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Five Ways to Explore Angkor: From Cycling to Hot Air Ballooning

August 22, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

It’s pleasant to visit Angkor’s main temples and must-see sites at a relaxed pace, letting the atmosphere soak in. But why not explore them differently? Here are five distinct ways to discover the site.

Wandering Through the Museum

Museums here are often neglected. Yet lingering there is far from superfluous if you want to fully experience the grand voyage through time that is Angkor. Numerous masterworks are on display, and a visit helps you navigate six centuries of the site’s history.

Models and Statues

White Palace with a modern layout, the Angkor National Museum offers a very well-designed audio guide. Skip the introductory room to focus on the eight galleries, truly spectacular, especially the magnificent Hall of a Thousand Buddhas and the large model of Angkor Wat. angkornationalmuseum.com

Beautiful Finds

Nestled in a building with traditional architecture, the Preah Norodom Sihanouk Museum has a notably intimate vibe. Dedicated to archaeological discoveries, it features objects unearthed in recent digs, such as these 274 Buddha statues found in 2001 at the Banteay Kdei temple. Also worth seeing: a unique collection of Khmer ceramics recovered from the artificial lakes, ritual instruments (ablution vases, betel boxes, etc.) and tools (weights for fishing nets, mortars…) that tell the daily life of Angkor’s common people. apsaraauthority.gov.kh

Cycling

The Little Queen Among the Khmer Kings

Bike riding in Angkor? We love it! Even when it’s hot: 90% of the 23 km of bike paths run under the shade of tall trees, on flat terrain, and are well signposted. The ideal route? Follow Angkor Wat, pass under the South Gate of Angkor Thom, and then weave through lesser-known monuments like Ta Keo’s pyramid and Ta Nei, a gem left in its natural state, hidden beneath the forest. Many rental options in town; electric bikes recommended (from about $20 per day).

On Foot

Along the Ramparts of Angkor Thom

Eight meters high, the enclosure of the royal city, where 100,000 people lived at its peak, forms a perfect 3-km square. Start around 4 p.m. for a rather secret but fairly easy hike: climb over the South Gate to follow the parapet, with a view of the vast moat (about 100 meters wide) and the forest that cloaks the ruins. After about 1.5 km, a magical break at Prasat Chrung Southwest, a sandstone corner temple, one of Angkor’s most poetic spots.

By Boat

Crossing with a Boatman on the Western Baray

The Western Baray, this giant reservoir built in the 11th century, forms an inland sea measuring 8 km by 2 km. Departing from the Wat Svay Romeat temple on the southern dike, you board a wooden dugout for a idyllic voyage to the exact center of the artificial lake, where lies the contemplative island-temple of the Western Mebon. In 1936, monumental fragments of a bronze reclining Vishnu were found there—an important piece now on display in Phnom Penh.

Hot-Air Balloon

Aim Higher Over Angkor!

During the dry season (December–March), at sunrise (our preferred time) and at sunset, you can glide at a low altitude over villages and rice fields, then over the Roluos temples, and finally over the vast water mirrors of the barays, where the most famous monuments emerge from the jungle, revealing their perfect geometric plan. A magical three-hour adventure (about forty minutes of actual flight). Book early (125 dollars, adult rate). angkorhab.com

They Helped Us Tell This Story

Specialists in Cambodia, Les Maisons du Voyage invite you to follow in the footsteps of our reporters, with a thirteen-day, ten-night circuit starting at 2835 euros (airfare, accommodations, visits and a French-speaking guide included). From Kampot to Siem Reap, far from the well-trodden routes, this journey recounts the glorious hours of Angkor’s god-kings. The program includes lesser-known archaeological sites, isolated villages with ancient traditions, and encounters with the Khmer people, who are reconnecting with their priceless heritage. Committed to responsible tourism, the local partner ensures that every trip benefits Cambodian communities and the preservation of the heritage. maisonsduvoyage.com

➤ Article published in GEO magazine no. 570, “Cambodia,” August 2026.

➤ Do you love GEO? Then, to miss nothing, discover our subscription options to receive GEO each month at home with ease.

