As the gateway to the famous temples of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is the cornerstone of Cambodian tourism and definitely one of the best destinations for your Cambodia itinerary.
You could easily spend a week or two exploring everything in the Siem Reap area, but the main highlights can be seen with 3 or 4 days in Cambodia if you are limited in time.
This route from Angkor Wat will take you through some of the best temples of Angkor, as well as some of the most interesting sights in the city of Siem Reap.
I hope this gives you some ideas for activities in Cambodia for 4 days!
Where Should I Start
This entire route from Angkor Wat takes place in and near the small town of Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Fly to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), which is served by many budget and well-rated airlines. Among other things, there are flights from Singapore (SIN), Bangkok (DMK) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Siem Reap.
When you arrive in Siem Reap, take a transfer from the airport to your hotel. You can book it in advance at Klook for by private car or by tuk tuk.
Check in at your hotel and rest to explore ancient temples in Cambodia for 4 days!
Day 1: Sunrise over Angkor Wat + short distance
Sunrise over Angkor Wat
Wake up early and start your Cambodia itinerary with the incredible sunrise of Angkor Wat over the pond. Then explore the main area of the temple, which is huge.
Baksei Chamkrong
This is one of my favorite temples in Angkor. It is a small, barely known pyramid temple near Angkor Thom. You may have to ask your driver to stop here, as most tours do not include him in the normal route. It’s a hidden gem!
The Gate of Angkor
It is a gate on the south side of the temple complex of Angkor Thom, right next to Baksei Chamkrong. It is in a bad condition, but you can still cross it by car or on foot, which makes for cool photo ops.
Bayonet
The Bayon is one of the most important temples in Angkor Thom and has some of the best wall sculptures in the region. Here you can also see the famous stone faces that you probably saw in many photos of Cambodia.
Themanon
It is one of the lesser-known temples in Angkor Thom, and most tour groups don’t seem to go there. Sculptures and doors are good to explore.
Your mother
Ta Prohm is the famous “temple Tomb Raider”, which was used in the 2001 film Angelina Jolie. Here an awesome tree grows on one of the temples. It is a must to see.
Bantai Kdéï
More awesome trees and temples! The roots of the trees in Banteay Kdei are absolutely massive, and they take control of buildings.
Day 2: Grand tour of the Temples of Angkor
Prea Khan
Visit Angkor Wat (this time grand tour) again, starting with Preah Khan. Most of the main temple is in ruins, but it’s cool to see nature reclaiming what’s left of it.
No noise
It is an island temple in the middle of a small pond. It looks better right after the rainy season. There is not much water left after in the dry season.
Your voice
It is a smaller temple, but the best thing about it is the stone door, which is consumed by a strangler tree and held in place.
Eastern Mebon
This temple is not in very good condition, but the highlight here should be the statues of elephants in every corner of the temple.
Pre-Rup
It is a big temple at the end of the big racetrack. The funeral took place here, maybe that’s why the temple looks so scary. The buildings at the top of the pyramid are in the best shape, so take a look around up there.
The Temple of Bantei
This temple is a 1-hour drive from Siem Reap, but it can be combined with a large/small tour if you pay your driver a little more. The red sandstone colors are pleasing and it is known to have some of the best stone carvings of all the Khmer temples.
Day 3: Day Trip To The Temples Of Koh Ker And More
The Temple of Koh Ker
Hire a driver for the day and head to Koh Ker, a group of secluded temples about a 2.5 hour drive from Siem Reap. The main building is a 7-storey pyramid in the forest, and a staircase leads to the top, where you have a beautiful view of the entire region.
Prasat Landau Temple
It is an awesome place that is part of the Koh Ker region. These are ancient temples that are swallowed by huge strangling trees, and you need to see them while they are nearby.
Wheat flour
This is another secluded temple that you can visit on the way back to Siem Reap. The temple is mostly in ruins, but that partly makes it cool!
Roluos Group
Finally, you will find the temples of Roluos just 30 minutes east of Siem Reap. These date back to the 9th century, making them one of the oldest Khmer temples in Cambodia (you may have to pay a small surcharge to your driver to integrate as many sights into a 4-day Cambodia itinerary like this, but it’s worth it).
Day 4: Siem Reap City
Coffee from insects
Start day 4 by exploring the many interesting restaurants and shops of Siem Reap City. If you really want to have a unique experience, visit the Bugs Cafe. This place serves fried tarantulas, scorpions and other insects for food! Created by a French expat and a Khmer chef, it is a fusion of the local culture as well as the influx of tourism.
Wat Thmey (Fields of Death)
Make a cultural and historical stop at Wat Thmey, a Cambodian temple that was also used as a killing ground during the Khmer Rouge communist regime in Cambodia in the 1970s. There is a stupa monument full of skulls and bones of the victims of the genocide.
Siem Reap Market
The riverside markets in Siem Reap are perfect for souvenir shopping, street food and street photography. On the stands there are all kinds of items for sale, paintings and clothes, fridge magnets and postcards.
