Angkor 4 day itinerary check

Replies: 13 - Last Post: Nov 17, 2012 10:30 AM Last Post By: bun_cha

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Nov 16, 2012 11:10 AM
Posts: 18

Angkor 4 day itinerary check

I know there is loads of information with suggested itineraries for Angkor, but a lot is conflicting (sunrise/ set places, midday sleep or visit, etc.). Could someone look over the below and tell me if it is logical (sequencing) and feasible (timing) please.

Day1:
Sunrise: Angkor Wat till 9 or 10
Back to hotel for breakfast
Midday-afternoon: Roluos group
Sunset: Phnom Krom hill

Day2 : I have 1 full day pre-booked to go to Beng Melea and Kompong Khleang.

Day3:
Sunrise: Angkor Thom
a.m. till 9 or 10: Preah Khan
Back to hotel for breakfast
Midday-afternoon: Out to Banteay Srei
Sunset: ? any ideas appreciated

Day4:
Sunrise: Sra Srang
a.m. till 9 or 10: Banteay Kdei; Prasat Kravan
Back to hotel for breakfast
Midday-afternoon: Ta Prohm; Preah Neak Pean; Ta Som; Pre Rup (time permitting)
Sunset: East Mebon

Comments:

I have a tuktuk driver each day
I would like to see quality slowly, but still see “the best”
I have read to avoid Phnom Bakheng sunset if possible as limited to 300 visitors
I know midday is hot, but I understand there’s less people and I don’t want to eat then
I have read Angkor Wat is just horribly crowded at sunrise, but that it’s nice in the morning when the tourists go back for breakfast so I guess I can’t avoid it

Thanks for any feedback on the above – I know it’s the most popular question, but it’s a jungle of info out there!

montyman

Nov 16, 2012 11:18 AM
Posts: 3,431

see FAQ 52

Bisbee

Nov 16, 2012 12:38 PM
Posts: 342

Sunrise at Angkor Wat was very underwelming when I was there in 2001. Morning sky was very hazy and the sunrise was less than spectacular. So instead of waiting around with the 500+ other people, I went inside the complex. Had the place almost to myself while everyone else hung out at the outer gate.

jacko18

Nov 16, 2012 2:20 PM
Posts: 197

Would agree with Bisbee. I've been there a couple times for several days each time and never had any desire to deal with the mob for sunrise at AW. I did go to Sra Srang both times and really enjoyed it. Relatively few people there. You can easily avoid the touts by strolling along the water's edge a little way. We went from there directly to Ta Phrom and had our driver drop us at the back and avoided alot of the crowd. He met us at the front when we were done. On another day we drove by there at a later time and couldn't belive how many people were there. It's a very atmospheric place best enjoyed with a minimun number of tourists.
I would hold off heading back to the hotel until mid day. The mid day heat is something to reckon with. There are lots of places to get breakfast at the ruins. They can be quite reasonable especially if you're willing to eat a Cambodian style meal. Ask your driver to recommend a place.
It's good to have a plan but part of that plan should be not sticking to the plan. If you like runis, you can't go wrong at this place.

choudoufu

Nov 16, 2012 6:55 PM
Posts: 489

how long will it take to travel by tuk-tuk to your hotel for breakfast, and
then return to the sites? you'll be wasting most of the coolest part of
the day. ask your hotel to prepare a boxed meal to take with you.
.
.
remember: "...it’s nice in the morning when the tourists go back for breakfast..."

MonkeyPuzzle

Nov 16, 2012 7:50 PM
Posts: 152

On Day 3 I'd get up mega early and head to the unrestored Beng Mealea and on the way back go to Banteay Sri. Angkor Thom looks good in the afternoon, as does Preah Kahn.

bun_cha

Nov 16, 2012 8:26 PM
Posts: 794

LOL, 493 of those 500 people were at the left lake/moat, while the others (including me) were enjoying the solitude of the other side.

Agree: "u'll be wasting most of the coolest part of the day. ask your hotel to prepare a boxed meal to take with you."

And this is so pretty much throughout Angkor: "Had the place almost to myself while everyone else hung out at the outer gate." There is a ton of neat stuff to see/places to be just past where the crowds are.

MonkeyPuzzle

Nov 16, 2012 10:12 PM
Posts: 152

The sun rises in the east so that's where you should be, on the eastern side of Angkor Wat to photograph the bas reliefs and pretty much have the corridors to yourself.

LFSwiss

Nov 17, 2012 1:30 AM
Posts: 18

Thanks so much for all positive replies:

will go straight into Ankor Wat (East side) at sunrise whilst "tourists" outside
Sra Sang - will "drop at back/ collect at front"
Beng Melea is a pre-booked trip & will be there early
will stay all morning at sites then take "breakfast" around lunchtime (hotel is 6km from Angkor Wat itself)

Any ideas on a sunset option for Day3 above please?

Justin23

Nov 17, 2012 1:45 AM
Posts: 1,484

I wouldn't plan it as much and just see the sites. if too many people are somewhere move on.
agree i'd take food with me, rather than go back and forth, although its not too far away i guess.

montyman

Nov 17, 2012 3:49 AM
Posts: 3,431

plenty of lunchtime restaurants near Bayon

MonkeyPuzzle

Nov 17, 2012 4:47 AM
Posts: 152

Sunset is a tough one. Spent nearly two weeks in Angkor and never a decent sunset.

You should be out of Beng Mealea by 8.30am, that's when the tour groups arrive.

Consider Ta Phrom, there's a beautiful gate that should be visited late morning on the far side of the temple; ignore the postcard sellers. Also, don't forget Victory gate. Climb up onto the wall to frame some tree roots. The east gate of Angkor Thom is very peaceful and gets hardly any tourists.

Banyeay Samre is sublime early morning and I had the place completely to myself.

Have fun.

joegoozey

Nov 17, 2012 9:01 AM
Posts: 1,616

Why do you keep going back to town for breakfast? There are dozens of restaurants scattered throughout the ruins.

Sunset options ... you'll be lucky to see one.

bun_cha

Nov 17, 2012 10:30 AM
Posts: 794