Remote Temple Tours
Koh Ker and Beng Mealea
Tour code N' SR009, 1 day / 1 night

ITINERARY

Koh Ker
In the early morning we remote to Koh Ker first, this remote temple is a long day trip from Siem Reap. Situated in to the north west; Koh Ker has some spectacular towers and huge Lingas and the highest Khmer pyarmid which give spectacular view over the jungle. Koh Ker is a remote and rarely visited temple, so even at the peak season it is an amazing place to photograph without croweds. Koh Ker was the Capital of the Khmer Empire period from the year 928 to 944 AD. In this short time; some very spectacular buildings and immense sculptures were constructed. Left to the jungle for nearly a millennium and mostly unrestored; the great archaeological site has been rarely visited until very recently. The ancient Khmer city is in a distant jungle location with up to a hundred ruined temples including a huge stepped pyramid; the largest in the region. More ancient temples are being found in the jungle; so there is a true sense of discovery here. Many of the temples were built in brick using a mortar made from tree sap. It is quite remarkable how well they have stood up to the test of time. Koh Ker is a very important Khmer archaeological site and is likely to be developed for tourism in the very near further. Up till late 2004 the roads were extremely difficult and only a very few determined people had ever been here. In recent months, a new road linking Beng Mealea has been cut through the forest. This road will eventually go to the Thai Border at O’Samah. The new road now makes Koh Ker accessible as a long as a long day trip. Koh Ker is not the easiest temple to get to as involves an early start and a long journey to get there. There are no tourist facilities as present; other than a couple of makeshift tables at the police camp at the entrance to Prasat Thom. This remote area has not towns and only a small village in cleared forest nearby. There is a village Sra Yong a few kilometers away.

Beng Mealea
On the way back we drop at a local restaurant for lunch and after lunch to visit Beng Mealea. It is a spectacular jungle temple around 60kms drive to the north east of Siem Reap. It is one of the ‘new’ highlights of Cambodia; having only been cleared of mines at the end of 2003. Built by Jayarvaman VII; in the style of Angkor Wat; its scale is huge; being well over one square Kilometer within its moat. Approached by a four causeways; Beng Mealea appears to be a huge pile of rubble partially hidden in the trees. Once you get closer the high walls, the ancient Khmer Architecture reveals itself. Cloaked in vegetation and with few concessions to tourism; this temple looks like it would have done had the early French explorers found it. A new road linking Siem Reap to Beng Meralea was cut through the jungle and is being progressively paved. It now akes around one and half hours to drive here. Beng Mealea is not yet on the main tourist trail but word is spreading fast; so come here now as this fabulous place will not stay like it is for too long. Beng Mealea is a favorite of all accessible outlying temples. It is a spectacular sight. To get the best out of its; agility and a head for heights will be needed for some sections. There is a lot of climbing on walls and over huge piles of rubble; from the many parts which have collapsed. Only a small part of this ruin can be seen without some degree of climbing. There are steps and ladders in a few places and to the south, access ramps built for the “Two Brother". Overnight in Siem Reap. End of Tours

Included:

• Hotel on shared Twin / Dbl- basis

• English speaking guide

• All ground transfers and transportations mentioned in the program

• Entry fees to all sites

• All services mentioned in itinerary

Excluded:

• The international flights to and from Cambodia

• Domestic and International airport tax

• Meal not mentioned in itinerary

• Drinks and other expenses

• Cambodia visa fees

Additional Information

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