Remote Angkor Temples and Battambang

Three days at Angkor's core sites, then deeper into Kbal Spean, Beng Mealea and Koh Ker, with a final night in Battambang to see the bamboo train and bat cave.

The first four days in Siem Reap cover the Small Circuit, the Grand Circuit and Kbal Spean with the River of a Thousand Lingas. On day five, hire a car to visit Beng Mealea, a jungle ruin, and the World Heritage site of Koh Ker. On day six, drive about 3 hours west to Battambang. Watch the bats emerge in the evening and catch a circus show at night. On day seven, explore the old town's French colonial architecture, then return to Siem Reap to fly out. Ideal for repeat visitors and ruin enthusiasts who want to avoid crowds and don't mind long drives.

In the rainy season, roads to Koh Ker and Kbal Spean are muddy. At the end of the dry season, the River of a Thousand Lingas has little water.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and Sunset at Phnom Bakheng

Siem Reap（Phnom Bakheng、Pub Street & Night Market）

The airport to the city takes about 1 hour. Tickets for the sunset hill are sold after 5 p.m. A tuk-tuk takes 20 minutes to Phnom Bakheng, then about 20 minutes on foot up the hill.

Only a limited number of people can climb Phnom Bakheng at a time. Arrive at least an hour before sunset.

Stay: Wat Bo Village & Siem Reap River Bank

Day 2 · Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

Siem Reap（Angkor Wat、Bayon Temple / Angkor Thom、Baphuon、Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Leper King、Ta Prohm）

Hire a tuk-tuk for the whole day. Temples are 5–15 minutes apart by road.

Stay: Wat Bo Village & Siem Reap River Bank

Day 3 · Grand Circuit Temples Day

Siem Reap（Preah Khan、Neak Pean、Ta Som、East Mebon、Pre Rup）

A tuk-tuk follows the Grand Circuit, about 26 km. In the evening, watch the sunset at Pre Rup.

Stay: Wat Bo Village & Siem Reap River Bank

Day 4 · River of a Thousand Lingas and Banteay Srei

Siem Reap（Kbal Spean、Banteay Srei、Cambodia Landmine Museum）

Hire a car for about 1.5 hours to Kbal Spean, then hike uphill for about 40 minutes. After coming down, visit Banteay Srei and the Cambodian Landmine Museum.

Kbal Spean stops allowing climbers after 3 p.m., so set out early.

Stay: Wat Bo Village & Siem Reap River Bank

Day 5 · Beng Mealea and Koh Ker

Siem Reap（Beng Mealea、Koh Ker）

Hire a car for about 1.5 hours to Beng Mealea, then about 1.5 hours to Koh Ker. Return to Siem Reap in the evening. The total trip is about 250 km.

Tickets for the two sites are bought separately. Koh Ker is remote, so bring plenty of water and cash.

Stay: Wat Bo Village & Siem Reap River Bank

Day 6 · West to Battambang

Battambang（Bamboo Train (Norry)、Phnom Sampov & Bat Cave、Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus）

Take a car or bus along National Highway 6, about 3 hours to Battambang. In the afternoon, take a tuk-tuk to the bamboo train and Phnom Sampeau.

Bats usually emerge around 5:30–6 p.m. Book circus tickets in advance.

Stay: Old Town and Central Market

Day 7 · Battambang Old Town and Return

Battambang（French Colonial Old Town、Phsar Nat (Central Market)）

Walk around the old town in the morning. In the afternoon, hire a car for about 3.5 hours straight to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport.

Similar itineraries