I’ve been wanting to go to Cambodia for a very long time and at last I used to be capable of go to earlier than a enterprise journey to Singapore. As I don’t thoughts driving to a spot of curiosity and again once more the identical day I made a decision to base myself in Siem Reap. There have been 6-day journeys which I needed to do which might cowl most locations of curiosity close to Siem Reap. Besides Preah Vihear I didn’t embrace any off the overwhelmed observe temples this time. I used to be certain I might return someday to do a Ho Chi Minh Metropolis to Siem Reap itinerary together with a Mekong Cruise. Be part of me on my environment friendly day journeys however take into account they’re packed. If you would like extra time to loosen up; simply cut up a few of them up over two days. It’s straightforward!
Siem Reap Itinerary Day 1 & 2 – Arrival & Planning
The primary two days have been nothing however flights. Fortunately I used to be capable of purchase low cost enterprise class flights from the Netherlands to Siem Reap. This makes an longhaul flight way more nice. As I arrived within the late afternoon on the Park Hyatt Resort in Siem Reap I simply relaxed there and known as it an evening early night.
Planning this Siem Reap itinerary could be very simple. There are simply three factors I like to recommend holding in thoughts:
- Ensure that to purchase an Angkor 3-day move straight once you arrive. You have to go personally as they take a photograph of you which ones is printed on the move. It’s legitimate for 3 days which might be any day after the primary day you activate the move. It’s an costly move however provides entry to all of the temples round Siem Reap.
- Do you want a Cambodia visum? In the event you do like me then get one simply on-line with e-Visums. Problem free and it makes certain you enter Cambodia easily.
- As driving in Cambodia requires an area driving allow it’s higher to rent a automobile with driver. Site visitors is chaotic, so that is in all probability higher anyway. A sedan with driver ought to price no more as 75 USD a day should you negotiate it accurately.
I booked all of the automobiles up entrance which in all probability precipitated me to pay a bit an excessive amount of however doing it on the spot once you arrive isn’t an issue too. There are automobiles and drivers sufficient. For the day journeys near Siem Reap you too can choose to rent a tuk tuk which is less expensive after all. I most well-liked air-con over the warmth although.
Siem Reap Itinerary Day 3 – Metropolis Middle & Helicopter Flight
The primary day of my Siem Reap itinerary began with a scrumptious breakfast on the Park Hyatt lodge in Siem Reap. It’s situated within the metropolis heart and I walked from there to the most important sights on the town. Round 3PM I took a taxi (air-con!) to the airport for my helicopter flight over the Angkor Wat space. This provides an incredible impression how giant the previous Khmer Empire really was. Within the night I went to Pub Road, as I might all future evenings and nights. It’s loopy there!
EXTEND YOUR TRIP: Need extra time to loosen up at your lodges pool or simply wander round Siem Reap? Simply add days and go to simply one of many locations of curiosity in Siem Reap a day.
For detailed background data please learn my day itinerary:
CAMBODIA – A day in Siem Reap and a helicopter flight over Angkor Wat
Siem Reap Itinerary Day 4 – Angkor Wat day tour
Angkor Wat is a big advanced together with all the encompassing temples. Truly, a day isn’t sufficient to essentially take pleasure in all of it. I extremely suggest visiting East Mebon on a day journey together with Kulen Mountain and Banteay Srei. It is going to in any other case spoil your day. The route I adopted is feasible in a day, however you’ll should take a automobile or tuk tuk from one place to a different. After I look again on my go to two days on my Siem Reap itinerary for all these temples would have been a lot better.
The temples I visited are in chronological order: Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Elephant and Leper king terraces, Preah Khan, Glimpse of East Mebon (which I visited one other day) and Ta Prohm (jungle temple the place they shot the film Tomb Raider) and final Angkor Wat (the most important Hindu temple on the planet). It was an extended day, however each single temple was magnificent.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP: When you’ve got the time plan two days as an alternative of 1 for all these temples. The Angkor Wat 3-day move permits this as you solely want it one different day on the Rolous Group.
For detailed background data please learn my day itinerary:
Siem Reap Itinerary Day 5 – Koh Ker & Ben Mealea Temple and the Rubbish dump
The Angkor Wat advanced simply outdoors of Siem Reap shouldn’t be the one place of curiosity. The previous Koh Ker metropolis advanced and the Beng Mealea temple are each properly price a day journey. Each are within the north and kind a ravishing mixed day journey from Siem Reap. I like to recommend to take a non-public automobile which is probably the most environment friendly strategy to get there. On the best way again I made a cease on the Anlong Pi rubbish dump simply outdoors of Siem Reap. It’s a day stuffed with previous Khmer Empire historical past and in addition an eye fixed opener should you see the poverty on the rubbish dump.
