Banteay Samre, one of several impressive temples around Angkor. We walked through and around it to inspect details and elaborate bas-reliefs and inscriptions on floors, walls and even on the roofs. But to get to Angkor, one must first find itself in its neighbouring city, Siem Reap.
This is a detailed account of our arrival at Siem Reap and our first night around the City. Hopefully, this can help you start your own journey to Angkor's World Heritage Site.
This is also part of our seven-day adventure in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh where we spent three days touring and falling in love with the temples of Angkor. We also filled a day simply exploring the City of Siem Reap and going around its countless Night Markets. We dedicated a full day getting to know hundreds of pigeons flying around the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. And our last two days were spent in Ho Chi Minh where coffee anywhere and everywhere is just absolutely good.
Itinerary:
Day 0 April 4 (Saturday)
1930 ETD Ninoy Aquino International Airport T3
As of this writing, the only direct flight from Manila to Siem Reap is offered by Cebu Pacific Air.
Direct flight saves a lot of time especially when most connecting flights to Siem Reap usually have long hours of layovers. The only problem with Cebu Pacific Air was all of their flights to Siem Reap were at night. I would've really loved to see these huge temple complexes and the whole Angkor Archeological Park from the air. Next time I come back here, I’ll try to find a flight in the morning.
Travel time is around 3 hours from Manila. Remember that Cambodia time is an hour behind compared to the Philippines.
2130 ETA Siem Reap International Airport
Siem Reap International Airport, although small, looks very neat. They have enough modern facilities to provide a smooth welcome to your short visit to the airport.
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| Siem Reap International Airport |
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| Siem Reap International Airport |
When going to Siem Reap, make sure you make prior arrangements with an inn or a hotel.
Most accommodations offer free airport pick up if you are staying with them for at least 3 nights. Drivers would be waiting just outside the Arrival area holding a sign with your name on it. It is best to get the name of the driver that would be fetching you just to be sure.
If you are feeling more adventurous; be careful, be assertive and be clear about the price and the location that you want to go. All of the good inns and hotels would warn you about scams where Tuktuk driver takes you to a different hotel where they get commission for guests that they bring.
Don’t worry about finding a good place to stay here; travellers from all over the world have done a great job in updating and giving helpful reviews online on sites like www.hostelworld.com and www.tripadvisor.com. That being said, book early because Siem Reap is a very popular destination and hundreds and hundreds of people flock here and fight for the best accommodations.
2200 ETD Siem Reap International Airport
2220 ETA Victory Guest House. Check in
I chose Victory Guest House because: they have nice rooms for a competitive price;
they don’t have a single bad review on them; and most importantly, they have a nice and detailed list of their in-house tour.
2230 ETD. Walk from Victory Guest House to Pub Street
This is a good 10-minute walk to Night Markets and a 15-minute walk to Pub street.
Proximity-wise, there are good inns nearer the large Angkor Art Night Market and Pub street.
But I'll tell you what, Penny -- one of the caretakers -- makes the best iced coffee in Cambodia that I’ve ever tasted!
2245 ETA Pub Street
Pub street is pretty much how I’ve imagined it, there were a lot of restaurants, bars and there were even some party dancing on the streets. The Old Market and a lot of Night Markets are scattered around that area.
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| Pub Street |
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| Night Markets are everywhere in Siem Reap |
2300 Dinner
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| Essentially, food can be found anywhere as well |
We weren’t able to see much, we just familiarised ourselves with the roads, restaurants and the location of the Night Markets. Night markets in Siem Reap closes by 12 midnight.
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| En route to Angkor Art Night Market |
Just like the saying goes: All is well that ends well. We were able to have a good night rest to prepare for our first encounter with Angkor World Heritage Site. Click this link to follow our adventure around the Small Circuit Tour of Angkor Archeological Park.
Where to stay?
Victory Guesthouse
Telephone number: (855) 012 516 566 / (855) 012 451 286
Website: www.victoryguesthouse.com
Alternative Options: Mad Monkey, Mandalay Inn, Bou Savy Guest House
Note: Always check Tripadvisor and Hostelworld for recent reviews and ranking of any place to better guarantee a nice visit.
Sample Tour
Day 1: South Gate of the Angkor Thom, Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leperking), Takoa, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdey, Srah Srang and the World Heritage Angkor Wat. Visit Sunset at Bakheng Mountain or Angkro Wat.
Day 2: Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Krol Kou, Tasom, East Mebon, and Angkor Wat.
Day 3: Visit Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Linga), Banteay Srey, Banteay Samré, Rolous Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lo Lei)
My Favourite Sites:
Day 1: Bayon, Angkor Wat, Baphuon, Ta Prohm
Day 2: Preah Khan, East Mebon
Day 3: Kbal Spean, Banteay Samre, Bakong Temple
Itinerary Summary:
Day 0 April 4 (Saturday)
1930 ETD Ninoy Aquino International Airport T3
Travel time is around 3 hours.
Cambodia time is an hour behind from Philippines.
2130 ETA Siem Reap International Airport
2200 ETD. Tuktuk. Siem Reap International Airport
2220 ETA Hotel. Check inn Victory Guest House
2230 ETD. Walk to Victory Guest House to Pub Street
2245 ETA Pub Street
2300 Dinner. Explored pub street. Rest.
Expenses:
1620 Travel Tax
550 Terminal Fee
_________
PHP 2170 (USD 48.8)
Day 0
5.25 Dinner at Khmer Kitchen
0.5 Draft Beer
.25 Water
6.4 *19/3 Accommodations. Victory Guesthouse
_________
USD 12.4
Total: USD 61.2
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