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Cambodia is without doubt one of the first nations in SE Asia that I visited in my travels. Situated in between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, Cambodia is world well-known for its historical metropolis of Angkor Wat. Though there’s lots extra to see within the nation, Cambodia is usually overshadowed by its neighbors and plenty of vacationers go for a fast journey out and in of Siem Reap.
This itinerary will present methods to greatest plan a 5-7 day journey by means of the nation visiting among the highlights. That is on no account sufficient time to essentially see the entire nation however I can be again. I’ve been to Angkor Wat 2x time and you may learn my full submit about Angkor Wat if you need extra particulars on planning a visit to the well-known temples!
Angkor Wat is one in all my favourite temples however how does it stack as much as my different favourite historical cities in Petra and Wadi Rum? Learn my comparability submit between the three historical cities.
Greatest time of yr to go to Cambodia
The most effective time of yr to go to Cambodia for a vacationer largely depends upon what sort of climate and actions you favor. Cambodia has a tropical local weather, with two distinct seasons: the wet season and the dry season.
The dry season, which usually runs from November to April, is taken into account one of the best time to go to Cambodia for these trying to keep away from the rain and benefit from the heat and sunny climate. That is additionally the height vacationer season, so it’s a great time to go to the nation’s well-known temples, similar to Angkor Wat, in addition to take pleasure in different outside actions like swimming and climbing.
Temperatures in the course of the dry season will vary from 20 levels at evening to 35 in the course of the days. The local weather can be significantly drier than most tropical areas I’ve been to.
The wet season, which runs from Could to October, is taken into account the off-season for tourism in Cambodia. The climate throughout this time is scorching and humid, with heavy rainfall and occasional flooding in some areas. Nevertheless, it’s a good time to search out good offers on lodging and actions, and in addition it’s a good time for fowl watching and it’s excellent for exploring the nation’s lovely waterfalls and rural areas.
My Full Itinerary for Cambodia
The itinerary begins from a flight into Siem Reap. You possibly can attain Siem Reap from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Hanoi, and a wide range of different cities across the area. Alternatively, you may also take a bus to Siem Reap from Bangkok however be ready to spend a very long time on the bus!
I stayed a complete of 4 nights in Siem Reap so I might unfold out exploring Angkor Wat over a a number of days versus making an attempt to cram all of it in for 1 day. Siem Reap can be close by to the floating markets that are undoubtedly value a day journey to go to.
From Siem Reap, I took a bus switch to Phnom Penh which traversed the Cambodian countryside. Lastly, the journey ends in Phnom Penh with visits to the Genocide Museum, royal palace, killing fields and so on. I might have cherished to go to the Cambodian islands within the Gulf of Thailand however that’ll must be saved for one more journey.
Day 1-5: Visiting Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat has solely been a vacationer attraction for twenty years. Twenty years in the past, there have been hardly any vacationers as Cambodia lastly moved ahead from a long time of civil battle and unrest. The place actually exploded onto the scene within the mid 2000s particularly after the Tomb Raider film got here out which was filmed in Angkor Wat (extra data on this later).
Unfold out your go to is feasible
After coming to Angkor Wat two instances, I feel one of the best recommendation I might have for folks is to unfold out your go to over three days. When you can see every little thing in simply someday, it might be much more satisfying to do it with out being rushed.
The explanation for that is merely how scorching it will get within the park. After 11am, the solar is unforgiving and I simply wished to go dwelling and sleep. Given how shut Angkor Wat is to Siem Reap (solely quarter-hour drive), it’s completely doable to only return to your lodge and chill for the afternoon earlier than returning to the park when it cools down round 4pm.
As well as, should you determine to do the dawn, you’ll want to depart your lodge by 5am to reach in time. This can certainly make you drained and also you received’t have a lot vitality for the remainder of the day to correctly discover the temples. In brief, temple fatigue is an actual factor. Not solely will you are feeling higher bodily spreading it out over three days, however you’ll probably benefit from the temples and what they’ve to supply when you’re not burdened about seeing every little thing as rapidly as doable.
Arranging transportation to Angkor Wat
The temples of Angkor embody 500 acres of land. It’s a large place to say the least and transportation whereas not necessary is closely suggested. The temples are additionally positioned within the Cambodian jungle and might be one of many hottest and most humid locations I’ve been in my life.
