Page 59 - Asia 2021 Catalog

nearby. Then you enter the Tonle Sap, so big that you can't see the banks. The boat continues along part
of the lake until after the floating village of Chong Kneas where you go ashore and reach Siem Reap by
bus after about thirty minutes of driving. Arrival after about 9-10 hours of navigation from Battambang, times
are flexible, depending on the water level and the conditions at the time. (The boats are local, made of wood,
sometimes not very comfortable, due to a rigid internal rotary on use it is not possible to choose them in
advance, the maximum capacity is 30-35 people). Navigation is generally possible in the period from
September - October to February - March.
Transfer and hotel accommodation.

Battambang - Siem Reap alternative by land:
Early departure for Bantey Chmar passing through the town of Svay Sisophon, not far from the Thai border.
The temple of Bantey Chhmar is located about 60 km from the capital of
the province of Bantey Meanchey. It is a little known and little visited
monastic complex, in practice not yet untouched by any form of
restoration. Built between the end of the 12th century and the beginning
of the 13th, it was dedicated to the son of King Yayavaraman VII who fell
fighting against the Champa. The bas-reliefs on the inner perimeter wall
depict scenes from the battles of that war. Bantey means citadel, or city,
and the complex is the size of a small town. In the internal part, the
vegetation has grown luxuriantly, even without taking over and the
absence of tourists revives the experience of the few travelers of the colonial period. Among the bas-reliefs,
a representation of Awalokiteshwar, or in Tibetan Cenresi, a divinity who represents compassion and at
the same time the tutelary god of Tibet, makes it possible to make risky, but probably real, connections
between two civilizations so distant. Breakfast during the excursion. Continuation and arrival in the early
evening in Siem Reap.
Free dinner - Overnight at the hotel

Day 4 - Siem Reap B, L .
Breakfast in hotel.
Departure for the visit of the fortified city of Angkor Thom, passing through the South Gate, and continuing
towards the spectacular Bayon temple which, with its more than two
hundred enigmatic faces, represents the central construction both in the
location and in the conception of the city itself. It is a masterpiece with a
surprising structure made up of 54 towers and which features splendid
bas-reliefs representing daily life in the times of the kingdoms of Angkor
and in which more than ten thousand figures carved in stone have been
counted. Then you pass in front of the imposing Baphuon and continue
to the pyramid-shaped temple linked to the legend of the king and the
snake, the Pimeanakas, then the area where the Royal Palace was
located and ends with the splendid Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. In the afternoon, an
excursion to discover the temple of Bantey Srey, or the citadel of women, famous for the splendid bas-
reliefs carved almost all of pink sandstone and according to many, superior in delicacy and precision even
to those found inside Angkor Wat. The temple is located about 40 km from Siem Reap and is reached
among enchanting landscapes characterized by rice fields and villages. We return to Siem Reap passing
through the temple of Bantey Samre, so named in honor of the legend of the farmer who became king.
Lunch in a local restaurant and free dinner. Overnight.

Day 5 – Siem Reap B,L.
Brekfast in hotel.
Morning dedicated to Angkor Wat, the masterpiece of all Khmer art, the most famous and imposing temple,
considered one of the wonders of the world. It is a structure that dazzles in its spectacularity, an example of
extraordinary architectural wisdom, decorated with extremely refined sculptures and bas-reliefs, through
which the main scenes of Indian epics are masterfully described. Lunch in a restaurant and in the afternoon
visit to part of the Grand Circuit of Angkor, starting with the vast and majestic temple of Prae Khan, also

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