
Angkor Wat 101 – The Basics that you Need to Know Before You Go
Chances are if you are visiting Cambodia you are planning to spend some time at Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the world’s largest complex of temples. These stunning and archaeologically important Khmer Empire ruins are the highlight of many travelers’ trips to Southeast Asia. This is a truly wondrous experience.
While you are likely filled with excitement and anticipation about the prospect of visiting Angkor Wat, you might find yourself feeling inundated with information about the experience.
Countless blogs, travel guides, books, and forums exist solely to help you plan your ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday. While this amount of information is certainly interesting, it can also be overwhelming and even frustrating.
If you want to start with the basics; all of the information that you absolutely NEED to know, read ahead for our Angkor Wat 101 guide.
Angkor Wat
This is a vast site
The Angkor Heritage Complex is the world’s largest religious site. A series of temples spread over 200 hectares (500 acres) of jungle and countryside. As a result, you need to plan ahead and book at least 3 days in and around Siem Reap (and even up to one week).
Buying your tickets
Visitors to Siem Reap can buy their Angkor tickets at the Apsara Authority. It is open daily from 5 am to 6am and located at the Angkor Archaeological Park entrance. It is imperative that you present your passport. Prepare to have your photo taken, as your tickets and passes are non-transferable. The passes cost USD $20 for one day’s entrance, USD $40 for any 3 days over the course of a week, and USD $60 for any seven days (valid for one month). If you choose to buy your tickets after 5pm (ideal for a sunset visit) they will also be valid for the next day.
Hire a Cyclo Driver
Some overly enthusiastic travelers think that they will explore the sites on foot, walking between the temples. Under the hot sun, this prospect quickly becomes impossible! Hire a cyclo driver to take you from Siem Reap to the temple location (just outside of town). It is a reasonable cost, and you will be very happy that you can rest your feet between the stops.
Hire a local guide
For at least one of your days at Angkor Wat, you should hire a local guide to accompany you to the main temples and explain their historical, religious and architectural significance. Qualified local guides are an affordable necessity if you truly want to understand the temples. Your hotel can help you to arrange their services.
There is so much more to the area than Angkor Wat
The name Angkor Wat actually refers to only one of the main temples. There are dozens of other amazing sites to see. After Angkor Wat (the temple most often depicted in photos), the most impressive sites is Angkor Thom, the temple city that includes Bayon (marked by colossal carved faces) and Ta Prohm (the temple choked by massive trees and twisted roots featured in Tomb Raider). If you go further afield, ensure you visit Banteay Srey (known for ornate carvings), Beng Melea (covered in vegetation) and Bakong (surrounded by a scenic moat).
High and low seasons
Many people plan their trips in order to avoid the hottest weather and the monsoon rains, and as a result, the high tourist season is from November to April. That said, the low season (during the monsoon) may be soggy, but it is also the prettiest time of year! The area is lush, green and verdant – and with far fewer tourists.
Take some breathtaking photos
If you want to take some truly amazing photos, the best times of day to visit the sites are sunrise and in the later afternoon. Many people choose to spend the mid-morning and early afternoon back in Siem Reap, taking advantage of affordable massages, delicious food, and naps back in their AC rooms!
Siem Reap is Very Affordable!
Check Out the Current Roundtrip Airfare and Hotel Rates Below:
Imaobong
Posted at 02:49h, 05 DecemberThat’s true.
You always have to move prepared.
Great reminders.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 02:55h, 05 DecemberHi. Angkor Wat is an incredible place!
Karolina
Posted at 04:55h, 05 DecemberWe’ve been to Angkor Wat 2 years ago. It’s unbelievable that this temple complex is almost thousand years old! It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Cambodia.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 05:04h, 05 DecemberHi Karolina. Yes, it’s absolutely incredible! You’re right this is the #1 reason to visit Cambodia everything else is just a bonus. 🙂
Divya @ Eat Teach Blog
Posted at 05:08h, 05 DecemberI’ve never been here, but I’d love to visit some day. You’ve got a good eye for photographs. It probably helps that the object you’re photographing is so grand and beautiful!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 05:15h, 05 DecemberHi Divya. You will definitely love it! Oh yeah, I think it would be REALLY hard to take a bad photo here. It is so gorgeous.
Rose
Posted at 08:19h, 05 DecemberIt looks like a nice place to visit. I will remember to invest in a ride and a guide. These sound like two good tips. You often find yourself at places and wish you had a guide to tell you more so it’s great to take advantage of it when available.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 08:22h, 05 DecemberHi Rose. Completely agree. We wouldn’t have learned nor seen as much had it not been for the helpful guide.
