Siem Reap

What To Wear In Cambodia – The Perfect Packing List

October 12, 2019 by admin 6 Comments

Going to Cambodia for the first time and wondering what to wear in Cambodia? When it comes to what to pack for Cambodia for any season, its best to pack lightweight clothing and natural fabrics. The dress code in Cambodia is fairly relaxed but remember that many of the temples are still frequented by Buddhas so best to be respectable and wear suitable clothing. Also, be sure to read my post on things to know before visiting Cambodia for other things to be aware of in planning a trip to Cambodia.

As for what to wear in Cambodia when not temple running you can wear pretty much whatever you want, within reason. However, it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings because of biting insects. Also if you are visiting temples, particularly Angkor Wat, because of the moat, there is a high risk of mosquitoes. I had quite a few bits on my legs so make sure you are covered and bring repellent. More on this and other things to pack for your trip to Cambodia continue reading. Below is a packing list for Cambodia in addition to some essential items to pack whether visiting Cambodia in December, January or even July.

What To Pack For Cambodia / What To Wear In Cambodia

Whether an itinerary trip for 7 days in Cambodia or longer, Cambodia is a tropical place and as a result, it is always sunny all year round, hence, your packing list for travel to Cambodia should consist of light clothes. Pack t-shirts, tank tops, shorts(not for temples), free trousers, beach shirts, maxi dresses, etc.

It is important to note that Cambodia is a mostly Buddhist country with conservative people who believe in modest dressing.

Most Cambodians don’t wear anything that will expose their shoulders and knees. Bear in mind that while it’s not common, you may not be allowed to enter the temples if your shoulders and knees are not covered. Whether you are putting together the perfect Cambodia backpacking packing list, its best to include some short and long-sleeved items.

Weather In Cambodia

Cambodia has two distinctive seasons; the rainy season from June to October and the dry season from November to May. Travelling during the rainy season has its benefits as the temple moats in Siem Reap are full, making for great photos but during the dry season, they artificially fill them which can be a bit of a disappointment as I learned. Visiting Cambodia in the dry season, in my opinion, is a lot easier, especially when it comes to exploring the temples which have a somewhat jungle terrain that you don’t want to do in wet seasons. The temperatures for the most part in all seasons of Cambodia remain around 30-35°C during the day time.

The northeast monsoon season: This lasts from December to April, and the weather is dry and sunny. Be sure to bring your sunglasses and a portable fan although you can buy the latter cheaply at the markets while shopping for souvenirs in Cambodia. Bring some lip balm too because of the dryness. When it comes to what to wear in Cambodia in April and during this season remember, the weather gets very hot, so pack light and airy items that aren’t too revealing.

The southwest monsoon season: From May to November, the rains start. September and October are especially rainy, so bring waterproof items and an umbrella. That weather is also more humid in this period. You will get some dry spells so just bear in mind when thinking of what to pack for Cambodia in February, March or May.

Cambodia Packing List

Dresses – Maxi dresses and midis.
Sarong – this is a traditional Cambodian wrapper that can serve as a curtain, a blanket, etc. You can also tie it around your waist to cover up to your knee when you want to visit any temple in the country.
Scarf or light wrap – you can use this for covering your shoulders when visiting temples of in the evenings when the temperature drops.
Sun Hat – great for protection against the sun. You can take more than one to match with your dressing.
Sunglasses – an essential item you need to have with you when you are in the tropics.
Swimwear – there are many beautiful beaches in the country, going to Cambodia and not experiencing its beaches is like cutting off half of the fun. Pack your swimwear with you and have as much fun as you can.
Flip flops and comfortable walking sandals – beaches are sandy, hence no other footwear but flip flops can make you comfortable.
Comfortable walking shoes – these will make comfortable walking around the temples, pack one or two, depending on how long you intend to stay in Cambodia.
Waterproof Jacket– while it may be sunny every day in Cambodia, you may get rain, especially if you go there during the rainy season. Better prepared than sorry, right?
Cardigan – the weather will often get cold at night, especially during the rainy season and because you will be surrounded by trees. Take a sweatshirt or hoodie, anything that can prevent you from getting cold.

Other Essentials To Pack For Cambodia

Duffel bag or backpack – Osprey backpacks are quite popular for trips because of the convenience they provide. Get one main backpack that is big enough for all your load, and a smaller one that you can carry around when you’re in Cambodia.
Unblocked phone – Buy or bring an unlocked phone that can work with a Cambodian sim card.
Universal charger – Well, you don’t want to get to Cambodia and start looking for where you can buy one. So, pack a universal charger with you.
Universal adapter – You also need this to make it easier for you to plug in your devices to sockets and extensions.
Power bank – You may be out hiking and need to recharge your phone or may be in a location where there’s no electricity.
Travel Torch – This will be a backup for your mobile phone torch. Essential if you want to head to Angkor Wat for sunrise. People get there when its still very dark. Pro-Tip. Scope out a good spot the day before if possible.

Stay Healthy – Essentials To Pack For Cambodia

Mosquito repellent – Cambodia is a tropical country and that means that there are always mosquitoes in both daytime and nighttime. To avoid mosquito bite and itchiness from their bites, take a mosquito repellent with you. Make sure you have enough to last you all your time in the country. Also, consider wearing mosquito repellent wristbands.
Sunscreen – there are two weather seasons in Cambodia, rainy season which starts from May to September, and dry season which starts from November to March. However, the weather season doesn’t matter so much because the sun in Cambodia is always brutally scorching all year long. So, take your favourite sunscreen with you.
Medication – taking with you essential drugs when travelling is a life hack, it helps to manage well during health emergencies. For example, Cambodia meals may be tasty, but your body may react poorly to them. To be on the safe side, you can pack drugs for indigestion such as Gaviscon, and Imodium for diarrhea.
Hand sanitizer – you won’t always have clean water and soap with you when you are enjoying the beautiful sceneries of Cambodia. Hand sanitizer will come handy when you need to rid your hands off germs.
Travel first aid kit – get this at a pharmacy in your country before you board the plane. You will need it when you get small cuts and bruises. Items in it, such as spirit for cleaning bruises and band-aids, can protect against infections.
Toiletries – shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving powder, deodorant, tampons, sanitary pads, etc. Take as much as you need for all your time in the country so you don’t run out of toiletries.
LifeStraw – this is for filtering water before you drink.

Note: It’s not advisable to drink tap water but bottled mineral water in safe and available pretty much everywhere. Also, keep in mind when buying drinks in cafes or restaurants they some may serve it with ice cubes. Ask if they use tap water otherwise avoid them altogether.

Foldable Reusable Water Bottle – stay hydrated!(Easy to pack too)
Get Travel insurance – while Cambodia has become one of the most loved tourist destinations in the world, it is still far behind on social amenities such as health. To be on the safe side, sign up for a travel health insurance that covers Cambodia before you board the plane. Should you need healthcare, your insurance will cover you – giving that the nearest standard healthcare you will get is in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Cambodia Itinerary For 7 Days – How To Spend 1 Week In Cambodia

October 1, 2019 by admin 17 Comments

When it comes to visiting Cambodia to fully experience what the country has to offer one has to work through a Cambodia itinerary for 7 Days covering 3 of the popular cities. Steeped in Khmer history, cultures and friendly people too.

The fact that the country is super cheap is a bonus too. Below I will take you through how to spend 1 week in Cambodia, covering everything from exploring the Angkor Wat park and the beautiful temples in Siem Reap that you need to visit.

Then there are things to do in Siem Reap beyond temples which I have covered in more detail on the blog but will reference in this itinerary for Cambodia.

So if you are looking for how to plan a trip to Cambodia, this is the post for you! You are not only getting a Phnom Penh and Siem Reap itinerary but also a quick stop in sihanoukville too.

Cambodia is such an amazing country with plenty to offer in terms of adventures, relaxation and exploring.

If you want to explore on a budget, Cambodia allows that in spades, if you have a budget with no major limitations, there is also luxury too. You can have an adventure-packed week in Cambodia for not a lot of money.

How much you spend in Cambodia really depends on your budget, your style of travel as well as how long your trip is but to give you an idea of accommodation costs in Cambodia.

I have also covered best places to stay in Siem Reap which details hostel accommodation which can be as low as $5 for a bed a night as well as mid-range and luxury hotels which can be upwards of $100 night.

Have a look at that post for additional details. So just what can you do in Cambodia? Well, let’s get into that, shall we?

How To Get To Cambodia For Your 7 Day Trip

Before we get stuck into Cambodia suggested itinerary, there are many ways to get to Cambodia. During this trip, we had travelled around Asia and had been to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur before arriving in Cambodia and then leaving for Thailand.