For detailed background data please learn my day itinerary:
CAMBODIA – A day journey to Koh Ker & Beng Mealea advanced from Siem Reap
Siem Reap Itinerary Day 6 – Preah Vihear Temple, Pol Pot and Lon Nol
The Preah Vihear Temple is an historic advanced within the north of Cambodia near the Thai border. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Web site so a spot I couldn’t skip after I was in Siem Reap. The drive from Siem Reap takes a number of hours however is properly price a day journey. I mixed the journey with a go to to the Pol Pot grave and Lon Nol home that are additionally situated within the space. You may as well fly there by helicopter in order for you, however after my helicopter flight over Angkor Wat my price range didn’t permit that anymore. I went in a non-public automobile, which was probably the most environment friendly.
For detailed background data please learn my day itinerary:
CAMBODIA – The Preah Vihear Temple is a should do day journey from Siem Reap
Siem Reap Itinerary Day 7 – Kulen Mountain, Banteay Srei & East Mebon
The seventh day of my Siem Reap itinerary concerned once more an extended drive into the nation aspect. It’s an ideal journey in case you are uninterested in Angkor Wat or Siem Reap. The primary cease is the farthest away on the Kulen Mountain vary. There’s a stunning Buddhist temple advanced and numerous waterfalls within the lush jungle round it. Within the river, there are stunning carvings of assorted Hindu and Buddhist spiritual scenes.
After lunch, I continued to Banteay Srei which has probably the most stunning carved decorations of all of the temples I’ve seen in Cambodia. From there it’s a brief drive to the Cambodian Landmine Museum which is a must-see place to study concerning the historical past and all of the landmines which might be nonetheless discovered immediately. The final cease was at East Mebon, a temple most well-known for its elephant statues. It’s a day with totally different locations of curiosity and leaves time within the afternoon to loosen up on the pool.
For detailed background data please learn my day itinerary:
CAMBODIA – Bored with Angkor Wat? Go to Kulen Mountain, Banteay Srei & East Mebon
Siem Reap Itinerary Day 8 – Native life at water village, silk farm and Rolous temple advanced
At the present time of my Siem Reap itinerary was all about native life and meals. The primary cease was on the Tonlé Sap lake to go to the water villages. Native markets, youngsters that go to a floating college by boat, crocodile farms and way more native life. The second cease was at an area silk farm the place I realized how silk is processed from harvest till the finalized product.
Within the afternoon, I finished by an area orphanage the place the youngsters promote their work and I completed the day on the Rolous Group. The Rolous Group is only a little bit of the overwhelmed observe however, particularly within the afternoon, you’ll be able to see way more locals across the advanced. I had dinner at an area restaurant outdoors of Siem Reap the place locals go, I had turtle and uncooked turtle eggs. Scrumptious!
For detailed background data please learn my day itinerary:
CAMBODIA – Should do: Siem Reap native life at water village, silk farm and Rolous temple advanced
Siem Reap Itinerary Day 9 – Departure
As I needed to proceed to Singapore for enterprise and from there I flew dwelling so I needed to e-book a single manner ticket. These are usually costly on important flag carriers, however Jetstar was additionally flying the Siem Reap to Singapore route. Sadly, they’re a bit choosy on carry-on and checked baggage, however I managed with my 22 kilo hand baggage. Tickets have been low cost!
This Siem Reap itinerary contains most must-do day journeys from Siem Reap for a primary timer. There are extra day journeys extra off the overwhelmed observe to Banteay Chhmar, Prasat Preah Khan Kampong Svay and Sambor Prei Kuk. I visited these after I returned to Siem Reap 5 years after my first journey. See my Ho Chi Minh Metropolis to Siem Reap itinerary with Mekong Cruise for extra data. I’m certain you discover it helpful too.
If you wish to join one other nation to this Siem Reap itinerary I like to recommend studying my 2-weeks Vietnam itinerary, 2-3-weeks Thailand itinerary for inspiration. They’re nice extensions for a South East Asia journey.
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Gallery Siem Reap Itinerary
Click on a picture for a full display gallery of extra images taken throughout this journey. In the event you like to make use of any photograph for industrial, personal or editorial use please contact first for permission and/or pricing.
Please consult with the varied day journey articles to see a bigger assortment of images. These images date from earlier than my skilled pictures carreer and are all made with a digital compact digicam and never edited. Contact me with photograph requests and I’ll be comfortable to retouch any of the images.
