Around Angkor Thom (Part 2)

Banteay Srei HINDU TEMPLE

Taken into account by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei – a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva – is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes many of the finest stone carving anywhere on earth. Begun in AD 967, it is one of the few temples around Angkor to be commissioned by a Brahman, not by a king, perhaps a tutor to Jayavarman V.
Banteay Srei, which is 21km northeast of Bayon and about 32km from Siem Reap, can be visited along with Kbal Spean and the Cambodia Landmine Museum.

Kbal Spean RELIGIOUS, SPIRITUAL

Kbal Spean, which is a spectacularly carved riverbed, set deep in the forest about 50km northeast of Angkor. More commonly referred to in English as the ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, it’s a 2km uphill walk to the carvings. From Kbal Spean, you can work your way back down to the waterfall to cool off. Carry plenty of water.
At the nearby Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity, trafficked animals are nursed back to health. Free tours generally start at 1pm from Monday to Saturday.

Phnom Kulen SACRED MOUNTAIN

The most sacred mountain in Cambodia, Phnom Kulen (487m) is where Jayavarman II proclaimed himself a devaraja (god-king) in AD 802, giving birth to Cambodia. A popular place of pilgrimage during weekends and festivals, the views it affords are absolutely great .
Phnom Kulen is 50km from Siem Reap and 15km from Banteay Srei. The road toll is US$20 per foreign visitor, none of which goes towards preserving the site.

Beng Mealea BUDDHIST TEMPLE

Beng Mealea (admission US$5), was built by Suryavarman II to the same floor plan as Angkor Wat, is the Titanic of temples and utterly subsumed by jungle. Nature has well and truly run riot here. Jumbled stones lie like forgotten jewels swathed in lichen, and the galleries are strangled by ivy and vines.
Beng Mealea is about 65km northeast of Siem Reap on a sealed toll road.

Koh Ker HINDU TEMPLE

(admission US$10) Abandoned to the jungles of the north, Koh Ker, capital of the Angkorian empire from AD 928 to AD 944, is within day-trip distance of Siem Reap. Most of the travellers start at Prasat Krahom, where impressive stone carvings grace lintels, doorposts and slender window columns. The principal monument is Mayan-looking Prasat Thom, a 55m-wide, 40m-high sandstone-faced pyramid whose seven tiers offer spectacular views across the forest. However, access to the top of Prasat Thom is currently prohibited for safety reasons.

Koh Ker is 127km northeast of Siem Reap (car hire is around US$90, 2½ hours).

HEARTBEAT OF CAMBODIA

The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Tonlé Sap, an incredible natural phenomenon that provides fish and irrigation water for half of Cambodia’s population.
The lake is linked to the Mekong at Phnom Penh by a 100km-long channel, the Tonlé Sap River. From mid-May to early October (the wet season), rains raise the level of the Mekong, backing up the Tonlé Sap River and causing it to flow northwest into the Tonlé Sap Lake. During this period, the lake swells from 2500 sq km to 13,000 sq km or more, its maximum depth increasing from about 2.2m to more than 10m. Around the start of October, as the water level of the Mekong starts to fall, the Tonlé Sap River reverses its flow, draining the waters of the lake back into the Mekong.
This incredible process makes the Tonlé Sap one of the world’s richest sources of freshwater fish and an ideal habitat for water birds.

Around Angkor Thom (Part 1)

Sights 

Ta Prohm BUDDHIST TEMPLE

The last Indiana Jones fantasy, Ta Prohm is hidden in spotted gloominess , its crumbling towers and walls locked in the relaxed, strong clinch of vast primary systems. If Angkor Wat, the Bayon and other temples are witness to the mastermind of the ancient Khmers, Ta Prohm reminds humand equally of the awesome richness and strength of the wilderness. There is a romantic cycle to this ruin, with humanity initial conquering natural world to promptly create, and nature once again discovering humanity to gradually ruin .
Constructed from 1186 and initially known as Rajavihara (Monastery of the King), Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple devoted to the mother of Jayavarman VII. Ta Prohm is a temple of towers, close courtyards and narrow corridors. Very old trees tower overhead, their leaves filtering the daylight and casting a greenish pall over the whole view . It is the closest most of us can get to feeling the mystery of the explorers of old.

Phnom Bakheng HINDU TEMPLE

Nearly 400m south of Angkor Thom, that hill’s p

rimary draw is the sunset view of Angkor Wat, though this has turned into something of a circus, with hundreds of travellers jockeying for space. The temple, built by Yasovarman I (r 889–910), has five tiers with seven levels.