While you are in Asia you also have the option exploring Laos which can be easily done via a Cambodia-Laos van transfer.

Flights to Cambodia: There direct flights arriving from Bangkok to Cambodia, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Manila, Singapore, Pakse, Nanning, Wuhan, Tianjin, Seoul and Luang Prabang. Airlines like AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cebu Pacific Air, China Eastern Air, Jet Star Asia, Korean Air, Lao Airlines, Silk Air, Sky Angkor Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.

Many of these airlines offer great rates for flights, I believe we paid no more than £70 for flights 2 one way flights with Air Asia. There are several daily flights with each of these airlines.

To book flights I would recommend searching on Expedia which will list most of these if not all. Obviously the more in advance you book the cheaper the flight prices.

Visa For Cambodia: Also not that most people will need a visa for Cambodia, I covered this in a little more detail in my post on things to know when visiting Cambodia.

The long and short of it is that if you are an American(USA), coming from Europe including UK(Brexit or not), you will need a visa to visit Cambodia! You can get an e-visa or visa on arrival.

Bring cash for this as you have to pay $30 for the visa, also bring with you a passport photo. Bring two just in case. Especially for those doing long term travel in the region and therefore might want to return again. For tips on the Cambodia visa on arrival click here.

Cambodia Itinerary For 7 Days

Cambodia has 3 main airports but the main hubs are Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the other is Sihanoukville but is much smaller.

The 7-day itinerary for Cambodia starts in Siem Reap for temple running, then moving on from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville which is a well-established beach resort town for relaxation and island hopping.

Then from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh.

I have written the Cambodia trip itinerary this way as it makes leaving for another country or another city from Phnom Penh much easier considering the international airport in the city.

You can, of course, start the Cambodia itinerary from Phnom Penh then Siem Reap and then leave the relaxation to the end of the trip in Sihanoukville.

The all depends on where you are arriving from to start the trip.

Day 1 In Siem Reap

Once you have arrived in Siem Reap, checked in to your hotel and refreshed up, I would strongly advise you to seek help from your hotel or hostel in Siem Reap to help you arrange transportation to go and buy the ticket for the Angkor Wat pass.

There is a one day pass, 3-day pass and 7 day Angkor Wat pass. The prices were around, $20, $65 and I think about $72 respectively.

If you arrive in Siem Reap at night like we did, go in the morning and you can start using your tickets immediately.

Day 1, explore Angkor Wat, one of the most important archeological sites in South East Asia. Your 7 days in southeast Asia trip is not complete without a trip to this place. It is certainly among the best places to visit in Cambodia.

Angkor Archaeological Park contains the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire.

There are beautiful temples with faces of varying sizes and facial expressions. Undoubtedly among the best places to visit in Cambodia. Temples to visit on day one include:

Angkor Wat
Bayon Temple
Ta Prohm
Banteay Srei

Pro Tip: If you are up for right I would aim to do sunrise at Angkor Wat on this day if you are able to, otherwise do it on day 2 of the Cambodia itinerary.

Also note that you can hire a tuk-tuk and driver for about $20 for the day to take you around the temples as some are not close to each other.

Day 1 in Cambodia – Things to do at night

In terms of these to do at night in Cambodia, I would head to Pub Street in the late afternoon to explore the markets, the restaurants, and other entertainment options in Siem Reap.

There are bars, there are clubs, massage parlors where you can get a seriously good massage for $6. I recommend getting a massage, which you will no doubt need after all the walking around and exploring the temples. Then head to Gelato Lab to grab some ice cream and explore the area around Pub Street at leisure.

For additional things to do at night in Siem Reap you can have dinner with an Apsara show, there is also the Cambodian Circus Show, do a private night food tour, cooking class of Khmer food, Angkor Wat Dynasty Show. There are plenty of options for cool tours you can do in the evening in Siem Reap.

Day 2 In Siem Reap

For day two, providing you took my advice and did sunrise at Angkor Wat the day before, you can skip it today or head to that in the morning. For a day tour, you can venture off to explore the countryside around Siem Reap.

For this, it’s best to get a guide. You can do a bike tour or a scooter tour. There are a couple of options. There are off the beaten path tours to Kampong Khleang, Beng Meala Temple, Kulen Mountain, Kampong Phluk for the Tonle Sap floating villages.

Tonle Sap is a lake with villages on stitled houses. It’s about 30km from Siem Reap. You also have the option of biking rural paths to visit rice fields, local markets, and small villages. For available options for the day trips from Siem Reap click here.

Day 3 In Siem Reap Then Off To Sihanoukville

Day 3 in Siem Reap will be super easy as this is the day you are leaving departing on a flight from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. I recommend flighing as its a lot quicker than taking a bus.

Granted it is cheap to get a coach at less than $5 but it will eat at least 8 hours of the valuable time you could be exploring.

Flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville are about 1 hour and between £40 and £70. Money well spent in my option. As I have mentioned above there are plenty of flights during the day. There is a morning flight, a late afternoon and late-night flight. Pick one you prefer.

Day 3 I would suggest waking up early and doing another temple run to repeat and see one of the temples you wanted to see again.

Otherwise, I suggest maybe heading to Pub Street as there is another less visited but never the less beautiful and more modern compared to Angkorian temples in the park.

This is Wat Preah Prom Rath, its beautiful and located near Pub Street. The temple also has a statue illustrating the journey of Buddha. Well worth a visit and totally different from the other temples.

If you have time, head back to Pub Street and grab another massage for the road and head to the airport.

Pro Tip: Arrange for the tuk-tuk or taxi to take you to the airport. The hotel can easily arrange this for you whether staying at a hostel or a hotel. There are taxis available but I have found that tuk-tuks can wheeze around traffic far better than a car.

Where to stay in Siem Reap – There are plenty of options for where to stay. I have documented these in my post on where to stay in Siem Reap. It also has tips on the best areas to stay in Siem Reap.

Day 4 In Sihanoukville/Koh Rong/Koh Rong Samloem

Having arrived in Sihanoukville the day before. You are rested and ready to explore this southern coastal resort town in Cambodia.

If you are after Cambodia beaches and nightlife, this coastal town is definitely worth the stop.

There are stunning beaches and plenty of little islands to check out. For these two days in Sihanoukville, you can choose to enjoy the beaches and relax or you can start the day with lounging on the beach in the morning and then take a quad bike tour to explore the likes of Kbay Chhay waterfall, local lakes, and pagodas in nearby.

There is also the option of a full-day tour around Sihanoukville via boat to explore nearby islands like Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem.

For additional options for how to spend day 4 in Cambodia, click here. You can easily find day trips that include snorkeling, fishing, lunch and a light breakfast for as little as $15.

If you are staying longer you might alway want to include scuba diving in your adventures.

Once you return from the day’s exploring, if you are not too tired there is the option of checking out Otres night market.

It’s a little of the beaten track and only open on Saturday evenings, should you be visiting on the weekend.

The market is organised by expats living in Cambodia and has become quite a popular tourist stop in Sihanoukville.

Cambodia Travel Itinerary - The perfect 7 day Cambodia itinerary. ANGKOR WAY TEMPLES - MARKETS - BEACHES & NIGHTLIFE. Visiting Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Everthing you need to know from local customs, what to pack for Cambodia, how many days to spend in Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Plus where to stay and how to get around. #asia #adventure #angkorwat #traveltips

Sihanoukville, Cambodia. View from the sea to the city beach and boat pier

Day 5 In Sihanoukville Then Off To Phnom Penh

Having spent the day exploring around Sihanoukville you might one to lounge on the beaches near your hotel sipping drinks before you head out to Phnom Penh. Again, book your flights to Phnom Pen in advance as they can be significantly cheaper when booked early. For places to stay in Sihanoukville below are some recommendations.

Budget: Onederz Sihanoukville, Jully Anna Guesthouse, Good Time Resort.

Mid-Range: Soffiny Motel, Mary Beach Hotel & Resort, Otres Resort, Venice1 Resort, Samot Baitong Resort.

Luxury: Independence Hotel Resort & Spa, Naia Resort, 360 Resort, Sokha Beach Resort, Queenco Hotel & Casino.

Beachfront hotels in Sihanoukville: Good Time Resort, White Boutique Hotel and Residences, Hai Ma Hotel, Mittali Hotel.

Day 6 Phnom Penh

Having arrive in Phnom Penh last night and ready to explore, Phnom Penh is a another great city to explore in Cambodia. Plenty to offer in terms of things to do, food options, cafes, and nightlife.

Phnom Penh also has an amazing array of markets to check out such as Psar Kandal near the river, then there is the Russian Market(Psar Toul Tom Pong), which is the centre for handicraft items, stone carvings and world-famous Khmer silk.

