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    Angkor in 72 hours - suggested itinerary

    / Last updated 19 May 2011

    Introduction

    The Temples of Angkor, Ton Le Sap Lake and Siem Reap town will quickly devour 72 hours. In this gallery, we set out some of our suggestions for how to best spend three days exploring the ruins of the mighty Khmer kingdom at Angkor and the surrounding country.
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • Viewing the Angkor sunrise from the eastern side where there are few tourists and where the morning sun on the towers is spectacular. It's a great start to any Angkor expedition.
    • Angkor Wat from the east.
    • Angkor Wat's detailed carvings are as dramatic as the vast scale of the complex.
    • Day 1 of our 3 days exploring Angkor is very comfortably covered by bicycle. Tuk tuk or a car are also easily arranged.
    • Angkor Thom's late 12th century southern gate. Angkor Thom is the extraordinary city created by King Jayarvarman VII - the man behind the most stunning temples of Angkor.
    • Angkor Thom's southern gate.
    • The Bayon's incredible detail is indiscernible from afar. On approach however, the beguiling faces begin to take shape.
    • The Bayon
    • The Bayon is also home to some of the most beautiful apsara carvings.
    • The Bayon
    • The Bayon's bas reliefs depict daily life as well as battles with the neighbouring Cham kingdom.
    • The cycling is a blast and if you're feeling lazy, bring a tuk tuk along as backup. Roads are good and the forest cover is beautiful.
    • Elephant Terrace, is part of the Royal Square - once the centre of parades and pomp.
    • Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the leper king
    • Preah Khan, dedicated to Jayavarman VII's father is a companion of sorts to the more famous Ta Prohm. Usually less crowded, it's an equally impressive ruin.
    • Preah Khan
    • The jungle enmeshed ruin of Ta Prohm remains a favourite with travellers.
    • Make sure you check out the perimeter at Ta Prohm where some of the most beautiful carvings are found.
    • Ta Prohm strangled by jungle.
    • Ta Prohm
    • Ta Prohm
    • 10th century Takeo pre- dates Ta Prohm and Preah Khan. It's bare by comparison - but a great spot to wrap up the day.
    • The cycling may not be too difficult but the heat can certainly take it out of you.
    • Early on day two, head 30kms out of town to 10th century Banteay Srei. One of the smallest of the major temples, it's also one of the most dramatic with rich red tones and incredible carvings.

    • Andre Malraux, French adventurer who went on to become Minister for Culture under de Gaulle, was so taken with Banteay Srei he thought he'd keep a large piece of it. He was arrested trying to steal valuable carvings. It seems not to have hurt his political career.

    • Stunning lintel at Banteay Srei
    • Cambodian Landmine Museum is well worth visiting on the way back from Banteay Srei. It documents the terrible toll landmines have taken on the country.
    • Started by former Khmer Rouge child soldier Aki Ra, the museum is also involved in assisting victims of mines. Landmines continue to blight the Cambodian countryside.
    • If time permits, it's worth passing by Ta Som temple before lunch. Looters continue to be a serious threat to the temples.
    • Beautiful apsara at Ta Som.
    • Neak Pean is nearby Ta Som and is a small temple for healing once surrounded by ponds, built by Jayavarman VII.
    • With an understanding of the layout and the major temples, the afternoon of day 2 is a good opportunity for more random exploration. Don't foregt to take an afternoon look at Angkor Wat.
    • Into battle - bas relief at Angkor Wat.

    • Late afternoon at Angkor.

    • Ankor Wat in the late afternoon.

    • It's time for a break from the temples on day 3 with a visit to Kompong Phluk floating village on Ton Le Sap lake.

    • Floating forest on Ton Le Sap near Kompong Phluk
    • Even in the dry season, Ton Le Sap is vast. Its bounteous food and water supply was key in the foundation of the Angkor kingdom and remains vital in contemporary Cambodia.
    • The Roluos Group temples are worth visiting on the way back from Ton Le Sap. They're some of the oldest in the Angkor complex - it was from here that the Angkor kingdom flourished.
    • Bakong Temple in the Roluos Group.
    • The final daylight hours of this 3 day itinerary can be spent with some exploration of less visited temples. Pre Rup is another relatively uncrowded sunset option. FOR THINGS TO DO IN SIEM REAP, CHECK OUR SIEM REAP GALLERY.
    Quicklink - Introduction - Siem Reap