Angkor Wat On A Cycling Tour

Cambodia - a kingdom of wonderful landscapes will cling your feet with hundreds of historical and cultural heritage sites where the most significant is Angkor Wat. Move to the northwest of Cambodia, Siem Reap will hold your feet by picturesque natural landscapes and charming long-standing temples.

At first glance at Siem Reap, Angkor Wat emerges as the most breathtaking wonder that every traveler must come when in Cambodia. A unique and convenient way to discover Angkor Wat is to cycle through beautifully mysterious temples hidden behind a huge forested area.

Angkor Temple Complex At A Glance

Being well-known widely all over the world, Angkor Wat, which was built from the 12th century, is the largest temple complex and the most important religious monuments in Southeast Asia. With a total area of around 400 km2, a profound exploration of Angkor temple complex requires a great deal of preparation to lead you to must-see destinations while not wearing you out.

See The Ultimate Beauty Of Angkor Wat While Pedaling

There are a good number of way to uncover Angkor Wat. Upon arrival, you can take a walking tour to discover this majestic heritage site. But you can also stay on a hot air balloon and flying high up to the sky to contemplate the greatest panorama of the most wonderful historical attraction of Indochina area. Still, my first priority is a cycling tour in Angkor Wat. Let me explain why.

Most of the routes connecting each individual sites in the Angkor complex are narrow and become muddy when it rains. Therefore, traveling by car here is not an ideal choice. If you are in a great health condition, a walking tour may be an option. But it takes plenty of time and definitely wearing you out after all. Settling down in a hot air balloon or a helicopter is a great experience. The thing is, you never have an up-close look at the site and all the stunning details.

Pedaling, on the other hand, gives you a precious chance to appreciate the grace of Angkor Wat in full dimensions leisurely.

Needless to say, Angkor Wat is absolutely the most popular temple complex, not only in Cambodia but also all over the world. That's why it is on top of the check-in list of every single traveler to Siem Reap. During the daytime, this place will be full of tourists, so you should check it out as soon as possible. Observing sunrise from Angkor Wat is also a memorable experience when the lake water becomes a magical mirror reflecting the significant temple and the dazzling sunshine.

Towards the east of Angkor Archaeological Park, you will find Ta Prohm, a Bayon styled temple dated back to the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The best thing about this stop is the well-preserved structure through the area has gone through many wars and divisions. Set your foot in Ta Prohm, you will be standing in awe of the photogenic trees growing out of the ruins and giant roots covering the roofs of the temple. It's a magical arrangement.

Only several minutes walks from Ta Prohm; you can reach Banteay Kdei, which literally means A Citadel of Chambers. This temple is also known as Citadel of Monks' cells. The main construction contains two enclosure walls, one after another, two concentric galleries from which emerge towers, followed by a cloister to the east.

A Few Things To Better Your Angkor Expedition On Bicycle

While most of the area is open from 7 AM, Angkor Wat, Srah Srang, Phnom Bakheng and Pre Rup can be accessed from 5 AM. So you can take advantage of the low number of visitors to get stunning photos with the Angkor sunrise.

Besides, don't hesitate to explore the other outstanding places. Start a deep discover into the forest and visit Bayon - famous Angkor Thom Temple with smiling faces, which are the symbol of Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII. Reach other outstanding temples such as Ta Som. In Pre Rup, you can gain a panoramic view of the site with six huge towers built from the combination of laterite, brick, and sandstone.

Aligned on a north-south axis with Pre Rup is East Mebon temple, famous for the detailed sculptures of animals and gods with the heights at about two meters. Your trip will be unforgettable with impressive memories of a glamorous sunset on Phnom Bakheng, a cycling tour around the grey-headed temples complex or a noisy night on the Pub Street in lively Psar Chas night market.

As Angkor is a religious place, appropriate dressing is of great importance. You don't need to wear like a monk but make sure to put on long pants or skirts and have your shoulders covered.

There can be some climbing, so sports sandals or sneakers are a wise choice. As the paths are mostly bare ground, which can become slippery after rain, flip-flops will cause difficulties. High-heels are only possible when you want to have some kinds of photos only, for most of your traveling, they will be useless.

Depending on the season you visit Angkor, you should bring a hat, an umbrella or a raincoat to avoid the scorching sun or the sudden downpour.

As you will be outside for all day, consider adding some snacks and water bottles in your backpack. Other things, such as utensils, hand sanitizers, tissues… are also helpful for your excursion.

Finally, don't forget your ticket, which you should purchase in advance. Or else, you won't be allowed to visit the temples.