Phnom Kulen and Banteay Srei temple
$ 65
per person
Under the guidance of a professional archaeologist visit the hilltop temple of Preah Vihear which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Built at the top of a steep cliff in the Dângrêk Mountain range which is the natural border between Cambodia and Thailand, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-century-long Khmer Empire. Initially dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in the 11th Century the temple was later converted to use by Buddhists.
Full-day tour from Siem Reap. The temple of Preah Vihear is 140 km northwest of Angkor Wat. Visitors will climb the 525 meter high cliff to the temple aboard a pick-up truck waiting for them at the base of the cliff. As a key edifice of the ancient Khmer empire’s spiritual life, Preah Vihear was built and modified by successive kings. Elements of several architectural styles can be seen. Preah Vihear is unusual among ancient Khmer temples in being constructed along a 800 meter long north-south axis, instead of the conventional rectangular plan oriented towards the east that is commonly found elsewhere.
A brief stopover is planned on the way back in Anlong Veng, the last Khmer Rouge stronghold to surrender to the government of Cambodia in 1998.
