Five days at the temples of Angkor — the bare minimum to photograph them properly. Three days lets you see them. Five days lets you understand them.
Day 1 · Angkor Wat at dawn
Pickup 4:30 AM, gates open 5 AM. Stand at the southern pool — the reflection of the temple in the water with the morning gold sky is the iconic shot. Bring a tripod (allowed outside; not allowed inside).
Day 2 · Small circuit
Angkor Thom + Bayon (faces of the king + bas-reliefs of daily life) + Baphuon + Phimeanakas + Terrace of the Elephants. 8 AM start, finish by 2 PM before peak heat.
Day 3 · Ta Prohm + Banteay Kdei
The Tomb Raider temple. Strangler figs growing through walls. Best in soft morning light (before 10 AM) — after midday the contrast is unphotographable.
Day 4 · Banteay Srei (the pink temple)
40 km from Siem Reap. Smaller scale, but the most exquisite carvings in all of Angkor. Pink sandstone. Best at 11 AM when the sun is overhead and shadows minimal — the carvings need flat light.
Day 5 · Off-temple Siem Reap
Phsar Chas (the old market) for portraits and food. APOPO rat museum for the bizarre but moving story of mine-clearing rats. Pub Street for the night photography, neon and Khmer-style chaos.
Practical
- 3-day pass: 62 USD, 7-day pass: 72 USD. Get the 7-day if visiting 5+ days.
- Tuk-tuk for the day: 25 USD. Bicycle for the small circuit: 5 USD.
- Modest dress required to enter — shoulders and knees covered.
Full set on @vidaiatzen.
