Rating: 0
Author: foreverintravel

Nunca he sido sumamente apasionada por los templos, pero tengo que admitir que Angkor Wat me causo una sensación que ningún otro templo me había causado antes, solo al cruzar el puente y comenzar la caminata hacia este, me hizo sentir como sumergida dentro de una historia de miles de años, lleno de energía de todo tipo acumulada , se me erizaron los brazos y no pude evitar pensar en todos los sucesos que pudieron haber ocurrido aquí durante la historia. Ahora entiendo porque han querido seleccionar este lugar como una de las maravillas del mundo. Ver para entender, visitar para sentirlo!

Walking through the first entrance to the main pathway just before sunset, and then seeing Angkor Wat appear like magic through the short dark passageway sent a shudder through me, as it has done every time. It’s a cliche to say it, but there really is something magical about that place. It was getting dark. We took photos on the grassy bank of the moat. Angkor and the reflection of it in the calm water. Special. And what we had seen before this spectacle had been similarly awe-inspiring.

Ta Prohm temple was the first stop in our half-day self-guided tour with hired tuk-tuk (around $18 but you can get it for as low as $8 if your bargaining skills are up to it) , where Angelina Jolie spent some time filming Tomb Raider. It amazed me the power of the trees – they were busy reclaiming the temple, forcing their roots through most of the walls. It can’t be too long before this temple is lost to the jungle. The gnarly roots running down the front of some of the temple structures, keeping them upright yet slowly suffocating them, looked like alien parasites, and they were winning. Areas of the complex here have crumbled away to nothing. The roots have won

Bayon was the next stop, a collection of 54 gothic towers decorated with 216 coldly smiling, enormous faces. We were more amazed than ever by the incredible detail of this temple, and the amber light as the day began giving way to night made it seem all the more special.

The final stop was the best. Angkor Wat. Though we have been a few times before for sunrise, this was the first time we had been for sunset. It was magical. A different kind of magical from sunrise. The two experiences are equally magical. Angkor Wat and the temple complex of Angkor Thom are truly special – we highly recommend you go!

Take me away!

How to get there

Direct flights from certain South East Asian cities – including Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Vientiane. There are more options with direct flights to Phnom Penh though.

From Phnom Penh you can do as we did – take the boat (if you like an adventure!). You can also take the bus, or a private hire taxi, or shared van. Book this in Phnom Penh. Flights between Phnom Penh with are also plentiful – try Cambodia Angkor Air – it’s how we got back to Phnom Penh from Siem Reap. Just walk into any travel agents in Cambodia – they’ll sort it out for you and it will be cheaper.

In Siem Reap, just get tuk-tuks everywhere. It’s $2 per ride, generally. You can also hire a tuk-tuk to take you to the floating village, and to Angkor Wat complex – it’s noisy and dusty – but so much more of an experience! You plan your own route, take as long as you like….much better than an organised tour!

When to Go

It’s a year-round destination, nut December and January can be more pleasant (but it’s also the busiest time!).

November to March is the driest – the floating village may just be sticky mud if you go at this time.

Try not to go from April onwards – it’s unbearably hot!

Where to Stay

Splash out on the lovely La Palmeraie D’angkor. Only a 15 minute drive from the Angkor Wat temple complex – so you can be first there!

Raffles is also a great choice for some colonial-era splendour!

Angkor Village Resort and Spa is another beauty.

What to Remember

Avoid the crowds rushing to catch Angkor Wat at sunrise. Everybody does the same route – Go instead for sunset. You’ll avoid crowds at ALL temples if you do it this way.

Don’t stay right in the centre. Unfortunately, Siem Reap centre has become a bit like a cross between Bangkok’s Khao San Road and Benidorm. They even have rowdy ‘drink as much as you can’ pub crawls.

Don’t travel to Siem Reap by boat. Trust us.

More information

National Geographic has a great article about Siem Reap.

This blog is fresh and fun.

This is a great independent guide for Siem Reap!