Asia Discovery Tours

SIEM REAP located in Southeast Asia, is the major cultural tourism attraction in Cambodia. Siem Reap town is located 314 km northwest of Phnom Penh, and can be reached all year round by direct flights from many major cities in the region including Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Vientian, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Now there are around 10 direct flights per day to Siem Reap, and more direct international flights planned for the near future. Siem Reap can also be reached via domestic flights and speed boat from Phnom Penh city. Traveling by road from Phnom Penh and from Poi Pet to Siem Reap is also becoming popular.

ANGKOR WAT

The first half of 12thcentury : King Suryavarman II. The largest of the Angkor group and one of the most intact, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief¡¯s and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world. This temple is and expression of Khmer art at its highest point of development. Some believe Angkor Wat was designed by Divakarapandita, the chief adviser and minister of the king, who was a Brahmin with divine honors.

The Khmers attribute the building of Angkor Wat to the divine architect Visvakar man. Construction probably began early in the reign of Suryavarman II and because his name appears posthumously in the bas relief¡¯s and inscriptions it is believed that Angkor Wat was completed after his death. The estimated time for construction of the temple is about 30 year.

SOUTH GATE OF ANGKOR THOM

The Great City of Angkor Thom, which was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by a 8 m high wall, each side of the city is 4 km long. It draws a perfect square you access this town through 5 gates; 4 of them represent the cardinal points and the 5th one the Victory Gate was the one leading dir3ectly to the Royal Palace Area. You will arrive via the South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and 4 giant faces. On each side is a row of 54 gods or demons holding the sacred Naga snake.

BAYON TEMPLE

Late 12th century: Jayavarman VII. The Bayon vie with Angkor Wat as he favorite monument among visitors. The temple was build nearly 100 year after Angkor Wat. While its basic structure and earliest part of the temple are unknown, it is clear that the Bayon was built on top of an earlier monument, that the temple was not built at one time, and that it underwent a series of changes. The Bayon of today with his huge central tower dates to the 13th century and belongs toe the third phase of the art style.

Late 12th century: Jayavarman VII. The Bayon vie with Angkor Wat as he favorite monument among visitors. The temple was build nearly 100 year after Angkor Wat. While its basic structure and earliest part of the temple are unknown, it is clear that the Bayon was built on top of an earlier monument, that the temple was not built at one time, and that it underwent a series of changes. The Bayon of today with his huge central tower dates to the 13th century and belongs toe the third phase of the art style.

BANTEAY SREY TEMPLE

End of 12th century: Jayavarman VII. "Thee Entwined Nag". Build as an island, 350meter square, at the center of the baray of Preah Khan, at the center which a large basin has its center a circular basin at each side are connected by gargoyles which disgorge into small sanctuaries in a form which replicates the sacred lake of Anavatapta in Himalaya, venerated for his power of healing.

KBAL SPEAN

Kbal Spean, known as the River of 1000 Lingas. This place offers at first sight no particular attractions except the natural environment, but a careful looking will enable us to discover the impressive riverbed covered by many Lingars. They are carved in stone in the past to sanctify the water and thank the gods for their gifts.

Bas-reliefs depict scenes from the Brahman pantheon such as Vishnu lying, or Brahama born out of a lotus. 

Kbal Spien: located at around 30 km from Angkor is a natural stone bridge overlooking the "1000 lingas river", There are in fact plenty of lingas and linga stands chiseled on the riverbed. To reach this unique place we walk for 30 minutes in the jungle. Depending from the year period we will find a completely different scene, in the dry season you can see the carvings really well but there is very little water, in the wet season is quite difficult to see the carvings but there some beautiful and refreshing waterfalls.

BENG MELEA

Was constructed early 11th Century by King Suryavarman II. Located 63 Km east of Siem Reap town. It is sprawling jungle temple covering over one square kilometer. The tmple is largely overrun by vegetation and very lightly touristed, giving it an adventurous, " lost temple" feel.

Lake Tonle Sap

Where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Tonle Sap is Sout East Asia’s largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season. During the dry season it is roughly 2,500 km2, swelling to about 4 times it size in during the wet season: 10,000 km2! We will board a boat and visit the Chong Kneah village where we’ll see floating houses, farms and even a floating hospital