Koh Ker Temple

Koh Ker can be found 130km from Siem Reap and a visit you can find conveniently put together with a trip to Beng Melea. Koh Ker was built throughout a period of internecine strife inside the Angkorian empire and became the temporary capital of King Jayavarman IV. The primary temple at Koh Ker is a 7-tier step-pyramid that will not look out of place on the Yucatan Peninsula. A wooden walkway to the summit has improved access and basic safety and the sights from the top are satisfying. Unfortunately, there has been significant working activity in this area, therefore the surrounding jungle isn’t as lush and thick as it once was. However, there are still enough trees in the immediate vicinity of the temple to provide a level of atmosphere. As well as the main temple there are several interesting Prasats scattered through the close by forest and temples have already been present in Koh Ker: Neang Khmao Temple, Pram Temple, Chen Temple, Preng Well, Rampart of Koh Ker Temple, Kuk Temple or Gopura, Krahom Temple, Khmao Temple, these can be included in the tour.

Prasat Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea Temple Constructed during the reign of King Suryavarman II and is modern with Angkor Wat and Thommanon. This era of temple design is considered the ‘Golden Age’ of traditional Khmer architecture and represents the high water mark of the Angkorian empire. Beng Melea is situated about 80km from Siem Reap and its tumbled ruins and subterranean passageways offer travelers a genuine Indiana Jones knowledge. There are wooden walkways within the even more hazardous areas but these don’t detract from Beng Melea’s atmosphere. Creepers festoon the walls and carved lintels lay left below dense moss and jungle growth. There are several outstanding examples of Apsara carvings on the extant parts of the temple, however, the true attraction of Beng Melea is its feeling of ruined grandeur.