Krong Siem Reap Trip Overview
No trip to Cambodia is ever complete without a visit of the world’s largest religious complex, Angkor Wat. You can find a lot of incredible ruins on this vast site so how do you make a plan to see everything?? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with my 3-day Angkor Wat itinerary – plus a lot of useful tips for visiting Angkor!
“Angkor” doesn’t only refer to the famous Angkor Wat temple but to the entire temple complex located about 7 kilometres north of the Siem Reap town. It houses some very unique Hindu and Buddhist temples, mostly from the 12th century. First, here are some general information you need to know before visiting Angkor Wat:
Additional Info
* Duration: 3 days
* Starts: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
* Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Krong Siem Reap, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia
No trip to Cambodia is ever complete without a visit of the world’s largest religious complex, Angkor Wat. You can find a lot of incredible ruins on this vast site so how do you make a plan to see everything?? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with my 3-day Angkor Wat itinerary – plus a lot of useful tips for visiting Angkor!
“Angkor” doesn’t only refer to the famous Angkor Wat temple but to the entire temple complex located about 7 kilometres north of the Siem Reap town. It houses some very unique Hindu and Buddhist temples, mostly from the 12th century. First, here are some general information you need to know before visiting Angkor Wat:
Itinerary
Day 1: DAY 1: The Grand Circuit (Sort Of)
Stop At: Angkor Wat, Sangkat Nokor Thum, Siem Reap Cambodia
We usually recommend having your earliest day first as you may be too tired after three days of exploring later on. However, if you have had a long journey to Siem Reap and need the first day to recover, you may want to do “Day 3” of the itinerary first, as that is the easiest day. Otherwise, your day begins at the absolutely must-see for most; sunrise at Angkor Wat Temple.
If you are a photographer, you will want to be there before 4:45am, perhaps even as early at 4:40am. The temple opens at 5am, but there is limited space at the pond in front of the temple and people get there early to get their spot. We arrived at 4:40am and beat a large group by mere seconds. Being first meant that we could get what we considered the perfect reflection and establish our tripod space. If you are not a photographer, check the sunrise time and try to arrive at least 20 minutes before.
Find a good spot and enjoy the light and scene change as the sun rises over the ancient temple, then take some time to walk around the grounds and even into the temple itself. Nearly all of the other temples will not be open until 7:30am anyway, so you may as well make the most of your time here.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 21000 Cambodia
Ta Prohm Temple is the second most popular temple in Angkor Wat, thanks largely to its reputation as the “Tomb Raider temple.” It is famous for the ancient trees and root systems growing right out of the temple.
Ta Prohm does not open until 7:30am, but I recommend arriving at least 10-15 minutes early to stay in front of the crowds. This will allow you to get your photos and walk the grounds without other people in your shots. It is also the nicest light for your photos.
If you get there at opening as recommended, you’ll have time to explore at a leisurely place and get to the next stop ahead of the crowd.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Banteay Kdei, Angkor Archaelogical Park, Siem Reap 17000 Cambodia
Though similar to Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei is much smaller, more peaceful, and quieter. There is a spot near the front entrance with a massive tree and root system growing over the outer wall, which was my favourite view of the temple.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Ta Keo, Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17252 Cambodia
For those of you who like to pack it all in, your next stops will be Ta Keo and Bayon temples. The advantage to visiting these two on your first day is that you will free up your third day to allow you to venture to some of the more remote temples. If you do not see them now, you will visit them on Day 3
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Sunrise at Pre Rup Temple
Stop At: Pre Rup, National Road #6 Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17252 Cambodia
Look, it’s hard to beat Angkor Wat Temple for sunrise, but Pre Rup truly challenged the title. While the photos aren’t as iconic or dramatic, the magic of Pre Rup at sunrise was the peace and solitude. We were the only people there watching the sun rise over the jungle from one of the tallest, oldest temples in Angkor Wat. Compared to the thousands of people who swarmed the scene a day ago, this was bliss.
From a photography standpoint, the sunrise itself has a nice clear view, but not the most interesting foregrounds for compositions. However, that first golden light reflecting off the temples and bathing the grand staircase in warmth was brilliant!
We had the temple to ourselves for nearly two hours and just when we thought it was safe to put the cameras away, a group of monks came to explore and asked us to have photos with them!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Eastern Mebon, Angkor, Siem Reap Cambodia
The East Mebon is a 10th Century temple at Angkor, Cambodia. Built during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it stands on what was an artificial island at the center of the now dry East Baray reservoir. The East Mebon was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honors the parents of the king.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Ta Som, Angkor Archaeological Park, 17252 Cambodia
Ta Som is a small temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built at the end of the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. It is located north east of Angkor Thom and just east of Neak Pean. The King dedicated the temple to his father Dharanindravarman II who was King of the Khmer Empire from 1150 to 1160
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Neak Pean, Angkor Wat Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17252 Cambodia
Neak Pean at Angkor, Cambodia is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Jayatataka Baray, which was associated with Preah Khan temple, built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It is the “Mebon” of the Preah Khan baray
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Preah Khan, Angkor Wat Angkor Archaelogical Park, Siem Reap 17252 Cambodia
Preah Khan is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII to honor his father. It is located northeast of Angkor Thom and just west of the Jayatataka baray, with which it was associated. It was the centre of a substantial organisation, with almost 100,000 officials and servants.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17000 Cambodia
Optional: Sunset
For those of you who really can’t get enough temples, by all means go sneak in another sunset at Pre Rup, Angkor Wat Temple, or Phnom Bakeng, or perhaps your driver has a favourite spot I’d never considered! For our second night we opted for Option 2…
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Stop 1: Bayon Temple & City Tour
Stop At: Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, Siem Reap Cambodia
Notice there is no sunrise in front of this stop! While you are of course welcome to hit up a sunrise, you will already have visited two of the three temples that open early enough to do so, meaning your only option would be to visit Phnom Bakeng for sunrise or a second visit to Angkor Wat or Pre Rup. Instead, I opted to have a later night out at Pub Street and a bit of a lie-in, starting our day at one of, if not my favourite temple, Bayon.
Though Bayon does not technically open until 7:30am, there are multiple entrances and people were already walking about by 7:15am. For this reason I would recommend getting in by 7:15am, perhaps even earlier, if you want any photos of the entrances without people. We also spent more time at Bayon than any other temple, as the details I found to be so interesting and I absolutely loved all the smiling faces.
If I’m being honest though, MOST of the extra time was spent watching with the monkeys that live here. There were a few silly families playing about, including some babies. If you decide to spend some time with them, just please be careful with your valuables and do not feed them.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Angkor National Museum, 968 Vithei Charles de Gaulle Blvd Khrum 6, Siem Reap Cambodia
Angkor National Museum is an archaeological museum dedicated to the collection, preservation and presentation of Angkorian artifacts, also to provides information and education about art and culture of Khmer civilization, with collections mainly dated from Khmer Empire’s Angkor period circa 9th to 14th-century
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Wat Thmey (Killing Fields), Siem Reap Cambodia
The Wat Thmey Temple is notable for being an area that served as one of the killing fields during the Khmer Rouge regime in the country.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Artisans Angkor, Stung Thmey Street, Siem Reap 17259 Cambodia
Artisans Angkor is a Cambodian social business creating job opportunities for young people in rural areas, while reviving traditional Khmer craftsmanship. The organisation, founded in 1992, is located on Stung Thmey Street, 2 minutes walk from the Old Market in Siem Reap centre, Cambodia.
Duration: 45 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