Things to do in Phnom Penh on day 6 in Cambodia include a visit to:

The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda: Built in 1866, a must-see when visiting Phnom Penh. Admission is $3 per person and $2/$5 if you have a camera or video. Open daily from 7.30-11am and 2-5pm.
The National Museum: Displays more than 5,000 works from 7th-19th century. Tickets are $5 and open from 8am to 5pm.
Wat Phnom: This place marks the founding on Phnom Penh and was built in 1434 to house sacred Buddist relics. Temple admission is $1 for foreigners.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fielding: If you are emotionally able to handle this I would suggest adding this to your Cambodia itinerary.
River Cruise: Explore beyond the city limits. There are hour-long and 2 hour cruises around Mekong River. Some also include lunch or dinner.

Things to do at night in Phnom Penh

To experience the nightlife in Phnom Penh head to the Riverside, Street 51, Street 172, Street 278, Hun Sen Park or Street 308. Riverside is the iconic home of the nightlife in Phnom Penh.

There is everything from casual to fine dining, cafes and pubs, as well as bars too. If you want a nightlife on the cheap you are in the right places as beers are $1! Sometimes even less.

For a laidback evening out on the town, I would suggest heading to Street 172 with family-run restaurants and bars. This is also where you will find many expats living in Cambodia.

To hang out with locals head to Hun Sen Park. This is where Phnom Penh’s younger crowd chill out.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Phochani Pavilion of the Cambodian royal palace, currently used for Royal receptions and meetings, with many tourists visiting a popular attraction.

Day 7 Phnom Penh

Day 2 in Phnom and day 7 in Cambodia, do you you are going to take a little day trip to Oudong Mountain. It’s located about 40km from Phnom Penh.

The top of the mountain has 3 ancient stupas. Phnom Oudon was the capital of Cambodia in 1618-1866 a monumental necropolis for past kings of the Khmer Empire and well worth the visit.

You also have amazing views from the top with rice fields in the distance.

There you have it, an itinerary for 7 days in Cambodia complete with Phnom Penh. This city is well established so there are plenty of options for where to stay. Below are a couple of options for where to stay in Phnom Penh during your 7 day visit to Cambodia:

Budget hotels in Phnom Penh: Ny Ka Smy Hotel, Eighty8 Backpackers Hostel, Golden Noura Villa-Pub & Restuarant, RS Guesthouse.
Mid-range hotels in Phnom Penh: The Bridge Club, Relax Hotel, Billabong Hostel, Lovely Jubbly Villa, Kuch Oudom Hotel.
Luxury hotels in Phnom Penh: Palace Gate Hotel & Resort, Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel, Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

How To Get Around

There are all modes of transportation in Cambodia, from bicycles, scooters, 3-wheeled wagons or tuk-tuks, cars, buses, boats, helicopters.

The cheapest modes of transportation when getting around say, Siem Reap, are tuk-tuks.

You can rent them with a driver for $20 a day or $2 or $5 for a short journey. If you are travelling between cities there is the coach, boat and flight option.

If you are travelling to another city by boat, expect at least 6 hours for the journey. By Coach at least 8 hours and by plane for about 1 hour.

Sample Budget for Cambodia For One Week

Flights Direct from UK/USA $600+/- (We paid £290 to leave from Budapest)
Flightsbetween cities $100-150
Angkor Wat Pass 3 days $62 – (one-day ($37), three-day ($62) and seven-day ($72)
3 Day Hotel Budget in Siem Reap/
- Hostel 3 days x $5
- Hotel 3 days x $30
- Luxury 3days x $100
Daily food budget per day $10 – 40(luxury end)
Day tours x 1 $40-100
Entertainment(massages, drinks etc) $15
Local transportation by tuk-tuk $35

Factoring similar expenses budget for Phnom Penh and Sikoukvill. Estimate budget for Cambodia trip for one week $1500-2000.

You could spend less by doing Cambodia on a budget. That estimate is based on staying in fairly mid-range accommodation at least $30 per night.

Things To Know When Visiting Cambodia

I have shared additional tips in my post on things to know when visiting Cambodia, especially if you are going to be doing a Cambodia itinerary for 7 days. Below are a couple of important things to note.

Health and vaccinations: As far as vaccinations for Cambodia is concerned, there isn’t a specific mandatory number of vaccines to get but they do advise you to be inoculated against tetanus, polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A and B. If you are doing long term travel they also recommend getting vaccines for Japanese encephalitis and rabies.

Safety: Travel in Cambodia is relatively safe. As I mentioned in my post on things to know when visiting Cambodia. There are risks to bag snatchings and pickpocketing so just be wary of that don’t carry more cash than you need during the day.

Climate: This is a tropical country and weather in Cambodia is mostly warm throughout the year so whatever times you decide to do 7 days in Cambodia you will likely have temperatures above 25 degrees. Just note that rain seasons are May- September. Although April and October tend to be so hot with temperatures around 32 degrees and sometimes even 40!

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and February.
Travel Insurance: As I mentioned that there are scams like in most major cities, pickpocketing as well as bag snatchings. Always travel with travel insurance should the unfortunate happen, whether its loss of property or health issues or even flight cancellations.

Cambodia Scams: Be careful of scams in Cambodia. One such scam is one you can fall victim in a massage parlor. While getting a massage, some workers can take your money. They can take money out and replace it with fake money. This scam is popular in Phnom Pehn. Again don’t carry more than you need. Also, watch where you leave your purse.

What To Wear In Cambodia

I will cover this in more detail but with the wet seasons in Cambodia, make sure you pack good mosquito repellent.

Also, while Cambodia might be hot, make sure you pack appropriate clothing for your 7 day trip to Cambodia.

Beware of local customs. If you are visiting temples, yes even the ruins, these are places of worship. Please don’t turn up in shorts.

You will not only get stares, rightly so, but you will be disrespecting places of worship as well as going against local customs.

Packing list for Cambodia:

Mid-length dresses or maxi dress. Not only to respect the temples but the mosquitoes are relentless near the lakes and moats in the temples.
Swimwear
Sunscreen
Sun hat
walking shoes for women and men
Short or long-sleeved shirts and t-shirts for men visiting temples.

Can You Do A Day Trip From Siem Reap To Phnom Penh?

The distance from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is 320km and at least 5 hours drive! There is a national bus route 6 going from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.

The journey time is about 6 hours for that and it leaves from 6.30am as well as an overnight one.

In my opinion, there is no point doing a day trip when it involves this much travel time. Do an overnight trip or one way. An overnight stay allows explore places to visit between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

The quickest way to fly to Phnom Penh, that is the only way you can do a day trip.

You would still have to make sure you take the first flight and the last flight back which leaves around 10pm. When it comes to how to travel from Siem reap to Phnom Penh, there are plenty of options but not many if at all allow for a day trip.

What Is The Best Way To Travel From Siem Reap To Phnom Penh?

You can travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by bus, boat, taxi, plane and sadly no trains yet. The bus option costs between $5 and $15 and takes 6 hours, the boat option, the ferry from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh costs $35 and takes 6 hours, leaving from Siem Reap ferry port.

The taxi option costs between $60 and $100 and takes at least 5 hours. Cost-effective if you are split costs within a group. The best way by far is by plane. You can easily find flights from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh for as little as £35 one way.

How Many Days Do I Need In Cambodia?

This really depends on your plans. If you have say, Cambodia 3 days 2 nights in Cambodia I would suggest only doing one city.

So I would suggest only doing Siem Reap. That way you get to see the Angkor Wat temples and experience the entertainment and hospitality of Pub Street.

How Many Days In Siem Reap Is Sufficient?

There are plenty of amazing temples, some of which you will no doubt want to repeat visit as we did. In addition to day trips nearby as well as the markets, entertainment in Pub Street, at a minimum, I would say you need at least 3 days in Siem Reap. This goes for anyone wondering how many days in Angkor Wat you need.

There you have it my Cambodia travel plan for how to spend 7 days in Cambodia. So have you been to Cambodia? What else would you include in this Cambodia itinerary for 7 days in this cool Southeast Asian country?

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Cambodia Travel Tips – Things to know before travelling to Cambodia

September 29, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

I have been meaning to post a rough guide to Cambodia covering things to know before travelling to Cambodia. In terms of Cambodian laws for tourists, what to bring when travelling to Cambodia, travel tips and advice on what to not do in Cambodia, things to be aware of, scams to know about as well as safety when you are in Cambodia.

