Angkor Wat is considered to be the largest religious monument in the world. It resides on over 400 acres. What many people don’t realize is there are multiple areas of Angkor Wat; the main temple, the small circuit, and the great circuit. Due to the size, it is not possible to see all of this in one day. It is recommended to get the multi-day pass and spend a few days exploring the different temples. A guided tour is great for the main complex and the small circuit combined. The great circuit should have it’s own day in your schedule. This is the best way to visit the Great Circuit of Angkor Wat!
Angkor Wat Tickets
Here is the Angkor Wat Ticket website. There are 3 ticket options; 1 day for $37, 3 days for $62, and 7 days for $72. Likely you will want the 3 day pass if you plan to visit Siem Reap for longer than 1 day. The ticket expires 10 days after being bought and the days can be spread out over those 10 days. Ensure you have a copy on your phone that is easily accessible or a printed copy. They will ask to see it at multiple locations. Most guided tours do not include the tickets in their price so you will need to complete this step on your own.
Transportation for the Great Circuit
After leaving the main town area of Siem Reap, walking is not an option due to the vast size of the complexes and distance between them. The small circuit is roughly 17 miles in circumference and the great circuit is closer to 26 miles in circumference. It’s important to remember that Angkor was the capital city over the course of multiple centuries. It was very built up at the time and many archaeological sites still stand today.
For the great circuit it is recommended to rent a ride for the day. Now we do not recommend being the one driving. Grab is an awesome app that is extremely useful when in Cambodia. It is possible to complete this circuit in a tuk tuk or in a car. On the app, instead of ordering a ride to one location, schedule the ride for the 8 hour time block. This might seem like a long time but it actually is perfect! Plan to get up pretty early as the heat becomes intense and the areas become really crowded.
When informing your driver where you would like to go, let them know the name of a few temples you specifically are interested in. If you tell them you want to do the Great Circuit, they likely will be able to navigate you to each of the best known ones without much question. Having a local driver is awesome because they know exactly where they are going and the best order to visit each location in.
Pack a bag of snacks and water to keep in your transportation. This bag should include sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. We usually carried our Osprey Day Pack and found it to be a great size for this.
The Great Circuit of Angkor Wat
Bantea Srei
The pink temples, Bantea Srei, is a favorite due to the beautiful colors and stunning architecture. It is located roughly an hour outside of Siem Reap and is further away than the rest of the circuit. For this reason it is recommended to start at this temple then work your way back into town. At the entrance they will request to see your Ankgor Wat ticket so have that one handy. If you arrive early, there will be fewer people and this will make it easier to take photos.
Neak Pean
The mystical island temple, Neak Pean, is the only one like it in all of the complexes. It is an island surrounded by a lake that requires a walk over the bridge to reach it. On the island is a looping trail that takes you around the jungle area. In the center is another man made lake area with the temple floating in the center. This is a temple that it is not possible to fully reach. The island is a good size but still walkable. It is believed that the island would originally only have been reached via a boat and stairs that were located at each of the four cardinal points.
East Mebon
This temple was built in the 10th century and believed to previously been surrounded by water. The elephants and lions that stand guard are stunning pieces of work. This is a location that has stairs to reach the upper levels. Ensure you are careful of where you step and always aware of the delicacy of the steps. Many of the temples have beautifully intricate carvings. East Mebon is a great example of how much time was spent completing these carvings and the astonishing fact that they are still so visible today after many centuries in the elements.
Preah Khan
When visiting Preah Khan temple it will feel like you are in a fun house where it is hard to tell where it ends. The joy of walking through the many small doors and hallways creates a lovely optical illusion. A beautiful mote surrounds this temple allowing for a castle like effect. At many of the temples, nature has started to take over with massive trees growing over the walls. Multiple huge trees can be found at this location. It is stated they are not able to remove the trees because they are actually holding the temple together at this point. Do note there are multiple entrances to get into this temple, note which entrance you utilized to ensure you don’t get lost trying to find your ride.
Angkor Wat
Likely you’ll have a bit of time at the end of your day as you head back towards town. We recommend doing a quick walk – through the main Angkor Wat temple if you have time. Even if you are already going another day, the main complex is so big that any extra time is worth it. Details are in abundance and you’ll see something new each time.
General Recommendations
It’s important to plan ahead when visiting the temples so here is a quick list of our general recommendations for visiting the grand circuit of Angkor Wat.
- Dress appropriately. Yes it is extremely hot but these are still religious structures. Cover your shoulders and wear clothes that at least go to the knee.
- Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. It is hot and many temples will have minimal shade coverage if any.
- Bring some money. A lot of temples have food stalls nearby and even some have restuarants.
- Bring tissues. This is key no matter where you go in South East Asia. The bathrooms are decent throughout the complex but there is no guarantee of toilet paper.
- Drink plenty of water. It is super hot and sunny. Don’t be afraid to ask the driver to stop for water or grab some from the food stalls. Hydration is key due to how much you’ll likely be sweating.
- Be respectful of the temples. Many are going through restoration processes at this time. Don’t leave trash and don’t take anything with you.
- Wear solid shoes. When exploring temples the stairs are steep and cracked with an uneven ground throughout the rest of the area.
We hope you found this article helpful and would love to hear about your trip! Check out our other posts below to learn more about Angkor Wat!
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