At the apex of Khmer rule under Jayavarman VII, Angkor was the cultural center of the world’s mightiest empire and a metropolis with over one million residents. We’ll get a sense of this when we explore the grandest ruins of Angkor. First stop is Ta Prohm, one of the largest structures in the complex, made hauntingly beautiful over the centuries by silk-cotton and fig tree roots wrapping the temple. More recently, it was made a star as the backdrop of the Tomb Raider film. Nature overtaking such a great structure makes for one of the most stunning photo opportunities in world travel. One of the many intriguing features carved into the temple is the enigmatic stegosaurus known as the Dinosaur of Ta Prohm. Then there is the serene Neak Pean, a floating temple built on an island in the middle of the lily-adorned, emerald waters of Jayatataka Baray. Next is the walled heart of the city, Angkor Thom. This concentration of ruins is headlined by Bayon, Jayavarman VII’s state temple, with fifty-four well-preserved towers depicting the long-eared Buddha of Compassion.

After hitting the highlights of Angkor Thom in the cool morning, we will experience modern Buddhism with a visit to a working monastery to experience part of a day in the life of a practicing monk. From there, we enjoy a well-earned lunch of Khmer specialties with an informal lesson in local phrases from our guide. After lunch, the evening is free to either enjoy a cool dip in the hotel pool or explore the marvelous, bustling night markets of Siem Reap. 

The intricate carvings of Banteay Srei, or the “Temple of Women” are considered some of the finest works of Khmer sculpture and architecture left standing. It is also one of the oldest temples in Angkor, devoted to the Hindu deity Shiva the Destroyer. Because of the intricate details in the bas-relief carvings, admirers speculate that they could only have been crafted by the nimble hands of women.

After marveling at the historic contributions of Cambodian women, we will move on to the arts currently being woven by Sophea Preach at the Angkor Silk Farm. This husband and wife operation will introduce us to the entire process of production from harvesting silk from the farm's worms to creating finished designs. Sophea, being multi-talented, will also provide us with a lunch of traditional Khmer delicacies while we’re on the farm.

We will end our tour by learning about a sober, but necessary, chapter in Cambodian history at the Cambodia Landmine Museum. The museum was started by Aki Ra, once a conscripted child soldier for the Khmer Rouge. Ra began clearing mines by himself with a stick and keeping them at his house to show curious travelers. Funding has evolved his collection into a full museum that works to safely disarm mines around the world. After a long day of exploration, we will have the evening free to see the parts of town that we might not have gotten to yesterday. 

Siem Reap has a thriving art scene waiting for us to explore. We will begin with one of the nation’s most internationally-recognized artists, Lim Muy Theam. Lim is a lacquer painter specializing in realistic images of everyday people in Cambodia. Mr. Theam’s art is fresh and relevant, but he’s also an art historian, steward of classic Khmer art, educator, and mentor to emerging artists. He is one of the forces behind Artisans Angkor, a school for promising young artists, and we will visit their workshop to watch their craft blossom.

For further inspiration, we will move on to the Couture House, where designer Eric Raisina creates bold looks utilizing Cambodian silks adorned with traditional patterns and crafted into modern designs. After a break for lunch and some free time, we will be treated to a dinner and a show steeped in Cambodian culture. The Phare, The Cambodian Circus is composed of the most gifted students from the Phare Ponleu Sepak’s school in Battambang. We will learn some moves and participate in a rehearsal with these limber young artists before watching their show from the front row.  

Today, we set out early for an adventure on the serene Tonle Sap Lake. We enter at Prek Toal, an enchanting spot popular with local bird watchers. This area attracts some rare species that are most commonly found in Cambodia including the Black Ibis, Painted Storks, and Spot-Billed Pelicans. Our guide is an expert in local avian life, so he will make sure that we see and identify everything that flies by. Due to the high concentration and diversity of trees that have been entrenched in the lake around the shore here, this area is known as the “flooded forest.”

After catching the birds at their most active in the morning, we will explore the culture of this living lake on a boat cruise. On the lake, we can witness a disappearing traditional way of life that is unique to Southeast Asia. Communities here live in stilted houses suspended above the water and travel entirely by boat. They live off of the resources of the lake, such as fish and aquatic plant life, and they enjoy the ultimate in waterfront living. We break for a meeting with local fishermen and a hearty lunch featuring their catch. Before we return to dry land, we will explore a local school and see how residents of all ages go about their days living, literally, on the water. After our adventures on the lake, we will return to Siem Reap for an evening free to explore our favorite galleries in the bustling art scene.

After a final breakfast in Siem Reap, we transfer to the airport and say goodbye to the group, and exchange contacts with the friends we've made along the way. Bon voyage!