Angkor Wat Travel Tips
April 30, 2023 12:27 PM Subscribe
We will be visiting Angkor Wat in mid-May and would welcome any suggestions on how to make the most of our time there.
We are primarily interested in visiting the temples, but would like suggestions for prioritizing the different sites, and for any special aspects to keep our eyes open for. Additionally, any hidden gems or off-beat suggestions for day trips in the region would be most welcome. If anyone has been to the Battambang bat caves, we'd be interested to hear if it's worth the longer drive.
We already have accomodations booked, but are also interested in logistical aspects such as guides and tuktuks/ taxis.
Finally, one of us is pure mosquito bait, so ideas of how bad May is, times of day, and other mosquito dodging strategies?
We are primarily interested in visiting the temples, but would like suggestions for prioritizing the different sites, and for any special aspects to keep our eyes open for. Additionally, any hidden gems or off-beat suggestions for day trips in the region would be most welcome. If anyone has been to the Battambang bat caves, we'd be interested to hear if it's worth the longer drive.
We already have accomodations booked, but are also interested in logistical aspects such as guides and tuktuks/ taxis.
Finally, one of us is pure mosquito bait, so ideas of how bad May is, times of day, and other mosquito dodging strategies?
My first question would be how much time do you have? The complex is huge. We had plenty of time and the heat is fairly brutal, so we got a 7 day pass in one month pass.
Our strategy was to start with some of the smaller or farther away (but still significant) structures and then work our way up to the main ones, with a two- to four-hour visit first thing in the morning (the sites open at 5:30 a.m.) or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat.
We interspersed temple days with other activities to avoid the “temple fatigue” that we heard so many people talk about.
We didn't get a guide, but we do tend to be the type to do a ton of our own reading and research. We used a tuktuk driver (through our lodging, Seven Candles guesthouse) who was great about timing and avoiding crowds and even took us to visit his village one day after we treated him to lunch.
As for other great things to do:
Dani Jump at Bees Unlimited does really wonderful grassroots tours of local craftspeople, the market, and the floating village. These were some of our best Cambodian memories (and photos).
A group called Artisans d’Angkor, based in Siem Reap, works to train villagers in traditional skills such as wood and stone carving, lacquering, metalwork, and silk weaving. We had a good time touring their workshops and silk farm.
Phare is a terrific local circus group (Cirque de Soliel style, no animals) that funds an arts school for Cambodian kids
We took a fun cooking class too, but it seems to have gone out of business.. I'm sure you can find one if you are interested.
I loved Cambodia and hope you have a great trip. If you want to know more about our trip there, feel free to check out our (completely non-monetized) blog in my profile.
posted by quiet wanderer at 3:09 PM on April 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
Our strategy was to start with some of the smaller or farther away (but still significant) structures and then work our way up to the main ones, with a two- to four-hour visit first thing in the morning (the sites open at 5:30 a.m.) or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat.
We interspersed temple days with other activities to avoid the “temple fatigue” that we heard so many people talk about.
We didn't get a guide, but we do tend to be the type to do a ton of our own reading and research. We used a tuktuk driver (through our lodging, Seven Candles guesthouse) who was great about timing and avoiding crowds and even took us to visit his village one day after we treated him to lunch.
As for other great things to do:
Dani Jump at Bees Unlimited does really wonderful grassroots tours of local craftspeople, the market, and the floating village. These were some of our best Cambodian memories (and photos).
A group called Artisans d’Angkor, based in Siem Reap, works to train villagers in traditional skills such as wood and stone carving, lacquering, metalwork, and silk weaving. We had a good time touring their workshops and silk farm.
Phare is a terrific local circus group (Cirque de Soliel style, no animals) that funds an arts school for Cambodian kids
We took a fun cooking class too, but it seems to have gone out of business.. I'm sure you can find one if you are interested.
