chris45ny

Would appreciate any feedback. This is only a plan, nothing set in stone as we may have to make adjustments/changes as we go. I just like to have a sense of what I want to see/do.

We are 2 seniors-ages 68 and 71, well traveled, and so far have never experienced jet lag. We have 14 nights/13 full days in Siem Reap. Intend to buy nonconsecutive 7 day passes for Angkor. I am a history/temple fanatic and into amateur photography. My husband is a bit more adventurous but thankfully goes along with my plans.

We are staying at the Royal Angkor Resort. My husband chose this when he saw pictures of the pool area. We are hoping to sightsee in the morning, have a lunch/pool break of several hrs., then more sightseeing from around 3 pm until sunset most days.

1/4/2014 Depart Buffalo, NY 9:10 am to JFK to Seoul/Incheon to Siem Reap with Jet Blue/Asianna Arlines.
1/5 Arrive SR 10:40 pm. Check into hotel.
1/6 7:30 am pick up. Purchase pass, West Gallery Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, Baksei Chamkrong; lunch/pool break; Bayon.
1/7 Full day OSMOSE.
1/8 7:00 am pick up for our 2 days, 1 night trip to remote sites-this is already arranged. Banteay Chhmar, overnight Anlong Veng.
1/9 Finish remote trip-very early start. Preah Vihear, Koh Ker, Beng Melea.
1/10 Landmine museum, shopping, massage, relaxing. Apsara Theatre for dinner and show.
1/11 All day A. Thom- wall walk, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Leper King, Terrace of the Elephants, Preah Palilay, Chau Say Tevoda, sunset A. Thom. No pool break this day.
1/12 Sunrise A. Wat and stay to explore A. Wat, Prasat Kravan; lunch/pool break; Banteay Kdei, Sras Srang, E. Mebon.
1/13 Quad Adventure Cambodia; lunch/pool break; cooking school class for dinner.
1/14 Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean; Wat Athvea, Banteay Samre. No pool break this day.
1/15 Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Ta Nei, A. Wat again, sunset Pre Rup. This may be a no pool break day.
1/16 Phnom Kulen National Park-lunch there and a swim; Rolous Group.
1/17 Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som; short lunch/pool break; Phnon Bok, sunset Phnon Krom. May have to forego the pool break?
1/18 Beyond Unique Escape's Motorbike Adventure-something my husband really wants to do. I figure since I've survived zip lining, white water rafting, horseback riding several hrs. in the jungle and a camel safari I could do this! Besides I get to ride with our guide on the motorbike. This is a full day tour with several stops so not constantly sitting on a motorbike. http://www.beyonduniqueescapes.com/c...adventure.html

1/19 Depending on water levels we hope to take boat to Battambang for our next destination in Cambodia.

So what do you think? Doable or not? Anything I missed? I've tried to combine a mix of temples with other activities.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

rhkkmk

very full schedule... well thought out.

loribarber1

Wow - that is a full schedule! My husband and I spent 8 days there in March during an 8.5 month trip around the world. Because we were on such a major trip, we didn't plan detailed itineraries in advance. We got the 7-day temple pass (a great idea) and focused on the more popular temples. Here are a few tips and suggestions...
- It is super hot there, so your plan to break up the day is great. Also, maybe hit less sites per day. Wear a hat and bring lots of water when you go out.
- One place you may enjoy is the War Museum in town. We really liked it. (We didn't make it to the Landmine Museum.)

Here is our trip report with some other tips, http://latitudeb.com/cambodia/

We really liked Siem Reap. Have fun!

chris45ny

lori-Loved your trip report and thanks for the link about the travel insurance. Hope Michael has completely recovered and that his illness didn't spoil your trip.

We did Egypt mid May-mid June so that's why I've tried to schedule the pool breaks. Never go out sightseeing without water, hat, and sunscreen!

This is just a tentative plan. We may very well do less or maybe more depending on how we feel and how long we stay at each site. I love temples and photography so we may spend more time at certain places which will impact my plan. No big deal. We are very flexible. More interested in a slow, relaxed pace with meaningful sightseeing than rushing around to get everything in.

silverwool

I'm not sure if I understood you correctly but I think you are planning an overnight trip to Banteay Chhmar and then Preah Vihear, Koh Ker and Beng Melea the next day. I went to Banteay Chhmar about 3 years ago and it was a very slow trip after Sisophon. It took us 3 hours to do 70 kms. We did Preah Vihear as another overnight trip but the accommodation as pretty basic. (Banteay Chhmar was homestay.) Personally I'd allow an extra day as Preah Vihear, Koh Ker and Beng Melea are all well worth seeing but there's a lot of travel involved. We got up to Preah Vihear as the fog was lifting and the temples were beautiful with as was the view over Cambodia from the escarpment. Cambodian soldiers wandered around with us for something to do and it was a great experience.

Your Angkor pass won't cover any of these temples but the tickets are not very expensive. Phnom Kulen is the same.

If the water level is too low, the bus to Battangbang is fine. I presume you are hiring motos or a tuk tuk to tour the district as this is a great non touristy experience.

Have a great time in Cambodia. If you find any spare time, I thoroughly enjoyed the Flight of the Gibbon and the 400 metre zip line should be open.