Hopefully, the Cambodia travel hacks and advice below will be easily digestible so that you know the basics when visiting the beautiful and affordable destination in South East Asia. I have already posted tips on where to stay in Siem Reap, things to do beyond the temples as well as the best temples to check out in Siem Reap.

This post will focus more all the things you need to know to help you prepare for your trip to Cambodia, whether starting in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville all based on what I learned before, after my visit and my Cambodia travel experience from my trip to Cambodia.

Cambodian Travel Tips – Things To Know Before Travelling To Cambodia

Cambodia Visa Information: First things first the most important thing to know before visiting Cambodia is your visa eligibility. I travel with a Zambian passport so that means I can get the Visa on arrival. While some may need to apply in advance for the Cambodia visa, or get VOA, there are some countries that do need to get one. These include Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Hungary, Mongolia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lao, Malaysia, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. The tourist visa costs $30, you also need to travel with passport photo when you arrive at the airport. Valid for 30 days. Yes, Americans need a visa to travel to Cambodia and so to British and EU tourists.

Cambodia is located in South East Asia and has a population of just over 15 million. The official language is Khmer but English is widely spoken in addition to Chinese and French.

The main religions practiced are Theravada Buddhism, about 90% of the population, followed by Islam, Hinduism then Christianity.

Currency: The Cambodian currency is Riel but you will mostly be using dollars as everything is also quoted in dollars. I would advise you to have smaller notes too. Most of the tuk-tuk will be quoting $2 or $ for rides. Massages will be about $5 or $6 dollars or $10 for an hour. So always better to have change with you. When it comes to what currency to take to Cambodia; take dollars with you. Overall though the cost of travel to Cambodia is reasonably cheap.

The government is a constitutional monarchy, this is where the king serves as the head of the state and the prime minister is the head of the government. Do not make any disparaging remarks about the government or monarchy.

Cambodia laws for tourists – When it comes to Cambodia travel tips and advice about local customs, it would be wise to know that when visiting Buddhist pagodas, you need to remove your hat. Also remove footwear when entering buildings or if invited in homes. For women, cannot touch the monks. Also ask before taking their photos or at least be respectful and discreet about it.

PDAs: Public displays of affection are taboo so refraining from making out in public as you may offend local and religions locals in the cities and towns you are visiting.

Transport and getting around: Renting a bike from your hotel or guest house offers the quickest and efficient way of getting around say Siem Reap.

You can get a rickshaw or tuk-tuk for the prices of $2-5 for short journeys. Make sure you ask the price before getting on. Also make sure you have small bills.

Phnom Penh has metered taxis, just make sure they start the meter when you get in the car.

Phnom Penha has boat trips as well for tours as well as getting around.

There are buses too for local and intercity buses. Some of these also run overnight bus services too.

Angkor Wat runs elephant rides but I would strongly advise you not to ride elephants when you are in Cambodia or any of the South East Asian countries where this is still very common.

You can find ATMs easily in the city but while you settle in as well as when you arrive, its best of have dollars to hand. You need dollars in cash for the VOA as well as transportation too unless your hotel arranges something.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Cambodia.

Make sure you have come vaccinated. There are plenty of stray dogs in Cambodia as well as plenty of mosquitoes. We were travelling around Asia for over a month so better safe than sorry. Make sure you check which ones you need and get them done before travelling or when you arrive if they are cheaper; especially for those coming from the USA where medical insurance is super expensive.

Make sure you have travel insurance. Cambodia even though safe, does have issues with bag snatching.

While some may opt for travelling by bus for intercity travel, I would recommend using the national airlines as they offer great service, are cheap and offer good luggage allowance. Flights from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh can be as little as £34.

Tipping in Cambodia is not compulsory but is appreciated.

The easiest way to get around towns is get walking but for longer distances, you can hire a tuk-tuk for a single journey or whole day.

You can arrange to have a driver and tuk-tuk for a day for about $20. They can take you around the temples and wait for you at each one. You can ask your hotel to help you arrange this.

Revealing clothes in Cambodia, if you are not on the beach are a no-no! Locals actually find this offensive. So be respectful of local customs and cover up!

Many of the temples are in ruins, so don’t make an already bad situation worse but sit on statues or leaning on them.

Monks are highly respected and revered in Cambodia. Please be ask when taking pictures of them and with them.

Smoking is not allowed within Angkor Wat Park

Cambodia Travel Safety – Is Cambodia Safe?

Cambodia is relatively safe for tourists. Our visit to Cambodia was great with no major issues. While Cambodia is safe as a destination to travel to, just be aware of the scams, especially in the towns and markets.

You have people who will pretend to be hungry and use children to make you buy them milk for the child. Sometimes will even go as far as using children where you know the child is over 3 years old and no longer drinking baby’s milk.

This is all a scam and mostly which shopkeepers are in on.

Also, note to keep your bags close. If walking make sure the back is away from the roadside. When riding tuk-tuks keep bags low and not noticably visible. This is to avoid bag snatchings which have been known to happen.

Khmer – Cambodia Language Basics

Learn the basics, things like how to say thank you in Cambodian language.

Hello(informal/formal) Soos-a-day / Chim Reap Soo-ah

How are you? Tah(I) nee-ah(k) soksa-bye tay?

I am fine, thanks Knyom soksa-bye ah-koon

What is your name? Tah(I) nee-ah(k) chmoo-ah

My name is…. Knyom chmoo-ah….

Excuse me/Sorry Sum-toe

Thank You Ah-koon

Thank you very much Ah-koon chran

No Ah-t/day

Yes Bah(t)(men)/jah(women)

Goodbye Chim Reap Lee-ah

See you soon Choo-up knea chah-p chah-p

Best Currency For Cambodia

As I mentioned above, while the currency for Cambodia is Riel, the best currency for Cambodia when you visit is the dollar. When we were visiting from the UK we changed our UK currency to dollars for our visit to Cambodia.

How Much Money To Bring To Cambodia

How much money you take to Cambodia will depend on your travel style. There are luxury hotels as well as budget accommodation in Cambodia. Hostel beds cost as little $5 for a night and hotel rooams for budget and midrange can be as low as $50 a night with luxury or 5 star hotels being in the hundreds of dollars a night.

Once you factor in how much money it will cost for your accommodation style for the duration of your trip then factor in the Angkor Wat pass which is about $70 for the 3 day pass and more for the 7 day pass, there are other tours in Cambodia you might wont to do, travel between cities. Flights between cities cost between £35 and £80 with Cambodian airlines.

Food in Cambodia is also super cheap as are many other things. You can also pay for hotels and many other things by card. I would start off by bring between $300-500 cash for a 2 week trip. That will cover food, tours, massages, drinks and other outings. The rest of the larger expenses you can pay by card. You can also book your tours in Cambodia in advance.

What I Need To travel to Cambodia – Packing

I will cover what you need to bring with your and what to pack for Cambodia in a separate trip but in the meantime make sure you pack the following:

Passport and copies of documents
Emergency contacts
First aid kit
Personal hygiene items.
Hand Sanitiser
Sun cream
Mosquito repellent
Swimsuit
Appropriate clothing particularly for visits to the temple(avoid shorts at temples)
Maxi dresses
Loose-fitting clothes
Comfortable walking shoes, sandals, flip flops and walking shoes.
Cash in dollars – make sure you have small bills
Camera and extra batteries

Best Time To Visit Cambodia

The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and February when weather is cool and breezy. The temperature is between 25oC and 30oC.

The weather in May- September is rainy but still warm at around 25-32oC. April to October is really hot and wet as well with temperatures between 32oC and 40oC.

I definitely would avoid visiting during this hot and wet season. We visited in December which I found to be the best time to visit as the weather was dry but not too hot.

Planning Your Trip To Cambodia

Flights: Search for the best flight deals to Cambodia on Expedia and Ebookers.
Hotels: Book your accommodation in advance. Search for the best deals on hotels on Booking.com or Hotels.com.
Travel Insurance – be sure to make sure you have travel insurance covering accidents, loss of property, and cancellations.
Tours: While you need to buy a pass for the Angkor Wat temples when you get to Siem Reap, you can book other tours in Cambodia in advance.
Visa: Check Travel scape to see if you need a visa for Cambodia

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Best Places To Watch An Apsara Dance In Siem Reap – Cambodia’s Traditional Khmer Dance

September 19, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

There is nothing better than dining to Khmer cuisine, but even better is to experience it with an Apsara dance in Siem Reap’s many cool restaurants. Khmer cuisine is delicious but also very healthy too. Many of the dishes contain more vegetables than meat. Cambodian cuisine is similar to that of Thailand but the flavours are subtler, fragrant but with such a rich history from colonial times and those of its neighbours. This means that the modern recipes have a touch of influence from Chinese, French, Vietnamese and other influences that have been incorporated over the centuries. Your itinerary or trip to Cambodia is incomplete without watching a performance of the Cambodian traditional dancing.

