Immerse yourself in the ancient temples of Koh Ker and Beng Mealea on this full-day private tour. Explore rural villages, taste local delicacies, and witness the daily lifestyle of the locals.
- Wat Khsach - Make a stop at the Bamboo Sticky Rice village to sample local sticky rice cooked in bamboo and capture some photos. “Bamboo sticky rice is made with sweet rice, black beans, coconut cream, and various spices, all placed inside a piece of bamboo and then cooked. It’s a traditional Khmer dish.”
- Koh Ker Temple - Travel to Koh Ker, the former capital of the Angkorian Empire in the 10th century. Koh Ker was left abandoned in the forest for many years due to civil wars. After a scenic two-hour drive through rural Cambodia, we arrive at the Koh Ker ruins. We start our visit at Prasat Thom, entering through the main gateway flanked by atmospheric sanctuaries. Walk along a serpent-lined causeway to Prasat Krahorm, the “red brick temple,” near which there are libraries and reservoirs. Finally, we reach Prasat Thom, the “centerpiece,” a large seven-level pyramid made of sandstone, standing 45 meters tall. Climbing to the upper terrace offers panoramic jungle views. Visit other surrounding temples. Archaeologists believe there may be over 100 temple ruins in the area waiting to be discovered. On the way back, we stop at O-thma Dab, “the place where the ancient Khmer people quarried stones to build Angkor Wat.”
- Beng Mealea - Explore the most intriguing temple outside the Angkor area, King Suryavarman II’s 11th-century Beng Mealea temple, a prototype for the more famous Angkor Wat. Beng Mealea stands almost forgotten in the jungle, and reaching the site is an adventure in itself. It was isolated during Cambodia’s civil war. It is the largest temple outside the main Angkor complex, with some parts remarkably intact and others utterly destroyed; tree roots envelop many of the temple walls and doorways. The atmosphere here is eerie but offers a welcome contrast to the more visited temples near Angkor Wat. Beng Mealea shares many features with Angkor Wat but on a smaller scale. It has three encircling galleries, the same four gates and entrances, and a pair of interior libraries. Unlike Angkor Wat, it has only one central tower instead of five.
- Ancient Quarry - Visit the Ancient Quarry, where the ancient Khmer people cut stones to build Angkor Wat. The tour guide will explain how they cut and transported the stones. You will see hundreds of stone pieces that were cut and left there.
- Bottled water included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Koh Ker entrance ticket (US$15 per person. Child is FOC)
- Temple entrance ticket (USD37.00 per person which covers all temples in this day tour. Child is FOC)
- Lunch
An opportunity to discover some of the most iconic temples of Beng Mealea, Koh Ker, and Ancient Quarry. The guide will meet you in your hotel Lobby to begin this private excursion and drive to Koh Ker.
We’ll visit Koh Ker and some other beautiful Temples surrounding it. Enjoy your Lunch at a local restaurant before driving to Beng Mealea.
We’ll enter the Beng Mealea from the West Gate, walk through the Jungle Path to the central Temple, and creep around the Sanctuary to view the Trees overgrow on the Towers and Galleries. Then, you’ll venture deep into the central and up to the upper terraces of this truly great temple by walking on the wooden bridge to photograph this incredible site.
Next up, we explore the Ancient Quarry” the place where the ancient Khmer took the stones to build Angkor Wat”. The Guide will share with you how the Stones were cut and transported to the Angkor Wat area.
At the end, you may want to visit Handicrafts, Cloth Weaving & Made in Cambodian Market.
- Your Tour Guide will send you a Link to purchase the temple entrance e-ticket days in advance.
- Please wear flat shoes that are comfortable for walking.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
