| Visiting Angkor
Angkor may be a charming challenge. Take your time! If anyhow possible your first visit should take a week, or even more. Three full days are the minimum.
The Big Names: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, & Banteay Srei. Covering these temples takes at least two days.
Angkor along the key monuments, an easy way of understanding: (Additional key monuments are italized.)
Sambor Prei Kuk (7th century), Trapeang Phong (early 9th century), Bakong (881), Phnom Bakheng (about 900). Koh Ker (921-94!), Baksei Chamkrong (947), East Mebon (952), Pre Rup (991); Ta Keo (1007), Phimeanakas (about 1000), Baphuon (1060), Thommanon (late 11th to early 12th century), Angkor Wat (first half 12th century), Preah Khan (1191); Bayon & Angkor Thom (late 12th to 13th century):
Three days program
It provides an overall view & introduction to enable better understanding of the temples.
The key monuments and the big names are visited in a chronological order.
- First day
In the morning: Prasat Bakong, Preah Ko, & Lolei.
In the afternoon Prasat Kravan, Banteay Srei, East Mebon or Sunset at Pre Rup (90 km).
- Second day
Sunrise at Angkor Wat.
In the morning: Phnom Bakheng , Baksei Chamkrong, East Mebon (if not visited on the first day),
& Ta Keo .
In the afternoon: Angkor Wat (28 km).
- Third day
Preah Khan and Neak Pean. North Gate of Angkor Thom, Terrace of the Leper King, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, Baphuon, Bayon, & Ta Prohm (33 km).
Full program
Three days of overall view & introduction; from the fourth day on: free program..
- First day: Late 9th & early 10th centuries.
In the morning: Prasat Bakong, Preah Ko, & Lolei.
In the afternoon: Phnom Bakheng, Baksei Chamkrong, East Mebon. Sunset at Pre Rup.
- Second day: The big pyramids & Buddhist flat temples, 11th and 12th centuries..
In the morning: Ta Keo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, & Baphuon.
In the afternoon: Angkor Wat.
- Third day: Temples of the Bayon era, late 12th & 13th centuries
Preah Khan and Neak Pean. North or Victory Gate of Angkor Thom, Royal Plaza, & Bayon.
See also: Quiet places. |