Best Place To Watch Apsara Dance In Siem Reap

Many of the places offering dining in Siem Reap with the Khmer classical dance offer a wide range of budgets and duration of the dance show. Many of these offer great value for many in terms of what you are getting. Really amazing food and a show too. These come in a la carte dining or buffet restaurant in Siem Reap.

Below are among the best places to watch the national dance of Cambodia. The dinner includes the price for an Apsara dance show in Siem Reap restaurants.

Apsara Terrace At Raffles

This is an hour long dance show as you dine outside af this luxury hotel in Cambodia’s captial. The main cuisine served is Asian BBQ menu. The Aspara show is the traditional Khmer cultural dance. This show is available on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday. Seating is at 7pm and the show starts at 7.45pm.

Prices for Apsara dance and dinner show: Adult $49 and children $35
Address: Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

Fou-Nan

The Apsara dancing performance at Fou-Nan runs for a duration of 1 hour 20 minutes and comes with a set menue priced at $25 for all ages. The start time here will depend on the number of guests. Sometimes they will wait until the place files up a little bit.

Price: $25 for all ages
Address: 300M Nth of Victoria Angkor Resort

Temple Balcony

The Apsara dance performance in Siem Reap’s Temple Balcony runs daily. People will be seated from 7.30pm with the show starting around 8pm and runs through 9.30pm. This Apsara dancing traditional style with Khmer cuisine. The menu is a la carte with the dance running for about 2 hours.

Price: Free – You pay for the food.
Address: Pub Street

Smile Of Angkor Wat

Depending on the height of children they will either pay half price or will be free. The apsara dance show in Siem Reap’s Smile of Angkor runs daily with seating starting at 5.30pm and the dance show starting at 7.15pm. The performance showcases, Traditional Khmer dancing, Khmer martial arts, and Broadway-style stage show. The setting is indoors with a buffet style dining.

Price: Adults are $50 and $40 for children
Address: Street 60

Crystal Angkor

Crystal Angkor runs hour-long Apsara dancing in traditional Khmer culture with a set menu. The show runs daily from 7.30pm. Make sure to arrive at leave an hour early to get settled in and order your food. The menu is set.

Price: Adults are $20 and children are $10
Address: Krous Village

Koulen II

The shows for the apsara dance performance in siem reap’s Sivatha Street at Koulen run daily from 6.30pm with the show starting at 7.30pm. The show is typically traditional Khmer culture showcasing. The menu is by way of buffet dinning. Advisable to arrive earlier so you are not walking around as the dancing is taking place.

Price: Adults are $15 and $8 for children
Address: Sivatha Street

The Khmer Barbeq

The Khmer Barbeq runs traditional Khmer culture and Apsara dancing in an indoor setting with a set menu dining where adults pay $18 and children pay $9. The show runs for only 1 hour and starts at 7.30pm so make sure you arrive at least one hour earlier.

Price: Adults pay $18 and kids pay $9
Address: Temple Road

Apsara Theatre

The Aspara dancing performance at Apsara Theatre with either be traditional dance or Khmer culture show. The performance is set indoors and runs daily at 8.30pm with a Khmer set menu. The show runs for 1 hour with adults paying $30 and children paying half price.

Price: Adults pay $30 and children under 12 pay $15
Address: Street 60

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8 Best Souvenirs From Cambodia – What To Buy In Cambodia

September 15, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Cambodia is a shopping paradise with a variety of handmade traditional products. Below are my recommendations for the best souvenirs from Cambodia whether visiting for a quick trip to see Angkor Wat or whether you plan one doing a 7 day trip to Cambodia. There are plenty of things to buy in Cambodia to remember your trip by.

A country with so much history and beautiful and unique surroundings. From lush rainforests, magnificent ancient temples, white sandy beaches, amazing food all steeped in Khmer culture and history. Well, you can can back a little reminder from your exploration of this beautiful country. For the Cambodian souvenirs, continue reading.

Best Souvenirs From Cambodia – Things to Bring Back From Cambodia

Whether you are visiting Siem Reap or the markets and gift shops of Phnom Penh, there is plenty to choose from. Cambodia is known for its exquisite silk products so one cannot miss out on the opportunity to bring back souvenirs from Cambodia that you can also wear rather than just bringing back edible products of Cambodia. You can also attend workshops at Angkor Silk Farm.

Below are some of the ‘must-buys in Cambodia’:

Handmade soap

Made from most natural ingredients Cocoon Silk, Coffee, Lemon-grass, Lavender, Jasmine, black peppercorn and Saffron Soaps and no palm oil. Lovely all-natural handmade soaps made with the finest cocoon silk to moisturize and pamper the skin. If you have had the pleasure of experiencing the spas in Cambodia then this is one souvenir you will definitely want to back home with. These luxury soaps are handmade in rural Cambodia, this project ensures that the artisans are fairly rewarded for their work and provide support for education and training in the communities. When you are in Phnom Penh, drop by Bodia Cambodia Apothecary or Sentures d’Angkor where you can treat yourself to all manner of natural range of products from balms, lotions, soaps, massage oils and more. Both of these places can be found in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Cambodian Teas

Looking to carry a soothing piece of Cambodia back home with you? Then the best way is through a box or two of Cambodia’s aromatic teas. The Jasmine tea, Lemongrass tea or perhaps pouring jasmine tea over coffee dregs sounds like a bad idea but in Cambodia, it’s a refreshing way to cap off the heavy Robusta blends favoured by street sellers. Another fun way to appreciate the local tea culture is to visit the Tea House: Asian Urban Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Jewellery

What could be better than unique hand- crafted jewellery to bring home as a souvenir or gift! Jewellery in Cambodia is stunning and truly a representative of the country’s spirit. If you know of Pailin in the northern edge od Cardamom Mountains, you would know that this region yields most of Cambodia’s precious gems, including rubies, sapphires and zircons. Many of the artisans in Cambodia, use Cambodian silver and incorporate semi-precious stones in their designs. Places to check out in Siem Reap for Cambodian jewellery, check out Garden of Desire, Ammo Jewellery, Artisans Angkor. Make sure you don’t at least leave without a Cambodia souvenir bracelet or necklace. You can find Artisans Angkor in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Candles and Incense

Fill your personal space with that Cambodian scents that will leave you feeling serene and relaxed as you were exploring the cities in Cambodia, allowing you to create the perfect environment. And also, for you to share that experience with others, grab a candle or two along with some incense sticks for that long soak or nice quiet read. Many of the markets will also sell beautifully crafted incense holders.

Cambodian Silk Products (scarves, bags and clothing)

This is specialty of Cambodia. Cambodian is known for its tradition of silk weaving along the history of centuries. If you are looking for a feature of Cambodian fashion, it must be Pidan silk. For those who don’t know, Pidan is a typical kind of ikat silk used in Cambodia weddings, funerals or Buddhist festivals. The silk is usually decorated with things related to Cambodian culture such as temples, Buddha, Angkor Wat.

Khmer Ceramic Items (pottery items)

With Cambodia’s rich history in the art of pottery, you will not be surprised to see the beautiful art still visible in many of the ceramics. These include jars, cosmetic bottles, serving bowls, decorative bowls, tableware, oil burners and Khmer accessories. Hand-made and perfect for any display, make sue to get yourself one or two of these ceramic master pieces and let them speak of your adventures. While you are still in Cambodia, you can also attend crafts workshops where you can not only learn more about Cambodian ceramics and pottery but also make your own items too.

Cambodian Spices

Everyone knows food is the gateway to the heart, so why not add a few Cambodian flavours to your meal? Share your travel experiences from Cambodia through food. Spice up your dishes with spices like the galandal, sweet basil and lemongrass just to add that extra kick of flavour. You can pick up Cambodian spices as well among other Cambodia souvenirs from Senteurs d’Angkor.

Where To Buy Souvenirs In Cambodia

Below is where you can buy Cambodian souvenirs. Also linked some of the places where you can actually buy the best souvenirs from Cambodia online. Many also have free shipping too.

