Top 10 tips for a successful visit to Angkor

Situated in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the Angkor Complex is a dream for many voyagers. Tucked away inside lush forests, these temples bear witness to a bygone era. With the complex drawing large numbers of visitors annually from around the world, how can we avoid the crowds and have a successful visit to the temples of Angkor?

In this article, we will share a few tips to make your visit to this World Heritage Site a successful and peaceful one. 

1. Regarding tickets for Angkor

It would be a waste if you missed the Angkor temples on a trip to Cambodia. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, the Angkor Temple Complex is undoubtedly one of the country's must-sees. This immense complex is packed with impressive temples and is home to the historic remains of the powerful Khmer civilization, among which Angkor Wat is the country's largest and most visited. However, the originality and magic of Khmer culture can also be found in other temples, such as Angkor Thom, Taprohm, Elephant Terrace, Bantei Srei, Preah Khan, Takeo, Baphuon…

Don’t forget to buy an entrance ticket to visit the temples. Angkor Wat is open from 5 am to 5.30 pm; Pre Rup and Phnom Bakheng are open from 5 am until 7 pm for a view of sunset. Tickets will be checked at temple entrances, and failure to present your ticket will result in a fine. 

There are 3 types of Angkor Pass

1-Day Pass: 37 USD. Valid for one day only

3-Day Pass: 62 USD. Valid for any three days within a 10-day period starting from your first visit.

7-Day Pass: 72 USD. Valid for any seven days within a one-month period starting from your first visit.

Group discounts are not available, but admission is free for children under 12 upon presentation of a passport.

Where to buy tickets for Angkor?

- The Angkor Ticket Office in Siem Reap is the only official counter where you can buy them. Payment can be made in cash (USD) or by credit card.

- Tickets to visit the Angkor temples can be purchased online via the Angkor Enterprise website. Here are the steps to get your Angkor Wat ticket online:

1. Create an account
2. Choose your preferred type of ticket
3. Upload your ID photo
4. Checkout
5. Download the PDF ticket to present on your smartphone

Note:

- Since September 2024, the purchase of a 1-Day Pass in Angkor has been simplified. Foreign tourists will no longer be required to provide personal information such as photos, nationality, age, or gender to purchase this type of ticket.

- The requirement to provide a photo shall remain for the 3-Day Pass and 7-Day Pass until the end of 2024. This requirement will also apply to longer-term tickets but will be reassessed in future updates.

- In the event of an emergency at Angkor Wat, please call the Siem Reap emergency number: 012969991. Or contact the local emergency service at 09777800-13.

Choose your best time to visit the Angkor temples

Angkor Wat is most visited from November to March owing to the pleasant weather, while in April and May, the temples are less frequented due to the heat and the arrival of the monsoon. The wet season, which spans from June to September, is characterized by intermittent showers but at the same time treats tourists to a unique spectacle of luxuriant vegetation and temple stones sublimated by humidity. From mid-October to November, the rains ease off and the crowds of tourists are few.

Buy a good guidebook

It’s a good idea to bring along a good guidebook that provides you with all the information on the Angkor temples, Hinduism, and Theravada Buddhism. You can easily find and buy it in stores in Siem Reap.

Choose a vehicle to move around

The Angkor Complex is an immense area covering 400 km2, while the ancient capital stretches over 1000 km2. It is therefore necessary to hire a means of transport. If you don't have a private driver, you can opt for a tuk-tuk. Simply ask your hotel to arrange for a tuk-tuk driver to take you where you need to go. Count on between $15 and $20/day. You may be asked to pay extra if you want to visit remote temples, and around $5-$7 more if you want to watch the sunrise or sunset over Angkor Wat. If time permits, visiting between temples by bicycle is possible.

Mind your attire 

Please be aware that temples like Angkor Wat in Siem Reap are sacred places, as are religious monuments in the West. It is, hence, advisable to dress appropriately with your knees and shoulders covered. Access to certain areas will otherwise be denied. Should you forget, buying a scarf or stole to cover is a solution. Furthermore, a stole is very practical for protecting your face from the sun and the dust coming from the tuk-tuk.

Get yourself equipped

Don’t wear clothes that are too long, as the road is red on some parts, and if it rains, you will be stained with mud. To protect yourself from the sun and rain, bring a small raincoat or an umbrella and a cap. An electric torch can be useful for visiting dark corners. A pair of binoculars can help you appreciate the details of tall structures. 

Start your journey early in the morning

We recommend starting your temple visit early in the morning, as the temperatures are milder and the light is perfect for photography. Furthermore, an early visit can help you avoid tourist crowds.

Choose the temples to visit in advance

The Angkor Temple Complex is gigantic, and you can not visit it all. It is therefore best that you plan which temples to visit. The must-sees, and of course, most visited temples, are Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Preah Khan, Ta Phrom, and Bayon. If time permits, you can explore temples farther afield.

Bayon Temple

Avoid entering the temples through the main entrances, which are often close to the road!

For a more leisurely visit, it's best to enter the temples via the secondary entrances at the sides or rear. These entrances are generally less frequented by tourists.

Always have your camera ready!

While in Angkor, you might want to capture the beauty of the temples every moment. Before setting off to visit the temples of Angkor, make sure you have a charged battery and enough free space on your memory card. 

Come and discover this magical country now! It's sure to be an experience to last a lifetime. 

For more information or ideas for tours in Cambodia, don’t hesitate to contact us via this email: sales@authentiktravel.com, or click HERE

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