Three days amongst the temples of Angkor Archaeological Park gave us a look at one of the region’s great empires. We were far from Indiana Jones exploring undiscovered temples amongst hanging vines and preforming death defying stunts; the 7,000 tourists that visit Angkor Wat on average every day saw to it. Regardless, it was a special experience and one well worth a trip to Siem Reap.
Ticket options include a one day pass for 20 USD, a 3 day pass for 40, or a 7 day pass for 60. The nice thing about the 3 day pass is that the days do not need to be consecutive. They can be spread throughout a week. The 7 day pass can be spread throughout a month. The 3 day pass is recommended and still you won’t see it all!
Day 1:
Preah Khan
Neak Pean
Ta Som
East Mebon
Pre Rup
The 3 Roules Temples
Day 2:
Angkor Thom: Bayon, Baphuan, Phimeanakas, Leper King Terrace, and Elephant Terrace.
Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple/ Tomb Raider Temple)
Angkor Wat
Day 3:
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Banteay Srei
Landmine Museum
Banteay Kdei
Sras Srang
Sunset at Angkor Wat
My recommendations:
Ticket options include a one day pass for 20 USD, a 3 day pass for 40, or a 7 day pass for 60. The nice thing about the 3 day pass is that the days do not need to be consecutive. They can be spread throughout a week. The 7 day pass can be spread throughout a month. The 3 day pass is recommended and still you won’t see it all!
Day 1:
Preah Khan
Neak Pean
Ta Som
East Mebon
Pre Rup
The 3 Roules Temples
Day 2:
Angkor Thom: Bayon, Baphuan, Phimeanakas, Leper King Terrace, and Elephant Terrace.
Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple/ Tomb Raider Temple)
Angkor Wat
Day 3:
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Banteay Srei
Landmine Museum
Banteay Kdei
Sras Srang
Sunset at Angkor Wat
My recommendations:
- For starters, try to plan an extra one or two days in Siem Reap so that you can have off days between your temple days. It is hot in Cambodia year round and walking in the sun all day can be very draining. Plus, the town has a few things to offer itself and there are some nice day trips outside of town.
- Pay 15 USD for a tuk tuk to drive you around all day. The temples are spread out and you need to be able to cover a large amount of ground in one day. Make sure you plan out your route with them first. Adding in sunrise and sunset should cost 3 USD extra each. If you want to go to the out laying temples like Banteay Srei, the tuk tuk will cost 30 USD or more.
- I think it is worth having a guide for the first day. We struggled finding a good guide. Check out Trip Advisor and reserve a professional guide. Don’t be cheap! Angkor Wat will be one of the highlights of your Southeast Asia trip. You might as well do it right.
- Carry your own food in or plan on bartering. Two of the days we had a guide. Both days the guide took us to overpriced restaurants. I quietly approached the owners and said the prices were too much and that we were going to have to leave. I was able to bring each dish down 50%. In town the same dishes were 1 USD and the restaurants wanted 6 USD. I shot for the middle ground, but you may be able to go lower.
- Food: Belmiro’s = Awesome Pizza (if you order a fresh pizza and not the already made slices) and Taj Mahal = Delicious 5 dollar Indian Platters and Haven= Out of this world food. For Haven you must make a reservation in advance. Their pumpkin vegetarian burger was unique and to die for. The best part about Haven is that it employees troubled youth and trains them so they can have careers in the hospitality industry. Why not enjoy delicious food and support a good cause at the same time.
- Lodging: I really enjoyed staying at the Bliss Villa, but have also heard great things about the Siem Reap Hostel (number one hostel in Cambodia).
- Don’t visit the Roules Temples. One of them is under restoration and the others really aren’t that exciting. Make a point of doing sunset at Pre Rup and Angkor Wat. To actually see the sunset at Angkor Wat you need to climb a nearby hill. Only 500 people are allowed up the hill, so make sure you go early. Your other options is to just witness Angkor Wat reflect the golden hue of the setting sun. For the sunrise leave your hotel no later than 4:30am. The hotel will tell you 5:00am is early enough, but it isn’t. If you have a tripod, you want to be in the front row!
- I do think there is value to doing some of the lesser known temples first. If you check out Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom first, everything else will seem insignificant.
- Bayon will rock your socks off. Check a guide book for recommendations on how to avoid the tour buses and what time of day is best for photography at each temple.
- The Landmine Museum is a bit redundant, but worth a visit. It highlights the reality of daily life for those impacted by landmines and the serious need to continue efforts to remove the remaining landmines throughout SE Asia.
- If you are traveling elsewhere in Cambodia, go with Giant Ibis. Their buses are comfortable, clean, and have a maximum speed of 95 kph. The road conditions in Cambodia are horrible and it is worth paying a bit more for a reliable bus company. Also, some of the cheaper buses are notorious for people in the luggage compartments ripping open zippers and stealing passengers’ belongings.