Artisans Angkor: A boutique showroom and a place that is renowned for its handcrafted products but one that also runs training and works with young Cambodia. You not only get quality Cambodian Souvenirs but also helping communities too. Open 9am to 6pm. Can be found in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
Seneurs d’Angkor: Located opposite the National Museum. Open 8am-8am. You can find everything thing from hand-made Cambodian products from spice, accessories, food and snacks to scents. A great place to go shopping for souvenirs in Phnom Penh.
Daughters of Cambodia: This is a boutique store located in Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh. This is where you can buy jewellery, scarves, bags, toys, mens items, home decorative items, and other souvenirs.
Tabitha: Tabitha is where you can find beautiful handcrafted silk products. Another place to check out is Goel Community where you can buy apparel by a community lead initiative.
Angkor Night Market: Located in Siem Reap and open from 4pm to midnight where you can find souvenirs in many varieties. Many of which are handcrafted.
Artisans Angkor Silk Farm: Learn about how silk is traditionally made in Cambodia and pick up a wide range of hand-woven silk made Cambodian souvenirs.

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5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Need To Visit

October 3, 2018 by admin 5 Comments

Angkor Wat - 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

One cannot visit Cambodia without exploring the some of th oldest temples in Siem Reap. Some of the last remaining Angkorian temples and ruins. Cambodia, the name is enough to stir in you the emotion that you can associate with the ancient world. There is an uncanny aura surrounding that name, and we are taken back several centuries. Siem Reap, a capital of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia.

A famous city that gets tourists drawn to see some of the most important temples in Siem Reap considering a lot of them are being reclaimed by nature. Below I take you through a list of temples in Siem Reap that are must-sees and the best way to see the temples in Siem Reap.

With so many beautiful temples to explore makes you wonder just how many days should you spend in Siem Reap? We had a couple of days in Siem Reap for our first visit before returning again having visiting Malaysia. Reaching Siem Reap isn’t that difficult since Siem Reap International Airport has flights from across major Asian airports and beyond.

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5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap Cambodia To Visit

One of the oldest evidence of Buddhism and Hinduism besides India can be found here. Angkor Wat temple and various other Hindu and Buddhist temples can be found within the Siem Reap. With mysticism surrounding every temple and stunning architecture dictating every column, you will want to take your time and explore every inch. There are so many times in Siem Reap but below are 5 of my favourite, Cambodia famous temples, as well as being the best temples in Siem Reap, you definitely won’t want to miss out having a temple tour of Siem Reap’s best Angkorian wonders.

Though there are hundreds of temples dotting through the countryside still untouched, that you will find yourself trying to figure out how many temples are there. Many have now turned into Cambodian ruins due to lack of maintenance. The ones below are among the few that are still standing. These are also some of the oldest temples in Siem Reap. Perfect if additions to a 4 day itinerary of Siem Reap. or if you are embarking on exploring many of the beautiful places to visit in Cambodia.

Angkor Wat 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

Angkor Wat temple

Built in the Khmer dynasty, Angkor Wat temple was commissioned by King Suryavarman. Though other temples back then were made for Lord Shiva, this Angkor Wat temple was made for Hindu God, Lord Vishnu. This temple is built on a sprawling stretch of land and the massive structure with the accurate detailing of bas-relief, it has become an icon of Cambodia.

However, by the end of the 12^th century, it became a Buddhist temple. It has withstood the test of time and soon became the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. A visit to this temple should be the first thing to do among must-see temples in Siem Reap. The temple of Angkor Wat draws in people from around the world for sunrises and sunset photography session. Spoiler alert on what to expect when visiting the temple of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

Bayon temple:

Bayon temple was one of my very favourite temples in Siem Reap as I managed to make a few visits while in visiting the city. King Jayavarman VII commissioned the construction of this stone temple. The unmistakable artwork of carving Buddha faces on the walls of this temple are absolutely fascinating. There are approximately 216 of these smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara that adorn the walls. There is a feeling of awe that comes along with it, and a trip to Bayon temple should definitely be on your must see temple to visit among Angkor Wat temples park.

It is located in Angkor Thom and is yet another significant monument from the erstwhile Khmer Empire are just so unique and so different from the churches, cathedrals and places of worship you are accustomed to. The adventure and history-loving tourist, as well as Siem, Reap temples history lovers can seek a guided temple tour in Siem Reap the ancient ruins of the lost world(nearly) through the dark corridors of this temple. Much like many of the temples here, Bayon temple too had made the transition from being a Hindu temple to a Buddhist temple. However, do not miss on the walls around the temple that speak to you with tales and legends of the Khmer dynasty.

Angkor Wat 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

Ta Prohm:

One of Cambodia’s famous temples. Yes, the reference to a Hollywood adventure movie will surely come when exploring Ta Prohm temple, one of the most awe-inspiring temples in Siem Reap. One thing that makes it different from others is the fact that unlike other Cambodian temples, this one is literally enveloped by huge tree roots. The temple has a tree and overgrown creepers growing along its walls and yet, it seems like it has surrendered itself to nature. The temple was built in 1136 during the Rajavihara dynasty. Though now renovation works are underway, most of the places in this temple are out of access to the tourists, and you can still take a few snap and pose like Lara Croft in The Tomb Raider.

5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

Preah Khan:

One of the other important temples that must be on your trip to Siem Reap is the Preah Khan. There are similarities you will find in certain styles with Ta Prohm, but the fact that this served as a temporary residence to King Jayavarman VII says a lot. The details of art and architecture point in the work done and provide an insight into the kind of lifestyle the people had back then. There are Hindu Mythological tales etched into the walls and the lavish courtyard and corridors will certainly form a memorable part of your trip exploring Cambodian temples in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

Banteay Srey:

Another one of on the list of temples in Siem Reap that are just a must see is Banteay Srey. Equally impressive and architectural marvels by the name of Banteay Srey or Banteay Srei. Located near the hill of Phnom Dei, this sandstone temple of Lord Shiva is markedly different from the other Angkor temples you have checked out so far. There is a saying that it has such delicate artwork for the walls that it was possibly done by women only. To reach this temple, you will need to book a car, bike or tuk-tuk as its slightly further than the others but you also enjoy the serenity and opulence of this place of a whole with on a few people.

There is no dearth of temples in Siem Reap because it was once the capital of the Khmer dynasty. So, while Siem Reap has modern metropolis life running alongside keeping up with its modernity, it has its trail of history leading back to the 12^th century but you can also hit the beach only a few miles away, and watch the sun going down the horizon. Siem Reap definitely opened up your soul and eyes to a new world! I am so glad with got to return to Cambodia for a second trip of exploring as well as ringing in the new year in Siem Reap’s Pub Street.

Angkor Wat 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

The Best Way To See Temples In Siem Reap

Other than these popular five temples in Siem Reap, there are other temples in Siem Reap also worth mentioning that you can check out drop in if you have time or eagerness. The temple of Ta Som, which is a smaller version of the Ta Prohm is another great option. You may also visit Thommanon temple, which was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. It is one of the temples featured as the UNESCO World Heritage spot, and so you might consider visiting it.

Angkor Wat 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

When its comes to the best way to see the temples in Siem Reap, as there is a significant distance between them, you will find the some of the hotels in Siem Reap also offer bike hire, if you choose to explore that way independently. If you are looking at car rentals in Siem Reap for exploring temples, I would say don’t bother with that option as some of the roads are not that great and nor is signage in the city. Instead, my recommended options would be hiring a tuk-tuk and a driver. I believe it costs about $20 for the day or half day and the driver will drop you at a time and pick you up and take you to the next temple. When you buy your tickets for the temples you will buy a pass that is either 24 hours or 3 days, I believe they also offer a week pass option.

This is by far the best way to see the temples are the hotel can help you arrange a tuk-tuk driver who can navigate around the temples in Angkor Wat national park without you having to know which roads to get there. Although I would say its better to have a plan of which temples you plan to visit and the best way to see them during this way your driver knows the best way to get around and which nearby temples might also be interesting to check out. We had our tuk-tuk driver for 3 days in Siem Reap which made exploring the temples a lot easier. Also, note that the temples are quite a distance from the main city hub that is Pub Street. So if you are hoping to do a sunrise at Angkor Wat temple, you will definitely have to prearrange your transport the day before as people sometimes set off at 3am and 4am just to get there and get a good spot for sunrise pictures of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

When Is The Best Time To Visit Siem Reap?

We visited Siem Reap in December through January, which is one of the dry months. We had great weather, the majority of days were dry. I would say November, December, January are the best times to visit as the weather is fairly stable. It’s warm and sometimes hot but not unbearably hot. You will still need to pack some repellent as there are still plenty of mosquitos.

Ideal Itinerary In Siem Reap

You really need only a couple of days in Siem Reap at best maybe a week to really explore. An ideal itinerary for 3 days and 2 nights in Siem Reap would involve exploring temples during the day and exploring Pub Street in the evening which has restaurants and markets. This is if you are short on time. Otherwise, I think at least 5 days at the very best so as to allow you to pace yourself and revisit some of the favourite temples in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat Ticket Prices

1 Day Pass: US$37
3 Day Pass: US$62
7 Day Pass: US$72

The Best Hotels and Locations To Stay In Siem Reap

To help you figure out which is the best hotel to stay in Siem Reap to find out which is the best location to stay in Siem Reap, I have a guide on where to stay in Siem Reap that features budget, mid-range and luxury hotels as well as tips on where to stay in the city to make the most of you exploring in Siem Reap.

