One thing I remember when my hostel mates and I were talking was about “how to beat the crowds at the temples?” After the overcrowded feel of Ta Prohm, I knew I wanted to beat the crowd, as did my hostel mate.
One piece of advice from a guy at the hostel was, “Do the circuit BACKWARDS!” It was the best advice and something I never would have thought about.
Typically, the circuit begins by leaving Angkor Thom’s North Gate heading towards Preah Khan (Banteay Prei). It continues to Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon and ends at Pre Rup.
Instead, after sunrise, we made our way to Pre Rup Temple. We had the entire temple to ourselves. It was so refreshing compared to the day before’s sardine feel.
15 Comments
Marguerite F Cleveland
Wow, what a great place to visit. I will need to put on my bucket list.
Nicole | Mapless Adventures
Angkor Wat blew me away! I highly recommend a visit! Hopefully travel will bounce back and you’ll be able to go one day!
Always ready to check in
What a great post :)! It is really inspiring :). I love the terrace of the elephants 🐘 and Preah Khan ! Thank you for this invitation to travel in Cambodia 🙂
lastminutewanders
I love the idea of seeing the sunrise at the reservoir and doing the circuit backwards! When I saw the sunrise at Angkor Wat, we left straight afterwards to go to the Bayon temple, thinking that we’d beat the crowds who would probably be exploring Angkor Wat. We did beat them, but we also found that the temple didn’t open until 7.30am! So we had to wait for it to open and our plan was ruined (we were on bicycles so it wasn’t as easy to move on and come back later).
The whole experience was incredible though! I love the Angkor complex so much, and you’re right – one day is definitely not enough!
Thanks for the ideas for my next visit 😉
roshnipatel808
I still havent been to Cambodia, looks beautiful though and the temples are on my bucket list
Just One Passport
What an amazing tour! And a tuk tuk would be the best way to do it. I’m glad you have less crowds the 2nd day. There’s not worse than an attraction full of tourists.
Nicole | Mapless Adventures
Right? The crowds just took a little away from the experience, but just a little. Angkor Wat is still incredible, just more incredible without the crowds.
Amber
This post soooo makes me wanna go to Angkor Wat! Actually I’ve been a bit apprehensive about going because I’ve heard a lot of crazy things about Cambodia but this looks just too beautiful to miss.
Nicole | Mapless Adventures
Don’t be turned off because of what you hear. I absolutely LOVED Cambodia. It is definitely different than other SEA countries, but everything I experienced was truly wonderful. You should add Angkor Wat to your list of places to go, and I can bet you would not be disappointed.
Jessica May Pascoe
When I visited Ankor Wat in 2009 I had the worst food poisoning and really didn’t enjoy it as much as I could have, I’d love to go back!
Nicole | Mapless Adventures
That’s a bummer about the food poisoning. Hopefully, you’ll be able to one day go back and experience it without being sick.
Karen
You have some great ideas to avoid the standard tour. I like the idea of doing it backwards and hiring your own tuk tuk driver. Brilliant.
Nicole | Mapless Adventures
Thank you. It was a brilliant piece of advice I must say. Tuk tuk drivers are the way to go!
tiana bantis
I love these tips, the grounds look so beautiful! I hope to visit next year!!
Nicole | Mapless Adventures
Angkor Wat is truly special! I hope you’re able to go next year!