Day Trip to Beng Mealea Temple and Kampong Khleang from Siem Reap

Day Trip to Beng Mealea Temple and Kampong Khleang from Siem Reap

Enjoy this adventure that will take you off-the-beaten-track to both the remote Beng Mealea Temple ("Jungle Temple") as well as the village of Kompong Khleang. Beng Mealea is a less-visited, but nonetheless historically important, and represents a fascinating example of the Suryavarman architecture, dating back to the 12th century.

Once you are picked up from your accommodation in Siem Reap early in the morning, you will head off to Beng Melea (around 70km away). Along the way you will be able to spot various sights, and admire the rural Cambodia.

Then you arrive at the recently-discovered temple, built by Suryavarman II at approx. 12th century, and being an example of a fusion of Buddhist and Hindu architecture. The complex is nestled inside a jungle forest and spreads over 1 square kilometre. Unlike Angkor Wat and other temples, which one has been left as it was discovered - with nature working its way through the temple, reclaiming it block by block. There are many secret passages, hidden archways, fallen masonry, perching on top of broken galleries and accessing through gaps in the ruins. Your guide will prove himself indispensable by pointing out things that would normally go unnoticed.

After you have explored the complex you will then be taken to see the nearby village of Kompong Khleang, and your guide will show you where the sandstone was cut from the mountain and explain how the blocks were transported to the site.

You will then stop for a well-deserved rest and lunch at a Khmer restaurant.

Afterwards, you will take a minivan back to Siem Reap.