There are dozens of temple ruins in the Siem Reap area. Your temple itinerary depends largely on how much time you have and your level of interest, though some temples are ‘must sees.’

Any itinerary should include the legendary ruins of Angkor Wat and the giant faces of Bayon. These two temple ruins offer the most spectacular and unique examples of Angkorian art and architecture. On the road trip to Bayon, you will also see the South Gate of Angkor Thom and some other minor ruins. As it is within walking distance of Bayon, most itineraries can easily include central Angkor Thom, with its artistically interesting terraces and massive ‘temple-mountains,’ Baphuon and Phimeanakas. Due to lighting conditions, it is best to visit Angkor Wat in the afternoon, so most itineraries begin in the morning with the South Gate of Angkor Thom and Bayon.

As your schedule allows, build the rest of your itinerary around visiting each type of major ruin – temple mountains such as Pre Rup, Ta Keo, Bakong and West Mebon; flat, sprawling monastic complexes such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan and Banteay Kdei; and unique monuments such as Neak Pean and Srah Srang.

The Roluos Group, which comprises the monuments of an early Khmer capital, lies 12 km west of Siem Reap, outside the main temple complex. It is a bit out of the way, but offers some fine examples of early Angkorian art and should be included in two or three day itineraries.

Of special note is the artistically exquisite but more distant temple, Banteay Srey. If there is any way of squeezing it into your itinerary, it is well worth it.

Half-Day Visit

1) South Gate of Angkor Thom
2) Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King)
3) Ta Prohm
4) Angkor Wat

One or Two Day Visit

Day 1
Morning:
1) South Gate of Angkor Thom
2) Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King).

(Single day visitors: Old Market area/souvenir shops in Siem Reap at lunch.)

Afternoon:
4) Ta Prohm
5) Pre Rup (optional)
6) Angkor Wat
7) Phnom Bakheng for sunset (Phnom Bakheng, long the favored sunset location for its view of the lake and Angkor Wat, in recent years has become wildly over-touristed. In an effort to protect the temple, visitor numbers at sunset are now sometimes restricted and both authorities and Heritage Organizations recommend alternative sunset spots to try to take some pressure of Phnom Bakheng. See the http://angkorsunsets.com/ for suggested alternatives.)

Traditional dance show in the evening

Day 2 Options

Option A: Banteay Srey
Morning:
1) Angkor Wat for sunrise
2) Pre Rup
3) Banteay Srey
4) Banteay Samre (optional)
5) Thommanon

Old Market area/souvenir shops in Siem Reap at lunch.

Afternoon:
6) Roluos Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei)

Option B: Variety of temples
Morning:
1) Angkor Wat for sunrise
2) Preah Kahn
3) Victory Gate
4) Thommanon
5) Pre Rup (optional)
6) Prasat Kravan

Old Market area/souvenir shops in Siem Reap at lunch.

Afternoon:
7) Roluos Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei)

Option C: Grand circuit
Morning:
1) Angkor Wat for sunrise
2) Preah Kahn
3) Neak Pean
4) Ta Som
5) Pre Rup (optional)
6) Prasat Kravan (optional)

Old Market area/souvenir shops in Siem Reap at lunch.

Afternoon:
Roluos Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei)

Three Day Visit

Day 1
Morning:
1) South Gate of Angkor Thom
2) Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King).

Lunch at restaurant near Angkor Wat

Afternoon
3) Victory Gate
4) Thommanon
5) Ta Keo (short visit)
6) Ta Prohm
7) Sunset at Angkor Wat

Traditional dance show in evening

Day 2
Morning:
1) Sunrise at Angkor Wat
2) Baksei Chamkrong, Prasat Bei, Thma Bay Kaek
3) Preah Kahn
4) Neak Pean
5) Ta Som
6) Pre Rup

Visit to Old Market area in Siem Reap at lunch.

Afternoon:
7) Roluos Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei)
8) Sunset at Phnom Bakheng

Day 3
Morning:
1) Banteay Srey
2) Banteay Samre
3) East Mebon

Visit to craft/silk workshop after lunch

Afternoon:
4) Prasat Kravan
5) Banteay Kdei
6) Srah Srang (optional)
7) Sunset at Angkor Wat

Of Special Interest

Sunrise: Angkor Wat, (alternative: Srah Srang)

Sunset: Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat

Trees growing from temple ruins: Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Ta Som

Giant carvings of faces: Bayon, the gates of Angkor Thom, Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm and Preah Kahn

Notable artistry/carvings: Angkor Wat, Banteay Srey, Bayon, Bakong, Terrace of the Leper King