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Travel Report to Siem Reap + Angkor + Northwest Cambodia

Travel Report to Siem Reap + Angkor + Northwest Cambodia

Old Dec 16th, 2014, 11:45 PM
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Travel Report to Siem Reap + Angkor + Northwest Cambodia

Hi,
here you find our Travel Report for our last trips to Siem Reap + Angkor + Northwest Cambodia (December 2014 + re-edited parts on our trip in 2008).
For more information & a short selection of pictures, check our website: http://grandescapades.net/siem-reap-...-beaten-track/
Do not hesitate if you have specific questions.
Cheers
Gilles

Siem Reap On & Off The Beaten Track…
Or how to discover (many) Angkor Temples around Siem Reap without the crowd and without straining your budget!

Seldom have we experienced such strong contrasts as in Siem Reap, the hub to visit the stunning Angkor Temples… On the one hand, the city itself and unfortunately the most famous temples like Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm have turned into a congested tourist mess and now represent mass-tourism at its worst. On the other hand, as soon as we headed a bit further afield, we could enjoy beautiful temples almost void of any visitors…
Siem Reap has indeed changed a lot since my last visit in 2008, and not for the better - It is now a gigantic tourist hub, with 2 million people arriving every year. Huge fancy hotels that cater mostly large groups from Asia have popped up like mushrooms. The Old Market Area, especially around “Pub Street”, tops it all… though some restaurants there are quite pleasant!
And unfortunately, the main temples are terribly overrun, with large groups creating a (loud) commotion at every corner and people more busy taking pictures of themselves or of one another than discovering the temples and soaking the atmosphere of these unique places.
Maybe the worst experiences - yes, hard to believe - are Sunrise and Sunset over Angkor Wat. Sunset at Phnom Bakheng, remembered as overcrowded and not spectacular from back in 2008, so we did not even bother. This time, we decided to give the “Sunrise Over Angkor” a chance… At 05:00 we became part of the most impressive Tuk tuk armada anyone has ever seen… Well, another (unspectacular) mass-tourism experience under our belt!

Nevertheless, there are many ways to enjoy the magnificent Angkor Temples more Off The Beaten Track…
• Of course you cannot miss both Angkor Wat (visit in the morning and at the end of the afternoon for pictures) and Angkor Thom (best enjoyed in the afternoon). Ta Prohm has changed for the worse and is now, in my opinion, very disappointing. In those temples, you will not be alone! No chance… The “Balloon Over Angkor” Ride (15 USD) is a good opportunity to change perspective, and there seems to be no tour groups there, at least if you avoid sunrise and sunset.
• Beng Mealea (a must do, the opportunity to experience a real “Jungle Temple”, and a major one at that) can be enjoyed in total quietness if you visit early enough.
• Other remote temples like the pre-Angkor Roluos Temple Group, the very refined Banteay Srei or the mystical Jungle Sculptures in Kbal Spean are far less overrun. You won’t be alone, but it is unlikely that you witness masses. Be very early at Roluos to beat the tours heading there in the morning. Few people do the hike to Kbal Spean, and this you can do at noon time as it is almost completely in the shade.
• At far away temples, you will really be completely on your own, especially if you stay there overnight and start with an early visit:
o Stunning Koh Ker with the most impressive Prasat Thom,
o The “Sky-Temple” or Prasat Preah Vihear, Cambodia’s second UNESCO World Heritage, so very disputed with Thailand,
o Sambor Pre Kuk, the oldest of all temples in the Angkor area, built between 618 and 635 AD
o And last but not least Banteay Chhmar, an imposing construction that remained as it was when discovered.
o Preah Khan we would no longer visit, as this is a long and very rough drive. The temple is impressive, though!
• Around several of the remote temples, you also have the opportunity to do Home Stays. We did in Sambor Pre Kuk and in Banteay Chhmar, the latter being a highlight of our trip. This is such a great way to discover a much more genuine Cambodia and to support communities that truly need the extra-income. Moreover, you will actually save money there, as those are really cheap…
• Last but not least, an adrenaline pumping activity around Siem Reap is a flight in an Ultra-Light Plane with Aero Cambodia over Angkor. For 125 USD you are taken on a large loop over Angkor Temples.

How to get there?
For more information, check our website
OneYearOff is offline  
Old Dec 17th, 2014, 06:39 AM
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Not a surprise that SR has become overrun, but I find this somewhat depressing. We were there in '07, and crowds could still be completely avoided.
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Old Dec 17th, 2014, 07:32 AM
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Our first trip there was 2008, and as you write, we could avoid the crowds... Now you have to go much further afield, but it still is possible! Just take the time...
Cheers
Gilles
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Old Dec 17th, 2014, 10:42 PM
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I agree with your assessment of the more remote temples. Preah Vihear is a 'must see' in my opinion. The only one I have not visited is Preah Khan. How does the road compare with the road to Banteay Chhmar. It was very rough when we went there about three years ago.

Also the Ultralight flight is quell worth doing. Eddie is a very good pilot and gives you a great commentary. How long a flight did you do? We did the full hour for $225 from memory which also does along the edge of lake Tonle Sap. For anybody considering this flight, you need a neck strap on your camera. With the propeller behind you they are not prepared to risk anything less secure. Also I'd recommend going early in the morning for photography and a potentially smoother ride.
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 03:38 PM
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The road to Preak Khan was terrible, a 2 hour bumpy ride in each direction (from the main road).
Banteay Chhmar is now quite easy, with only 5 km bunny road.
I did the 125 USD tour, so Temples. Yes, it is a great idea to do it in the morning.
Cheers
Gilles
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 05:58 PM
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Thanks for that - it took us 3 hours to do the 70 kms from Sisophon by taxi! A great trip though. I might risk the road on my next trip but I've got a hankering to head up into the north east of the country.
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