Krong Siem Reap

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. Most, probably have a limited time to visit all that Angkor Archeological Park has to offer, so don't seek out a trail such as this.I call it the Outer Wall Trail because it is just that. A trail that goes around th...

You'll want to leave your hotel or hostel in Siem Reap by 5am at the latest. Don't bother pre-arranging transportation, there will be tuk tuk drivers roaming the streets looking for people headed to the temple. If you haven't bought your Angkor Wat pass yet, I'd recommend leaving even earlier. The line can be crazy.After arriving at the temples, walk across the Angkor Wat gateway into the main...

Angkor Wat was constructed in the 12th century during the golden years of the Khmer Empire. King Suryavarman II built the Hindu temple to the God Vishnu. The central tower and courtyard represent Mount Meru, home of the gods, which for centuries could only be seen by the elite priests. Centuries later the kingdom would convert to Buddhism, opening the temple up to thereveda monks and lay people...

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. It was built to resemble Mount Meru, a mythical mountain where Hindu gods live. This temple has a very long approach. It is all up hill and shaded for the most part. Because of this long up hill walk, Phnom Bakh...

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. Baksei Cham Krong is only one temple. It is constructed out of different materials from what you see at Angkor Wat. Not many people take the time to pull over and walk back to this temple. It is very clo...

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.  Have your tuk tuk driver drop you off and wait for you at the gate.  While the trail is very easy, it is long and allow for time to check out the gates and the corner Prasats. I hiked this is a clockwise direc...

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. The towers are aligned north to south and are constructed in the Khmer style. Inside the central tower you will find the best preserved carvings however, much of the carvings at Kravan have eroded. There is some signage describ...

Bayon Temple was built in the 12 century and about 100 years after Angkor Wat. Bayon is in the exact center of Angkor Thom. It is famous for over 200 stone Buddha faces that highlight the magnificence of Bayon. In Bayon's current state, it has 37 towers. Each tower has four faces point in four directions. It is very impressive. Entering from the direction of the South Gate, the road circles Bay...

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. Baphuon was built upon a sand base. Because of this, it suffered many collapses over the hundreds of years. A major restoration project started in 2005 by French Archeologist . The job was completed in 2011 with a ...