Cambodia - Past & Present tour 1Day (Full Day)

We will pick you up at your hotel and drive 32 km north-east of Siem Reap to reach the magnificent Banteay Srei temple – the Citadel of women. This Hindu temple, dating back to the 10th century, has three central towers each decorated with superbly intricate reliefs of male and female divinities, carved from pink sandstone contrasting with the main walls made of laterite. While many of Angkor temples are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay Srei stands out by the quality of craftsmanship.
On the way back, we will stop at the Cambodian Landmine museum and Rehabilitation Centre which promotes mine awareness and education for both tourists and Cambodian people. The museum display a large collection of guns, rifles, rockets launchers, pistols, mortars, grenades, CS gas canisters, bombs, bullets and a 225kg bomb from a US warplane, all recovered from Cambodia countryside. Mr. Aki Ra, the founder of the museum, worked as a de-miner when he decided to exhibit his collection of shell casings and decommissioned mines in 1998. Today, the museum serves also as a rescue center for a number of landmine amputee children that Aki Ra had brought off Phnom Penh’s streets or from extremely impoverished rural communities. In addition of the exhibition building, the museum includes a school and dormitories for amputee children and staff.
Then we will visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complex at Angkor, restored with the method of the anastylosis. Built under the reign of Suryavarman II during the mid 12th century, its unique feature is the interior moat covered with a laterite paving. Not very touristic, you should appreciate its peaceful atmosphere.
Then, we will go back to Siem Reap and have lunch at the Singing Tree, a nice place combining fresh and yummy meals with free space for community activities, a children-friendly garden (with children movies during the afternoon) and informative presentations on development projects and environmental issues. After lunch, we will visit Handicap International, an NGO (non governmental organisation) which provides a range of support activities to disabled people, many of whom are victims of leftover weapons. Landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO) from the recent civil war kill or maim more than 500 Cambodians a year. There you will learn about disability issues in Cambodia, mine/UXO challenges, the physical rehabilitation process in action and how a prosthesis is made, as well as understand the challenges faces by people with disabilities. Then, if you wish to give your blood, we will bring you to the Angkor Hospital for Children or the Jayavarman VII Children’s hospital which both provide free medical care to children. Like every hospital in Cambodia, the medical staff is always in need of blood to save lives. Then we can bring you to a relaxing blind massage salon or directly to your hotel. finish temple tours in Siem Reap

Price of Tour Includes:

• Entrance fees and sightseeing tours by tuk-tuk or private aircon vehicles
• An experienced English-speaking local guide
• Lunch at Singing Tree
• Donation to NGOs

NOT Included in Tour Price:

• Personal travel insurance (compulsory!)
• Other Meals
• Expenditure of a personal nature
• Drinks & tips