Angkor Temples Tour and Overnight Buddhist Monastery Stay

Day 1: Siem Reap (L)
After hotel pickup in Siem Reap by air-conditioned vehicle, you’re driven to the famed temples of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. Your knowledgeable guide takes you on a tour of Angkor Wat, the largest and best-preserved temple of this stunning complex, built between the 9th and 11th centuries.

Spend a couple of hours at this astounding temple, exploring the sculpted dancing angels and huge bas reliefs (carvings), which depict stories from the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Wander through the magnificent galleries and past the enormous moat and reflection pools of the ceremonial remains of the Khmer Empire.

Your next stop is the Bayon, renowned for the hundreds of smiling faces that grace its stone towers near the south gate of Angkor Thom City. The ornate bas reliefs of this centerpiece of the ancient walled city are quite impressive, telling stories of daily life and the great battles that were fought between the Khmer and ancient Thais.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Siem Reap, before heading to a local monastery for your overnight stay, approx. 9 miles (15 km) from town.

Upon arrival, meet a group of monks who give your group an introduction to the basics of Buddhist philosophy and monastic life. Your guide will explain more about appropriate dress and behavior to prepare you for your stay at the monastery.

Since the monks typically eat their last meal of the day before noon (and there is no restaurant available nearby), there’s no dinner planned for the evening, but snacks and fruits are provided by your guide.

Please note: Accommodation is very simple (bedding on the floor without air-conditioning) with basic bathroom facilities located outside the room. You will expect to experience the real life of Monks here.

Overnight: Buddhist monastery in Siem Reap

Day 2: Siem Reap (B, L)
Rise before dawn as early morning monastery drums announce the start of the monks’ day. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to join them in prayer.

Afterward, eat breakfast, which is delivered to the monastery by your driver from Siem Reap. Then receive a short introduction to various forms of meditation and Buddhist chants as you learn the secret to the monks’ concentration.

Leaving the monastery by late morning, you’re driven back to Siem Reap for a restaurant lunch before drop-off at your hotel.