Preah Khan BUDDHIST TEMPLE

(Sacred Sword) The temple of Preah Khan (Sacred Sword) is one of the greatest complexes at Angkor, a maze of vaulted corridors, fine carvings and lichen-clad stonework. Constructed by Jayavarman VII, it covers a very large area, but the temple itself is within a rectangular wall of nearly 700m by 800m. Preah Khan is a genuine combination temple, the eastern entrance dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism, with equal-sized doors, and the other cardinal directions dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, with successively smaller doors, emphasising the unequal nature of Hinduism.

Preah Neak Poan BUDDHIST TEMPLE

Another late-12th-century work of – no surprises here – Jayavarman VII, this petite temple just east of Preah Khan has a big square pool surrounded by four smaller square pools, with a circular ‘island’ in the middle. Water once flowed from the central pond into the four peripheral pools via four ornamental spouts, in the form of an elephant’s head, a horse’s head, a lion’s head and a human head.

Roluos Group HINDU TEMPLE

The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital for Indravarman I (r 877–89), are among the earliest wide eternal temples built by the Khmers and mark the dawn of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko, dedicated to Shiva, has elaborate inscriptions in Sanskrit on the doorposts of each tower and some of the best surviving examples of Angkorian plasterwork. The city’s central temple, Bakong, with its five-tier central pyramid of sandstone, is a representation of Mt Meru. Roluos is 13km southeast of Siem Reap along NH6.

Mekong Delta Tours 1,2,3 days

Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour sincerely introduce you the Mekong Delta Tours 1,2,3 days as follows

Mekong Delta 1 day tour My Tho – Ben Tre: price 12$

Mekong Delta Tour 2 days – Cai Rang floating market: price 24$

Mekong Delta 3 days tour and exit to Phnom Penh: price 69$

Take a handed paddles boat along the canals under the water coconut palm trees, taste seasonal fresh fruit in the orchards, see the lively floating markets in Can Tho, experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Delta, Spend the night in the village with the local farmers. Visit the Bird Sanctuary in Tra Su, Visit the Sam Mountain and the caved pagoda, Contemplate the sunset over the Vietnamese – Cambodian Frontier, cruise up the Tonle Sap river through Vinh Xuong newly – opened border

Day 1:  Ho Chi Minh – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho (L) 

• At 08.00am, depart for Mekong Delta.  Enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrival at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet


• Have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of water coconut trees along natural canals. Have a short cycling tour (applied for private tour/if time permitted) then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantations and villages. Proceed to Can Tho.


• Dinner on guest’s account.


• Overnight at your proposed hotel in Can Tho.

Day 2:  Cai Rang  Floating market – Chau Doc – Tra Su Sanctuary (B)

• Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to Cai Rang floating markets (& Phong Dien is optional), which are the liveliest in the whole religion.


• Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to pass a “Monkey bridge” which is built by only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden.


• Stop for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc, continue the tour to visit Tra Su, getting to the wild birds Sanctuary, cruising smoothly with small boats to discover the arrays of splendid canals deep into the forest, watching storks, cranes and other tropical birds, back to the Town, hotel check in.


• Dinner on guest’s account.


• Overnight at your proposed hotel in Chau Doc.

Day 3: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B) 

• After breakfast. Transfer to the ferry for boarding the speed boat to PhnomPenh.


• Arrive in Phnom Penh around 2.00 pm at the Sisowath tourist dock.


• End of your Mekong Delta Tours 1,2,3 days.

Include:

• A/c bus for transfer & sightseeing as per program.


• Boat trip in the Mekong delta.


• Express boat ticket Chaudoc – Phnompenh


• English speaking tour guide


• All entrance fees, fresh fruit and honey tea


• Meals as indicated in the program (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)


• Accommodation based on Twin/Double room share basis

Exclude:

• Travel insurance


• Cambodia entry visa (US$22/person)


• Other meals not mentioned in the program


• Personal expenses.

Note:

• Private tour is available on request. We highly recommend you do private tour for more privacy as well as more convenience.

Introduction about MeKong Delta

Mekong delta is made up of 13 provinces: Long An, Tiền Giang, Bến Tre, Hậu Giang, Kiên Giang, An Giang, Đồng Tháp, Trà Vinh, Sóc Trăng, Vĩnh Long, Cần Thơ, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau

And Mekong delta is divided by many rivers and canals. And all the rivers and canals are 5.700 km.