Even brief shorts and a tank high had been no match for the blistering solar as I couldn’t cease sweating and I wasn’t even partaking in any strenuous exercise. I additionally got here throughout a cool a part of the yr so I might solely think about how a lot worse it might have been if I had come in the course of the moist season of March-Could.
When you CAN stroll by means of Angkor Wat, the overwhelming majority of individuals will hire a tuk tuk with a driver for the whole day. My lodge, together with ever different lodge and hostel in Siem Reap will give you the providers of a tuk tuk driver. There are a number of itineraries for Angkor that can be supplied and I simply selected the favored ones that take you to all the primary temples.
For 1 full day as of 2023, I paid $18. Sure, $18 for somebody to select me up at my lodge at 5am for the dawn to sundown at 6pm. I needed to preserve telling myself that whereas it appeared like a ridiculous low amount of cash, $18 is A LOT of cash for a days work in Cambodia.
Be sure to get a remorque automobile which is completely different than the usual tuk tuk. The Remorques are basically old fashioned carriages being pulled by a scooter. These automobiles have more room and is totally open which permits for views of the attractive park.
My driver would drop me off at every web site and would waited for me among the many sea of different tuk tuk drivers (which he appeared to all know), whereas I did my factor strolling by means of the temple.
Tour guides for Angkor Wat
Hiring a tour information is a smart transfer when visiting Angkor Wat. There’s a lot details about this temple that you just received’t be taught something should you simply walked round aimlessly by yourself.
For instance, do you know that Angkor Wat was constructed as a Hindu temple initially for the reason that folks of that point had been Hindu and solely later grew to become a Buddhist temple when the rulers transformed accordingly?
Ya I by no means would have both.
You possibly can prebook a tour with tour guides that can choose you up in a tuk tuk or Remorque automobile. These excursions are typically fairly costly at round $40-50 USD per particular person. The higher possibility is to only discover a information within the park once you arrive. There are often guides ready round to be employed for the day. These costs can be a lot decrease particularly in case you are splitting between a number of folks.
Alternatively, you possibly can ebook excursions with E-bikes, common bicycles, and even a guided tour with Vespas. There’s actually every little thing you possibly can consider in Siem Reap.
Sadly, even with hiring a information for Angkor Wat, I forgot most of what he instructed me for the reason that climate was simply too scorching and also you simply wished to return to your lodge and sleep afterwards.
Costume Code for Angkor Wat
As of 2016, there’s now a gown code for visiting the temples of Angkor Wat. Women and men should cowl up the shoulders and the knees always whereas contained in the temple. This implies women and men can not put on tank tops or tremendous brief shorts.
That is enforced in a lot of the temples I visited. Some temples had guards that didn’t care however most of them instructed me to place a shirt on. I did have above the knee shorts however they didn’t care about this in the long run.
When you’re not inside a temple, you might be free to put on no matter you need and I caught to my sleeveless shirts the whole means. I carried a linen shirt that I threw on when contained in the temple. Respect the native guidelines and tradition!
Entry Prices for Angkor Wat
So far as grand, historic, misplaced cities go, Angkor Wat is on the cheaper facet for my part. There are three choices obtainable for buy:
As of 2022, the costs for entry are as follows
- 1 day cross – $37
- 3 day cross – $62
- 7 day cross – $72
Tickets will be bought on the ticket workplace proper earlier than getting into Angkor Wat. Your tuk tuk driver will take you right here should you don’t have already got tickets. Your image is taken with every ticket so to stop you from sharing unused tickets with different folks.
For those who’re right here for two days, you’ll mechanically buy the three day ticket as there are not any particular reductions for two day visits.
Dawn at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the most important and hottest temple in Angkor. It’s this temple that’s unfold out on journey magazines and Instagram pics and sure the image that made you say “Oh that’s wonderful, I have to go”. Most individuals mistake Angkor Wat (myself included) to imply the whole compound.
When most individuals say they’re visiting Angkor Wat, they imply to say they’re visiting the traditional metropolis of Angkor. There are dozens of different temples in Angkor. Nonetheless, everybody will get the concept.
Angkor Wat is probably going the primary cease on most individuals’s agendas. Coming right here for the dawn is extremely fashionable and a should do in keeping with each journey weblog and ebook I learn. Naturally, I get a excessive FOMO once I journey so I made positive to get up at 4am. My tuk tuk was already ready for me and after shopping for the tickets, we had been dropped off in entrance of Angkor Wat within the pitch darkness following the crowds of individuals making their solution to see the dawn.
