CHAW SREI VIBOL TOUR ITINERARY
ANGKOR TOUR
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MORNING
Pick up from the hotel at 8:30 am, at lobby in SIEM REAP
- 8:30am – 9:10am (40mn) : Drive from HOTEL – CHAW SREI VIBOL in 27km on national street 6 and turn left to national street N:66 by passing ROLOUS GROUP.
- 9:10am – 12:10pm (3h) : VISIT: CHAW SREI VIBOL temple.
AFTERNOON
- 12:10pm – 1:10pm (1h) : Break for LUNCH
- 1:10pm – 5:00pm : After finishing this TRIP you have 2 choices to add attractions on the way back (choose one of your favorite):
– ROLOUS GROUP (PREAH KO – BAKONG – LOLEI)
– TONLE SAP LAKE TOUR (Kompong Pluk)
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PHOTO GARLLERY OF CHAW SREI VIBOL
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NOTED: WE ARE FLEXIBLE, WE DON’T LIMIT THE TIME FOR YOUR TRIP, WE ONLY SET ESTIMATED TIME BY FLOLLOWING OUR EXPERIANCE!
CHECK THE ATTRACTIONS AND PRICE NEXT PAGES
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TOUR ATTRACTION HISTORIES
CHAW SREI VIBOL HISTORY
Chau Srei Vibol Temple (built early 11th century)
Chau Srei Vibol, also known by its modern name Wat Trak, is a large hilltop temple complex about 17 kilometers due east of Angkor Wat. Due to its distance from the bulk of the monuments in the Angkor archaeological zone, the site is rarely visited by tourists and remains shrouded in mystery. No stelae or epigraphic inscriptions have ever been found to attest to its significance or lineage. Construction of the temple probably dates to the reign of Suryavarman I (r. 1006-1050?), a prolific builder who was responsible for a number of large-scale building projects along the fringes of the empire including Preah Khan Kompong Svay, Preah Vihear, and Phnom Chisor (near present-day Phnom Penh). Closer to home, he also erected the temple-mountain Phimeanakas, Ta Keo, and the enormous western baray reservoir (measuring 2.1 x 8 kilometers). Chau Srei Vibol was built on a similar monumental scale with a moat measuring 1 x 1.5 kilometers, enclosing an artificial ‘island’ measuring roughly 650 x 1050 meters. The temple sat alongside the eastern branch of the great royal road linking central Angkor to the iron-smelting center at Preah Khan Kampong Svay, about 80 kilometers due east. Like pearls on a necklace, a variety of royal rest houses and other important temples—such as Beng Mealea—dotted the roadside at regular intervals. Though Chau Srei Vibol was not the reason for the road’s existence, it clearly benefited from its presence.
In Suryavarman’s time the temple probably stood at the heart of a vast metropolis or one which was planned, as the temple’s inner enclosure occupies less than 1% of the land contained within the moat. Nothing remains of the city’s residential structures, as these were typically made of perishable materials. The only surviving structures, apart from the inner sanctuary and the perimeter walls, are a laterite-lined reservoir to the southwest and a curious cruciform-shaped building to the south. The purpose of the latter structure is not known, though it strongly resembles a similar (though more refined) hall at Beng Mealea.
The temple has never been restored and is now in a precarious state. As early as 1903 Lunet de La Jonquire remarked on the temple’s poor condition, noting signs of deliberate damage (particularly on the east gopura of the 2nd enclosure). Vittorio Roveda notes that “The locals blame foreign invaders, presumably the Siamese” (p. 362). Petrotchenko, on the other hand, suggests that Cham armies may have inflicted harm as they burst upon the empire from the east, passing by (or through) Chao Srei Vibol as they marched on Angkor to the west.
The heart of the temple is its innermost enclosure, measuring about 40 x 50 meters. It stands on the summit of a natural hillock about 30 meters above the surrounding plain, suggesting that the location of the temple was determined foremost by topographic factors. In plan it strongly resembles Chau Say Tevoda or the inner enclosure of Banteay Samre, though the central tower lacks a mandapa (long antechamber). Like other temples built by Suryavarman I, the stonework exhibits a high degree of craftsmanship with particularly refined carvings visible on the rear of the south ‘library’, the best preserved building.
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KOMPONG PLUK FLOODED MANGROVE TREES AND LONG STILT-HOUSES Kampong Phluk is a cluster of three villages of stilted houses built within the floodplain about 16 km southeast of Siem Reap. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to a variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. During the dry season when the lake is low, the buildings in the villages seem to soar atop their 6-meter stilts exposed by the lack of water. At this time of year many of the villagers move out onto the lake and build temporary houses. In the wet season when water level rises, the villagers move back to their permanent houses on the floodplain, the stilts now hidden under the water. Kampong Phluk’s economy is, as one might expect, based in fishing, primary in shrimp harvesting. Kampong Phluk sees comparatively few foreign visitors and offers a close look at the submerged forest and lakeside village life. The area can be reached by boat from the Chong Khneas or by road. Make arrangements through your guesthouse of tour operator, or charter a boat at the Chong Khneas docks. During the wet season, drive to Roluos village just off Route #6 east of Siem Reap and then take a boat through the flooded forest the rest of the way. During the dry season the road is clear, making the boat unnecessary. Much of the road has recently been improved, now paved most of the way. |
ROLOUS GROUP: LO LEI, PREAH KO AND BAKONG TEMPLE (3DAYS ENTRANCE FEE INCLUSION)
LO LEI TEMPLE
PREAH KO TEMPLE PREAH KO (Khmer, The Sacred Bull) was the first temple to be built in the ancient and now defunct city of Hariharalaya (in the area that today is called Rolous), some 15 kilometers south-east of the main group of temples at Angkor, Cambodia. The temple was built under the Khmer King Indravarman I in 879 to honor members of the king’s family, whom it places in relation with the Hindu deity Shiva. BAKONG TEMPLE
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CHEW SREI VIBOL PRICE OF ANGKOR TOUR
Transportation by private Ac car and Mini Van
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INCLUSION
- Driver food and accommodation
- Gasoline
- Parking fees/ tolls
- Cool waters and towels
EXCLUSION
- All entrance fees pay by your own account
- Your meals and hotel pay by your own account
- English speaking tour guide (if you need professional English tour guide please inform to us we will arrange with driver for you)