Siem Reap

1.22.2026 – 1.27.2026 || Siem Reap|| Cambodia

Siem Reap is part one of a two city tour in Cambodia designed by Adventurously Yours.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by our guide, Tara, who would be with us for the next five days. During the hour and a half bus ride from the airport to the hotel, he explained our itinerary and shared interesting facts about Cambodian history, from the ancient Angkor civilization to modern Khmer traditions. As we drove through the lively streets of Siem Reap, he pointed out important landmarks, local markets, and architecture that reflect Cambodia’s rich culture, making the ride an engaging experience.

We stayed at the Anjali by Syphon hotel, a calm spot in a busy tourist area. The food was great, the staff were nice, and the best part was the spa. A two-hour massage was $65US Dollars and felt great after a week of travel prior to our arrival in Siem Reap.

Pub Street is a popular evening destination for tourists in Cambodia, offering dinner and souvenir shopping options. Cambodia uses both US dollars and Cambodian riel, and a meal of tofu, vegetables, rice, and a beer pictured below cost $3, contrasting sharply with the high prices in Singapore and the United States.

After dinner, we found a tuk tuk with karaoke and a bar serving $1 Cambodian lite beers. The colorful lights and fun atmosphere attracted us. Our adventures in Siem Reap were off to a great start.

The next day, we had free time before the welcome dinner, and visited the APOPO Visitor Center, where we learned about training African Giant Pouched Rats to detect landmines in Cambodia, a method that is faster and safer than using metal detectors.

Afterwards we headed back to the hotel for lunch. Cheers to new friends and the adventures ahead.

A few of us spent the afternoon playing mahjong with a fun travel sized set.

The tour began with an early morning visit to Angkor Wat, where we woke up at 4 am to secure our temple tickets and find a good viewing spot, as it gets crowded. Arriving in the dark added excitement as the sun rose, revealing a breathtaking view despite the clouds.

We had an hour after sunrise to explore the intricately carved hallways and small shrines. I was captivated by the serene beauty of the surroundings, taking my time to absorb every detail. Here are some of my favorite photos from the sunrise visit, capturing not just the stunning architecture but also the tranquil atmosphere.

After breakfast, we explored Ta Prohm, a Buddhist temple with tree roots enveloping its ruins, often referred to as the “Tomb Raider” temple. We also learned to take vertical panoramas to capture the trees’ grandeur.

The third temple of the day was Ta Keo, a magnificent temple-mountain that truly made the steep climb worthwhile, as it offered not only a glimpse into ancient Khmer architecture but also breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. As we ascended the rugged steps, the intricacies of the stone carvings began to reveal themselves. Each step drew us closer to the summit, and with every pause to catch our breath, we marveled at the beauty that enveloped the site, making the effort feel even more rewarding.

We visited the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of Leper Kings to admire the intricate stone carvings that depict historical scenes and mythical figures, showcasing the artistry of the ancient builders. Most notably was a marathon in progress, drawing both local participants and international athletes. As a former marathon runner, I felt a surge of nostalgia as we cheered on the runners as they approached the finish line.

We visited one more temple before lunch. Bayon temple is within Angkor Thom, a walled city that showcases the grandeur of the Khmer Empire. As we approached the temple, the intricate carvings and detailed stonework captivated our attention, highlighting the artistic prowess of the builders. There are over 200 giant, smiling faces of King Jayavarman VII here, each radiating a sense of calm and serenity that envelops the entire site.

After a full morning exploring temples it was time for air conditioning and cold beer. We had a delicious lunch at Maom Khmer Cuisine. The vegetable curry was light and refreshing paired with an Angkor Wat lager.

To round out the day, we headed back to Angkor Wat for sunset. This time we entered through the rear gate which offered a unique perspective and a quieter experience compared to the bustling main entrance. As we strolled along the pathways, the golden hour leading up to sunset was magical, casting a warm glow on the intricately carved stone structures and illuminating the lush surroundings.

The next day we headed further out into the countryside to explore more temples. We started at Banteay Sre, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. The red sandstone walls had some of the most intricate carvings compared to other temples.

Next up was, Beng Mealea. This overgrown jungle temple has collapsed structures, a low hanging tree swing, and massive tree roots.

We headed to Beng Mealea Restaurant for lunch. They offered a pre-set lunch menu featuring traditional Khmer cuisine in an open air setting. I had fish spring rolls, and fish with bok choy and mushrooms. I mostly ate vegetarian up to this point and enjoyed the fish prepared two ways.

The following day, we took a morning cruise on Tonale Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. We made a short stop on the way there to admire the lily pad fields. After getting out of the bus, locals approached us to make flowers and teach us about seed extraction, resulting in some souvenirs and fun photos for a couple of US dollars.

Upon arriving at the lake, we took a private boat to explore floating villages, experiencing the local lifestyle and appreciating modern conveniences like plumbing and air conditioning.

Afterwards, we arrived back at the hotel for an afternoon of leisure. We gave the driver all of our flowers to take home and then regrouped to play mahjong.

Later that night we went back to Pub Street and the Riverside night market. We found a highly rated Indian restaurant called Lotus Dosa Corner that was delicious.

Our time in Siem Reap was ending, but the clear sunrise forecast led a few of us to take a tuk tuk to Angkor Wat again where the sky was even more beautiful than our first visit.