Everybody assembles close to to the pond which permits for lovely photographs with the enduring reflections of Angkor Wat.
Sadly, the day I got here, everybody else on the planet appeared to have determined to return as effectively. By the point we bought to the viewing space (~5am), it was already packed. I couldn’t even get near the pond. It was a whole shitshow and I felt like I used to be at a music pageant as a substitute of an historical temple.
I do know Angkor Wat has seen an explosion of tourism within the final decade, particularly with the bulging Chinese language center class flexing their journey muscle mass, however this was terrible. I’d reckon there have been two to 3 thousand folks ready for the dawn. Maybe I simply picked a extremely dangerous day to go to, however I couldn’t assist excited about my time sitting in entrance of the monastery at Petra with no soul in sight.
After taking some pics wherever I might, we determined it was a misplaced trigger and entered the temple. Seems, we must always have carried out this earlier as a result of whereas everybody was busy watching the dawn, the within of the temple itself was largely devoid of vacationers. Regardless of the massive swaths of vacationers, Angkor Wat is certainly a powerful place. The carvings, pillars, and statues are nonetheless in nice situation.
The dimensions of Angkor Wat can be amazingly spectacular. There’s no denying that it’s the largest temple on the planet. There have been the occasional monks that had been really praying, however they should have gotten all of it in effectively earlier than the dawn as a result of I’m unsure how they might discover zen on this place these days.
We walked round for about an hour, pausing to take a great deal of photos alongside the way in which. Individuals slowly trickled in and by the point we left, it was getting so crowded, it was exhausting to maneuver.
There was a mini meals market setup outdoors the temple for all of the vacationers to eat at. Every had a humorous Western identify like “Rambo”, or “Harry Potter”. They’re all the identical and despite the fact that the meals is 2x of that on the town, it’s nonetheless remarkably low cost.
Angkor Thom
After breakfast, we proceeded additional into Angkor to Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom is sort of a mini metropolis inside Angkor that was as soon as the capital of the Khmer empire. It’s surrounded by big gates and the southern entrance we entered by means of was essentially the most effectively preserved, and most touristy.
There are quite a few sights to see right here however the primary attraction for my part is the Bayon Temple, one other big temple that rivals that of Angkor Wat. I really discovered Bayon Temple to be as spectacular, if no more so than Angkor Wat.
We determined to do the elephant trip right here across the temple. As touristy as this was, $20 for an elephant trip is sort of low cost in comparison with the elephant rides in Thailand and South Africa. Plus, you get to trip it round this wonderful temple advanced
Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple)
After spending a couple of hours in Angkor Thom, we proceeded on to Ta Prohm is a phenomenal temple, sure by large roots of big bushes. Again within the days it was very completely different: one might see partitions embellished by valuable stones, hear lovely music, and dancing within the halls.
When in late nineteenth century Ta Prohm was found by French, they determined to not conduct a full-scale restoration of the temple. The choice was made resulting from the truth that big bushes, similar to ficus and silk tree, had been so merged with historical partitions that ultimately they grew to become complete.
This temple, nonetheless, might be greatest recognized for its use within the film Tomb Raider. No less than that’s what my tuk tuk driver stored telling me it was – “Johnny, subsequent cease is the Tomb Raider temple!”
The opposite temples
It’s exhausting to not get temple fatigue at Angkor wat, not simply from seeing limitless temples however the excessive warmth that’s not possible to flee from (make certain to convey loads of water!). That’s why folks suggest you spend not less than 2-3 days right here to separate up the sightseeing. We bought temple fatigue round 1pm! Nonetheless, we pushed on and noticed a couple of extra temples earlier than heading again to Siem Reap for a pleasant spherical of massages. We ended up going to Ta Keo, Ta Nei, Ta Promenade, Bantea Kdei.
Sundown at Angkor Wat
The traditional knowledge is to do dawn at Angkor Wat and Sundown on the Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom. You’ll even be sharing these valuable moments with 1000’s of different folks. After speaking to some vacationers, they beneficial I strive it within the reverse order.
Whereas I couldn’t abdomen waking up at 4am once more for one more dawn, I did return to Angkor Wat on my second day for the sundown and what a great choice that was! Whereas there are nonetheless folks right here (you’ll by no means discover peace and solace at Angkor Wat), it was much better than the dawn I witnessed the day earlier than. Because the solar rises behind the temple, it units in entrance of it, thereby shining down and illuminating all the colours and particulars of the temple for sundown.
