Culture
& Heritage Dreams
Tour

IMMERSE YOURSELF INTO THE PRE-ANGKORIAN PERIOD

DAY #2

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In the morning, we invite you to start your Journey back to the Angkor Times with the visit of the pre-Angkorian Roluos Group, site of King Jayavarman II’s Capital City, Hariharalaya consisting of three major temples: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. You will better apprehend the evolving architectural styles from day to day.

After the visit of the temples, stop by the Krama Yu-Yu Center to purchase superb “Khmer Krama” (pronounced Kroh-Mah), the traditional scarf that can be used in many ways and which constitutes the Khmer identity “par-excellence”, Also make a short stop at the Lo Yu-Yu for the Khmer Ceramics near Lolei Temple!

In the afternoon you will than discover, the life of the Khmer people on the Great Tonlé Sap Lake as you will embark on a traditional boat for a trip to the visit of Kompong Phluk a floating village surrounded by the flooded forests (in high water season only) as to understand the importance of the water management in the construction of the Angkor Temples. 

After your boat trip, get back to the city and head to “Artisans d’Angkor”, a place where the Khmer identity is being well safeguarded and youngsters are trained in sculpting  wood and stone as well as maintaining alive the art of the Khmer silk weaving.

If time permits, stroll through the local market in Siem Reap to get a glimpse of the “modern Khmer lifestyle and culture”.

We will then take you for  dinner with a cultural show. You will see some  traditional dances and have yet another view of the Khmer Culture. 

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RIVER SOURCE AND SCULPTED RIVER BED OF THE SACRED ANCIENT CITY

DAY #3

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Early morning on this third day we will take you to  visit of Kbal Spean and the site of the One-Thousand Linga River that has its source at Phnom Kulen (the Litchi Mountain). Take an approximately 45-minute trek (about 1.50 km) through the forest up to the top and be rewarded for your effort! Assimilated to the Ganges River in India, the very bed of the river is carved  over 200 meters long with 1.054 lingas and sculptures representing the Hindu Gods in the Ninth century. The water feeding the Steung Siem Reap River in the lower part is thus being “sanctified” after rolling and passing over the thousand carved lingas,  fertilizing the lower valley and Angkor plain.  

You then visit the Banteay Srey Temple, considered as the jewel of the Classic Khmer Arts. Cleared from the creeper plants and trees that invaded it, Banteay Srei – which means “the Citadel of Women” – is indeed of an absolute and rare beauty and fineness. Every single detail of this sculpted pink sandstone temple is a real enchantment to the human eyes!

On your way back, have a short stop at a traditional village  where you will be shown how to  collect the sugar palm juice and the making  of the palm sugar (October to April for the collecting season). Your final stop will be at Prasat Kravan, the sole monument in brick dating back from the tenth century in the Angkor Archaeological Park, and famous for its unique and sophisticated brick sculpture of the Hindu Gods. 

Set off for an early dinner, and then… Show Time! Join the talented and energetic young artists from Phare, The Cambodian Circus show that will leave you breathless and enthusiastic about the resilience of these youngsters from difficult backgrounds!

Watch Phare, The Cambodian Circus Introduction Video

After the show, stroll around at the Night Market to discover the historic Temple City by night!

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EXPLORING IN DEPTH THE ANGKOR TEMPLES

DAY #4

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Your morning will be dedicated to visit and discover the famous Angkor Wat which five towers with a rosé-colored light – according to the luminosity of the day and season – still adorn the Cambodian flags of all the various successive Cambodian régimes.

Your exploration continues in the afternoon until sunset with the visit of Angkor Thom (the Great Angkor/City) and starts with the monumental Southern Gate lined on both sides with the Gods and the Giants; it is one of the five gates leading to the Bayon Temple and Center of the Khmer Empire, so you may understand the strategic structure of the first Angkorian King from the XIIth century who embraced Mahayana Buddhism as the State religion. Continue your discovery to the recently restored Baphuon and its huge Reclining Buddha, then stroll within the compound of PhimeanAkas, the ancient Royal Palace to finally reach the Elephant Terrace and  end with the Leper King Terrace

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THE URBAN HERITAGE OF SIEM REAP, PROVINCIAL CAPITAL CITY

DAY #5

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You will start your day with a visit to the Angkor National Museum that consists of several galleries, spread over two floors. A “must-see” place before or after the discovery of the Angkor site. The collections exposed (in part from the Angkor Conservation) are beautiful and there are even a number of very educational films to better understand the History of the Khmer Civilization.

