Summary
4-Day Cambodia Itinerary: Angkor Wat Temples & Siem Reap Travel Guide
As a gateway to the famous Angkor Wat temples, Siem Reap is the cornerstone of Cambodia’s tourism and it’s definitely one of the best travel destinations to incorporate into your Cambodia itinerary.
You could easily spend a week or two exploring everything in the Siem Reap area; however, the top highlights can be seen with just 3 or 4 days if you’re limited on time.
This Angkor Wat itinerary will guide you through some of the best Angkor temples to see, along with a few of the most interesting sights in Siem Reap town itself. Therefore, hopefully, this provides you with some ideas for your 4-day adventure in Cambodia!
✈ Where To Start
This entire Angkor Wat itinerary takes place in and near the small town of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Begin your journey by flying into Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), which is served by various budget-friendly airlines known for their good ratings. Flights from Singapore (SIN), Bangkok (DMK), and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Siem Reap can be as low as $40 USD.
When you land in Siem Reap, take an airport transfer to your hotel. You can reserve this in advance on Klook for $11 by private car, or $5 by tuk tuk.
Check into your hotel, and get some rest to prepare for exploring ancient temples over your 4 days in Cambodia!
• Day 1: Angkor Wat Sunrise + Small Circuit
○ Angkor Wat Sunrise
Wake up early to start your Cambodia itinerary with the breathtaking Angkor Wat sunrise over the pond. Subsequently, explore the expansive main temple area, which is quite significant.
○ Baksei Chamkrong
This is one of my favorite temples in Angkor. It is a small, lesser-known pyramid temple near Angkor Thom. It might be necessary to ask your driver to stop here, as most tours don’t include it in the typical itinerary. It’s truly a hidden gem!
○ Angkor Thom Gate
This gate, located on the south side of the Angkor Thom temple complex, is adjacent to Baksei Chamkrong. Although in poor condition, you can still drive or walk through it, providing some excellent photo opportunities.
○ Bayon
Bayon is one of the most significant temples in Angkor Thom, recognized for having some of the best wall carvings in the area. This temple features the famous stone faces that are prevalent in numerous photos of Cambodia.
○ Thommanon
This lesser-known temple in Angkor Thom is often overlooked by most tour groups. The intricate carvings and doorways are worth exploring.
○ Ta Prohm
Famed as the ‘Tomb Raider temple’ in the 2001 Angelina Jolie film, Ta Prohm showcases an incredible tree growing atop one of the temples—a must-see attraction.
○ Banteay Kdei
More striking trees and temples await! The massive tree roots at Banteay Kdei dominate the structures, providing a fascinating view.
• Day 2: Angkor Wat Grand Circuit
○ Preah Khan
Explore the Angkor Wat again via the grand circuit, starting with Preah Khan. While much of the temple is in ruins, it’s intriguing to witness how nature reclaims the remains.
○ Neak Pean
This island temple situated in the middle of a small pond looks particularly appealing right after the rainy season. In late dry seasons, the water level diminishes significantly.
○ Ta Som
This smaller temple features a remarkable stone doorway ensnared and upheld by a strangler tree.
○ East Mebon
Although this temple is showing signs of wear, the elephant statues at each corner are notable highlights.
○ Pre Rup
Positioned near the end of the grand circuit, this large temple was used for funerals, which contributes to its eerie atmosphere. Be sure to explore the best-preserved structures atop the pyramid.
○ Bantei Srei Temple
This temple is about an hour’s drive from Siem Reap but can easily be combined with a grand/small circuit tour with a minor additional fee to your driver. The striking red sandstone colors and exquisite stone carvings make this site well worth the trip.
• Day 3: Day Trip To Koh Ker Temples & More
○ Koh Ker Temple
Hire a driver for the day and venture to Koh Ker, a collection of remote temples approximately 2.5 hours from Siem Reap. The main building features a stunning 7-tier pyramid nestled in the forest. A stairway leads you to the top for breathtaking views of the entire area.
○ Prasat Pram Temple
This remarkable site in the Koh Ker region displays ancient temples being enveloped by massive strangler trees. You must visit this spectacular setting while in the vicinity.
○ Beng Mealea
On your return journey to Siem Reap, stop by another remote temple, Beng Mealea. Although largely in ruins, this space possesses unique charm!
○ Roluos Group
Finally, you’ll encounter the Roluos temples located just 30 minutes east of Siem Reap. Dating back to the 9th century, these temples are among the oldest Khmer structures in Cambodia. With a little extra payment to your driver, you can fit numerous attractions into your 4-day Cambodia itinerary.
• Day 4: Siem Reap Town
○ Bugs Cafe
Begin Day 4 by exploring the many intriguing restaurants and shops in Siem Reap town. For a unique experience, visit Bugs Cafe, which serves fried tarantulas, scorpions, and other exotic critters! This cafe, founded by a French expat and a Khmer chef, represents a fusion of local culture and the influx of tourism.
○ Wat Thmey (Killing Fields)
Make sure to include a cultural and historical stop at Wat Thmey, a Cambodian temple known for its poignant history as a killing field during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. A stupa memorial houses the skulls and bones of genocide victims.
○ Siem Reap Market
The riverside markets in Siem Reap are perfect for souvenir shopping, street food, and photography. Here you’ll find an array of items for sale, including paintings, clothing, fridge magnets, and postcards.
More Angkor Wat Travel Tips
This Angkor Wat itinerary aims to assist you in planning your own Cambodia trip effectively.
These suggestions outline what to do in Cambodia during your 4-day visit. Moreover, you could easily spend additional time in Siem Reap, discovering all the nearby temples and delighting in local restaurants and markets.
Don’t forget to check out the full Angkor Wat Travel Guide that includes further tips, maps, photos, and more!
Best Angkor Wat Tours
If you’re searching for an excellent Siem Reap driver or guide to navigate the sights, consider Klook, which offers shared day tours starting from $12 USD.
For those interested in the spectacular sunrise tour—highly recommended—Klook provides both private Angkor Wat sunrise tours by tuk-tuk for $19 USD and shared sunrise tours for $12 USD.
Many travelers, including myself, have utilized Klook for various tours and activities worldwide, and they consistently deliver high-quality experiences—highly recommended.
Where We Stayed
During our stay, we chose the 4-star La Residence Blanc D’Angkor in Siem Reap at the rate of $18 USD per night for a clean double room equipped with cold A/C, a work desk, a refrigerator, a wardrobe, and more. This hotel also features an on-site restaurant and pool.
The staff is exceptionally friendly, and I was particularly taken with the impressive wall art depicting scenes from Angkor Wat, setting the perfect mood for temple exploration.
Keep in mind that prices may vary, so staying alert for good deals is advisable.
