Explore the lesser-known but still magnificent temples built by King Jayavarman VII, consider the most powerful and influential of the Khmer monarchs, in the second half of the 12th century by a classic motorbike and sidecar on an exclusive Diethelm Distinctive experience.
After getting picked up at their hotel and hopping in the sidecar, guests embark on a memorable experience to discover some of Angkor’s smallest yet remarkable temple ruins. One of the stops along the journey will be Preah Khan. Located in the Angkor Archaeological Park and still largely unrestored, it shares similarities with the more famous Ta Prohm, covered in vegetation with trees seeming to swallow the ruins. Next, Kro Ko, which means “the shed of the oxen”, is a single tower monument with two enclosing walls built of laterite with an entry tower at the east and a moat with steps.
From there, the small and charming Neak Pean features a collection of five unique ponds with distinct features. Some historians believe that it represents Anavatapta, a mythical lake in the Himalayas with waters thought to cure all illnesses, and was originally designed for medical purposes. The ancient Khmer believed that bathing in these pools would balance a person’s elements and cure diseases based on the Hindu belief of balance with four connected pools representing water, earth, fire and wind.
Finally, the experience ends with a stop at Ta Som. Little is known about the purpose of Ta Som temple, but it may have been dedicated to the King’s father or one of his teachers. Ta Som was swallowed up by the jungle until the 1930s, when it was cleared out enough for visitors to access the site, but left in its mostly unrestored state. Ta Som depicts both Hindu and Buddhist icons, as the official Angkor religion switched back and forth over the centuries.
This customisable tour can be specially designed to meet the guests’ particular interests, check with our tour experts here.
Tour code: REPSTJEW