Solo traveled to Cambodia. Taught myself how to ride a motorbike at a quiet little hotel run by some French folks outside of Siem Riep. Used that to drive myself around Angkor Wat solo. Also ran in the 32k there. Not the most fun of a race (did it on 1 hour of sleep…) but drove myself to the start in the dark at 5 am, which was a pretty unique experience.
Posted: February 1, 2024Experienced: February, 2024Jordan
United States
I visited Angkor Wat as part of a college team focused on partnering with various NGOs. We spent the majority of our time in Phnom Pehn, various villages, and Siem Reap. Our team toured Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples on a cultural excursion. I would definitely recommend taking the time to hit as many temples as possible- they're all unique and have their own stories, and it's beautiful to climb to the top of some and see the others rising out of the jungle. I would not recommend traveling alone on this excursion. I was briefly separated from my group at one point and found myself surrounded by catcalling tuktuk drivers. They refused to leave me be until my male teammates arrived. If your don't have travelling companions, I'd recommend a tour group. While the Cambodian people were generally respectful toward Americans, the Khmer language is difficult to grasp for English speakers. Be aware that the temple area is especially crowded because it is a tourist hotspot. There are also active worshipers who utilize the space. I can't speak to a budget because the college handled the majority of my travel. The dollar goes very far in Cambodia, though. I recommend dressing for hot weather. We became very accustomed to sweating during our time there. I tended toward sports bras, tanktops, thin overshirts, and capris to adhere to modesty expectations. If you can, I suggest grabbing a pair of the billowy 'elephant pants' as soon as you're able after arriving in country. They're very comfy and lightweight. Also, keep in mind that the food and water is rough for people who aren't used to it. We carried bottled water and water purifying tablets for emergencies. Use your best judgment with food :)
Posted: December 28, 2023Experienced: May, 2016