A Journey Through Time and Culture: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Guests arrived in Siem Reap, a city where history whispered from every stone and the spirit of Cambodia welcomed them like an old friend. As twilight descended, an extraordinary evening awaited. After a sumptuous dinner, they transferred to the Phare Circus, where an unforgettable performance unfolded beneath the golden lights of the big top.

At Phare, the Cambodian Circus—an inspiring initiative by a local NGO empowering Khmer youth through art—guests were swept away by a high-energy spectacle of acrobatics, tightrope artistry, contortion, live music, and riveting theatre. Every performance was a vibrant homage to Cambodian culture and resilience, leaving audiences both exhilarated and deeply moved. As the evening drew to a close, many lingered a little longer, picking up hand-crafted souvenirs that carried the spirit of the show.

Beyond the big top, Siem Reap revealed itself as a city straddling two magnificent worlds—an ancient empire’s grandeur and a modern city’s exuberant heartbeat. Once the site of the Khmer Empire’s successive capitals, this charming city unfolded around the majestic Angkor Archaeological Park, just four miles north of the bustling center. Here, among the 150 square miles of sacred ruins—including the legendary Angkor Wat—travellers found more than history; they discovered a destination brimming with life, creativity, and soul. Siem Reap invited guests to slow down, to savor every story woven into its streets and temples.

Private Immersion: Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Wat

One morning, guests found themselves stepping back in time, wandering among the crumbling wonders of an ancient civilisation. Their journey began at Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer Empire. Here, the grandeur of the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King hinted at a glorious past. At the heart of the city stood the mesmerizing Bayon Temple—a 12th-century marvel adorned with more than 200 serene, smiling faces carved into soaring towers. PJ de Beerski’s words came alive: “godliness in the majesty and the size, mystery in the expression.”

The path then led to the mystical Ta Prohm, where nature and architecture danced a slow, eternal waltz. Left much as French explorers found it, Ta Prohm’s labyrinthine passageways and ancient stones were wrapped in the giant, sinewy roots of banyan trees—an awe-inspiring testament to nature’s relentless embrace. Historians and dreamers alike have long been captivated by the temple’s otherworldly beauty.

After a lunch rich in authentic Cambodian flavors, the afternoon unfolded at Angkor Wat—the crown jewel of Khmer architecture. Conceived by King Suryavarman II and believed to have taken over three decades to complete, Angkor Wat stood as the largest religious monument on Earth, its elegant silhouette now an emblem of Cambodia itself. Facing west in homage to the setting sun and inspired by 12th-century Hinduism, the temple’s intricate bas-reliefs—especially the stirring depiction of the Churning of the Sea of Milk—offered a mesmerizing glimpse into ancient cosmology and craftsmanship.

Morning Adventure: Kompong Khleang and Tonle Sap Lake

The next morning, guests ventured an hour beyond Siem Reap to discover the enchanting village of Kompong Khleang. Built high on stilts above the waters of Tonle Sap Lake, this floating village was home to around 6,000 souls, each tethered to the ebb and flow of the seasons. In the monsoon months, the streets transformed into shimmering canals, navigated gracefully by boat. Whether in the lush, green floods or the dry, golden dust, Kompong Khleang offered an ever-changing tableau of Cambodian life untouched by time.

Exquisite Retreat: Anantara Angkor Resort

Throughout their journey, guests found sanctuary at the 5-Star Anantara Angkor Resort, an all-suite oasis just fifteen minutes from Angkor Wat. Combining understated elegance with authentic Khmer touches, Anantara offered the ultimate base for exploration—whether by vintage Vespa, traditional tuk-tuk, or soaring helicopter. Guests were guided by Temple Gurus to hidden ruins and accompanied by Streetwise Gurus to uncover the city’s best-kept culinary and shopping secrets. Every experience was curated with care, ensuring each moment in Siem Reap was as timeless as the temples themselves.