The temples of Angkor, built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, represent one of humankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. From Angkor, the Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain that reached from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. The structures you'll see at Angkor today in Siem Reap, more than 100 stone temples in all, are the surviving remains of a grand religious, social and administrative metropolis whose other buildings - palaces, public buildings, and houses - were built of wood and are long since decayed and gone.
Angkor Wat (the most famous and arguably most breathtaking of all the temples) honours the Hindu god Vishnu and is a symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. Consisting of an enormous temple symbolizing the mythic Mt. Meru, its five inter-nested rectangular walls and moats represent chains of mountains and the cosmic ocean.
Sunsets and sunrises are particularly spectacular from any of the temples and our guided tours give you plenty of flexibility to choose how your visit is conducted. Our guides are experienced and knowledgeable and will bring the magic and wonder of Angkor to life.
A visit to Angkor can range from a leisurely day trip to an entire week of thorough exploration. Most visitors will need at least two days to get a real taste of the wonders on show. Visitors with a keen interest in ancient history may want longer and we would recommend some of the temples a little further afield such as Koh Ker. We have a series of different routes and experiences to suit: it all depends on your tolerance for temples and history!
The temples of Angkor are one of the finest ancient sites in the world and are worth going out of your way to experience when visiting Cambodia or neighbouring countries. Many airlines fly direct to Siem Reap (Angkor) from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam and there is also a wide range of exceptional hotels in the town. Speak to us about including a visit to Angkor in your itinerary, wherever you may be travelling in the region.
Classic Cambodia Holiday Ideas:
Classic Historic Cambodia
Explore the fascinating history and remarkable sites of Cambodia in a unique and relatively slow-paced way.
Cambodia to Vietnam via Mekong
Watch the scenery change as you travel from Cambodia to Vietnam along the Mekong River. Magical.
Hidden Gems of Cambodia
Experience the Temples of Angkor, the vibrant capital Phnom Penh and veer off-the-beaten-track to discover another side to Cambodia.
Forgotten South Coast of Cambodia
Explore Cambodia's beautiful south coast. This tour focuses on the countryside, colonial towns and coast.
