Angkor Wat Travel Forum

I'm planning to bring my parents who are in their 60s to Angkor Wat in early March. Can anyone advise if it is a good time or is the weather condition too harsh for the 2 old folks? And also, may I know where is a good place to stay so that it will be easier for them to travel to the temples, as well as the best way to travel from temple to temple with minimal walking for them? Thanks in advance everyone!!!

It will be dry & hot.
There are many hotels & guesthouses to choose from, depending on your budget.
We hired a tuck-tuck with driver for the day to tour the temples, did not use a guide. The cost was US$12 for the day plus we bought the driver lunch.
If your parents don't like the heat, you might be better off to hire an air-conditioned car & guide. Don't know the cost but others will.

There are lots of up market hotels in Siem Reap. We stayed at the Prince d Angkor which was good value about a 3/4.
You will probably need to hire a guide and driver (with air conditioning) no matter where you stay. We were there in 2007 and hired both on arrival in Siem Reap. You can also hire a guide and driver through your hotel. It will cost about US$25 a day. We hired a guide and driver for three days and ended up giving both about US$75 all up as we knew their situation was pretty dire. (you'll understand when you get there :( )

Your parents will need to be prepared to do a bit of walking as the temples are in various stages of decay. Also, be prepared to climb steps as this is the only way in some cases to really appreciate the temples. It is also very hot so make sure you bring hats, sunblock etc.

I don't think you'll have any problems attaining a car/van/driver once you arrive but there's also the motorcycles that have an attached trailer that holds 4 comfortably. Not as chilled as an AC car though. In the 3 visits i've made to Siem Reap/Angkor we'd frequently return to the town for lunch and to have a 'siesta' before returning in the late afternoon to do some more touring. It will be warm/hot but at least the humidity and heat won't be as bad as in April. Oh and drink lots of bottled water.

I was there July last year and it was hot walking! I suggest that you hire an A/C car (you can get one of US$40) so that the parents won't have to suffer unnecessarily. I agree that you must drink lots of water (a bottle costs $1.50 in Angkor complex, might be cheaper in groceries at Siem Reab).

More important concern to me is the health condition of your parents? The stairs in most temples are steep and they might have difficult time managing it. The easiest temples to walk through are Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm.

BTW, it is very easy to arrange vehicle and tour to Angkor. Just inform the concierge of your hotel that you want them to arrange a tour and vehicle for you and your parents.

I think the weather is still ok for your parents in early March as I just back from Cambodia in mid of Feb. It's hot during daytime, I bought 3-days pass and need to bring 1.5L water during these days. I know some people will back to hotel to take rest during lunch time. Sunblock, hats, enough water is important. And as need to climb up many stairs, so a pair of suitable sporty shoese is needed.

I think you can book a tuk tuk or a car (with air-con) in advance (thats what I did, and asked driver to pick-up when I arrived Siem Reap). For tuk tuk around USD15 for the temples nearby (eg.Bayon, Pre Rup). If go to Banteay Srei, Roluos Group, Banteay Samre etc (more far away), I think rent a car with air-con is more suitable for your parents.

There is many driver information and contact info from the website and you can ask quotations from them to see the general cost as your reference. The following is some recommended drivers from others packpackers.

1. chansy - chansy_siemreap@yahoo.com
2. Oum - oumdavuth@yahoo.com
3. shinsak - shinsak02@yahoo.com (tel 85592773483)
4. Ming - chenhuiming82@yahoo.com +855 11627230, 855 92641344
He also runs a guesthouse name Angkor Garden Villa
5. Vuthy thy - http://www.angkortransport.com/
vuthy_006@yahoo.com

Hope this can help you. Have fun in your coming Angkor trip :-D