Ok i'm now sorted on the hotel front - many thanks to the VTers who responded to my previous question.
I am now trying to sort out how to really get the most from my time in Angkor.

I am thinking of getting a 3 day pass and i'm now looking at the "must see" places obviously Angkor Wat itself, Angkor Thom, Preah Khan and the surrounding smaller temples. Are there any other places in the vicinity that are maybe not in tour guides such as LP?

How long do people generally spend visiting these places each day I am active and quite fit as well as being able to cope in high temperatures so although I'm not out to make it like an endurance test, some idea of length of day exploring would be of help.

Is there a "dress code" as such there i.e. arms covered, long trousers etc as I don't want to cause any offence by dressing insensitively.

I would also like to go further afield to Ta Prohm, Beng Mealea, Bantay Srei not necessarily all of these. Is this possible in a 3 day slot or would I need to stay an extra day here in order to see one or more of these sites.

Many thanks once again for your help

Clare

Bantay Srei was my favorite temple, and I wouldn't miss it. Personally, I was pretty 'templed out' after day 2, although I had a three day pass. I think that you shouldn't have much trouble hitting everything you want to see. Also, remember some of the temples are much smaller, or less elaborate than others....it's a generally hard thing to judge.

When I went a few years ago, I shared a driver and guide with a few people (actually, that I met here on VT), and we headed back to the g/h in the heat of the afternoon. I think the Angkor complex, while lovely, can be a bit grueling.

I don't know if that answered your question, but I do think that having a rest in the heat of the day, will keep you from being 'templed out,' and will probably keep all those temples from blurring in your mind. Anyway, enjoy!

Hi -

You can't see everything in 3 days, but you can cover the major sites and a few minor ones pretty well. Ta Prohm is worth seeing, and the trip out to Banteay Srei is worth doing - the temple is attractive, and you get a good impression of the countryside as you go there as well. It does take about half a day to get to Banteay Srei and back, though. It's worth getting hold of a specialist guidebook - when I was there the vendors sold me a copy of Angkor by Dawn Rooney which has lots of detail.

You will find it easy to be out all day if your chosen transport is a car with driver - cars have aircon - less so if you're on the back of a motorbike, and even less if you've hired a bicycle for the day (it's impractical to walk between the monuments).

I don't recall there being a dress code but many Cambodians have fairly conservative attitudes - shorts + t shirt should be OK though.

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Jeremy

Clare, as ellie mentions, Banta Srei is a must do for the further out temple.
We found 2 days within the Angkor complex, dedicating a 3rd to the outer temples more than plenty. Not to say we wouldn't enjoy returning and seeing additional sights some other year but, we got quite "templed out" after 3 days of heavy temple hopping.
They kind of start resembling one another and becoming monotanous afterawhile.

The secret to getting the most out of your experience is hiring a good driver for the day (we paid about USD $20.00/day) but you can negotiate down to $15.00, further out temples, such as Srei (our personal favorite also) will cost about another $10.00 in gas/time for the driver. Your driver will be able to get you from point A to point B and make suggestions. Regardless of how good a shape you're in, crawling into a nice air conditioned car with ice water which your driver keeps in a cooler is a welcomed relief! Our driver even had cool, damp towels which he would offer us to put around our necks when we returned to the car.
Enjoy, I wish it was me going to Angkor!
Homer

Also, as Jeremy mentions, Cambodians are pretty lax about clothing but, all attempts at proper conduct and etiquette should be followed when entering temples. There are obvious do's/don'ts and you're welcomed to check out our pages where we list the list of etiquette to follow in that particular country.
Remember you're a guest while there.
Homer

You can cover the major sites in 3 days. With the 3-day pass, you can get into the complex for free (I think after 5pm or sth like that) to watch the sunset. THat doesn't count as one day as they don't punch your pass.

THere is no dress code here, unlike in Thailand. But because it's very hot and there is little shade for many temple ruins, you'll need lots of sunscreen and a sun hat. I spent my 3 days from sunrise to sunset outside. I guess it depends how much you are into it. Some people get templed out after a couple of days. But I never got tired of them.

Beng Mealea is pretty far out and I didn't go there. Ta Prohm and Bantay Srei are must go. I also visited the Roulos groups in the east.

We just got back and did a 3-day pass.
Jetboat from Phnom Pehn (arrive at hotel at 3:00pm)
Day 1 - Afternoon - Angor Wat + Sunset
Day 2 - Morning - Sunrise at Angor Wat followed by Angkor Thom
Day 2 - Afternoon - Small Circuit + Pnohm Bakheng for sunset (oof, tourists)
Day 3 - Morning - Large Circuit + Bantney Srie and Samre
Flew out on 11:30 AirAsia to Kuala Lumpur

If we had more time we would have added on the Roluos group rather than spend more time at any of the above.

The heat wasn't the thing that was unbearbale during the day. You really can't see the temples during the noonday sun. Much of the detail is lost. Plus its terrible lighting for pictures. Also masses of tourists in the middle of the day. You can head out at 5:00am. See all the temples you want, and still make it back to a late breakfast / early lunch. Relax by the pool and then head back out around 2:00 for late afternoon/sunset.

As we would be ending our 5 hours of touring there would be these huge tour busses pulling in at 10:00am. Nuts. The worst light and the highest heat.

These are sacred places. There actually are signs up saying to wear pants and sleves at angkor wat, but all the rude tourists disobey. Plus you shouldn't go talking loudly in the temples, but again the rude tourists don't follow.

I was blow away by the number of outrageous and obnoxious tourists. They ovewhelm Angor Wat. The other temples weren't as bad. We were all alone in a few of them. We were the only ones in the Bayon at 6:00am, other than the bats. Very cool.

We definately appreciated things more on the third day. Takes a while to understand what you are seeing and looking for. By the end you will start to understand the different styles and where add-ons are.