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Angkor Wat
3h · Admission ticket not included
You will be picked up at the lobby of hotel where you are staying at 4:30AM. Then, you will be transferred to Angkor Wat to get an experience of the silhouette of the largest religious monument ever built slowly emerges in front of you as darkness gives way to the first rays of dawn.... This is a truly spectacular sight and well worth the early start today! You may wish to assume the classic viewing position by the lotus pond and see Angkor Wat and its reflection or find yourself a different vantage point to appreciate and photograph this mesmerising temple. When the colours of sunrise begin to fade you will explore the inner parts of Angkor Wat, learn about its history and the fascinating stories behind the intricate carvings adorning the walls of the temple galleries. Your day will start by briefly pausing at Srah Srang, the King's Baths – a large reservoir still containing water today.
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Angkor Thom South Gate
30m · Admission ticket included
Visit Angkor Thom through its majestic South Gate, one of the most iconic and photogenic entrances in the entire Angkor complex.
As you approach across the grand stone causeway, you’ll be flanked by 108 stone figures of gods and demons reenacting the mythical Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Pass beneath the towering 23-meter gatehouse—adorned with four giant carved faces smiling serenely toward the cardinal directions—and step into the heart of King Jayavarman VII’s 12th-century royal capital.
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Bayon Temple
45m · Admission ticket included
Step into the exact center of Angkor Thom to explore Bayon Temple, world-famous for its dramatic stone towers adorned with hundreds of serenely smiling faces.
As you navigate its multi-level maze of stone galleries, you'll encounter over 200 colossal carved faces gazing in every direction from 54 towers. Beyond the enigmatic towers, wander through outer wall galleries featuring extraordinary bas-relief carvings that detail 12th-century Khmer life—from epic naval battles to bustling local market stalls.
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30m · Admission ticket included
Walk along the dramatic elevated sandstone causeway to discover Baphuon Temple, an 11th-century "temple mountain" dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Rising as a magnificent three-tiered pyramid within the heart of Angkor Thom, Baphuon features steep stairways, grand stone gopuras (entrance pavilions), and intricate wall reliefs. On its western side, marvel at the extraordinary 70-meter Reclining Buddha built into the temple wall during the 16th century, representing one of the most remarkable architectural restorations in ancient history.
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Phimeanakas
15m · Admission ticket included
Hidden within the shade of the ancient Royal Palace enclosure stands Phimeanakas, the 10th-century "Celestial Palace" of the Khmer kings.
Constructed as a steep, three-tiered laterite pyramid, this private royal sanctuary was once topped with a golden tower shrouded in legend. Step back in time as your guide shares the famous myth of the King and the nine-headed Naga serpent spirit, then explore the surrounding royal gardens and ancient stone-lined royal bathing ponds.
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Terrace of the Elephants
15m · Admission ticket included
Stand where Khmer royalty once gathered at the Terrace of the Elephants, a monumental 300-meter sandstone platform overlooking the ancient Royal Square of Angkor Thom.
Built by King Jayavarman VII as a grand viewing stage for royal processions and military parades, the terrace takes its name from the near life-sized carvings of elephants stretching across its walls. Stroll along the platform to admire detailed stone reliefs of mahouts, mythical Garudas, and three-headed lotus-gathering elephants that highlight the grand architectural heritage of the Khmer Empire.
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Terrace of the Leper King
15m · Admission ticket included
Explore the mystery of the Terrace of the Leper King, a 12th-century royal platform famous for its atmospheric passageways and pristine stone carvings.
Located in the heart of Angkor Thom, this elevated terrace takes its name from a enigmatic statue believed to represent the Hindu god of death. Walk through the narrow, double-walled stone trench to discover hidden corridors lined with seven tiers of exceptionally preserved deep-relief carvings depicting mythological underworld deities, celestial maidens, and multi-headed Nagas.
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Ta Prohm Temple
30m · Admission ticket included
Ta Prohm, gained its 21st Century fame from the movie Tomb Raider featuring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Today, with Lara long gone, this temple is on the itinerary of most visitors and rightfully so. Many corners of Ta Prohm showcase an intricate relationship between the roots of Spung tree (Tetrameles Nudiflora) and ancient stones covered in moss. Truly a photographer's paradise, don't miss the opportunity to capture your own explorer's moments.
