Before Day 1. The airport is close to town, and the heat is part of the plan, so keep the first evening small.Details
Before and after landing
Check what your passport needs to enter Cambodia, as many visitors need a visa arranged before or on arrival. The airport is close to Siem Reap, and tuk-tuks are the usual way around town and out to the temples. Agree the plan before you go.
The Angkor pass
The temples need an Angkor pass. Check ahead where and how to get one, how long it lasts and what it covers, and keep it with you, because it is checked at the gates. Count your days against it before you plan the order.
Heat and clothes
November to February is the cooler, drier season. March to May is very hot, and in the wet season the paths turn muddy. Cover your shoulders and knees at the temples, wear shoes that grip on worn stone, and carry water, a hat and sun cream.
First evening
Walk the lanes around the Old Market, eat something small and sleep early. Day 1 starts at Angkor Wat, and an early start is far easier on a rested body.
Day 1. Roluos, Kampong Phluk and the south and Siem Reap town
5 stops · 27.6 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
1
MorningCheck the water level
Kampong Phluk
A village on the edge of the Tonle Sap lake, with houses built on tall stilts. The water level changes with the seasons: in the wet months boats can run among the flooded trees, and in the dry months the stilts stand high above dry ground. Check ahead what the water is doing.
Go whenMorning, when it is cooler on the water.
Local tip The water level is seasonal and decides what a boat can reach, so ask in advance. Families live and work here, so keep your voice low and ask before taking a photo.
The first great temple mountain of the Roluos group, built in the ninth century, the early capital before Angkor. Five stepped levels of sandstone rise above a moat, with brick towers around it.
Go whenMorning, when the stone is cool.
Local tip The first great temple mountain of the Roluos group, built before Angkor Wat. Climb the stairs carefully and look at the moat around it.
Fresh rice noodles under a green fish curry made with lemongrass and turmeric, topped with a pile of herbs, banana flower and cucumber. A classic Khmer noodle dish, eaten in the morning or at lunch.
Local tip The curry is made with fish, so tell the staff about any allergy first. Add the herbs a handful at a time.
About 11 min walk0.9 km
3
MorningWorth a short visit
Preah Ko
Six brick towers of the ninth century, one of the oldest temples around Angkor, with traces of carving and plaster on the walls. A quiet stop next to the Bakong.
Go whenMorning, with the Bakong close by.
Local tip Six brick towers of the ninth century, with traces of old plaster carving on them. A small, calm stop.
A working Buddhist temple near the river and the Old Market, with a quiet courtyard where monks live and study. A calm place for a short visit, dressed to cover shoulders and knees.
Go whenAfternoon, when the courtyard is quiet.
Local tip Cover your shoulders and knees, take off your shoes where others do and keep your voice low. Ask before photographing a monk.
About 3 min walk0.2 km
5
EveningWorth a short stop
Psar Chas
The Old Market of Siem Reap, a maze of stalls with fruit, spices, silk, carvings and small food counters. Busy and noisy, and a good place to see ordinary life. Bargain with a smile.
Go whenLate afternoon into the evening, when the lanes are busy and cooler.
Local tip Bargain with a smile and a fair offer, and say a kind "no thank you" when you do not want to buy. Keep your bag zipped and in front of you in the crowd.
A shared meal of rice, a soup, a stir fry of greens and a grilled or curried main, eaten family style. A calm last dinner after the market, without needing to choose a single dish.
Local tip Order a few dishes to share, and tell the staff about any allergy before the food comes.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 2. Ta Prohm and the temple circuits and Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom
4 stops · 36.7 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Travel from Psar ChasAbout 17 min by car or transit6.6 km
Where Day 1 ended.
1
MorningWorth the time
Angkor Wat
The largest temple of the Khmer Empire, built in the twelfth century and ringed by a wide moat. A long stone causeway leads to five towers and galleries of carved scenes. Go early: it is cooler, and the causeway is quieter before the tour groups.
Go whenFirst thing in the morning, before the heat and the tour groups.
Local tip Cover your shoulders and knees. Walk the galleries of carved scenes slowly and take the upper stairs only if you feel steady, as they are steep. Children and sellers may ask you to buy: a smile and a calm "no thank you" is enough.
A tenth century temple mountain of red brick and sandstone east of Angkor Thom, with steep stairs to a top level of towers and views across the fields. A popular place for the end of the day.
