Remote Temples

A bit further out in the countryside, some amazing hidden temples are ready to be discovered. Spend an extra day and explore these jewels in the jungle. Koh Ker and Beng Mealea are well preserved and allow visitors to fell as the early European explorers may have, stumbling on ancient jungle ruins while venturing through the stunning Cambodian country side.

Beng Mealea
Almost 80 km south-east of Siem Reap, Beng Malea is a large early 12th century Hindu-dedicated sandstone temple which emerges from the dense jungle, tangled up in massive tree roots. A new road has made it much more accessible in recent years, although it maintains its tranquil, remote feel. Exuding an oasis-in-the-jungle atmosphere, this is a favourite with temple enthusiasts keen to get off the beaten track.

Koh Ker
This vast collection of temples (more are continually being discovered) is dominated by a seven-storey step pyramid temple rising 40 meters above the jungle and crowned with a garuda, or mythical bird. Views from the peak across the forest canopy and Dangrek Mountains are breathtaking. Although a new road has been constructed,  this 10th century former capital of King Jayavarmin IV remains one of the less visited jungle temples, around 100 km north-east of the main Angkor complex.

Preah Vihear
This spectacular ancient Khmer temple is situated on the top of a 525 meter cliff in northern Cambodia on the border of eastern Thailand. In 1962, following a lengthy dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over ownership, the majority of the International Court of Justice in The Hague awarded the temple to Cambodia.

Offering a view for many kilometres across the hilly backcountry, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the Khmer empire. As a key edifice of the empire's spiritual life, it was supported and modified by successive kings and so bears elements of several architectural styles. Preah Vihear is unusual among Khmer temples in being constructed along a long north-south axis, rather than having the conventional rectangular plan with orientation toward the east. On July 7, 2008, Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The trip to the temple is long and requires an overnight stay outside of Siem Reap near Anlong Veng. Please ask for details if you intend on including Preah Vihear in you itinerary.