The Best Outdoor Activities in Cambodia
Discover the best hiking, camping, backpacking, fitness, and more.
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Watch Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Cambodia / Angkor Wat
You'll want to leave your hotel or hostel in Siem Reap by 5am at the latest.
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Photograph Preah Khan Temple
Cambodia / Preah Khan Temple
Chances are the droves of tourist in Angkor will be trying to photograph sunrise at Angkor Wat. Use this to your advantage and shoot this temple first. It's best to be there no later than 7am.
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Explore Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom
Cambodia / Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple was built in the 12 century and about 100 years after Angkor Wat. Bayon is in the exact center of Angkor Thom.
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Explore Ta Prohm Temple
Cambodia / Ta Prohm, Angkor Archaeological Park
This is probably my favorite of all the Angkor temples. Ta Prohm is also referred to as Temple of the Jungle. Much has been untouched by Archeologist other than to clear paths through the ruins.
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Explore the "City of Women"
Cambodia / Bantaey Srei, Angkor
Bantaey Srei was built in 967 A.D. primarily of sandstone. Bantaey Srei is the name the locals call the site now. Translated this means "City of Women" or Citadel of Women.
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Explore Koh Ker
Cambodia / Koh Ker
Koh Ker was the Cambodian capital for a brief period from 928 - 944 AD. Similar to Angkor Thom, Koh Ker features many distinct temples and sites within its boundaries.
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Explore Bakong Temple
Cambodia / Bakong Temple, Angkor
Bakong Temple, also known as Prasat Bakong, is part of the Roluos Group located southeast of Siem Reap. It is the largest complex of the Roluos Group.
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Hike the Outer Wall Trail of Angkor Wat
Cambodia / Angkor Wat West Entrance
I haven't seen this trail really called anything. The explorer in me likes to check out paths less taken. This is truly one of them. It could be that few people know it even exists.
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Find the Ta Prohm Stegosaurus
Cambodia / Ta Prohm, Angkor Archaeological Park
This little carving has become quite popular in recent years. Some think it is evidence that dinosaurs existed during human times.
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Explore Preah Ko Temple
Cambodia / Preah Ko, Angkor
Preah Ko, also known as Prasat Preah Ko, is part of the Roluos Group. There is a walkway approaching the temple towers which I found to be impressive and interesting to photograph.
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Hike the Preah Khan Trail
Cambodia / Preah Khan Trail
Of course the main attraction at Preah Khan is the temples and sanctuary's. There is amazing detail and numerous rooms to explore. They are beautiful and so much to see.
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Explore Baksei Cham Krong
Cambodia / Baksei Cham Krong, Angkor
Baksei Cham Krong means, The bird that shelters under its wings. The legend is that during an attack on Angkor, the king was sheltered by a large bird that spread it's wings and saved the king.
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Explore Ta Som Temple
Cambodia / Ta Som, Angkor
Ta Som is located along the Grand Circuit road after passing Neak Pean and was built in the late 12 century.
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Explore Neak Pean - Ancient Healing Center
Cambodia / Neak Pean, Angkor
Neak Pean is not a temple. It was constructed as a place of healing. It was believed that soaking in the waters at Neak Pean would balance the individual and therefore cure their illnesses.
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Explore Lolei Temple
Cambodia / Lolei Temple, Angkor
Lolei Temple (also called Prasat Lolei), is part of the Roluos Group southeast of Siem Reap. It was built if the 9th century and consists of 4 towers.
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Hike to Kbal Spean
Cambodia / Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei
Kbal Spean is located about 50 Kilometers from Siem Reap and takes about one hour to get there by Tuk Tuk. This location is a series of carved Lingams in a river bed deep in the the jungle.
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Explore Prasat Kravan
Cambodia / Prasat Kravan, Angkor
Prasat Kravan is a small temple in an open area south of Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. The temple is a row of five brick towers with the central tower being the tallest.
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Explore Baphuon Temple
Cambodia / Baphuon, Angkor Thom
Baphuon is situated just northwest of Bayon Temple. It was built in the 11th century and was initially a Hindu temple but by the 15th century it was converted into a Buddhist temple.
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Explore Pre Rup
Cambodia / Pre Rup, Angkor
This
temple is of the "Mountain" style, meaning, it is built upward and is relatively a
square layout. It has an outer wall and three tiers.
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Explore the Terrace of the Elephants
Cambodia / Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Thom
The Elephant Terrace is part of the Royal Palace complex serving as part of the east wall.
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Explore Chau Say Tevoda Temple
Cambodia / Chau Say Tevoda, Angkor
This is a small temple just east of the Victory Gate from Angkor Thom. It is very similar to Thommanon Temple which is just across the road. Both are Hindu temples constructed in the 12 century.
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Explore Phimeanakas Temple
Cambodia / Phimeanakas Temple, Angkor Thom
Phimeanakas is found within the walls of the Royal Palace. Directly north through the palace walls from Baphuon Temple. Phimeanakas is a three tiered temple constructed in the 10th century.
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Explore East Mebon
Cambodia / Eastern Mebon, Angkor
East Mebon is a temple that was built in the 10th century. The unique thing about East Mebon is that it is actually built on an island.
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Explore Banteay Kdei Temple
Cambodia / Banteay Kdei, Angkor
Banteay Kdei complex is located southeast of Ta Prohm and typically visited as part of the small circuit through Angkor.
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Explore Phnom Bakheng Temple
Cambodia / Phnom Bakheng, Angkor
Phnom Bakheng Temple is refer to as a "temple mountain." The complex was constructed atop one of the highest points in Angkor in the 9th century, almost two centuries before Angkor Wat.
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Explore Thommanon Temple
Cambodia / Thommanon Temple, Angkor
Thommanon Temple is a Hindu temple built in the 12th century. It is rather small and located as you exit from Angkor Thom through the Victory Gate.
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Hike the Angkor Thom Wall Trail
Cambodia / South Gate, Angkor Thom
You can start this hike from any of the five gates. However, the easiest starting point is the south gate because it is typically the first gate you encounter when entering Angkor Thom.