Angkor Off the Beaten Path: Secret Temples to Explore

August 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Quieter, sometimes forgotten by traditional circuits, Banteay Srei, Neak Pean, Banteay Samrè, or Phnom Kulen reveal another grandeur of Khmer civilization: refined architecture, centuries-old places of devotion, and landscapes steeped in mystery.

Banteay Srei, a jewel of pink sandstone

Guardians with monkey heads (photo) or lions, graceful dancers, garlands of delicate flowers… Located far from the beaten tracks, 30 km from the main site, Banteay Srei is one of the rare temples that was not commissioned by a king, but by a high dignitary, in the year 967. It is nonetheless legendary in more ways than one. First, because it was built in pink sandstone, and secondly… because André Malraux once borrowed its bas-reliefs, in 1923! Go at opening (7:30 a.m.), when Cambodians come to burn incense.

Neak Pean, the island of waters that heal

On the Grand Circuit, do not miss a stop on the northern bank of Jayatataka Baray, an artificial reservoir. From there, a wooden footbridge spans the water to lead to Neak Pean, a XIIth-century Buddhist complex. This island-sanctuary remains sacred in the eyes of Cambodians. Its basins, designed to recreate on Earth the mythical lake Anavatapta, located in the Himalayas, house waters with healing properties, into which pilgrims would splash themselves to ward off diseases.

Banteay Samrè, the little brother of Angkor Wat

It’s one of the best-kept secrets of the archaeological park. No one goes there, and yet this XIIth-century temple is exceptional. Moreover, Banteay Samrè will remind you of something: here is the miniature copy of the most famous Khmer temple, Angkor Wat! The same elegance, the same play of symmetry, the same lotus-bud shaped sanctuary tower. Combine its visit with that of Banteay Srei, and take the opportunity to stop in a village along the roadside to taste artisanal palm sugar.

The Roluos Complex, the cradle of Khmer art

Any visit to the archaeological park should always begin with this fabulous site of the first Angkorian art from the 9th century, located near the village of Roluos, 15 km east of Siem Reap. This complex indeed tells the crucial transition from brick-and-wood constructions to those in stone (gray sandstone). Three temples to explore: Lolei, Preah Ko, and Bakong. The latter, in remarkable condition, is flanked by a modern monastery. The monks’ psalms are a delight…

Phnom Kulen, the Mount Olympus of Cambodia

At 487 m in height and 50 km from Siem Reap, Phnom Kulen is more than a mountain dominating the virgin forest. The country’s independence as an empire was proclaimed here in 802. On this spiritual mountain, one meets monks in saffron robes, families in festive attire, and hermits seeking to meditate. A “river of a thousand lingams” (phallic symbols) and waterfalls flow here, where one enjoys bathing. Do not miss the grand reclining Buddha, in the small temple at the summit.

The most beautiful spots to admire sunrises and sunsets

After living the euphoria of a dawn at Angkor Wat, experience another early wake-up call, this time away from the crowds, at the mount temple of Phnom Bakheng, a site that opens at 5 a.m. We climb in the dark on this natural hill where a gray stone pyramid sits. An exceptional view of the sun rising from the foliage, with Angkor Wat in the distance, seen in silhouette. In the evening, around 5 p.m., head to Pre Rup, dedicated to Shiva, with its imposing towers that rise above the forest.

They helped us produce this report

Specialists in Cambodia, Les Maisons du Voyage invite you to trace the footsteps of our reporters, with a thirteen-day and ten-night circuit, from 2835 euros (flights, accommodations, visits and a French-speaking guide included). From Kampot to Siem Reap, far from the mapped routes, this journey tells the glorious hours of the gods-king of Angkor. The program includes little-known archaeological sites, isolated villages with ancestral traditions, and encounters with the Khmer people, who are reconnecting with their invaluable heritage. Committed to responsible tourism, the local partner ensures that each journey benefits Cambodian communities and the preservation of the heritage. maisonsduvoyage.com

➤ Article published in GEO magazine no. 570, “Cambodia,” August 2026.

➤ Do you love GEO? Then to miss nothing, discover our subscription options to receive GEO monthly at home with ease.

