Angkor Wat Travel Forum

Hi there!

I'm planning on a tour to Angkor Wat and HCMC departing from Singapore in the week of 25th July till 1st August 2009.

I'm wondering whether it's enough time for me to cover the major attractions since I'm going for both? I know it's long bus journey to travel from HCMC to Angkor Wat... and I'm not sure whether it's worth it for me to travel by bus or it would be better to just take a flight? Which route is the best : HCMC - Angkor Wat or vice versa?

Any suggestions on the itinerary as I'm pretty flexible and also because I'll be travelling alone. Would appreciate if you can provide some good backpackers accommodation too (looking at USD15 - 20 per nite). Also, I heard it will be very hot during this time to travel, but then again I have no choice to do so now as due to work committments.

Hope to get some feedback soon.

Thanks, guys!


Cheers!
Jen

As you only have a week, I would suggest flying. That way, you can spend 3 full days in each location.

It probably dosn't make much difference what route to take, depends on your return airticket from Singapore.

I havn't been at this time of year, but the weather should be hot & wet.

Hi there!

Thanks for your reply. I have a total of about 9 days.. and I'm thinkin' now to fly from Spore - HCMC and touch down first thing in the morning @ HCMC and take a bus or boat ride to Siem Reap.

Spend a few days in Siem Reap (maybe 5 days) and back to HCMC for major attractions only. Think this is doable? I read there is a direct bus from HCMC - Siem Reap about 8 hours ride...

Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks!

Cheers!
Jen

I'm sure some others will jump in on this, I would guess that the trip would take more like 9-10 hours, I have only done the Phonm Penh to SR leg, which took around 5 hours.

2-3 days in HCMC should cover the main attractions in the centre plus a day trip out to Tay Nihn & Cu Chi and maybe some shopping. If you do get the bus, you will see some of the Mekong Delta on the way. With 5 days in Siem Reap, you will be able to see many of the temples that are further out, plus maybe spend some time at the floating village at Chong Kneas.

Five days is more than enough time in Seam Reap. You will see everything and have time to spare. The flight is quite expensive, so the option you are thinking of is better when you are on a budget.

I suggest you start in HCMC and fly to Siem Reap via Vietnam airways. Its around an hour flight. I stayed at Mandalay Inn at Sieam Reap, near the Old Market area, for around $18 per night in Feb this year. Its more a guesthouse rather than a backpacker place so good value. Is it hot??? Have been in late June and the max was 33 degrees. Depends where you live as to wether you think that is hot.
I spent a few days in HCMC but for me I could have done it in 1 or 2 days. 3 or 4 days in Siem Reap is good to see everything you need to see. Happy to help out if you want a suggested itinery

Eggboy

Hi all,

Thank you for all the replies... It's been helpful... I've checked the direct flight from HCMC-SR-HCMC and it's very expensive. Easily cost me USD247 for a round trip.. Gosh! :O

I think I might just stick with the bus service (Mekong Express) and perhaps stop by at PP for a nite or two? My tentative itinerary would be :

Day 1 (early am) HCMC - PP (via ME bus -- it's only 5 hours journey?)
Day 1 (half day) & 2 PP
Day 2 (eve) PP - SR (Do they have evening bus to SR??)
Day 3, 4 & 5 SR
Day 6 SR - HCMC
Day 7, 8 & 9 HCMC

I would have about 9 - 10 days for this trip. Or should i cut down on PP? Anything interesting in PP except for the "killing ground" area?

Is it better for me to do the route : HCMC - SR - PP - HCMC? By the way, is it safe for a girl to travel alone in these countries?

P/s : Eggboy --- it'll be nice if you can suggest a short itinerary that cover all the major attractions... ;)

Thanks!


