Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap and transfer to HanumanAlaya, Angkor 's boutique residence for check in and freshen up. After lunch, we visit magnificent Angkor Wat to view its architecture and bas reliefs. This temple is the largest religious buildings ever constructed and is truly one of the wonders of the world. Believed to have been undertaken as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved of the Angkorian temples. Then turn to town for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 - After breakfast, we visit the highlights of the petit circuit, including Prasat Kravan, Bat Chum and Eastern Mebon . Built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman, this temple was situated on a small island in the middle of the Eastern, Baray. It has all the characteristics of the mountain temple but was accessible only by boat. On to Pre Rup, built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman. Its proportions are perfect, a truly beautiful piece of work. Pre Rup means turning the body and the Khmer people believe this temple was used for cremations. After lunch, we continue to visit Sras Srang, the royal bathing pond, Banteay Kdei and jungle-clad Ta Prohm. Finally we take in a spectacular sunset over Angkor Wat from the temple mountain of Phnom Bakheng .

Services included for all tours:

• All sightseeing tour and airport transfers as detailed in our itinerary
• A room at HanumanAlaya with daily breakfast
• All meals, including lunch and dinner.
• English or French speaking local guide
• All entrance fees
• Private air conditioned car or minibus depending on group size

Services not included:

• Services not mentioned in our itinerary
• Visa fees, currently US$20 per person
• International departure tax, currently US$25 per person
• Personal expenses such as drinks or laundry
• Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs or medical expenses)

Beng Mealea

Today we leave Siam Reap to journey through jungle to this sacred mountain to explore the huge reclining Buddha, riverbed carvings, early temples and a beautiful waterfall. We enjoy a picnic lunch at the waterfall and offer an optional visit to the massive stone animal carvings at Sra Damrei, although this is only for the very adventurous and includes a bumpy motorbike ride and long walk. A great adventure! Then in the afternoon we turn back to Siem Reap town.

Today we leave Siem Reap for north to visit the elegant temple of Banteay Srei , built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. These it is said must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. This gives us the origin of the Khmer name, Fortress of the Women. Continue to Kbal Spean commonly known as the River of a Thousand Lingers, this is an area of riverbed carvings and lush jungle. There are several carvings of Hindu deities in the sandstone here, as well as thousands of lingers in the riverbed itself. This site was only ‘rediscovered' in 1969 and is a tranquil place with an attractive waterfall. It is 50km north of Siem Reap. In the afternoon we return to Siem Reap town.

Setting off from Siem Reap, we drive northeast into the province of Preah Vihear , home to some of Cambodia 's most magnificent lost temples. We head to the 10 th century rival capital of Koh Ker where more than 30 major monuments were built in a short period. We climb to the summit of Prasat Thom for an unrivalled view of the surrounding jungle and explore other atmospheric temples such as Prasat Krahom. We return to Siem Reap in the afternoon.

This morning, we depart Siem Reap by bicycle, following small back roads through rural landscapes and picturesque villages. Our first stop is the temple of Bakong in the Roluos group, the first of the great pyramid mountains which later kings were to copy. From Bakong, we continue into Roluos town to visit a very local market, untouched by tourism. After some refreshments here, we follow the course of the Roluos river to the nearest navigable point where we board small wooden boats for the trip to Kompong Phhluk. Cruising down a narrow waterway, we enter this medieval floating village, where the houses stand atop stilts as much as 10 metres above the water. Everything lives on the water, pigs, dogs, crocodiles and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible floating town. We explore the local wat here, before boarding a bigger boat to take us through the flooded forest and across the Great Lake to Chong Kneas and the holy mountain of Phnom Krom . We climb Phnom Krom for a glorious sunset over the Tonle Sap before heading back to Siem Reap by road.

Today we journey across the Tonle Sap Lake to Prek Toal biosphere, the premier bird-viewing destination in South-East Asia and home to rare, large water birds such as stork, ibis, crane and pelican. We spend several hours with an experienced ranger to help us spot a superb selection of birds. After a picnic lunch aboard the boat, we return to Siem Reap.

Today we depart Siem Reap International airport by helicopter and head north-east to the mountaintop temple of Preah Vihear , looming over the Thai-Cambodia border. The location is breathtaking and the views endless. We then head south to visit the 10th century capital of Koh Ker, where we climb the mighty pyramid of Prasat Thom, as well as checking out many other smaller structures in this vast forgotten place. Finally we visit the vast temple of Preah Khan, famous for the four-faced Bayon style temple called Prasat Preah Stung. Finally, we return by helicopter to Siem Reap. Total flying times is about two and a half hours today, but including the visit to the temples, the trip takes a full day.

Services included for all day excursions:

• All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in our itinerary,
• English speaking local guide
• All entrance fees
• All lunches
• Private air conditioned car or minibus
• Boat services as required
• Helicopter as outlined