We're considering a trip out to some of the outer temples at Angkor Wat. It's difficult to know which one to visit when you're working it our from a book and perhaps this is something the guide will help us with.

But I just wanted to ask which were your favorites?

We're considering going to Kbal Spean, Banteay Srey and Beng Mealea what would you suggest?

Again many thanks!

We went to Banteay Srey in February. Although it is a beautiful temple, it is relatively small and was overwhelmed by crowds when we visited in late morning. If you have lots of time, maybe you could visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon - Banteay Srey has some unique attributes that are worth seeing.

Thanks Craig - anyone else?

Of the ones you mention, I also visited only Banteay Srey. We went first thing in the morning and it wasn't yet terribly crowded. I thought it was particularly beautiful, quite different from the other closer-in temples we saw. As I mentioned in my trip report, I overheard one man comment, "This doesn't compare with what we saw yesterday." So to each his own. (I thought - yes, that's the point - they're all different!) Can't comment on the others, but I thought it was worthwhile going a little out of the way to see something different.

Thanks althom -anyone else?!!

When I was at Angkor in 2001, we wanted to go to Beng Meala and Kbal Spean but were unable to do so because of road conditions. We did go to Banteay Srei, which is well worth the trip. See if you can arrange to go first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon to give you a shot at it being less crowded. It's a small temple and easily overwhelmed by busloads of tourists arriving. Still, it's a lovely gem of a temples and worth seeing even if it's swarmed.

Thanks Kathie- perhaps we could go to Beng Mealea, which is the furthest out first and then make our way back ending at Banteay Srey in the late afternoon.

I think the road is now somewhat improved.

Beng Melea was the highlight of our trip. I would suggest Banteay Srei in the morning, then in the later stage of morning the lovely, mostly shaded hike up to Kbal Spean, then at noon or so drive out to Beng Melea, have lunch (bring your own or low-priced option right by the entrance, and then enter Beng Melea (mostly shaded). Then head home.

After all the climbing you will do at Beng Melea, you will be sweaty and ready for hotel/pool etc. Also Banteay Srei will be anti-climactic and overly civilized after Beng Malea.

Yes, I belive the road has been improved. It was washed out by the rains when we were there. Because I missed those outer temples, I have an excuse to go back!

Another vote for the ornate beauty of Bantay Srei. (Of course not having seen the other makes it easy for me) Get there early like everyone says.

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I agree that Banteay Srey is worth the trip (haven't been to the others). We got there about forty minutes before the crowds and were just wrapping up when the buses pulled up. Got out of there just in time

I also found the countryside on the way there and back to be beautiful and interesting.

I would try and go to all three.

We did a big circuit through the countyside leaving Siem Reap at 6.30 a.m. We stopped first at Banteay Srei. Lovely red sandstone and deep reliefs. Small but exquisite site and we had it almost to ourselves. It was perfect seeing it in the early morning light and before the heat of the day built up.

On to Kbal Spean and the River of a thousand lingas – endless lingas in a few inches of water- a sort of holy water machine to benefit everything downstream including Tonle Sap and the lower reaches of the Mekong. There is a little waterfall that a local family was having great fun in and we stopped there for a while.
Then to Beng Melea on dusty red roads passing rice fields and houses on stilts.

Beng Melea is extraordinary – all tumbled masonry – you can’t really make out how it had been, but it was BIG. Outer walls and gateways in various stages of collapse as was everything inside. Everything is overgrown with greenery and creepers. We entered via a wooden walkway which was a remnant from a film that had been made there. This took us through this extraordinary jumbled world until the walkway ended and we had to clamber through a stone window then down over a pile of fallen blocks. From that point on you really have to climb up over walls and slippery rocks. You need really good footwear! Allow some time and find a place just to sit and wonder there.

Have a great trip

Beng Melea - a def experience, and the locals laughing at us clambering around the ruins!
kbal spean - can't say i'd do it again, unless it was rainy season and more colour!
bantay srei - not too busy when we went, but beautiful
Koh Ker - combined it with a trip to beng melea, and was great, and loads of little temples on the outskirts to explore
Could even think about Sambour Pre Kuk too, and Banay Chammar

Thanks everyone...
Wayne I loved your picture. Your images and the description in Kippy's post have made me very excited about the trip.

alr - I'll certainly look up the additional temples you mentioned

Don't know if it will help, but have a look at www.peaceofangkor.com

and look at the tours. Even if you don't use them, it will give you an idea of what else there is! We used a normal driver for beng melea etc, but next year will probably use these for the even furthur flung temples!

For those of you who love Angkor Wat, I thought I'd pass on a set of temple rubbings from there. This NYC gallery sends me emails because I have bought several antique Japanese woodblock prints from them, and now they are having a special set of AW temple rubbings on sale. They look pretty nice.

http://www.japancollection.com/angko...g=1&ppp=12

Temple rubbings are not a good idea, as they degrade the stone. Most historic monuments have prohibited rubbings as they cause so much damage.

oops, there I go, being politically incorrect. sorry about that, had no idea.