Cheers!
Jen

Hmmm. A challenge I accept but I thin too much time in HCMC. My HCMC would be as follows:

1 day. CuChi Tunnels (half day) Other half city tour including the war museum, Reunification palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office building. There are a couple of Chionese temples and the market but its not that exciting imho. Get yourself a Pho Ba (beef noodle soup) for a sample of local cuisine and thats all I can recommend to see and do.
Its a big city, very noisy and busy as you can get. Thats why I suggest you finish in Siem Reap.

Phnom Pehn. Fantastic city. Much prettier than HCMC, less hectic and friendlier. What to see: Killing fields, Toul Sleng museum, Wat Phnom (main city temple, very special place), Psar Thmei, Royal Palace Silver Pagoda. Have a read of my Phnom Penh page.

Siem Reap. (last Feb I took the bus from PP to Siem Reap). It is about a 5hr trip with a stop at Kompong Thom for about half hour. What to see ther:
Day 1. Angkor Wat (spend an hour at least); South Gate Angkor Thom; Bayon; Terrace of the Elephants/leper King; Head to the North Gate to Exit Angkor Thom and you can lunch at one of the restaurants across from Sra Srang (pool of ablutions). After lunch and a break head back along the banks of Sra Srang to Banteay K'dey temple. By this time you are at about Sunset. Best to see sunset at Pre Rup temple which is around 1-2km up the road. Its very busy but worth the view.

Day 2 Sunrise at Angkor Wat. You need to be up and about at 4.30-5am to get there. Take a spot near the southern library to watch the sun rise over the 5 towers of the main temple; Ta Prohm is next stop, this is the temple featured in Tomb Raider. Take a break and head back to town for a well earned nap.

Day 3. A morning trip to the Roluos group is worth a look. Feature here is a temple called Bakong. Pretty much a step pyramid with cool elephant statues.
In the afternoon you can hit Siem Reap town for Khmer massages or markets if so inclined. Psar Char and the new market are ok. There is also a night market.

Getting RSI from typing so much :)

See my SR page or email me for more,

Sir Egg :)

Good idea to have a break half-way and spend some time in Phonm Penh. Many people just jump straight to SR and miss this place - in my opinion PP is one of the nicer capital cities in SE Asia.

Eggboy suggested the best places to go, in addition, the Russian Market is a good place to buy souveniers, and the National Musuem is worth a look.

Make sure that you also spend a little time checking out the Riverfront area, loads of bars and resturants, great place to sit back with a beer & people watch. And, if you are looking for cheap backpacker accomodation, the area known as Boeng Kak has loads of low cost places to stay.

Hi Betska & Eggboy,

Thanks for the suggestions... I've checked flight from SR - SIN and it's not that expensive though..

So, i'm taking ur advice to go from Singapore (SIN)- HCMC... So my itinerary would be something like below :

SIN - HCMC (3 days)
HCMC - PP (via bus ride or boat ride??? Spend 2 days)
PP - SR (4 days)& fly back from SR to SIN

The flight tickets are definately a bit expensive with the above route, but at least i save on the ground travelling and only need to pay 1 ground travelling from HCMC-PP-SR...

Also, i read from the website that is it not so safe to travel alone (especially for girls) in Cambodia and to avoid going out at nite. Is it that bad? I'm a bit worried and this is the first time i'm travelling alone in these countries...

By the way, I'm also a vegetarian... Is it hard to get vegetarian food there?? ;)

Thanks!


Cheers!
Jen

Good itinery. Being male I dont have the same concerns but I do travel alone and have no issues. I suggest you take care in PP at night but i have heard no real problems from other ladies I know who travel alone. Betska can probably add to this...Betty? Do you want me to arrange for a tuk tuk driver for you?

Hi Jen,
Sounds like you've got a good plan worked out!!

Sorry, I can't help you with the vegetarian question, but as far as travelling alone, and going out at night, I've just spent a month travelling alone thru Laos & Cambodia, never once felt scared or threatened, but just make sure that at night you stick to busy, well-lit areas, there are many many more good people out there than bad!

Ha Ha Eggboy, I miss those PP tuck-tuck guys, very sweet, happy guys!

