Roluos and Floating Village of Chong Khneas

This morning, we drive a short distance to the Roluos group of temples, the oldest of all the Angkorian temples, taking you along countryside roads surrounded by rice paddy fields and vegetable farms. Here you will visit the temples of Lolei, Preah Ko and Bakong, the first of the great pyramid temples.

The Roluos Group is a collection of monuments representing the remains of Hariharalaya, the first major capital of the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. The ancient capital was named for Hari-Hara, a synthesis of the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. Though there was an existing settlement in the area before the rise of Angkor, Hariharalaya was established as a capital city by Jayavarman II and served as the Khmer capital for over 70 years under four successive kings. Setting the pattern for the next four centuries, the first great Khmer temples (Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei) and baray (reservoir) were constructed at Hariharalaya. The last king at Hariharalaya, Yasovarman I, built the first major temple at Angkor, Phnom Bakheng, and moved the capital to the Bakheng area in 905 C.E.

From Bakong you continue into Roluos town to visit a local market, untouched by tourism. Here you will have a chance to walk around, taste fresh fruits and drink sugar cane juice – delicious and refreshing! This is a local countryside market. You will visit the Pagoda where you can chat with the villagers and learn about why and when the locals visit pagodas – and if you would like to, you may get a monk shower or blessing here. This tour is for those that want to experience the real treasure of Cambodia, its people! Whether it’s enjoying village life or the smiling faces of the children playing at the local primary school, you are sure to have a once in a lifetime experience.

After lunch, you will head south to the Tonle Sap Lake. Once you arrive at the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest in South East Asia, board a small boat and sail through the traditional floating village of Chong Khneas, witnessing the residents going about their daily life.

It is quite a sight to see a whole bamboo village complete with homes, petrol stations, schools, hair dressers and even karaoke bars, floating on a lake. So, you can experience the full beauty of Tonle Sap and watch the setting sun disappearing into the waters in silence.