Go whenLate afternoon, with the light low on the red stone.
Local tip The steps are steep and worn, so go up and down slowly. A popular place for sunset, so it can be crowded.
A mild, fragrant curry of chicken or fish with coconut milk, lemongrass and potato, eaten with rice or a baguette. Less hot than a Thai curry, and a comfortable lunch after a morning of temples.
Local tip Ask how spicy it is before you order, and tell the staff about any allergy first.
About 24 min by car or transit10.1 km
3
MiddayWorth the time
Angkor National Museum
A museum of the Khmer story in Siem Reap, with galleries on Angkor, the Hindu and Buddhist faiths and a hall of Buddha images. A good, shaded place for the middle of the day, and a way to see the temples in context.
Go whenMidday, as a rest from the heat.
Local tip Go before or after the temples and let it tell the story in order: the faiths, the kings and the carving. Pick a few galleries rather than every one.
A twelfth century temple east of the main circuit in the style of Angkor Wat, with well kept galleries and a central tower. Often quieter than the big temples.
Go whenMorning, a short way east of the main circuit.
Local tip A quiet temple in the style of Angkor Wat, with well kept galleries. It is a little off the usual route, so it is often less busy.
Whole fish grilled over charcoal, served with rice and a tart salad of green mango, herbs and dried shrimp. A relaxed dinner in town after a day of temples.
Local tip The salad is made with fish sauce and dried shrimp, so tell the staff about any allergy first.
If it rains. Angkor National Museum is covered, so keep it. Move Angkor Wat, Pre Rup and Banteay Samre to a dry day if you can.
Day 3. Ta Prohm and the temple circuits
4 stops · 15.1 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Travel from Banteay SamreAbout 19 min by car or transit7.6 km
Where Day 2 ended.
1
MorningWorth the time
Ta Prohm
A twelfth century monastery left partly as the forest found it, with huge trees growing over the towers and walls. Go early, because the most photographed doorways fill up. Paths are uneven and stones can be loose.
Go whenEarly morning, to see the trees before the crowds.
Local tip Stay on the marked paths and do not climb on the walls or roots. Children and sellers may call out: a smile and "no thank you" is a kind and complete answer.
A tenth century temple that once stood on an island in a huge reservoir, now surrounded by fields. Stone statues stand at the corners of its terraces, and the steps are worn. A short stop beside Pre Rup.
Go whenMorning, on the way to Pre Rup.
Local tip It once stood on an island in a huge reservoir. Climb the steps carefully and look for the stone statues at the corners.
A large Buddhist monastery of the late twelfth century with long galleries and gateways, often much quieter than Ta Prohm across the road. A calm place to slow the day down.
Go whenMidday, when the corridors are shady and quieter.
Local tip Walk the long line of gateways and galleries at an easy pace. Across the road is the pool of Srah Srang, which suits a short rest.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 4. Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom
4 stops · 8.7 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Travel from Srah SrangAbout 12 min by car or transit3.6 km
Where Day 3 ended.
1
MorningWorth a short stop
Thommanon
A small twelfth century Hindu temple near the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom, admired for the quality of its carved doorways. A short stop on the way between the big temples.
Go whenMorning, near the Victory Gate.
Local tip A small, well kept temple with fine carved doorways. A few minutes is enough, and the temple across the road is its pair.
An eleventh century temple mountain of heavy sandstone that was never finished, so it has little carving but a strong, plain shape. The stairs to the top are steep.
Go whenMorning, before the stone heats up.
Local tip The temple was never finished, so it has little carving but a strong shape. The stairs are very steep, so a look from below is fine.
Fish steamed in a banana leaf with coconut milk and a paste of lemongrass, galangal and turmeric, soft and mild, with rice. Cambodia's best known dish, and an easy lunch in the heat.
Local tip It is made with fish and coconut, so tell the staff about any allergy before you order. Ask for it mild if you prefer.
The temple at the center of Angkor Thom, with towers carved with great smiling faces, built at the end of the twelfth century. The outer galleries show battles and scenes of daily life. Come after the midday rest, when the heat eases.
Go whenMid to late afternoon, once you have rested and the heat has eased.
Local tip Look at the faces from a few places, near and far, because they change. Walk the outer gallery for the scenes of boats, markets and battles. Mind the steps, which are worn and uneven.