I loved Cambodia and hope you have a great trip. If you want to know more about our trip there, feel free to check out our (completely non-monetized) blog in my profile.
posted by quiet wanderer at 3:09 PM on April 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
Also in local shops (and maybe at the site?) you should be able to find a copy of the little book "The Customs of Cambodia" by Chinese ambassador, Zhou Daguan, who visited the court at Angkor Wat in 1296.
I really, really loved reading an account of what the Angkor complex looked like in its prime to help me visualize the ruins around me.
posted by quiet wanderer at 3:15 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
I really, really loved reading an account of what the Angkor complex looked like in its prime to help me visualize the ruins around me.
posted by quiet wanderer at 3:15 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
There are pizza places nearby that serve "happy pizza," which has marijuana in the sauce. No matter how much you smoke over here, if you order the happy pizza and eat more than a couple of slices, you will suffer from cannabis poisoning. (Ask me how I know.)
posted by goatdog at 3:25 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by goatdog at 3:25 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
We had a driver from our hotel take just us for one day in a tuktuk and it was great - he avoided where all the big buses stopped and we could eavesdrop on the tours we came across to get interesting information as we walked around each site. The second day we went with a small tour group, so we could get there at sunrise, and the guide was more informative but it was not as much fun and much more crowded, and we had to spend an hour at a restaurant filled with big tour groups before they would take us back to town.
One of the highlights was doing a food tour with Siem Reap Food Tours - they took us to restaurants outside of the tourist area and to local food trucks, and everything was so delicious. I still think about the Khmer noodles and the night market's grilled fish!
posted by phlox at 5:13 PM on April 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
One of the highlights was doing a food tour with Siem Reap Food Tours - they took us to restaurants outside of the tourist area and to local food trucks, and everything was so delicious. I still think about the Khmer noodles and the night market's grilled fish!
posted by phlox at 5:13 PM on April 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
Not so many people make the trek out to Beng Mealea, 68 km northeast of Siem Reap, especially if you get there just as it opens. It’s been a few years but other than a bit of wooden walkway, it was completely unrestored and you can clamber over the overgrown ruins and admire the precision stonework of the walls still standing. The admission is nominal if you don’t have a Pass.
Another view not to be missed, Mini Angkor Wat on Irina Rd (formerly St 17). With the right camera lens or a tilt-shift filter and a willingness to lie on the ground, you can get some pretty effective photos to compare with the real thing.
For a break from temples, the river that winds through Siem Reap has shady paths on either side and makes for lovely cycling to the edge of town in either direction.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:15 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Another view not to be missed, Mini Angkor Wat on Irina Rd (formerly St 17). With the right camera lens or a tilt-shift filter and a willingness to lie on the ground, you can get some pretty effective photos to compare with the real thing.
For a break from temples, the river that winds through Siem Reap has shady paths on either side and makes for lovely cycling to the edge of town in either direction.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:15 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Go early early early with a local guide to Angkor Wat; if you are there early enough you can not only get a beautiful view of the sunrise, but also get into the complex before the tour buses come.
After a couple of hours at Angkor Wat, you can head to Ta Prohm, and then Angkor Thom for sunset -- you want to be there at least two hours before sunset to get a good spot.
Enjoy your travels- i absolutely fell in love with Cambodia in my ten days there, and hope to go back soon.
posted by tinymojo at 7:22 PM on April 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
After a couple of hours at Angkor Wat, you can head to Ta Prohm, and then Angkor Thom for sunset -- you want to be there at least two hours before sunset to get a good spot.
Enjoy your travels- i absolutely fell in love with Cambodia in my ten days there, and hope to go back soon.
posted by tinymojo at 7:22 PM on April 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Strongly concur with Aramaic about the value of a private guide. We avoided crowds even though it was high season, had the temples practically to ourselves, and learned a ton. He also helped us avoid some cultural faux pas and be more respectful guests at the temples, picked us up at our hotel, and the AC of the car was VERY welcome on hot days after lots of walking.
Our guide was Mr. Priam Hear. He was lovely, knowledge and very reasonably priced. Website.
