kirstenrdh

Hi everyone,
My husband and I will be in Siem Reap from Tue 2/13 midday to Fri 2/16 AM. We are staying at the FCC Angkor. Does anyone have itinerary suggestions as we as dinner and guide suggestions? All your help is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Kirsten

KimJapan

With only 2 full days, you'll definitely want a guide and driver to maximize your time. Ponheary Ly is a guide often recommended here...her brother is also a guide, and their family runs a guesthouse. [email protected] - she tends to be booked well in advance, but you could try her and see if even she isn't free maybe her brother Dara is or she might recommend someone to you. You could also arrange a guide through the FCC. In any case, your guide will help you decide what to see with your limited time.

The restaurant at the FCC is reported to be very good, as is the spa. Khmer Kitchen and the Blue Pumpkin are also good spots to eat. Siem Reap has no shortage of restaurants, so you could just stroll around and pick one you like, or ask your guide to recommend for you.

northerncal

Yes, you definately need a driver and guide. Everything's too spread out. We met a driver named Chhay Vanny through our hotel. Young, local with an older model Toyota. He works with and arranges sightseeing with an excellent, tireless university accredited guide for Angkor Wat and the river improbably named ‘Mr. X’ that everyone in the town seemed to know and respect. [email protected]. 855 12 57 34 24, 855 11 960 870. Good guys.

hobbes

I highly reco my guide who I used on 2 trips to Siem Reap. Chhor Elit, [email protected]. For itinerary suggestions. 2.5 days is quite rushed. I would suggest on day one you ease into things by seeing one of the smaller temples eg Ta Phrom the Jungle Temple. If you want to splurge on 1 dinner go to Amansara - is about $60/head and a beautiful hotel. Else, dine in your hotel which has a great setting. Day 2 wake early and go to Angkor Thom in the early part of the day to avoid the heat. 12-3 take an extended lunch break as it is very warm. You can lunch at Shinta Mani which has agreat spa cuisine. Then in the afternoon go to Angkor Wat and follow this with the hot air balloon ride around 5:30 - great aerial persepctive of Angkor Wat which makes sense after you have seen it. Ask the guide to get you tickets for the balloon ride as it gets busy. If you are tired go for a massage - Shinta Mani has a spa and you can book it at lunch time. Have dinner in the little strip of town which is fun for a wander. Follow this up with a liquer at the Raffles hotel - very atmospheric and again a fun wander. Day 3 see Bantey Srei and the River of Thousand Lingas. In between make some time for a visit to Artisans d'Angkor. Wake at sunrise to see one of the temples - most people choose Angkor Wat, we saw Ta Phrom where we were the only people, was eerie and beautiful.

LeighTravelClub

If you have half a day spare and want a change from the temples, Try to book a trip to Tonle Sap Lake. Very worthwhile.

mcbeanie

We have just returned from SR. We used Dara as a guide and were not impressed (who would be after Tong in Thailand?) We also stayed at the FCC, and while it was adequate, again, we were not impressed. Watch your bill, as they did try to double-charge us!

I must say, however, that the foot massage at the FCC spa was the best I have had -- in the US or in Thailand. Quiet room, low lights, low music and a great massage.

Enjoy your trip.

mcb

rhkkmk

i would contact fcc now to have them arrange a guide for you in advance so that you will end up with a good one or contact those above...do not leave it until you get there...you need one for all the time you are there...they are cheap, about $20-30 each per day (driver and guide cost)...the best money you will spend...

zengeos

I am planning tovisit Thailand and Cambodia with my mother in late mrch/early April.

We are in the process of makig an itinerary for ourselves, and I am thinking 4-5 days should be sufficient for Angkor area and some of the outlying and further temples not part of the Angkor complex.

We are on a pretty tight budget, and plan to do the overland trip, via Poipet. Any suggestions for inexpensive places to stay? I've seen several *packages* from several of the guesthouses...Mandalay, The Villa, etc.. Does anyone have any thoughts on those? as well as some of the 4wd trips ofered by Peace of Angkor? If so, please e-mail me...

Also.. we plan to spend 5-6 days in Northern Thailand...again.. on a budget... suggestions for reasonably priced tours or hotels?

Mark-

eurotraveller

Hi Kirsten,

I was in Siem Reap year ago. I don't really think it is absolutely necessary to have a guide but it will make a difference in your experience.

A driver, however, is a nice plus!

It really depends on how much you want to know about the history of Angor Wat and the surrounding temples.

You have a very short time there so you may want to spend the majority of it exploring the temples.

If you had more time I would highly recommend a 1/2 day trip out to Tonle Sap Lake. It was one of the highlights of our trip but we had a bit more time.

Khmer Kitchen was one of our favorite places to eat.

Enjoy your trip!