Siem Reap: To hire a tour guide or is a driver enough?
Jun 3rd, 2015, 02:08 PM
#21
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hellostranger57:
Excellent decision to hire a guide, especially with five people. You are obviously the trip team captain, and someone needs to keep these people on schedule. It's not like you will be on the Via Condotti in Rome, where one faction wants an expresso, and the rest want to shop...
I agree with Kathie that TA reviews are not the best. People can make up their own posts, or have a friend post for them.
Have you tried contacting your hotel, and seeing if they have a favorite guide? That worked well for me. I can even name my hotel and contact, if you like.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, my son had a terrible experience with a "famous" guide that Flyertalk people love. She told him at the last minute that she was sending her "cousin," and then at the end of day two, the "cousin" tried to substitute yet another guide for the third day. He ended of using a hotel guide for day 3, and was very happy. (The same hotel where I stayed a year later, and used the same guide.)
In all my years of independent travel, I have tried both approaches: Finding guides/drivers via internet reviews, and hiring them directly from hotels. With the guides/drivers found via the internet, they have often pulled a bait and switch, and sent someone else, or they are good for awhile, and people start having problems with them (I always seemed to be the first).
With a guide found through your hotel, the guide has a vested in interest in trying to please you. And he typically has an ongoing relationship with the hotel manager.
Excellent decision to hire a guide, especially with five people. You are obviously the trip team captain, and someone needs to keep these people on schedule. It's not like you will be on the Via Condotti in Rome, where one faction wants an expresso, and the rest want to shop...
I agree with Kathie that TA reviews are not the best. People can make up their own posts, or have a friend post for them.
Have you tried contacting your hotel, and seeing if they have a favorite guide? That worked well for me. I can even name my hotel and contact, if you like.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, my son had a terrible experience with a "famous" guide that Flyertalk people love. She told him at the last minute that she was sending her "cousin," and then at the end of day two, the "cousin" tried to substitute yet another guide for the third day. He ended of using a hotel guide for day 3, and was very happy. (The same hotel where I stayed a year later, and used the same guide.)
In all my years of independent travel, I have tried both approaches: Finding guides/drivers via internet reviews, and hiring them directly from hotels. With the guides/drivers found via the internet, they have often pulled a bait and switch, and sent someone else, or they are good for awhile, and people start having problems with them (I always seemed to be the first).
With a guide found through your hotel, the guide has a vested in interest in trying to please you. And he typically has an ongoing relationship with the hotel manager.
Aug 10th, 2015, 04:07 AM
#22
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As an independent traveler, I tried both. As far as the temples I would definitely recommend a guide. If you think your guide speaks too much, then why don't you just ask him no to go into so much detail if it bothers you? My guide, Saron Soeun was awesome. He took very good care of us. He always made sure we were at a certain temple when there weren't that many tourists around. He asked what we wanted to see and put together a great itinerary. We traveled with him for 4 days. We also did a few things on our own like the craft school where they teach carving to the locals. Out of the blue, I asked him to stop at a small house by the side of the road. He asked the lady of the house if we could visit and she kindly showed us around her little area! He translated and we had a nice visit. She had lots of kids, so as a woman I gave her a tip since she was a widow with kids. He told me my small gift would feed her family for a week! He actually asked me why I gave her a tip and I said "women help women." This was not planned, he didn't know this lady.
I loved the explanations and history he shared with us. And for the small fee he charged with a driver per day, it was well worth the time we saved. He showed us exactly what to look for. I had read the books, but it's a huge area. I definitely would recommend Saron. He became a friend. Here is his contact info if you are looking for an honest guide. We visited in 2005 I think.
http://www.sarontours.com/
[email protected]
I loved the explanations and history he shared with us. And for the small fee he charged with a driver per day, it was well worth the time we saved. He showed us exactly what to look for. I had read the books, but it's a huge area. I definitely would recommend Saron. He became a friend. Here is his contact info if you are looking for an honest guide. We visited in 2005 I think.
http://www.sarontours.com/
[email protected]
Aug 10th, 2015, 05:37 AM
#23
I can see the value of a guide as there is so much history and it's such an elaborate complex of temples.
That said, there are times at the temples I'd prefer silence and quiet self-exploration. I think there are more than one way to come at something like this and I do think many guides (anywhere, not just SR) want to make sure you're getting good value and not "wasting time."
If you're the type of person who feels it is important to be absorbing as much as you can about the facts and details of what you're seeing, you can't go wrong with a good guide. If you want the time to, I don't know... sit and meditate. Or observe the comings and going of monks and kids and life... or wait for a great photo op... or find a quiet spot at Preah Khan and listen to the wind and watch the play of light through the cracks... do your own thing. Or at least make sure you've arranged time to go on your own for a bit. Dawn Rooney's book is good for that self-paced approach, as mentioned.
We had pre-arranged a driver named Mr. John. He was usually a guide but we only chose to have him drive. Wonderful guy. He'd make sure as he drove to tell us all he could for our next stop. Where to start, what key things to look for, some history. Just the guide in him. Couldn't help himself but it was nice.
That said, there are times at the temples I'd prefer silence and quiet self-exploration. I think there are more than one way to come at something like this and I do think many guides (anywhere, not just SR) want to make sure you're getting good value and not "wasting time."
If you're the type of person who feels it is important to be absorbing as much as you can about the facts and details of what you're seeing, you can't go wrong with a good guide. If you want the time to, I don't know... sit and meditate. Or observe the comings and going of monks and kids and life... or wait for a great photo op... or find a quiet spot at Preah Khan and listen to the wind and watch the play of light through the cracks... do your own thing. Or at least make sure you've arranged time to go on your own for a bit. Dawn Rooney's book is good for that self-paced approach, as mentioned.
We had pre-arranged a driver named Mr. John. He was usually a guide but we only chose to have him drive. Wonderful guy. He'd make sure as he drove to tell us all he could for our next stop. Where to start, what key things to look for, some history. Just the guide in him. Couldn't help himself but it was nice.
Aug 26th, 2015, 12:01 AM
#24
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I visited Siem Reap 4 weeks ago and we had a driver and tour guide. We did all the "templing" in 1 day, which would have never been possible in a tuk tuk. We had a guide as well and very much appreciated him (driver didn't speak English)! Our guide told us so many interesting historical facts and legends, I don't think any guidebook will ever be able to cover this. I think it's totally worth spending some more money and taking a guide (but make sure you get a good one), to make this once in a lifetime experience even more memorable! If anyone wants to have the guides contact details, please send me a pm.