Please consider using a licensed guide instead of a tuk tuk driver. You will learn more, and be a more respectful visitor. The licensed guides start out as bus tour guides before being allowed to guide privately, so they are highly experienced.
We did 2 days in a row at the temple complex and a day in the city. It was a LOT and I was exhausted. I would have stayed for a week, eaten more AMAZING food, seen more of the region. I especially wanted to do a day trip bicycling to a couple villages and eating the local specialties. I would love to go back! Have a wonderful time!
posted by foodmapper at 7:33 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Our guide was Mr. Priam Hear. He was lovely, knowledge and very reasonably priced. Website.
Please consider using a licensed guide instead of a tuk tuk driver. You will learn more, and be a more respectful visitor. The licensed guides start out as bus tour guides before being allowed to guide privately, so they are highly experienced.
We did 2 days in a row at the temple complex and a day in the city. It was a LOT and I was exhausted. I would have stayed for a week, eaten more AMAZING food, seen more of the region. I especially wanted to do a day trip bicycling to a couple villages and eating the local specialties. I would love to go back! Have a wonderful time!
posted by foodmapper at 7:33 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
I did Angkor backwards from the usual route - started out in the further temples, and finished with sunset at Angkor Wat. Timing-wise this worked out perfectly as we were in the last group allowed in and it was less overrun with tourists, but if we'd been a bit later we would have missed it. This was pre-COVID and I expect a lot has changed - last summer Siem Reap was very quiet compared to peak times, I don't know what it's like in 2023.
The Battambang bat cave at sunset is a cool experience. Our hotel booked us a tuk-tuk who came to pick us up and drive us out for sunset, and we watched bats stream overhead for 30 minutes. I didn't do the other caves in the vicinity but I think it would be a worthwhile day out. I think you would need to stay overnight in Battambang unless you can find a driver who wants to take you back after sunset, I'm not sure it is worth the drive just for the bats.
Get a Cambodian SIM and use PassApp in Siem Reap/Battambang to get tuk-tuks.
posted by penguinliz at 8:35 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
The Battambang bat cave at sunset is a cool experience. Our hotel booked us a tuk-tuk who came to pick us up and drive us out for sunset, and we watched bats stream overhead for 30 minutes. I didn't do the other caves in the vicinity but I think it would be a worthwhile day out. I think you would need to stay overnight in Battambang unless you can find a driver who wants to take you back after sunset, I'm not sure it is worth the drive just for the bats.
Get a Cambodian SIM and use PassApp in Siem Reap/Battambang to get tuk-tuks.
posted by penguinliz at 8:35 PM on April 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Many years ago now, but I rented a bike for the temple complex (and a local driver for the places farther away), which was a fantastic way to get away from the crowds.
posted by Dotty at 5:52 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Dotty at 5:52 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I took a cooking class there that was fantastic but sadly I don’t remember the name of it anymore (if they are still in operation!) If you have an interest in that I’d look into it.
posted by music for skeletons at 9:10 AM on May 1, 2023
posted by music for skeletons at 9:10 AM on May 1, 2023
I visited quite some time ago but one day I rented a bike in Siem Reap and then rode around the temples myself, it was quite fun.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 9:33 AM on May 1, 2023
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 9:33 AM on May 1, 2023
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Nowadays the whole Angkor area can be utterly swamped by giant busloads of tourists from around the world but my local guide knew where the buses would be going, when, and for how long, so he just arranged my trip such that I didn't coincide with eighty-million other people trying to get the same poses for social media.
I saw buses arrive when I was leaving, I saw buses leave as I was arriving, and I saw busloads of people looking at the same thing I was seeing, but from a different direction and in a giant heaving crowd while I was standing there by myself unflustered.
There are some things that are gonna be crowded no matter what you do (sunrise photos at the main complex, for example) but in general the guide was worth his weight in gold every time (I always hire one; when I went decades ago it was to help me avoid areas that still had landmines, but they've always been useful even though the reason for the utility has varied).
posted by aramaic at 1:22 PM on April 30, 2023 [7 favorites]