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Angkor Wat, Bayon temple, Preah Khan, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srey: 5 Of The Best Temples In Siem Reap You Cant Leave Without Seeing

Exploring Cambodia’s Banteay Kdei Temple In Siem Reap – A Citadel of Chambers

September 10, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

Banteay Kdei Temple is one of many temples in Angkor Temples in Sieam Reap. Banteay Kdei translates to “A citadel of Chambers” and is also known as a “Citadel of Monks”. Located in the southeast of Ta Prohm and not frequented by tourists as much as Ta Prohm or Angkor Wat but is definitely worth stopping by to check out this little gem.

You will also appreciate the peace and quiet as you wander around what is left of a gem build in the 12th century. Built in Bayon Architectural style so draws similar style and plan to that of Ta Prohm and Preah Khan and has been occupied by Monks right up until 1960s.

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Banteay Kdei Temple In Siem Reap

Like many of the temples in Siem Reap they are under a restoration project to preserve these beautiful structures. There is a lot of history surrounding the temples and learning a little about some of the empires ruling the land adds to your visit of the temples. For example learning about the 13th century vandalism of Buddha images that can be seen on many of the Jayavarman VII temples, which are apparent on Banteay Kdei in Siem Reap.

Jayavarman VII was a king in the Khmer Empire which lasted from 802 to 1431. It was during this period that temple of grandeur were erected. During his reign was also a time when much of Cambodia was restored from ruins from previous battles. He became known as a “Great Builder” having been responsible for building many temples that we have come to love and flock to in Cambodia. Apparently, his work does not extend to that of Banteay Kdei, although style and inspiration was taken from Bayon, Prah Khan, Ta Prohm for which Jayavaraman was chief architect.

Banteay Kdei Temple In Cambodia’s Siem Reap

I have already said how I enjoyed my visit at Bayon Temple. This temple is definitely second favourite out of all the temples I visit as, coupled with a much relaxed and less crowded temple it certainly added to an enjoyable experience of exploring Angkorian temples in Cambodia.

I will be sharing the 5 temples to check out in Siem Reap with tips on what to pack and how to go about exploring them so look out for that. In the meant time you can also check out my tips on where to eat and relax in the city of Siem Reap, when not temple running.

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Exploring Ta Prohm | The “Tomb Raider” Temple In Cambodia

May 10, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

Tips for exploring Ta Prohm, Cambodia's famous temple aka The "Tomb Raider" Temple. Pictures to illustrate why this is a must see temple in Siem Reap.

Ta Prohm is and should be on the list of every visitor to Cambodia’s Siem Reap. Nicknamed The Tomb Raider Temple as it was used a location for the filming of Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. It’s also unfortunate that it’s one of the temples that is least well preserved among the popular Angkor temples.

Although, there is now a restriction on climbing some of the towers, walking around the site will still leave your in awe are you take in Ta Prohm’s atmospheric ruins. It’s almost as if the jungle wants to swallow up and reclaim the jungle as its own again.

Ta Prohm was built in 1186 and was originally know as Rajavihara or Monastery of the King and it’s also said to be the only one with inscriptions providing details about the temple’s dependents and inhabitants. Around 80, 000 people would have been required to maintain or attend the temple.

Though, looking at the state of it now, you wonder how they could have let go and thought nature would reclaim its land back. Many of the corridors are impassable, crumbling towers rendered too dangerous and precious to climb. Plants, trees, shrubs all fighting their way through bricks have stated their claim on the site and they seem to be winning.

Winning they may be, and a great expense too as the more land they reclaim the more humanity loses such a beautiful and historical site more over the more cryptic, captivating the scenery at Ta Prohm. Although some of these sights are now beeing restored and maintained in a bid to hold on to them, I wouldn’t wait too long to visit Cambodia.

Below are some of my pictures from our visit to Ta Prohm.

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Gelato Lab Co | A Slice of Italy In Cambodia

May 8, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Gelato Lab & Co | A Slice of Italy In Siem Reap Cambodia

Cambodia is a country that calls souls to witness the awe-inspiring Angkor Temples. With flocks of tourist heading to Siem Reap to see the temple ruins, the city is lively and constantly abuzz. Food is not so far behind city explorations and in such a tropical destination you can beat the heat is not so far behind. When the heat calls so does the thirst for something cool. Gelato Lab and Co is a little gem that we discovered when wandering the alleyways of Siem Reap’s Pub Street narrow and long alleys.

Gelato Lab Co offers authentic Italian gelato and sorbets all freshly made on site and with all natural ingredients too. Made the Italian way! Ice-creams are made with the finest Madagascan vanilla beans and made using the Cattabrigga Eff 6, said to introduce air to the gelato that distinguishes it from the standard ice-creams. The put in similar effect into their aromatic coffees. The ice-creams, sorbets and the coffee are all full of flavour and a testament to the pride and joy that goes into producing food in this cafe. Its a cool and laid back cafe with friendly staff.

Gelato Lab Co – Alley West | Between Sivatha Rd and Street 11, Siem Reap 855, Cambodia

Open – 9am -11.30pm

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Top Things To Do In Siem Reap Besides Temples | Food, Play & Shop

May 7, 2016 by admin 5 Comments

So you have heard about the many beautiful temples of Angkor Wat but did you know there are plenty of things to do in Siem Reap besides temples? This post dives deep just what to do in Siem Reap other than temples, by way of Siem Reaps’s Pub Street – a treat for all the senses. I hope you have so far enjoyed the series of post from my explorations of Cambodia’s Angkorian temples.

In this post, I wanted to share detailed tips on things to do in Siem Reap covering your options for entertainment, food and where to relax when not temple running Angor Watand surrounding temples. In addition to in Siem Reap at night as majority of your days will be spent exploring the temples. Below I also cover tips on accommodation options in terms of hotels, hostels in Siem Reap but a more detailed post can be found in my where to stay in Cambodia’s Siem Reap post.

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Things To Do In Siem Reap Besides Temples

This is a city that is on many an adventure seeker’s lists and rightly so as there are some many things to see in Siem Reap, from beautiful temples to great nightlife in Siem Reap’s Pub Street as well as a great addition on many an Asian travel itinerary. We did a month long trip around Asia starting with Beijing then Siem Reap to Bangkok, we then flew to Phuket before exploring Malaysia’s Kula Lumpur. I will link to these below if you want tips on things to do in these cities.

Below are tips on things to do in Siem Reap. Must of your stay will be in Pub Street. It is lively whether it’s during the day or late in the evening. I actually found it to be even more lively in the late evenings. Possibly because everyone had come back from their explorations of Angkorian Temples. While you are in the city don’t be fooled into thinking that all there is to see are old ruins of these temples. You will also find modern temples within the main town that you should definitely check out in addition to the below. For more tours in Siem Reap that go beyond just temples check out Viator tours in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap Temples To Visit

Much of what draws people to visit the city is, of course, Siem Reap temples and there are plenty! I shared a couple of posts to some of the top temples to visit in Siem Reap. I have linked to these below.

Things To Do In Siem Reap At Night | Restaurants and Bars

When it comes to food in Siem Reap, there is plenty! From hawker stalls to Italian, Khmer, Mexican and many Western cuisines such as Italian, Spanish, and French food. The majority of your time will be spent in Pub Street. This is where you will find majority of things to do in Siem Reap at Night. Pub Street is Siem Reap’s main party hub where you will find most of Siem Reap’s restaurants, bars, spas and massage places as well as the markets. Most of the streets don’t have names in particular but the majority of it is known as Pub Street, when you ask your tuk-tuk driver to take you to the main town, that is the only name they will every need.

There are many places to eat. I have listed a couple of my favourites to get you started. There is rife competition to get customers and you will find that most places have really loud music, as if to entice people in. I found that the harder they tried to get you through the door the less effort goes into the food. So make sure you explore the bars and restaurants in the side and back streets.

Kaya Cafe – A nice cold ice cream on a hot day in the city makes this place a must for a stop off. They do traditional Khmer desserts too. All freshly made daily. You will find this little gem in Hospital Street off the Old Market.

L’Annexe – French cuisine and really great quality too. Be sure to leave room for desserts. It’s also not too far from Pub Street. Picasso Bar and Tapas – A touch of Spain with this little tapas bar. You can find this close to Gelato Lab and Co.