Mekong delta is about 40.000 square kilometers (km2) in area. And it is known as one of the widest and richest delta in ASEAN, in Vietnam it is considered as the biggest granary of Vietnam (the second one is Red River delta in the North of Vietnam), it provides 60% of nation’s rice. Besides that, Mekong delta is the place of different tropical fruits such as durian, coconut, banana, pineapple, dragon fruit… and when people come here they can enjoy the seasonal fruits all round year.

Mekong delta is the area which has the biggest population in Vietnam, now it has a population of  about 18 million people. In the past, most of the people here lived by farming.

There are 2 distinguished seasons in Mekong delta: rainy season (from May to November) and sunny season (from December to April). Especially, in the rainy season the color of all the rivers are brown because of the alluvium, in the sunny season the color changes into light blue.

In Vietnam, people don’t call this land “Mekong delta”, but they call “Nine dragons delta” because when the Mekong river comes to Vietnam, it divides into 2 small branches, then the 2 branches divide into 9 mouths going to the East Sea. Seeing on the map, people can realize that the river now looks like 9 dragons

Introduction Of Mekong River Delta In Southern Vietnam

Don't leave without seeing the Mekong Delta, one of Vietnam's most interesting and scenic regions. An organized tour, even the most low-budget version, offers action-packed days with bus and boat trips to small craft villages, mangrove swamps, island orchards, and spectacular floating markets. A 1-day trip isn't quite enough to fully delve into the delta, so plan on an overnight -- best in the delta's urban centers of Can Tho or Chau Doc near Cambodia (try to stay at the Victoria in either location).

The delta is a web of Mekong River waterways covering an area of about 60,000km (37,200 miles) across three provinces. The region is densely populated with 18 million souls, most engaged in farming and fishing. Called the "rice basket" of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta accounts for more than 50% of all rice and produce in the country, exporting between 4 million and 5 million tons of rice per year. The land is tessellated with bright green rice paddies, fruit orchards, sugar-cane fields, and vegetable gardens, and its waters stay busy with boats and fish farms. Rice production and harvest still involves water buffaloes instead of tractors, as well as backbreaking hand planting of rice shoots, weeding, and hand harvesting.

Impoverished under socialist agricultural programs, the region benefited greatly from the 1980s Doi Moi reforms, and rice paddies that once yielded just one crop now produce three crops per year, an important part of Vietnamese economic self-sufficiency.

The Mekong delta was a hotbed for Viet Cong guerillas during the war with the U.S., and some tours will take you to the vestiges of old Viet Cong hide-outs, complete with hideaway ambush holes and a ride among the mangrove swamp where stealth forces disappeared after raids in Saigon.

Mekong river Muslim 1 day tour

Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour sincerely introduce you the  Mekong river Muslim 1 day tour as follows

Itinerary:

• At 8.00 am, We take a two hour driving to My Tho. On the way witness picturesque rice fields and buffalos. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat trip on the Mekong River with a stop at Thoi Son islet to taste seasonal fruit whilst enjoying traditional folk music. Then, visit the authentic life of the locals and challenge your bargaining power at cottage handicraft shops. Take an adventurous sampan ride in palm shaded canals. Lunch to be served with Halal food. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantations and villages. Return to Ho Chi Minh city around 5.00pm.


• End of your Mekong river Muslim 1 day tour.

JOINING TOUR OPTIONAL: US$19 per person



Tour price includes:

• A/c bus for transfer & sightseeing as per program.


• English speaking tour guide


• All entrance fees


• Boat trip on Mekong Delta


• Mineral water on bus (1 bottle/ pax/day)


• Halal food for lunch

Tour price excludes:

• Travel insurance


• Hotel pick up & drop off service


• Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program.

Mekong full day Muslim tour

Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour sincerely introduce you the Mekong full day Muslim tour as follows

Itinerary :

• At 8.00 am, Leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrival at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of water coconut trees along natural canals. Then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantations and villages. Return to Ho Chi Minh by road.  The tour finishes at 17.00.


• End of your Mekong full day muslim tour.

JOINING TOUR OPTIONAL: US$19 per person



Tour price includes:

• A/c bus for transfer & sightseeing as per program.


• English speaking tour guide


• All entrance fees


• Boat trip on Mekong Delta


• Mineral water on bus (1 bottle/ pax/day)


• Halal food for lunch

Tour price excludes:

• Travel insurance


• Hotel pick up & drop off service


• Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program.