We will then offer you a walking tour of the City of Siem Reap. This small town has  been under Siamese control (currently Thailand) for over a century and  was returned to Cambodia back in 1907. It hides and holds in its history some of the vivid images in the collective memory of the Cambodian People, even in the popular songs by the beloved “Golden Voice” of the Sixties, Sinn Sisamouth (who was killed during the dark years under the Khmer Rouge régime.

Check out the song “Champei Siem Reap”

“O Champei (Frangipani) Siem Reap, you indeed is the elixir that healed and mended my broken heart from the loss of my Battambang Love …!”

Seduced by its ethereal beauty and charm, His Majesty the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk built a Royal Residence in the very heart of the city during the period of the French Protectorate. Some Royal Audiences with Great Former Diplomats and Heads of State also took place in this Royal Residence.

The City of Siem Reap – like Paris with its Sainte Geneviève Statue – also has its “Saints Protectors” of the City and Province, of course seen   from a strictly religious point of view, and especially in the History of the Preah Ang Chhek – Preah Ang Chhorm Statues. You also have a statue of Yama (God of Death) also known as Yeay Tep which shrine sees infertile women often come to pray to be able to bear a child.

After that take a stroll along Steung Siem Reap, the historical River of the Temple City which source comes from Phnom Kulen (Lychee Mountain) – the Sacred Mountain of the Khmer people – which was the site of the very first Angkorian capital in the 9th century (circa-802). Also know that the use of water from the River in ancient times had a religious purpose, be it at home or in the rice field, hence, the annual water Festival held to thank the Deities that live deep in the waters.

Your Walking Tour will then lead you into the «religious» Past of Siem Reap if you wish so! Discover and enter the oldest pagoda in the city, Wat Bo where painted frescoes adorning the interior walls of the Vihear (sanctuary and main temple) are more than a century old. We will then propose to continue your journey along the River to get to another slightly newer and renovated pagoda, Wat Prohm Roath to have two different perspectives on the architecture of the Khmer pagodas.

And to finally complete your discovery of Architectural Walking Tour of Siem Reap, we will take you to the Old Market where colonial buildings stand as a testimonial to the French presence during the Protectorate, and to make you discover the daily life of the inhabitants of Siem Reap.

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In the morning, a road journey to Koh Ker takes you through the Cambodian countryside, and further to the Northeast of the Kulen National Park. A further 85 kms from the small village of Seong, passing through some remote villages and a beautiful forest populated by deer, be amazed by the imposing pyramid temple that dates back to the 9th to 12th century, and is also known by its ancient former name Chok Gargyar. The ensemble consists of five successive brick towers aligned in a single row – a not so common style indeed – with the massive pyramid at the background. The site of this former capital city – and contemporary to Angkor itself – is covered with an impressive 80 known-temples!

On your way back to Siem Reap, the little temple of Boeung Mealea (11th century) is indeed worth a visit! The vast expanse of this “Jungle Temple” covers an approximate 1.20 square kilometers and is being invaded by the forest. Built in the Angkor Wat style, Boeung Mealea must have served as a prototype of sorts for Angkor Wat, and is located at about 60 kms from Siem Reap (about a 2hr30 road journey time). Its solemn beauty is certainly due to its peaceful and out-of-time atmosphere and to the constant fight between Mother Nature and the Mineral Stones!  

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AN IMMERSION INTO THE DAILY LIFE OF THE KHMER PEOPLE

DAY #7

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In the morning, you will begin the visit by the Interpretation Centre of the Khmer Habitats located in the heart of the Angkor Archaeological Park. This  center was built with the idea  to share and promote the richness of the Khmer architecture from the pre-Angkorian period up to nowadays. The tour will continue by an ox cart ride towards North Srah Srang Village where you can see the wood carving and the way of life of today’s Khmer people.

Moreover, at the entrance of the village, before starting the ride, you will enjoy a real scene of the daily life of the Cambodian people in the countryside: the local market!

