Join a fascinating tour to explore the most intriguing temples located outside the city of Angkor Thom. Your journey begins with a departure from your hotel in the morning, heading towards the first stop - the Pre Rup Hindu temple. This majestic temple mountain, constructed from a blend of brick, laterite and sandstone, was built as the state temple of Khmer king Rajendravarman and dedicated in the early 10th century.
The adventure continues with a drive to Banteay Srei, an intricately carved and well-preserved temple. The detailed reliefs on this smaller sandstone structure are considered some of the finest and most skillfully crafted in Cambodia. Accessible only since the late 1990s following the departure of the Khmer Rouge, Banteay Srei offers a glimpse into Cambodia's rich history.
Your journey then takes you back to visit Neak Pean temples, an artificial island housing a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Jayatataka Baray. In the afternoon, continue to Preah Khan temple, a site that blends nature and architecture with its tree roots intertwining with crumbling stone structures. Commissioned by the renowned "temple builder" Jayavaraman VII in honour of his father, Preah Khan provides an interesting contrast to the grandeur of Angkor Wat. Currently under restoration by the World Monument Fund, parts of Preah Khan are in remarkably good condition. As the day draws to a close, return to town after a memorable day of exploration.
