Planning a Vacation in Siem Reap
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by: sharrynmcdonaghue
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Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 Time: 12:57 AM
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Organizing a holiday in Siem Reap
Siem reap is the old capital of Cambodia and the second biggest city in Cambodia outside the prevailing capital Phnom Penh. Nearby is the hardy Mekong River that flows through China, Laos and then Cambodia out into the South China Sea.
The utmost tourist attraction in Siem Reap is Angkor Wat and the other adjoining temples built almost 900-1000 years ago. There is a bulky collection of different temples to keep you on the go during your holiday. Hire a tuk tuk driver or taxi as the best way to get around Siem Reap during your vacation
Suggested things to do in Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat - Stop by the wonderful temple dedicated to Vishnu, built by Suryavarman II during the 12th century. Walk all over the 3.6km walls that ring this astonishing temple. Step under a roof and look at the bas-relief gallery walls filled with complex carving in sandstone as well as the famous "Churning of the Sea of Milk" The gallery walls alone are decorated with almost 1,000 square metres of bas-reliefs.
Dirt bike adventure tours (250cc) to Northeast Cambodia, to the district called Preah Vihea province. Driving dirt bikes through the surroundings together with visits to Preah Khan shrine in this sector.
Quad bike tours. Dig up the small villages and backroads nearby Siem Reap by quad bike. Half day and full day tours available.
Cooking classes with Paul Dubrule - Learn how to cook local Cambodian dishes at the not for profit school that helps train neighborhood Cambodians in the hospitality industry. All proceeds go towards the schooling of over hundreds of employees each year.
Apsara dancing - Stop by one of the a lot traditional dancing shows held most nights
Tonle Sap Lake - Discover the floating village on this beautiful lake a small distance outside Siem Reap
Cambodian Landmine museum - take a Tuk tuk driver to look in on the museum run by Aki Ra, a former Khmer Rouge child soldier
Angkor Wat temple license.
A handy hint when getting your temple ticket. Get your tuk tuk driver or taxi driver to drop you off to gather your day pass or 3 day pass late in the afternoon. It is useful to know that if you enter the sites later than 5pm, your card won't be marked until the preceding day. This gives you a complimentary sunset at one of the temples!
Angkor Wat Tour Guides
In Cambodia, trip guides have to qualify to request for coaching, then read up and successfully pass a government-approved exam before they can be issued with a license.
While your Tuk Tuk or Taxi can take you to all the attractions in Siem Reap and surroundings, nearly all tourists find that a guide who is able to go with them under a roof the temples brings out the detail of the carvings and all the symbolism, history and mythology that you would otherwise miss when touring without one. We mightily urge you book well in advance for this service, particularly through the High Season (Oct-Mar).
Angkor Wat Tours
These are just some sensible tours if your are touring for 1,2 or 3 days and want to inspect as plenty of the temples around Siem Reap as possible.
1 Day tour of Siem Reap
Here for only 1 day then you really want to pack in as much as you possibly can. Get your permission the day before 5pm (approx 4.30pm) which entitles you to use it that sunset. Head up to Angkor Wat and have a speedy look encompassing to get some idea of the scale of the place. Head up to Bakheng Hill for sunset but it will be busy during peak season and the sun actually set behind you. Early morning is the best time for daybreak at Angkor Wat as the temple faces the West and the sun will rise up behind the temple towards the principal gateway.
The Small Tour
Angkor Wat (then travelling north)
Phnom Bakheng
Angkor Thom (including Bayon, Elephant Terrace, Leper Terrace and Baphuon)
Chau Sey Tevoda
Thommanon
Ta Keo (then travelling north east)
Ta Nei (then travelling south)
Ta Prom (then travelling east)
Banteay Kdei
Sra Srang
Prasat Kravan
Back to Angkor Wat (total 17km)
The Grand Tour
Angkor Wat (then travelling north)
Phnom Bakheng
Preah Khan
Preah Neak Pean (then travelling east)
Ta Som (then travelling south)
Pre Rup
Back to Angkor Wat (total 26km)
Although you can use these as a guide, your reputable tuk tuk driver knows plenty ways to make sure you see as much as possible with whatever time you have available.
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