Sundown at Phnom Bakheng
One of the crucial fashionable sundown spots in Angkor Wat is the temple of Phnom Bakheng. This is without doubt one of the few temples open till 7pm making it the proper place to see the sundown.
You’ll must hike about quarter-hour to the highest of this temple which is why it’s so fashionable for these on the lookout for excellent views.
The temple itself isn’t something particular however the sundown right here is unimaginable as you possibly can see all the way in which to the encircling lakes and valley.
Count on to see numerous different folks additionally making an attempt to benefit from the sundown as this is without doubt one of the hottest areas of the park.
Floating Villages of Siem Reap
The floating villages of Cambodia are a novel and engaging facet of the nation’s tradition and lifestyle. These villages are positioned on the Tonle Sap Lake, the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, and are dwelling to 1000’s of individuals.
The homes in these villages are constructed on stilts and are manufactured from wooden and different domestically obtainable supplies. They’re linked by a community of boardwalks and bridges, making a form of floating neighborhood. The residents of those villages depend on the lake for his or her livelihoods, fishing and farming being the primary sources of earnings.
The floating villages are additionally dwelling to floating colleges, floating temples, and floating markets, that are bustling with exercise. The floating markets present a novel and colourful expertise, with distributors promoting every little thing from contemporary produce to handmade crafts.
Regardless of the challenges of residing on the water, the folks of those villages have created a sustainable lifestyle. They’ve tailored to the altering water ranges of the lake and have applied programs to handle waste and sewage. If you go to the floating villages, understand that this isn’t only a vacationer attraction however really day after day life for the folks that decision this half dwelling.
The floating villages of Cambodia are a testomony to the resilience and resourcefulness of the Cambodian folks and are a must-see for anybody visiting the nation.
First, it’s greatest to go to in the course of the dry season (November-Could), because the water degree is decrease and it’s simpler to navigate by means of the villages. In the course of the moist season (June-October), the water degree can rise considerably, making it tough to entry the villages.
There are a number of tour operators in Siem Reap that supply boat excursions to the floating villages. These excursions usually embrace transportation to and from the village, a ship trip by means of the village, and a neighborhood information to offer details about the village and its inhabitants. Some excursions additionally embrace a cease at a floating faculty or market.
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Getting type Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is the subsequent a part of this itinerary. There are a mess of how to get from the 2 most populous cities in Cambodia. In the long run, I flew out of Phnom Penh as a result of the flights had been simply considerably cheaper however I might have most likely simply ended the journey in Siem Reap in any other case.
To get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, listed below are the strategies of transport:
- By Automobile: The drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is 5-6 hours. You possibly can rent a personal automotive transport for about $100. For those who’re 3 or extra folks, this would possibly make sense as that is the quickest mode of transport. The most effective a part of that is you can also make a cease on the floating markets for lunch and discover among the issues alongside the way in which.
- By Bus: There are numerous buses that go from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Count on to pay about $10 for the bus however this may take 7-8 hours for journey
- By Boat trip: You possibly can take a ferry between the 2 cities Ferries depart 7am each day from the Phnom Penh Port on Sisowath Quay. Ferries depart Siem Reap each day at 7am from the dock at Chong Khneas. Passage is round $18-$25 and needs to be bought a day upfront (251km, 4-6 hours).
There isn’t a lot to see alongside the drive because the Cambodian countryside is so flat. The one factor it’s best to do is cease and eat Kralang, a typical Cambodian snack of coconut sticky rice and soybeans inside a bamboo shoot. It’s undeniably one in all my favourite snacks and up there within the ranks with mango sticky rice!
Day 5-7: Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the underrated capital of Cambodia. This metropolis is small in measurement but it surely’s far more developed than I had thought. Once more, the primary purpose I went to Phnom Penh was as a result of the flights from the capital had been considerably cheaper than in Siem Reap. I’m speaking many lots of of {dollars} cheaper for only a a method flight!