After the ox cart ride which will take you directly to the entrance of the temple of Ta Prohm, your late afternoon is devoted to admire this unique work. One of the most extraordinary works of nature is concentrated here in this temple where huge trees extend their roots through the temple stones, lifting them and gradually disrupting the original configuration of this unique temple!

Back in town, you will visit the Cambolac, the Cambodian Lacquer Association. This social enterprise, with its production of boxes in lacquer, manages to involve poor communities in the development of tourism in Siem Reap. This activity helps disadvantaged people to have a perennial activity and regain their pride in manufacturing objects, thus safeguarding and developing the art of antique lacquer.

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BACK TO ANGKOR, CAPITAL ANEW AFTER KOH KER

DAY #8

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Your morning is devoted to a refreshing trek and short walk (about 1h30 – 2h00) in the real forest of Angkor, starting with the visit of the temple of Ta Nei. In its overgrown state by the jungle, this work by King Jayavaraman VII succeeded, with its secluded location, in being hidden from a large number of tourists. You can admire the beauty of this Buddhist temple of the 12th century and its bas-reliefs within the tranquil peace of mind and in a meditative state!

The trail of the trek starts after the visit of Ta Nei to first visit a water dam built during the period of the French protectorate (1863-1953) to regulate and control water within the Angkor Archaeological Park, hence its name as “the French water dam”. Then continue contemplating the luxuriant forest accompanied by the chirping sounds of birds (depending on the season) along the route towards the Tree nursery which includes all types of vegetation existing in Angkor.

Enjoy then the serene beauty of the Northern Baray (the man-made Water Reservoir built in the 12th century by King Jayavaraman VII) and its sophisticated history before the completion of the temple of Preah Khan, a Buddhist monastic complex named Jayaçri (“Glorious Victory” in sanskrit) in honor of the victory over the Chams by King Jayavarman VII who erected it in 1191.

The site also served as the temporary Capital City during the construction of Angkor Thom and the monastery was finished after Jayavarman VII the Builder King was installed in his new Palace (1190). It is dedicated to Dharanindravarman Varman II, the father of the Builder King who is idealized here in the form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.

Finally, your day will end with the exploration of Neak Pean, with its four basins being used for religious purifying rites built during the reign of the greatest Cambodian King, Jayavaraman VII, and located right in the Middle Northern Baray also named Jayatatâka.

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DEPARTURE DAY

DAY #9

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Day free at leisure to ponder and meditate at leisure over your experiences of this amazing once-in-a-lifetime “Step back in Angkor Times” Experience!

You will then will be transferred to Siem Reap International Airport for your return flight home or to another destination…

*** END OF OUR SERVICES***

Option:
Extension to Preah Vihear Temple, the newly inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site (2008)
(Contact us for more information)

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• Introduced since November 1st, 2019, recyclable and reusable aluminum bottles are in line with our company’s policy of preventing and reducing single-use plastic and making Cambodia “plastic-free” (#makecambodiaplasticfree).
• By doing so, we contribute strongly and effectively to preserving the environment in Cambodia and in the oceans for future generations.
• It will be up to customers who wish to have plastic bottled water to get it personally at their own discretion.
• Thank you for your understanding and cooperation for “a world without plastic”.

BE NEUTRAL CARBON

In order to fight against climate change and to protect the environment, All Dreams Cambodia is committed to reducing carbon emissions.

In collaboration with EcoSol, an agency specializing in Circular Economy and Low Carbon Approach, we have set up a very sophisticated calculation tool, making it possible to measure the number of kg of CO2 inherent in the activity of the agency but also in each of our tourism programs, and the amount offsetting the carbon footprint at the current cost of carbon emitted.

To be carbon neutral, we have decided to support and donate these compensatory funds to an “Agrisud” project in Cambodia:

Link: Structuring and management of the “drain sludge” sector and production of organic fertilizers

Join us in reducing the carbon impact in Cambodia!

Learn about the carbon footprint of your clients’ program.

If you wish to support us in our more responsible and sustainable tourism approach, please inform us upon confirmation and we will add the compensatory amount to your invoice.

Your clients will receive upon arrival an additional information sheet.

We will take them to visit the Agrisud sites, this of course depending on their program and according to their wishes.

A year-end report will be sent to all of our generous contributors.