Backroad Vacations

Organizing a Vacation in Siem Reap

Organizing a holiday in Siem Reap
Siem reap is the old-time capital of Cambodia and the second biggest city in Cambodia outside the prevailing capital Phnom Penh. Nearby is the mighty Mekong River that flows through China, Laos and then Cambodia out into the South China Sea.
The supreme tourist attraction in Siem Reap is Angkor Wat and the other nearby temples built approximately 900-1000 years ago. There is a broad collection of contrasting temples to keep you active during your holiday. Hire a tuk tuk driver or taxi as the best way to get around Siem Reap during your vacation
Endorsed things to do in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat - Stop by the wonderful temple dedicated to Vishnu, built by Suryavarman II during the 12th century. Walk all over the 3.6km walls that surround this astonishing temple. Step indoors and lay eyes on the bas-relief gallery walls filled with complex carving in sandstone with the famous "Churning of the Sea of Milk" The gallery walls alone are decorated with almost 1, 000 square metres of bas-reliefs.
Dirt bike venture tours (250cc) to Northeast Cambodia, to the region termed Preah Vihea province. Driving dirt bikes through the terrain as well as visits to Preah Khan shrine in this locality.
Quad bike tours. Locate the small villages and backroads neighboring Siem Reap by quad bike. Half day and full day tours available.
Cooking classes with Paul Dubrule - Come upon how to complete regional Cambodian dishes at the not for profit school that helps train provincial Cambodians in the hospitality industry. All proceeds go towards the schooling of over hundreds of employees each year.
Apsara dancing - Be a guest of one of the heaps traditional dancing shows held most nights
Tonle Sap Lake - Discover the floating village on this alluring lake a minimal distance outside Siem Reap
Cambodian Landmine museum - take a Tuk tuk driver to visit the museum run by Aki Ra, a former Khmer Rouge child soldier

Angkor Wat temple pass.
A handy hint when getting your temple permit. Get your tuk tuk driver or taxi driver to drop you off to obtain (money) your day permit or 3 day pass late in the afternoon. It is useful to know that if you enter the sites later than 5pm, your card won't be marked until the next day. This gives you a free of cost sunset at one of the temples!

Angkor Wat Tour Guides
In Cambodia, excursion guides have to qualify to put in for for training, then study and successfully graduate a government-approved exam before they can be issued with a license.
While your Tuk Tuk or Taxi can take you to all the attractions in Siem Reap and surroundings, most tourists find that an attendant who is able to go with them under a roof the temples brings out the detail of the carvings and all the symbolism, saga and tradition that you would otherwise skip when touring without one. We decidedly urge you book well in advance for this service, particularly through the High Season (Oct-Mar).
Angkor Wat Tours
These are just some appropriate tours if your are traveling for 1, 2 or 3 days and want to see as scores of the temples encompassing Siem Reap as possible.
1 Day tour of Siem Reap
Here for only 1 day then you really want to pack in as much as you possibly can. Get your pass the day before 5pm (approx 4.30pm) which entitles you to use it that late afternoon. Head up to Angkor Wat and have a speedy look around to get some idea of the scale of the place. Head up to Bakheng Hill for sunset but it will be overflowing during peak season and the sun actually set behind you. Early morning is the best time for sunup at Angkor Wat as the temple faces the West and the sun will rise up behind the temple towards the principal gateway.
The Small Tour
Angkor Wat (then travelling north)
Phnom Bakheng
Angkor Thom (including Bayon, Elephant Terrace, Leper Terrace and Baphuon)
Chau Sey Tevoda
Thommanon
Ta Keo (then travelling north east)
Ta Nei (then travelling south)
Ta Prom (then travelling east)
Banteay Kdei
Sra Srang
Prasat Kravan
Back to Angkor Wat (total 17km)
The Grand Tour
Angkor Wat (then travelling north)
Phnom Bakheng
Preah Khan
Preah Neak Pean (then travelling east)
Ta Som (then travelling south)
Pre Rup
Back to Angkor Wat (total 26km)
Although you can use these as a guide, your responsible tuk tuk driver knows many ways to make sure you see as much as possible with whatever time you have available.

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