This morning you will visit Angkor Wat , the largest temple in the world. It's volume of stone equals Cheops' Great Pyramid in Egypt. Unlike all other Khmer temples, it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build. It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king. It has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks and is well preserved. Intricate bas reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides each telling a story. The most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, located on the east wing. In it, the Naga serpent is twisted by demons and gods to spurt out the elixir of life.

This afternoon visit Ta Prohm, the “Jungle Temple” that has been left largely in it's natural state since its “re-discovery” by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelop the stone like tentacles. It is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Historians have noted its mystical charm.

“Entering the court yards one comes into a new kind of vegetable world; not one of the branches and leaves with which one is familiar, but that of roots. Ta Prohm is an exhibition of the mysterious subterranean life of plants, of which it offers an infinite variety of cross sections. Huge trees have seeded themselves on the roofs of the squat towers and their soaring trunks are obscured from sight; but here one can study in comfort the drama of those secret and conspiratorial activities that labour to support their titanic growth.”   --Norman Lewis A Dragon Apparent 1951

You will continue to the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, literally “Great city”; built in the 12th Century by Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom contains the Elephant and Leper King Terraces and the magnificent Bayon Temple with its enormous mysterious faces, you will exit via the South Gate to catch the last rays of light as they filter through the trees. Return to Hotel.

Temples further afield beckon your inspection. Driving past rice paddy fields and a local village is Banteay Srei, "The Citadel of Women", perhaps the most beautiful of the temples in Siem Reap. Remarkable for its total restoration, this small temple was built by Brahmins for human use, rather than for the god-kings. Banteay Srei has the finest pink sandstone carving in Cambodia, legibly depicting extracts from the Ramayana. Time permitting, you'll stop also at Banteay Samre, a fine example of small scale of Angkor style architecture. Its relatively small size permits the visitor to closely appreciate the intricacies that are often dwarfed by the immense size of larger monuments like Angkor Wat. Seldom visited, this temple can be wandered through peacefully and at your own pace.  

This afternoon visit Preah Khan "The Sacred Sword", an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. It is one of a group of temple complexes situated on a small 'Baray' or water reservoir including the temples of Neak Pean and the monastic complex of Ta Som. Together, these structures constitute one of Angkor's major axial arrangements and hydrological complexes. Preah Khan is the site of the World Monuments Fund ‘prime' Asian project a painstaking renovation whilst maintaining it's mysterious allure and superb original structure.    

This morning visit Les Artisans d' Angkor, a development project teaching at-risk and disadvantaged Khmers the traditional arts of stone carving, wood carving and lacquer application. This is a heart-warming reminder that progress in Cambodia can go hand in hand with native crafts.  

Free at leisure until transfer for onward afternoon or evening flight.