Amber Myers
Posted at 08:36h, 05 DecemberAmazing photos! I’d probably hire a guide. I’d want to know all about it. A massage sounds awesome too!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 08:45h, 05 DecemberHi Amber. Yes, we would definitely recommend a guide as well as the massage. 🙂
Briana Marie
Posted at 09:05h, 05 DecemberLooks amazing! I really need to travel more!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 09:10h, 05 DecemberHi Briana. It is quite an experience.
Jessica
Posted at 09:24h, 05 DecemberAngkor Wat is SPECTACULAR! My husband and I went on our honeymoon and it was such an amazing place and experience. We hired a guide for the day and it was so special!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 09:35h, 05 DecemberHi Jessica. Oh, how cool! Angkor Wat was a great choice for your honeymoon.
Oindrila Sengupta
Posted at 10:58h, 05 DecemberThis was such an informative post. Loved the photographs. I hope i would have the chance to visit someday. ☺
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 11:04h, 05 DecemberHi Oindrila. Thank you for the compliments. We hope you get to visit sometime in the near future. 🙂
Beth
Posted at 15:27h, 05 DecemberThis is great information for those who will visit! Very thorough and interesting post!
Beth
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 15:29h, 05 DecemberHi Beth. Thanks. We hope it helps.
Anosa
Posted at 15:44h, 05 DecemberI must admit cambodia has never crossed my travel bucketlist but now I have a new reason to add it. You guys make me so jealous and now I can’t wait to visit.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 15:50h, 05 DecemberHi Anosa. Cambodia is definitely a place to visit. We hope you get the chance someday soon. 🙂
Lisa Favre
Posted at 20:15h, 05 DecemberThese are all great travel tips. This place looks like somewhere I would love to go with my husband (if we have the extra time!!) Boy, I sure do need a vacation!
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 20:20h, 05 DecemberHi Lisa. Thanks for your kind words. Hopefully, you and your husband will get the chance to visit Angkor Wat.
Jill Wiley
Posted at 22:54h, 05 DecemberI’ve never thought about visiting Cambodia… These are fabulous travel tips though. It would definitely be an interesting vacation.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 23:03h, 05 DecemberHi Jill. Cambodia is definitely a place to consider when thinking of places to visit. 🙂
blair villanueva
Posted at 04:10h, 06 DecemberMay I also add – never ever go out without applying sunscreen lotion to your whole body and face and bring drinking water 🙂
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 04:15h, 06 DecemberHi Blair. Oh yeah, you’re ABSOLUTELY right! You will get badly sunburned and dehydrated if you don’t.
Valerie
Posted at 19:32h, 06 DecemberWhat an amazing site. I want to see the inside. I think the price seems reasonable.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 19:35h, 06 DecemberHi Valerie. It is indeed amazing. You would love it!
Danijela WorldGlimpses
Posted at 13:44h, 31 JanuaryNice tips, thanks! Angkor Wat is on my bucket list. 😉
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 13:45h, 31 JanuaryHi Danijela. Sure thing. Hope you make it to Angkor Wat soon.
Eric || The Bucket List Project
Posted at 16:36h, 22 FebruaryGreat tips! I definitely have Angor Wat/Siem Reap on my Bucket list. I also agree with the idea of using a guide now. I used to be against the idea thinking I could research it all enough before hand. But recently we went to the Taj Mahal and used a certified local guide and the experience was very positive.
I assume you bought the $40 3day pass or longer?
Love the pics by the way
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 16:44h, 22 FebruaryHey Eric. We feel the same way. Sometimes a guide is great sometimes not.
Sandy N Vyjay
Posted at 19:45h, 14 MarchAngkor Wat holds a special place in my dreams. The largest religious site definitely is fascinating and form me ranks as one of the wonders of the world. Hope to get there some day. Your trips are really very practical and something one should refer to when planning a trip to Siem Reap.
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 19:55h, 14 MarchHi Sandy N Vyjay. We loved it and hope you can see it for yourself. It’s amazing.
neha
Posted at 05:00h, 26 MarchAngkor Wat is very high on my list of places to visit in near future. And your tips are going to be really very helpful. I will come back and refer to them for sure when I stand closer to my trip
The Travel Ninjas
Posted at 05:02h, 26 MarchHi Neha. We hope you do make it to Angkor Wat soon. Its a world treasure.