Phnom Penh (or PP) reminds of me a miniature Bangkok with an assortment of nice eating places, rooftop bars, cafes, and bars. There actually isn’t that a lot to do in PP so I wouldn’t spend too many days within the metropolis. The principle highlights are the Genocide museum which is a memorial for one of many torture prisons in the course of the Khmer Rouge period in addition to the Royal Temple that can remind you of the temples in Bangkok.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Undoubtedly the Tuoal Sleng Genocide Museum is a should go to when in Phnom Penh. This museum is a tribute to the numerous lives misplaced in the course of the Cambodian genocide of the Nineteen Seventies. Particularly, this particular museum was as soon as a highschool that was became a torture jail for the tens of 1000’s that got here by means of.
To higher perceive the jail, it’s greatest to raised perceive simply what occurred in the course of the horrible reign of the Khmer Rouge.
The Khmer Rouge, also referred to as the Democratic Kampuchea lasted from 1975 to 1979. The regime, led by Pol Pot of the Communist Get together of Kampuchea, was chargeable for the deaths of two million Cambodians, or about 20% of their inhabitants on the time.
The Communists began in Cambodia as a rural peasant motion. They aimed to overthrow the sitting Authorities resulting from corruption and redistribute the land to the poor which began off the 8 yr civil battle from 1967-1975. Throughout this time, the Authorities together with the US, closely bombed the Cambodian countryside resulting in lots of of 1000’s of deaths. Over time, the Khmer Rouge slowly defeated the Authorities forces and captured Phnom Penh in 1975.
Individuals cheered the Khmer Rouge liberating the cities however this celebration was brief lived. The Khmer Rouge had a dream of turning Cambodia into an Agrarian communist society the place there have been no lessons, poor, or wealthy folks. This led to the Authorities forcefully kicking folks out of the cities to the countryside the place they had been compelled to work the fields. None of those folks had any expertise farming and due to this fact tens of millions died resulting from hunger and famine.
Due to the Authoritarian nature of the Khmer Rouge, they needed to recurrently cull dissidents and anybody that will oppose the regime. The Tuol Sleng jail was one of many many such locations the place anybody even remotely thought-about a risk to the regime can be tortured and executed. A lot of these killed had been intellectuals, medical doctors, engineers, politicians, and basically anybody that even had a considered opposing the regime. A lot of these executed had been taken to the now notorious killing fields which you’ll go to outdoors of Phnom Penh.
The museum particulars the residing situations, torture gadgets used, and the final day after day lifetime of a prisoner residing right here. It jogged my memory numerous the Holocaust museums in Poland. Be sure to utterly pay for the audio tour as it’s extremely effectively narrated by a former survivor of this camp. The museum takes about 2 hours to finish and prices $10 for the entry ticket and the audio tour.
Royal Palace of Phnom Penh
The Royal Palace of Phnom Penh is a palace advanced within the capital metropolis of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. It serves because the residence of the King of Cambodia and can be used for ceremonial and state events. The palace is positioned on the banks of the Mekong River and is an emblem of the Cambodian monarchy and nationwide heritage.
The palace was constructed within the late nineteenth century by King Norodom, who wished to ascertain a brand new capital in Phnom Penh. The palace advanced was designed within the conventional Khmer fashion and options plenty of buildings, together with the Throne Corridor, which is used for coronations and royal audiences; the Silver Pagoda, which is known as for its ground manufactured from 5000 silver tiles; and the Napoleon III Pavilion, a present from the French emperor to King Norodom.
The palace is open to guests, with a number of buildings and halls open to the general public, together with the Throne Corridor, the Silver Pagoda, and the Royal Residence. Guests may also see the palace’s assortment of Cambodian artwork and artifacts, together with a set of Buddhas manufactured from gold and valuable stones.
The palace is surrounded by lovely gardens and is a well-liked spot for guests to Phnom Penh. It’s also an essential cultural and historic web site, representing the continuity of the Cambodian monarchy and the nation’s wealthy cultural heritage.
The price to go to the Royal Palace is $10 USD and the palace is open from 8am to 5pm. Be sure to reach earlier than 4pm as they could kick you out early with out discover.
Have a rooftop drink on the Sora Skybar
Phnom Penh has loads of bars and eating places to maintain you busy at evening. One in all my favourite locations that I visited was the skybar on the Rosewood lodge. The Rosewood is the tallest constructing within the metropolis with an enormous terrace protruding out of its high ground. This bar has unimaginable views of the town and in addition makes improbable cocktails. Whereas not as spectacular because the rooftop bars in Bangkok, the Rosewood holds its personal.
It’s the completely one of the best place to look at the sundown because the solar units immediately in entrance of the lodge.
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