Ancient road – from Angkor to the Northwest
Overview
Under the guidance of a professional archaeologist you will discover a part of the ancient road that linked Angkor to the outskirts of the Khmer Empire in the 12th Century. This tour is proposing three components: a visit to some key archaelogical sites along the ancient road; a discovery of daily life in communities living along the road; experiencing the ancient road by walking/trekking on accessible parts and getting access to off-the-beaten tracks sites.
Highlights
- Discovery of seldom visited 12th century monuments (firehouses or dharmasala, hospitals, temples, bridges,..) along the ancient road from Angkor to Phimai (Thailand)
- Visit of ancient iron-smithing mound
- Observing traditional cambodian daily life along the way
- Visiting a contemporary pagoda built on an ancient temple site
- Trekking on the ancient road and ancient bridges
Itinerary
Full-day tour from Siem Reap.
Zone 1: near Angkor Thom- Departure of the tour at the West Gate of Angkor Thom
- Visit of Banteay Thom temple. End of 12th, early 13th Century, Jayavarman VII. Buddhist cult.
- Wat Kralanh. Buddhist pagoda build on the site of an ancient temple (red brick Prasat Thpong – IK 635).
- Kol village Secondary School: ancient iron-smithing site (mound)
- Kol Village community: old customs, traditional disease preventiion beliefs (ting mong),…
- Visit of Ta Koam Thom (temple) and Ta Koam Toch (hospital chapel) with a short trekking on the ancient road between the two sites. Ancient boundary markers on part of the trail. Ta Koam Thom: 11th Century temple built under, Suryawarman I (1061-1064 AD).. Religion: brahmanism, dedicated to Shiva.
- Ta Koam Toch: hospital chapel, period: 791 AD, based on inscription.
- Short trek on the ancient road, ancient bridge (Spean Memay) 35 meter long, 9 meter wide. Lunch by the ancient bridge and nearby lotus pond.
- Visit to Spean Toap. 12th Century. Dimensions: 150m long, 14.5m wide, 28 arches. The longest ancient bridge in Cambodia.
- Visit of Prasat Prohm Kel (firehouse or dharmasala). Late 12th, early 13th Century, Jayavarman VII period. Bayon style.
Inclusions
- English-speaking archaeologist as tour guide
- Private transportation
- Khmer set lunch
- Hotel pick-up & drop-off
- Bottled drinking water
Exclusions
What to bring
- Angkor temple pass
- Comfortable clothes
- A good pair of walking shoes
- Sunblock
- A hat
Terms and conditions
- Cancellation with full refund up to one day prior to the scheduled departure of the tour
