Tra-Abel Guide to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia and once known as the Khmer Empire, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. (Source: Wikipedia)

The major tourist hub of Cambodia is Siem Reap while its capital is at Phnom Penh. The original plan for my 11 days backpacking tour around Southeast Asia was to spend 2 days at Siem Reap and 1 day at Phnom Phen before going to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Unfortunately due to time constraints and other factors, I decided to just spend 4 days and 3 nights at Siem Reap and go back to Bangkok,Thailand (Click here for a complete guide).

Even though my time spent at Siem Reap was short, I was able to acquire lifelong memories and friendships along the way. Let me tell you how my 4 days and 3 nights at Siem Reap became so meaningful and memorable.

Getting around

The center of Siem Reap, Cambodia can be toured around by foot or by renting a bicycle. The Angkor Archeological Park is recommended to be visited by travel and tour agencies. It is much cheaper to avail of the guided and organized tours rather than doing the tour on your own. Tuktuk services can also be arranged from the tour agencies. This is all thanks to tourism as one of the major revenue earning sector of Siem Reap.

Activities and Tour

AngkorArcheological Park Tour 1 (Inner Circuit)

This is the most famous and most recommended tour at Siem Reap. It includes tour at Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Ta Phrom, Thommanom, Chau Say Thevada, Ta Keo and Banteay Kdei. Most especially this tour includes a visit to see the splendor of Angkor Wat. Read the full feature here!

Sunsetat Phnom Krom Hill Temple

The Temple Ruins at Phnom Krom Hilltop.

The perfect place to finish the day and to watch the setting of the sun is none other than Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple. You can find a modern era temple at the hilltop shared with the temple ruins of Phnom Krom. Read the full feature here!

AngkorArcheological Park Tour 2 (Outer Circuit)

Pink Temple of Bantaey Srei. Dirty Pink? LOL.

Since it is impossible to visit all the temples at Angkor Archeological Park in 1 day, some of the famous temples can be visited through the tour 2 of the Outer Circuit Tour. This tour includes Banteay Srei, Preah Khan, Ta Som, Pre Rup and Neak Poan. This tour also includes an educational tour on how the locals cook and process palm sugar. Read the full feature here!

Tour Around the Pub Street and Night Market

Everything you need can be found at the Pub Street and Night Market. Khmer foods, souvenir items, bookstores, bars, gadgets and other items are all available here. This place comes alive at night! Loud music and people partying on the street are common around here. Read the full feature here!

     Food

     The Khmer food is a pleasure to the tongue. Vegetable dishes are common here. What I      love most about the food here is, it doesn’t cost that much. Your USD 5 will go a long             way! 

     Accommodation

     Mandalay Inn is mostly recommended by other traveler due to its proximity to the pub      
     street and night market, friendly staff and personnel as well as the cheap price of its      
     room. 

BorderCrossing from Thailand to Cambodia and vice versa

A few years ago, border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia was a real nightmare for tourist! Thanks to the direct bus plying Bangkok-Siem Reap, the border crossing got a lot easier and safer! Read my full guide here.

3 Day Itinerary

Day 1   Arrival (if through the land border crossing)

            Walk Around the City

            Getting drunk at Pub Street

Day 2   Angkor Wat Tour 1 (Inner Circuit) or Angkor Wat Tour 2 (Outer Circuit)

            Sunset at Phnom Krom Hill Temple

Shopping at Night Market

Day 3   Departure (if through the land border crossing)

           

This itinerary is not recommended since there are lots of other activities and tours available. However if time is really of the essence, I suggest you choose the Angkor Wat Tour 1 since it includes the famous temples. The land trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap eats a significant amount of time so if you have the resources, book a plane ticket from one of the low cost carriers - Air Asia that ply this route.

5 Day Itinerary

Day 1   Arrival (if through the land border crossing)

            Walk Around the City

            Getting drunk at Pub Street

Day 2   Angkor Wat Tour 2 (Outer Circuit)

            Sunset at Phnom Krom Hill Temple

Eat and Walk around the Pub Street

Day 3   Angkor Wat Tour 1 (Inner Circuit)

            Try to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat

Get a foot or full body massage at the Pub Street

           

Day 4   Visit the less popular temples at Angkor Wat Complex or Visit Tone Sap Lake

            Angkor National Museum

            Shopping at Night Market

Day 5   Departure (if through the land border crossing)      

This is the optimum number of days for you to enjoy the major tourist site of Siem Reap. Alternatively for Day 4, you can rent a bicycle for USD 1 a day and bike around the city or go wherever you want to go.  

Whichever of the two itineraries you choose make sure to enjoy and cherish the moments you spend while you are there. Because it doesn’t matter how long you stay or travel to one place, what matters, is the experiences and memories you get from them!