I'm currently planning a two week trip to Asia and have never been. We'll be flying in and out of KL but I really want to go to go to Cambodia for a few days. Unfortunately on this trip we can really only have 5 or 6 days for Cambodia. I know that's not enough, but if you had just a few days would you just head to Siem Reap from where we can do excursions and day trips or should I try and make room for at least some time in Phomn Penh or Battembang? Many thanks.
Siem Reap or more
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Depends on ow much time you want for the temples. The first time I went I had only two and a half days in SR, and needed to go back (for five). But three full days could be enough. Tough to choose between Battambang and PP - probably you should do PP on a first trip, and transport is likely to be easier too. Do take a bus or taxi between SR and PP rather than flying so you can see the countryside.
If you have six days, you could conceivably do Angkor and one other city for a couple days. Personally, I'm not sure what the attraction is to Battambang, but I know many people like it. I'm rather fond of Phnom Penh myself.
Fortunately for you, Air Asia flies to both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh from KL, so it would be easy to fly into one and out of the other. I would do PP after Angkor, as I think it makes a good wind-down place after the temples.
If it were me (and it isn't) I'd want the full six days in Siem Reap. I spent a week there and I need to return! There are many dozens of temples and no matter how long you stay, you won't see them all. Some are a fair distance from Siem Reap (1 - 3 hours drive), though the more distant temple most people visit is just an hour away.
Do your research first -how interested are you in the temples? Buy Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor (latest edition is 2006). You are also welcome to look at our photos of Angkor at www.marlandc.com
It takes a full three days just to see the so-called major temples. So if you are at all interested in the temples, I'd set three days as a minimum.
You could spend 2 of your days in PP. But do your research first so you can decide whether you want to take time away from Siem Reap to go to another location. There are also places to visit near Siem Reap as well as a few things to see in Siem Reap.
As you can gather from my trip report from Cambodia I loved Phnom Penh and was sorry I didn't have more time there.
Siem Reap is nice and the temples are a fantastic experience, but unless you are really into old temples and cultures a few days are enough in my opinion.
Many thanks to all of you for your comments. I think we'll try to do 4 days in SR and 2 days in PP. Can't wait..