HOW TO...A DAY AT ANGKOR WAT
This website gives an example of the do it yourself tours available: http://www.tuktothewats.com/
Whether you use this guy or not, the prices should be relatively consistent. I did the small circuit tour starting at 10 and was back at the hotel by 4. The rates only include transportation to and around the sites; if you want a guide you can hire one at the sites. The rates are also per tuk tuk and most will accommodate up to 4 people. However, the sites are huge, so if you partner with a random person you’ll need to move at one-another’s pace.
A one day pass costs $20, three days $40, and seven days $60. It’s possible to view the sunset the day prior and not have that visit count against your one day ticket. You could purchase a single ticket, view the sunset first night, and then take a tour the following day. Sunset or Sunrise tuk tuks cost $7 per trip; bike rental $1-$2.
You could bike the Angkor circuit. There’s a well paved road from Siem Reap and around Angkor. But…typically there’s two gates to the temple complexes and you’ll walk west to east thus you’ll do some backtracking to get back to your bike. Since the tuk tuk is a private rental you can have the driver stop wherever you’d like so you have the same level of freedom with a tuk tuk as you would a bike.
Angkor National Museum - On the way to Angkor Wat. $12 admission / $3 audio tour. A well laid out museum that provides an overview of the Angkor complexes and carved motifs. A one to two hour walk through the museum highlights the religious components of the statues throughout Angkor and explains the faces at Angkor Thom. There’s also a history overview of the Khmer civilization.
Angkor Wat - The temple faces west so most photographers head there early in the morning to get the photo with the colored sky in the background. Since the temple faces west, the afternoon sun provides the best photos of the temple itself. The famous photo you see is one of the rare instances in which the photo looks better than seeing it with your own eyes. The site is still impressive. There’s lots of crowds and you need to be patient walking around the inside of the site.
Angkor Thom - I liked this site the best. The highlight is Bayon which was 4 faces carved into the sides of 54 towers. For some reason, the huge crowds at Angkor Wat dissipate significantly on the way to Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom includes a few smaller complexes and a wall known as Elephant Terrace.
Ta Prohm - Tomb Raider Temple - trees have grown around the temple and as the roots expand it knocks down the temples leaving a pretty interesting path to walk around.
There is food available at the temples but it’s not in a formal restaurant setting so I wouldn't get too adventurous. Water and drinks are available too but it can be difficult to find snacks - potato chips, chocolate bars, etc.
Siem Reap humidity is on another level from Phnom Penh and you’re exposed to sunlight most of the time you’re walking around the temples.
One day at the Angkor temples may be enough. Each temple - Angkor Wat, Anchor Thom, and Ta Prohm is very distinct so there’s not too much fatigue compared to Bagan. Siem Reap has a few other sites for half and full day trips. I tried heading up to Koh Ker but only a few agencies offer the trip and if noone else is going it will cost a solo traveller $100+ vs. $40 if 3-4 other people go.
Whether you use this guy or not, the prices should be relatively consistent. I did the small circuit tour starting at 10 and was back at the hotel by 4. The rates only include transportation to and around the sites; if you want a guide you can hire one at the sites. The rates are also per tuk tuk and most will accommodate up to 4 people. However, the sites are huge, so if you partner with a random person you’ll need to move at one-another’s pace.
A one day pass costs $20, three days $40, and seven days $60. It’s possible to view the sunset the day prior and not have that visit count against your one day ticket. You could purchase a single ticket, view the sunset first night, and then take a tour the following day. Sunset or Sunrise tuk tuks cost $7 per trip; bike rental $1-$2.
You could bike the Angkor circuit. There’s a well paved road from Siem Reap and around Angkor. But…typically there’s two gates to the temple complexes and you’ll walk west to east thus you’ll do some backtracking to get back to your bike. Since the tuk tuk is a private rental you can have the driver stop wherever you’d like so you have the same level of freedom with a tuk tuk as you would a bike.
Angkor National Museum - On the way to Angkor Wat. $12 admission / $3 audio tour. A well laid out museum that provides an overview of the Angkor complexes and carved motifs. A one to two hour walk through the museum highlights the religious components of the statues throughout Angkor and explains the faces at Angkor Thom. There’s also a history overview of the Khmer civilization.
Angkor Wat - The temple faces west so most photographers head there early in the morning to get the photo with the colored sky in the background. Since the temple faces west, the afternoon sun provides the best photos of the temple itself. The famous photo you see is one of the rare instances in which the photo looks better than seeing it with your own eyes. The site is still impressive. There’s lots of crowds and you need to be patient walking around the inside of the site.
Angkor Thom - I liked this site the best. The highlight is Bayon which was 4 faces carved into the sides of 54 towers. For some reason, the huge crowds at Angkor Wat dissipate significantly on the way to Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom includes a few smaller complexes and a wall known as Elephant Terrace.
Ta Prohm - Tomb Raider Temple - trees have grown around the temple and as the roots expand it knocks down the temples leaving a pretty interesting path to walk around.
There is food available at the temples but it’s not in a formal restaurant setting so I wouldn't get too adventurous. Water and drinks are available too but it can be difficult to find snacks - potato chips, chocolate bars, etc.
Siem Reap humidity is on another level from Phnom Penh and you’re exposed to sunlight most of the time you’re walking around the temples.
One day at the Angkor temples may be enough. Each temple - Angkor Wat, Anchor Thom, and Ta Prohm is very distinct so there’s not too much fatigue compared to Bagan. Siem Reap has a few other sites for half and full day trips. I tried heading up to Koh Ker but only a few agencies offer the trip and if noone else is going it will cost a solo traveller $100+ vs. $40 if 3-4 other people go.