Beng Mealea and Temple Koh Ker Full Day Tour - Siem Reap - Icare Tours and Travel

This one-day tour will take you to Koh Ker temple in the morning. It is a giant pyramid temple that was built before the world-famous Angkor Wat. It is one of the earliest temples in the whole of Siem Reap. Koh Ker Group located in the province of Preah Vihear was briefly the capital of the Khmer empire between 928 and 944 under king Jayavarman IV and his son Hasavaraman II. After the Khmer empire had been established in the Angkor area (Roluos), Jayavarman IV moved the capital in 928 almost 100 km northeast of Koh Ker. Here a vast number of temples were built under his reign until his successor returned to the Angkor area about twenty years later. After stopping for lunch, we’ll then head over to Beng Mealea temple which is one of the most beautiful temples because the jungle surrounds it and it grows through the temple. Beng Mealea Temple (its name means “lotus pond” or ” Beng Tree Flowers”) is located at the foot of Kulen Mountain. It was built as a Hinduist temple, but some carvings are depicting Buddhist motifs. Its primary material is sandstone and it is largely unrestored, with trees and thick brush thriving amidst its towers and courtyards and many of its stones lying in great heaps. For years it was difficult to reach, but a road recently built to the temple complex of Koh Ker passes Beng Mealea and more visitors are coming to the site.

Built-in the 12th Century, many scholars believe it was the model for Angkor Wat. It is just as wonderful of a temple but it is still largely lost in the jungle.

Please note: All guests need to wear appropriate clothing around the temples. You will need to have your shoulders and knees covered. Cambodia is also a very hot and humid country, so please wear some light cotton clothing. The winter months (Nov – Feb) are a bit cooler, but it can still get very hot in the afternoons.

Pickup time: 8.00 am (4.30 am – 5.00 am for sunrise)

Free cancellation within a week before the experience starts.