lower towers.

Chau Say Tevoda: Built during the second quarter of the 12th century opposite of Thommanon, it was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

Banteay Kdei: A massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century. It is surrounded by four concentric walls, the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 meters.
Roluos Group: These monuments mark the beginning of classical art, as some of the earliest great temples built by the Khmer. They served as the capital of Indravarman (who reigned from 877 to 889).

Lolei: Built on an islet by Yasovarman I (who ruled from 889 to 910), the founder of the first city of Angkor. The sandstone carvings in the niches of the temples are notable as are the Sanskrit inscriptions on the door posts.

Preah Ko: Erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century in dedication to his defied ancestors in 880. There are inscriptions in Sanskrit on the door posts of each temple.

Bakong: Built and dedicated to Shiva by Indravarman I, this is the largest and most interesting of the Roluos Group of temples and still has an active Buddhist monastery.

Les Chantiers Ecoles: A vocational center trains 650 apprentices a year including 160 in five arts and crafts trades united in the “Artisan d'Angkor” production network. Guided tours through the different workshops like stone sculpture, woodcarving, polychrome, and watch the artisan at work. Overnight at the ANGKOR CENTURY HOTEL. (B)

Jan 24: SIEM REAP / SINGAPORE / NEW YORK (JFK)
Transfer to the airport this morning to board the flight to Singapore. Upon arrival connect with the onward flight to New York (JFK). (B)

Jan 25: NEW YORK
Arrive in New York this morning.