Jen, if you don't want to bus it all the way HMC to SR, you could always go by bus HCMC to PP, and then boat PP to SR. The boat is apparently much safer in the wet season.

Wot do you think sir egg?

Hi Eggboy & Betty,

Thanks again for both comments. I've decided to go on the week of 15th Aug - 23rd Aug 2009 (9 days), just after my hiking trip to Malaysia (4 days)... Gosh! :O I hope it won't rain too much during these time but then again it'll be more refreshing & cooling after a downpour... keeping my fingers crossed! ;)

I was thinkin' on the boat ride at some point too.. and i read reviews that if ur unlucky, the boat might break down in the middle... but, i do not want to miss the beautiful sceneary.. so i'm just gonna take my changes from PP-SR via boat ride.. hehe!

I was talkin' to a friend of mine this morning and he did mention that i should be more careful in PP but it should be okay if i dun wander too much during the nites... It's not an issue in SR though.. ;)

Again, thanks for your suggestions.. it has been very helpful... I can't wait to go there... Now... i have to be quick on my tickets booking! haha!


Cheers!
Jen

Ummm, with the boat, its not that good from what I have read and the scenery is, well, not that impressive. Its flat so there are very few features to see and the lake is wide like the ocean and light brown like a cafe latte :) I suggest you reconsider and take the bus. An alternative if you want a boat ride is to visit Chong K'Neas, the floating village on Tonle Sap lake. Its about half hour drive from SR. See my ref & pics on it on my SR pages.

Yes at Night in PP is best to be careful and try to be with someone. I had no trouble but it pays to keep your wits about you without being paranoid. The Khmer are generally very warm, welcoming and friendly people.

Have fun OK.

Jen, I am getting in on the end of these replies. As usual, Betska and Eggboy have given you excellent advice. I might just add a couple of things. For more information about the Mekong Express bus from PP to SR, see my Phnom Penh Transportation tip. I believe the last bus departs PP at 14:00. I have also documented the trip itself under Khett Siem Reap. I have heard the same thing as Eggboy about the boat trip. It can be crowded and gets a little boring after the first hour. The recommendation to go to the floating village on Tonle Sap Lake is a much better option. I too had a good experience with the Mandalay Inn. There are many other inexpensive hotels in that same area but my second option was Ei8ht Rooms. I have written up both under Phumi Siem Reap. BTW, I am curious as to where you are going hiking in Malaysia. I just spent several days in Sarawak headhunter country. Could you be going there?

I recently took the Paramount Bus service from PP to SR. There are at least two morning services. I booked the day before for the 8.30 bus but got there early enough and they had a seat, so they put me on the 7.30 service :)
Cost was US$9 one way. Mostly local peeps on the bus so it was very interesting watching Khmer TV comedy and Karaoke songs :)

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the suggestion... Ya, i guess i'll do the Tonle Sap Lake rather than the boat ride... The last thing i want is to be stucked when the boat breaks down or something..haha!

Read good reviews on Mandalay Inn too.. So, think i'm just going to go ahead with it... The hotel looks very clean and it's cheap... I'll check it out more on ur page later... Going to hiking in Kelantan, Malaysia (north of Penn Malaysia). Gonna hike 2 mountains in 4 days... Mount Stong and Mount Ayam... Not going Sarawak, but definately will be one of my destinations in the near future... ;)

Eggboy,

Good to know they have such an early bus... Definately will be off early from PP-SR.... I read so much good reviews on SR and would love to spend more days there. Think i might just cut down HCMC to 2 days instead of 3 days...

Can't wait to be there... ;) Thanks a lot guys!


