Check out Perfect Plan’s 3 Day Angkor Wat itinerary

Are you organizing a visit to Angkor Wat? Examine our comprehensive itinerary and travel recommendations for 3-day exploration of the amazing Angkor temples.  If you are on a short trip to Angkor Wat, I recommend booking a tour guide siem reap to help you make the most of your time.

Angkor Wat is in the Angkor Archaeological Park, which is vast, and getting from one place to the next in the heat can be tiring and take up valuable time if you are unsure where places are in relation to each other. This is why planning is useful, and with the help of an itinerary tailored to suit your needs and interests, you will experience so much more in your time here.

Plan Angkor Wat  3-day itinerary

Day 1 begins with a visit to the Rolous Group temples, including Lolei, Preah Ko, and Bakong, offering a glimpse into the early days of Khmer architecture. Afterward, explore the floating village on Tonle Sap Lake before enjoying a relaxing lunch and strolling through the Old Market.

On Day 2, start early at 5:20 AM to witness the magical sunrise over Angkor Wat, followed by a full-day tour of Angkor Thom, including Bayon, Baphuon, and the Terraces of the Elephants and Leper King. You’ll also visit the iconic Ta Prohm, famous for its massive tree roots.

On Day 3, venture further to visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, and Tasom, before heading to the intricately carved Banteay Srei and impressive Banteay Samré. End the day with sunset views from Phnom Bakheng. Lunch is arranged near the temples, and each day concludes with a return to your hotel for rest.

Sometimes, as awe-inspiring, as the temples may be, one often needs a day off to relax. Perhaps take a morning to enjoy the lotus fields or the silk farm, or drive through the countryside villages with time to stop and shop at local markets along the way. A day may be spent taking a boat through the incredible, floating forests and villages of stilted houses on the expansive Tonle Sap Lake, or heading to the cool waterfalls of Kulen Mountain and visiting the home of the reclining giant Buddha.

These excursions also give us a glimpse of Cambodian life today and an opportunity to meet the locals, who are some of the most welcoming people I have encountered on my travels! There are museums to see and so many activities available that it can be difficult to squeeze it all in without a little help. A certified guide not only shares their valuable historical knowledge but can provide insightful information on local but lesser-known spots off the beaten path.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting

There is a plethora of books and online material to help you. Still, I suggest using the official site for up-to-date and accurate information regarding opening times and ticketing.

TICKETS

1-DAY TICKETS

With so much to see and limited time, most opt for visiting what is known locally as “The Big Three.”

• Angkor Wat, the world’s most recognizable temple, is the world’s largest religious monument and a “must-see” while you’re here.
• Bayon, known for its enormous, sculpted faces smiling out from every angle of the temple, remembers the expression, “If walls could talk”? Well, they certainly do here! The outer walls, with their exquisite bas-reliefs, depict the history and intriguing scenes of everyday life.
• Ta Prohm. Engulfed in the jungle, it is one of the most atmospheric temples. With towering trees growing up through the ruins, it is very photogenic. No surprise the location was used and made famous by Hollywood, and it is now nicknamed the “Tomb Raider” Temple! Bring your camera.

Do you need an Angkor Wat tour guide?

On my first visit to Angkor Wat, I was so impressed by the craftsmanship and sheer majesty of the place, but I didn’t understand the many carvings and the significance of what I was seeing. It took a tour guide to help me understand the history and the importance of the different temples. An experienced guide has extensive knowledge of the area, its unique architecture, and its historical importance. A guide can bring to life the remarkable story of an empire in a world nearly a thousand years ago in an informative but informal way.

A guide can make your experience so much more enriching when you are out and about in the villages and surrounding countryside. It’s so much more enjoyable and refreshing to walk and talk with someone who knows so much about the area.

This website is a great resource for detailed information on recommended Angkor Archaeological Park Tours and other tours in the area, and it can help you decide which places are of interest to you. Once you have decided, you can communicate that with your guide, and they will be able to make a bespoke travel plan with you.

Personally, I had a wonderfully fun guide called Mr. Rain. He is fluent in English and so eager to share his incredible passion for his culture and Cambodia’s rich history. Not only is his historical knowledge impressive, but he shares it so enthusiastically that he is what I consider to be a perfect private Angkor wat tour guide. Allow him to be your host in his beloved Siem Reap and its surroundings, and you will be richer for it! You can read his story and find his details here.

What to Know Before You Visit: Tips

• Being in the tropics, take note of how hot and/or wet it can be depending on the season, so dress accordingly. Bring good walking shoes or sandals for all terrains, a rain jacket, an umbrella, a cap, and/or sunscreen as needed. Keep in mind that the weather can be unpredictable during the rainy season. It can be hot and sticky one minute, and then a sudden heavy downpour may fall the next, so be prepared for everything and make your daypack and clothing as lightweight as possible.
• Being a religious site, it is obligatory that we follow the dress code respectfully when entering the temples. Dress modestly, covering your shoulders with a shawl or scarf, and although gentlemen may wear shorts of a respectable length, ladies must wear something below knee length. I tend to carry a sarong or a wrap that I can wear as a long skirt.
• I also suggest carrying your own water bottle. The heat can be very intense, and although there are roadside vendors everywhere with cold drinks on offer, you won’t find one as you venture through the jungle paths between temples.

Final Thoughts

No matter the duration of your stay in Siem Reap, I wish you success in finding the ideal tour and guide for your visit. I hope you experience a fraction of the enchantment that I do during your visit to “The Kingdom of Wonder.” The three-day itinerary for Angkor Wat is an extraordinary journey that enhances my experiences at Angkor Wat. Exploring the Angkor complex for three days is very worthwhile for those who are enthusiastic about temples.

Safe travels and happy trails to you all!