This morning we will visit to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometers) built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1201.  The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 meters wide. Bayon: Jayavarman VII's temple mountain that stands at the center of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces. Bapoun: the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount Meru and marks the center of the city that was here before Angkor Thom. Phimean Akas: near the center of what was once the royal palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means ‘Celestial Palace’, though today there is not much left to indicate its former splendor. Former Royal Palace: nothing remains today excepting two pools that were used by royalty for washing. Terrace of Elephants: this terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies and was a base for the King’s grand audience hall.  The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the retaining walls. Terrace of the Leper King: North of the Terrace of Elephants is a platform named ‘Terrace of the Leper King’.  On the platform is a nude statue – one of Angkor’s mysteries.

This afternoon we take in the great Angkor Wat, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150.  It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.  In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site. Followed by visit to the Phnom Bangkeng temple that’s first temple in the Angkor region built by the Yacovarman I king in the first of 9th century, just a short moment. Enjoy a sunset view over the Angkor Wat.