Cheers!
Jen

Jen

I spent 5 days in HCMC and was bored. I am never bored in SR but I also have friends who live there so its like a second home for me. Maybe do think about cutting down time in HCMC and think about a little more travel around SR. Let me know and I will give some advice there.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Yes, i'm now very likely to cut down on my HCMC to just 2 days.. It's just a city.. I would think 2 days it's enough for me to cover the major attractions... Definately, looking forward to spend more days in SR. My tentative itinerary :

15th Aug ETA HCMC 0815hours (so, i have full day here to do my
visits)

16th Aug Another full day in HCMC

17th Aug Early bus ride to PP
Half day (afternoon) to visit PP

18th Aug Full day @ PP

19th Aug Early bus ride to SR (0730hrs)
Half day (afternoon) to visit SR

20th Aug Full day @ SR

21st Aug Full day @ SR

22nd Aug Full day @ SR

23rd Aug Flight in morning back to SIN. This is the best direct flight i
can get.. :(

So, looking at the itinerary, i only have 3.5 days to @ SR (eventhough i cut down on HCMC)??!! :( Or should i take a bus from HCMC - PP on the late evening then (if they do have a bus) then to reach PP morning and spend another day and depart from PP - SR (in the late evening, but then again the latest bus they have is at 1400hours)...

Would love to hear any recommendations from ur side...

Thanks!

Cheers!
Jen

Hey Jen :)

Stick with the 3.5 days in SR. YOu can get an Angkor temple pass for 3 days but if you pay late in th eafternoon on the first day, you still get a full 3 days templing (is that a word????).

Let me knwo if you want a moto driver for a temple guide. I have local connections in SR and PP :)

Peter

Jen, I agree with Eggboy, your final itinery sounds great!

You will have a great time, it's a wonderful country. I can't wait to go back.
Don't forget to try "amok"

EB-is the term "templed-out"????

OOOOps, sorry Jen, you mentioned that you are vegetarian, so only pay attention to my last remark if you eat fish!!!

The term may be rooted :0, like the vines in Ta Prohm.

Temple over-load. A necesessary evil. But so addictive. I'm sure AlburqRay agrees!!!!

I'm cooking amok again this weekend, EB. Once my supply of spice runs out, it will be back to Cambodia to buy more :o)

Betska, Make sure you use banana leaves and that big pot for your amok :-)

Hi Peter & Betty,

I think i got what you mean on the temple pass. Eventhough if i get my tickets being purchased that late afternoon itself, it will still be extended accordingly?

A local guide contact would be handy too... I would like to keep that if i'm in need at some point. But, isn't it a way lot cheaper to travel via tuk-tuk? I read some reviews that i can get a cab for a full-day itinerary at USD25... Is tuk-tuk will be charged USD1 flat rate at any destination?

What is "amok"...?? A local dish?? I guess it's not vegetarian anyway.. haha! Hope i won't have much trouble finding vegetarian food... :O

Thanks, guys!


Cheers!
Jen

Amok is a fragrant coconut based curry of fish or similar. Yes a local dish. Temple guide is different to a driver. Driver drops you at the gate of the temples and will wait for you. They cannot enter the temple grounds. Worth thinking about.
Yep $1 is the cost around town. Around $12 per day for a tuk tuk for travel around the Angkor temples.
Hope that helps

Spot on, Pete. I reckon that if you are on a budget, hiring a tuk-tuk is the way to go. If you feel that he has done a good job, pay him a little extra, and buy him lunch. Around SR, tuk-tuk should be nor more than $1-$2 depending on where you are staying.

No banana leaves here, in winter, boyo. I will steam the amok in my bamboo steamer with baking paper. Not so authentic, but very tasty!

Ah kuhn tom tom, Betty. I only paid 1$ even staying out at Dara Reangsey. Not sure how they get away with $2 but you are the second person who said that got stung. I took moto's most of the time. I have a contact for a really good one too. Only crashed once (just kidding)

You can get banana leaves any time down here in Mexico. Imported from FNQ and packed in plastic wrap, in the Asian groceries :). U need to try harder :-)

We only paid $1 to get from the market out to Chenla Guesthouse (on the national highway) but I thought it might cost more to some of the more up-market northerly digs.
Hey you know what I tight-arse I am!

I've been dreaming of those fab foot massasges etc.......