Siem Reap: 3 Days of Tastes, Temples & Traditions

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is connected via Singapore and Bangkok with multiple direct daily flights. Upon arrival, the drive to Siem Reap will take just under an hour and gives you a glimpse of the beautiful Cambodian countryside.

After settling into your hotel of choice for your stay, head out on a tuk-tuk food tour to learn more about Siem Reap, the food, the people, and their traditions. Taking a food tour is an excellent way to get your bearings in a new city, find some local places to visit later in the week, and get tips from your guide to make your visit extra special. You can also stop at the Made in Cambodia Market or the night market to find some local souvenirs.

Today is the day to explore the amazing sites around the Angkor Archaeological Park. The nationally certified and trained guides are superb and ensure you are well looked after during your tours. Get a private driver with an air-conditioned van, as it gets quite warm and the A/C, water, and cold towels are a welcome relief.

Start at Ta Prohm, famous for the film Tomb Raider, where you can see tree root formations that developed over centuries. You will also learn about the ancient kings and the Buddhist and Hindu influences, and marvel at the beauty of this very special place.

Angkor Wat is an immense temple that is still used today. The size and quality of the preservation is beyond your imagination. Keep a close eye on the apsara dancers throughout the temple—notice the slight differences that make each one unique from the others.

Finish your day at the Bayon Temple, where you will see the many faces of King Jayavarman VII. This is a temple that continues to undergo restoration and conservation, with additional areas opening in future years.

In the evening, enjoy dinner and drinks at The Elephant Bar and restaurant 1932 at the Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. Whether you are staying at the hotel or not, the amazing history, atmosphere, and the culinary delights are not to be missed.

The APOPO charity is a foundation that is helping Cambodia emerge from its past. During a one-hour tour, you will learn about the amazing work they are doing to help address the danger of land mines in Cambodia. Their program, which trains giant African pouch rats to sniff out land mines, is a fascinating and inspiring mission. One rat can detect mines in an area in 30 minutes that would take a human team multiple days. You will learn about their work and see a demonstration, and you can even hold one of the rats!

After seeing the temples, a visit to the Angkor National Museum is a wonderful way to continue your education about the history of Cambodia and the Khmer Empire. In addition to seeing the many amazing artifacts, there are exhibits that tell the story of the temples' construction and provide an opportunity to explore the beauty of ancient Khmer clothing, jewelry, and accessories.

If you want to explore local craft traditions even more, visit Artisans Angkor, where you can see artisans at work at the craft center and silk farm. They also have a boutique where you can purchase hand-crafted items made by the skilled artisans.

Across from the beautiful Royal Gardens and next to the Royal Residence is the FCC Angkor by Avani. Once used as the French governor’s residence, it became the meeting place for journalists as the home of the Foreign Correspondents Club. You can enjoy dinner at The Mansion restaurant and sit at the stylish al fresco bar Scribe to take in the beauty of the garden and imagine the history it has seen.