Day 8: Kbal Spean, the river source and sculpted river bed of the sacred ancient city
Breakfast at hotel. On this third day in Siem Reap/Angkor, early in the morning, we will take you to visit of Kbal Spean and the site of the One-Thousand Linga River that has its source at Phnom Kulen (the Litchi Mountain). Take an approximately 45-minutes trek (about 1.5 km) through the forest up to the top and be rewarded by your effort! Assimilated to the Ganges River in India, the very bed of the river is carved on over 200 metres long with 1.054 lingas and sculptures representing the Hindu Gods in the 9th century. The water feeding the Steung Siem Reap River in the lower part is thus being “sanctified” after rolling and passing over the thousand carved lingas, thus, fertilizing the lower valley and Angkor Plain.
Lunch at local restaurant, then visit Banteay Srey Temple, considered as the jewel of the classic Khmer arts. Cleared from the creeper plants and trees that invaded it, Banteay Srei - which means “the Citadel of Women” - is indeed of an absolute and rare beauty and fineness. Every single detail of this sculpted pink sandstone temple is a real enchantment to the human eyes. On the way back, we will take you to visit the Ta Prohm Temple and you will be amazed by the “temple in the jungle”! Your end of the afternoon will be devoted to admire this unique work. One of the most extraordinary works of nature is concentrated here in this temple where huge cheese makers extend their roots through stones lifting them, and gradually disrupting the original configuration of this temple. This work, built under the reign of the great "Angkorian Builder King", is also dedicated to the Mother of the Builder King, Jayavarman VII. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.