Our tuk tuk driver from the bus station was so sweet and his English was so good so we were compelled to hire him for the following day to take us around Angkor. We settled on a price of $15 US for the entire day and arranged to have him pick us up at our hotel the following morning at 4:30 am so we could experience sunrise over Angkor Wat. We later realized we fell victim to the old “bait and switch” as he changed himself out for his cousin who he swore spoke English as well as his own (this wasn’t the case). But even though his cousin couldn’t speak much English at all he arrived promptly at our hotel the following morning and was a great driver.

If you are planning to do the small tour or grand tour circuit of Angkor (both of which include the closest temples) it is reasonable to hire a tuk tuk and driver for $15 US for the entire day. In addition to an all day hire it is not unusual to have your driver pick you up for sunrise, drop you back off at your hotel to escape the midday heat and then pick you up again for sunset all for the same price. The heat gets intense in the afternoon and it’s great to escape the noontime sun and enjoy the mysteries of Angkor in minimal heat.

Tips for hiring a driver all day: Settle on your price beforehand but do not pay your driver until the end of the day.

Negotiate your prices. Drivers will attempt to get more money out of you if they can. When in doubt walk away. There is always another tuk tuk driver waiting to be your guide. Sometimes simply walking away is the best negotiating technique.

Expect to pay $15 US for a full day of the small tour or grand tour circuits. If you want to visit Banteay Srey (37 km from Siem Reap) or Kbal Spean (49 km from Siem Reap) expect to pay between $18 to $30 US for the trip because of the distance and due to the fact that the roads out to Kbal Spean are currently extremely rough and hard on the tuk tuks.

Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/srtemples.htm

Admission to Angkor Wat

If you are planning on visiting Angkor Wat while you are in Siem Reap, and face it, why else would you be here, be sure to come prepared. In order to visit the temples you will need to purchase a pass. There are three types of passes to Angkor Wat available: 1 day for $20 US, 3 consecutive days for $40 US or 7 consecutive days for $60 US. You will need to purchase this pass if you are planning to visit any of the temples. They are diligent about checking people’s passes at the major temples and will charge a fine if you are caught without a pass.

You will also need to provide a passport photo for the Angkor pass so make sure you bring one with you to avoid any troubles. The process is simple and takes very little time. The ticket booths are easily accessed on the main road into Angkor. Join the que, pay your fee, hand over your passport photo and your Angkor pass should be read in a matter of minutes. If you forget your passport photo they will take a Polaroid of you on site. Ticket booths are open from 5 am to 6 pm daily.

We visited in the off-season (as if there is an off season here!) so the lines in the morning were a breeze. If you are concerned about lines you can purchase tickets for the following day after 5 pm but the lines at 5 am weren’t bad at all. And if you hire your own driver for the day he will wait for you through the process. Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/srtemples.htm

Angkor Wat And The Surrounding Temples

Angkor Wat is the best known of all the temples in Angkor. In fact it is the largest religious building in the world. Angkor Wat, and the surrounding temples, were declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1992. When people think of Angkor, images of Angkor Wat are most often visualized, but many people are not aware of the actual scope of the entire Angkor complex. The park consists of 400 sq. km and hundreds of structures built between the 9th and the 15th centuries. Admission to the temples includes free reign to roam, explore and climb the ancient structures. The structures were built and carved entirely by hand for several kings. And the people who currently reside here are descendants of these ancient peoples.

Although guests are allowed the unique opportunity to climb and explore the magnificent and often crumbling structures, care should be taken. It implore any visitor to these unique temples to exercise care and caution during their time in Angkor, it is the only way to ensure that this amazing edifice will remain for future generations to enjoy. Many of the temples are currently under reconstruction and some of the lesser temples still need to undergo major preservation. And removing any objects from any of the Angkor temples is strictly forbidden. But also, as a visitor to these sacred sites please be respectful, many of these temples are still in use. Much of the ugly behavior we experienced from other tourists were shouting and shoving – especially on the steep and narrow steps to the top of Angkor Wat, which is not only rude but dangerous. Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/srtemples.htm

Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom is one of the most famous temples in the Angkor system, behind Angkor Wat and the Jungle Temple. Also known as the Banyon, this temple is best known for the faces carved into the many facades on the temple. Most visitors choose to spend sunrise and sunset at Angkor Wat, but I highly recommend skipping the crowds and enjoying the sunset at Angkor Thom. The setting sun reflects beautifully off the stony faces of the Banyon and this usually crowded temple is relatively vacant around sunset as most of the tourists flock to nearby Angkor Wat at this time. I believe that it is the best time to see Angkor Thom and we were nearly alone, save for a lone monk and one or two other tourists. Any other time of day this popular temple is overrun with other visitors.

During our exploration we encountered a nun who was attending one of the Buddha statues housed inside the Banyon. She greeted us warmly and offered us each three sticks of burning incense to make and offering to the Buddha. We followed her lead as she blessed us and showed us the proper way to pay our respects. In return for this a small donation is expected but well worth the experience.

  Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/srtemples.htm

Preah Pithu Group

After visiting Angkor Wat we continued into Angkor Thom. The major draws of Angkor Thom are The Banyon, The Baphuon, The Terrace of the Elephants The Terrace of the Leper King but there are other lesser temples in the area where you are less likely to find the hordes of tourists. We had every intention of starting with the Terrace of the Elephants and working back to the Banyon but when we arrived and saw all the people we made a run for the Preah Pithu Group. Not only were we the only visitors in site, these lesser temples are relatively hidden in the jungle providing much needed relief from the blazing heat of the morning sun.

The Preah Pithu Group is made up of five smallish temples of both Hindu and Buddhist origins. They were constructed in the early 12th Century for Suryavaman II. The temples are in need of restoration but are easy to explore. And many of the artifacts and statues belonging to these temples are on the jungle floor giving visitors a chance to examine them up-close and personal. But remember it is illegal to remove artifacts from Angkor so please resist the temptation and leave them in place so other visitors may enjoy them too.

Directions: Located in Angkor Thom across the road from the Terrace of the Leper King and just above Prasats Suor Prat. Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-preahpithu.htm