A temple on a hilltop between Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, from the end of the ninth century, with a view over the forest and the towers of Angkor Wat. The hill is a popular place to watch the sun go down, and it gets crowded. The climb is on a worn path and steps.
Go whenAround sunset, or go earlier when it is quieter.
Local tip The hill gets crowded for the sunset, and numbers at the top may be limited, so check ahead and go early to claim a place. Keep a torch or a phone light for the walk down.
Cubes of beef stir fried quickly in a peppery sauce and served on lettuce and tomato with rice and a dip of lime and pepper. A well loved Khmer dinner.
Local tip Say if you want less pepper, and tell the staff about any allergy first, since the sauce has several ingredients.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 5. Ta Prohm and the temple circuits and Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, part 2
4 stops · 13.9 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Travel from Phnom BakhengAbout 13 min by car or transit4.5 km
Where Day 4 ended.
1
AfternoonWorth the time
Preah Khan
A twelfth century temple city with long, straight corridors, gateways and carved doorways, some held up by tree roots. It is a walk from one end to the other, so take it slowly and carry water.
Go whenAfternoon, as the light softens in the corridors.
Local tip Walk it from one gate to the other along the straight corridors and carry water. The stones are uneven, so watch your step and keep to the paths.
An eleventh century temple mountain just north of the Bayon, reached by a long raised walkway. It was taken apart stone by stone and rebuilt over many years. The stairs are steep, and the climb is worth it only if you feel steady.
Go whenAfternoon, right after the Bayon.
Local tip The walkway to the temple is long and open, so carry water and a hat. The steps up are steep, and a look from below is enough if they worry you.
A small shrine on a round island in a square pool, once part of a larger system of water ponds. The pools can be low or dry in the dry months, so check ahead. A short stop, and a quiet one.
Go whenLate afternoon, as the last stop of the day.
Local tip A short walk leads to the island shrine. The pools can be low or dry in the dry months, so do not count on water, and check ahead.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 6. Banteay Srei and the northern road
3 stops · 45.2 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Drive from Ta SomAbout 40 min by car27.1 km
Where Day 5 ended.
1
MorningA forest walk, check ahead
Kbal Spean
A river that runs over its sandstone bed, carved long ago with figures and rows of lingas. A forest path climbs to it, and the walk is uphill and uneven, so go early while it is cooler. Check ahead that the path is open and what the water is doing.
Go whenEarly morning, so the walk uphill is in the cool.
Local tip Wear shoes with grip and carry water, as the path is uphill and uneven. Cambodia still has unexploded mines in some countryside, so stay on the marked path and do not wander off it. Check ahead that the path is open.
A small tenth century temple of pink sandstone, famous for its deep, fine carving of gods and leaves. It is small, so a short visit is plenty, and it is best before the tour buses arrive.
Go whenLate morning, or earlier if you can, before the tour buses.
Local tip Look closely at the carving on the doorways and the walls: the detail is the whole point. The temple is small, so a short visit is plenty.
A small museum near Banteay Srei about the landmines and unexploded bombs left by the wars, and the work to clear them. A serious place that explains why the paths in the countryside matter.
Go whenAfternoon, on the way back toward town.
Local tip Take it at your own pace. It is a good reminder to stay on marked paths in the countryside and never to pick up or touch anything unfamiliar.
A clear, tangy soup of fish or chicken with tamarind, pineapple, herbs and vegetables, served with rice. Light and refreshing after a hot, long day.
Local tip Tell the staff about any allergy before you order, since the base stock can contain fish.
If it rains. Cambodia Landmine Museum is covered, so keep it. Move Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei to a dry day if you can.
Departure day
After the last day. The airport is close to town, so the last morning can stay slow.Details
Check-out
Many guesthouses and hotels will keep your bag after check-out if you ask, which gives the last morning a gentle start with a market breakfast and a last coffee.
To the airport
The airport is close to town, but agree the ride with your tuk-tuk driver or your hotel the evening before, so there is no scramble on the morning. Leave a little more time than you think you need.
If you have a few hours
A last walk through the Old Market for silk, spices and small gifts is enough. Bargain with a smile, and keep the day free of anything with a fixed start.
Questions people ask
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 6 days in Siem Reap, planned for november to February. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
Each day has about 5.0 to 30.1 kilometers between its stops, and 97.7 kilometers in all across 6 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
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