Cambodian Cookout– If you are up for learning how to cook Cambodian style foods then this is the perfect option. You get to learn how to cook a three-course meal and eat it too while also experiencing local life in the countryside. A perfect addition to any itinerary on things to do in Siem Reap other than temples.

The Touich Restaurant and Bar – A mix of Khmer and western cuisine. It’s a little away from Pub Street but the food and setting are worth the trip.

Khmer BBQ – If you manage to find the place then you can walk along the same alleyway and just cross over the road to find Gelato an Co for dessert. The food at Khmer BBQ is good and it offers a little more peaceful dining where you can actually hear the person you are talking to, compared to the places on the main streets. Definitely, one to check out. Free wifi too.

Sala Bai Hotel School – Get some food and also connect and help the community. One of the most enjoyable ways to get involved is to eat lunch at Sala Bai Hotel School, an institute that helps train young and at-risk Cambodians in culinary arts. For more tips on planning your Cambodia itinerary check out Becksplore.

Jardin des Delices and Green Star – Both of these of serve up really great food and score highly with many diners.

Gelato and Co – If you love your coffee and fancy quality ice cream to cool your down in Cambodia’s hot and humid weather this is the place to be! They are super friendly, and it’s a little treasure in a rather chaotic place. Another plus is that they offer free internet.(Will be posting more pictures of this place soon) Slightly hidden in an alleyway but make the effort to find this place as its too good to pass up.

Others: Angkor What?, Red Piano, Soup Dragon(these three are popular in the city), Sala Bai, ConCert, Miss Wong, Blue Pumpkin and Project Y(Y for yoghurt. This place is a self-service yoghurt place that also helps and funds school and college for Cambodia’s youth. I would highly recommend it.)

More Cool Things To Do In Siem Reap Besides Temples | Siem Reap Night Market and Shopping

To so you have explored temples all day and want things to do in Siem Reap other than Angkor Wat, then you need to head to Pub Street. Pub Street in Siem Reap with all its rolls of restaurants and bars, you also have markets that are open from morning till late evening. Here you will find everything from cheap souvenirs, clothes, jewellery with synthetic and semi-precious stones. You have shops where you can have your own shoes made for a mere $15. Artisans d’Angkor – If you are after super quality craftsmanship, as well as want to see how some of the crafts are made then this is one place to check out. Items from luxury silk scarves, sculptures, and spices.

Artisans d’Angkor is a professional training school that was started and originally sponsored by Cambodia, EU, and French Foreign Ministry to provide training in Angkorian arts to many 18-25-year-old illiterates. What you will find here is remarkable crafts from skilled and talented locals. Visiting the school is free. You can find the school near Angkor Wat and the Old Market. Artisans d’Angkor run free tours with French, English, Japanese, German and Khmer speaking guides. A must if you want to take any quality crafts as gifts or just want to see how a lot of the items you may find in the markets are made. Open 7.30am to 6pm.

Angkor Night Market – Bright, colourful and alive! Angkor Night market was created as a way to alleviate poverty and improve lives of the Khmer people. You will find paintings, clothes, jewellery and crafts made by local artisans. You will get used to exploring in the day and spending your evening in the markets. Just make sure you refine your haggling skills. Open 4pm to midnight.

Pub Street Siem Reap | Where To Eat, Sleep, Shop In Siem Reap

Old Market – Very much similar or in-line with Pub Street Siem Reap in that it is a maze of shops, dining spots, and where day life ends and night-life begins. It’s also not far from Pub Street and stretches along the river.

Khmer Ceramic Center – This place is similar to Artisans d’Angkor in that it also doubles as a training school to teach local youths in craftsmanship skills and in a way retaining traditional Cambodian skills. This place provides an insight into Khmer Ceramic arts and culture. You will find the top quality and hand-made ceramic items like serving bowls, decorative bowls, cosmetic bottles, oil burners, tableware and other accessories. Open 8am to 7pm.

Other Fun Things To Do In Siem Reap Cambodia

Massage | Relaxation In Siem Reap’s Pub Street

There are tons of things to do in Siem Reap besides temples, especially after you have been exploring on your feet all day. After long days temple-trekking, when the evening comes and all the tuk-tuks are heading back with tired tourists the place you want to head to is Pub Street Siem Reap. A little TLC after freshening up at your hotel is the only way to get the evening started on a relaxed note. You will want to explore the many options of R&R within Pub Street Siem Reap’s many alleys. Here you will find pedicures with those flesh-eating fish, reflexology treatments, hand, foot and body massages at $6 for hour’s massage.

Among the list of what to do in Siem Reap town, massages where super addictive and ones I would happily return for any day. Also considering the fact that they are super cheap! Pub Street is lined with places so you will always find availability without having to book. The foot massages are a true Godsend after much exploring of temples all day. Having a massage will put you in good order to head out again the following day of more explorations. If you can’t bear to pull yourself from your hotel room, most hotels will have people on call who will come to your room and massage your feet but for the price, they charge you will more than likely just get them to do the whole body without having to break the bank.

A lot of the luxury hotels offer spa options but for the prices, most of them will charge for this, you might as well head to Pub Street. A lot of the places are clean and the messages are good enough to have you purring like a cat and cost a fraction of the price at large hotels.

Siem Reap Nightlife | Pub Street Siem Reap Nightlife and Entertainment

While exploring the temples you will have noticed a lot of carvings and statues that feature Apsara dancers. A visit to Pub Street Siem Reap is not complete without seeing the traditional Apsara dancers perform in front of you. There are a few restaurants that have daily shows with Apsara dancers reenacting scenes from those that are carved out on the temples or old stories about Apsaras. Some performances are free and some come at a price ranging from $30-40, but this will be with high-end hotels that offer 3-course meals as part of that price.

Within Pub Street you can find places like Temple Balcony(everyone knows this place if you need to ask for directions), it has daily performances from 7.30-9.30pm and the dancers are really good. The food wasn’t that great and nothing to sing home about but the dancers made up for that. Other places you can head to, to see the dancers are Apsara Theatre and Raffles Hotel. Apsara Theatre has skilled dancers in a great setting and beautiful customs.

The theatre’s shows run daily at 8pm. Raffles Grand Hotel also has impressive classical dancing and martial art performance all with amazing food to boot too. Be aware that their performances run on certain days. Being that it is a luxury hotel, expect luxury prices too.

Getting Around In Siem Reap

Getting around is fairly easy. There are taxis, although not too many so the transportation at your disposal will be that of the tuk-tuks. There is no public transport system in Siem Reap. There may be no public transport locally but buses are available when travelling to other cities. There are a lot of motorbikes which I believe can also rented out but as the cost of having a tuk-tuk and driver is a lot easier I found that to be the best option for us. In addition to having locals who know where they are going when showing you around all the temples. You will also do a lot exploring on foot. It’s fairly easy to get around Pub Street Siem Reap on foot as well as being safe. Just make sure you keep your bags secure as there are incidents of bag snatchings I have read.

Bicycles – You can explore the temples at your own pace by bike. You can rent out bikes for the day at $1-2 a day for a normal bike and recent models and mountain bikes for $8-10. Places like Old Market, Wat Bo Road and White Bicycles NGO all have bike rental services.

Tuk-tuks – A one-way journey to most places in the city will only cost $2-3 but you can also book a tuk-tuk and driver for the day for the price of $20-25. They will take you around all the temple and wait around for you outside the temple and ready to move on to the next when you are done.

Taxi – Most taxis whether booking them from the airport or from your hotels or even the main markets will favour long journeys. They are super picky which can be frustrating at times. I am not particularly patient if someone is going to be picky or dictate the distances they want to travel when that should dictate by where the customer wants to go. You will most likely be using tuk-tuks are there aren’t that many taxis in the city anyway.

Siem Reap Tours

Most of the hotels, villa, hostels can arrange for a tuk-tuk and guide for the day’s exploration but if you are more of a DIY or want to venture outside the popular tourist routes, you can also check out Get Your Guide for a range of tours in Siem Reap and Cambodia overall.

Where to stay in Siem Reap

There are many beautiful hotels and hostels in Siem Reap. I shared a detailed guide to the best areas to stay in Siem Reap on the blog. You will definitely need a relaxing place to relax and chill out while exploring all that the temple and Pub Street Siem Reap have to offer. For a little inspiration, you can check out my post on where to stay in Siem Reap on the blog. For a list of hotels in Siem Reap and read reviews and get the latest prices click here.

Booking.com

I hope this post has opened up some more ideas for your Cambodia itinerary when considering just what to do in Siem Reap besides the temples of Angkor Wat.

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