Angkor Guide: Explore the City of the Khmer Kings

August 15, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

It’s a journey that leaves a lasting imprint. For no one escapes the enchantment of the world’s greatest archaeological site, with its hundreds of temples spread across 402 square kilometers (four times the area of inner Paris). Angkor denotes above all a megacity—the religious, economic, and political heart of an empire of builders that shone from the 9th to the 14th century through its refinement and its audacity. To erect the single temple of Angkor Wat, five million tons of sandstone were required—a mass comparable to the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt. Between olive-hued lakes, colossal carved faces, bas-reliefs of dancers and mythical animals, every detail responds to cosmic codes where the influences of Hinduism and Buddhism intertwine…

The Secrets of Angkor

And this sanctuary is nothing like a museum. The Cambodians practice prayers and rituals there; everywhere in the corridors monks light incense—a continuity that gives these places their soul. When you go there early in the morning, aboard a tuk-tuk, you feel like Henri Mouhot, the man who introduced the site to Europe in the 19th century. Then you wander along the two circuits of the archaeological park, classified in 1925, to admire the most famous edifices. You should stay here for at least three days, ideally five, to stroll through the less-known temples, sometimes nearly deserted, and to experience unprecedented moments. And to enjoy a pleasant surprise: Siem Reap, a friendly and creative city with a living craft heritage inherited from Angkor’s golden age. Enjoy your discovery!

Our tips for a serene visit

Entrance Pass: how does it work?

Nominal with photo, the pass, valid for one, three or seven days, is often purchased online or via the Angkor Pass app. But the paper pass, adorned with a beautiful image of the site and written in Khmer, makes for a far nicer souvenir! To obtain it, head to the central gate of the archaeological park, 4 km from Siem Reap. Preferably the day before, after 16:45, to enjoy an extra evening: with the pass dated for the next day, you can enter Angkor the same evening without it counting as a day! angkorenterprise.gov.kh

The time needed to explore without stressing

Plan for three days to cover the two main routes (the Small Circuit, 17 km, and the Grand Circuit, 26 km), plus a few outlying sites. Four to five days is better! And abandon the idea of seeing everything. Even Angkor Wat alone deserves three to four hours to wander the galleries with their 800 metres of carved reliefs.

Crowd-busting tips

To visit Bayon, in Angkor Thom, go at 7:30 am. For an hour you’ll be one-on-one with nearly 200 faces with enigmatic smiles. For Angkor Wat, have an early lunch, then head there from noon, in a relaxed mood. As for Ta Prohm, temple built in 1186 by Jayavarman VII in memory of his mother, and entangled by the roots of giant fig trees, aim for late afternoon. Best entry: the East Gate, often neglected.

Tuk-tuk, user guide

For 20 to 30 dollars per day, and a maximum of four passengers, it’s the most practical way to explore the site. The tuk-tuk picks you up at the hotel in the morning, waits in front of each temple, and brings you back in the evening. To choose your driver, nothing beats a little interview on the sidewalks of Siem Reap. To verify that he speaks a bit of English, or even French—there are some! A 5-dollar supplement for very early departures.

Interactive maps to see everything without getting lost

The official Angkor Pass app is very well made, with its interactive map showing all the temples, the hours, and explanatory notes (in English). Another essential: The Map, a very clear paper plan, equipped with a useful chronological timeline, distributed free of charge in hotels, cafés, etc. On the map, a QR code links to a digital version, which is full of “good tips.” themapcambodia.com

They helped us produce this report

Specialists in Cambodia, Les Maisons du Voyage invite you to follow in the footsteps of our reporters, with a thirteen-day and ten-night itinerary, from 2835 euros (flights, accommodations, visits and a French-speaking guide included). From Kampot to Siem Reap, far from the beaten paths, this journey recounts the glorious hours of the gods-king of Angkor. On the program: lesser-known archaeological sites, isolated villages with ancestral traditions, and encounters with the Khmer people, who are reconnecting with their priceless heritage. Committed to responsible tourism, the local partner ensures that each trip benefits Cambodian communities and the preservation of the heritage. maisonsduvoyage.com

➤ Article published in GEO magazine No. 570, “Cambodia,” August 2026.

➤ Do you love GEO? Then to miss nothing, discover our subscription plans to receive GEO at your home every month with ease.