Explore the remote temples of Koh Ker, a former Khmer city and rival to Angkor Wat

See the early 11th-century Beng Mealea Temple and admire a prototype for Angkor Wat

Watch a traditional Apsara dance show during a buffet dinner in Siem Reap

Climb the tall Prasat Thom for commanding views of the jungle and lake

Discover the “lost” temples of the former royal Khmer city of Koh Ker, located approximately 78 miles (130 kilometers) from Siem Reap, and continue to the early Angkor temple of Beng Mealea on this fascinating full-day tour.

Built at a unique period in the Age of Angkor, Koh Ker was commissioned by King Jayavarman IV, following an unexplained break in the Khmer lineage. Dominated by the Prasat Thom, a 115-foot (35-meter) temple mountain, rising high above the plain and surrounding forest, panoramic views are the reward for the energetic climb to the top, where carvings of the mythical bird Garuda in stone blocks guard the summit.

In addition to Prasat Thom, Koh Ker is covered in small temples and sanctuaries surrounding the vast baray (reservoir) of the Rahal. Covered by jungle growth of thick tree roots, the “lost temples” atmosphere provides some of the best Angkorian photo opportunites.

Continue to the enigmatic 11th-century Beng Melea Temple, a prototype temple complex for Angkor Wat, where the vines and roots of ancient trees grow through the broken galleries. The impressive temple complex is primarly made from sandstone and contains carvings of Buddhist motifs, along with carvings of scenes from Hindu mythology among the towers, courtyards, and piles of stones lying in heaps among the thick brush.

Return to Siem Reap for a buffet dinner, while watching graceful dances at a traditional Apsara dance show, and admire the colorful storytelling of Cambodian myths.