Angkor is unsurpassed, but there are more temple towns in Cambodia. Compared to Angkor, they are less famous, though they are of enourmous sizes that would make them major tourist attractions if situated less close to the all-dominating Angkor.

Cambodia’s largest 5 pre-angkorian or angkorian temple towns and temple complexes are located in the same north-western quarter of the country as Angkor, in between the “Great Lake” Tonle Sap and the Dangrek mountain range at the Thai border. They are, counted from south-east to north-west as well as in chronological order: Sambor Prei Kuk near Kampong Thom, Prasat Bakan in Preah Vihear Province, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear and Banteay Chhmar. You will definitely need some extra days to visit them, but if you like to see the extraordinary, undisturbed by mass tourism, you will afterwards consider yourself fortunate to have seen them.

For each number of days you might like to spend for this experience we offer one or two itineraries. If you like to visit all “big 5” plus Beng Mealea outside Angkor, you will need a tour of five days and four overnight stays. (On your request it would be managable within 4 days, too, but you would really be in a hurry at such an important place as Koh Ker, so we do not recommend to cut a day from our “5 days full itinerary”.)

Be aware, that touristic infrastucture in this remote area is not yet developed very well. Hotels or guesthouses will not offer the same comfort you are used to when staying in Siem Reap.

Preah Vihear: Though there are travel warnings issued by some foreign ministries of Western countries, visits of Preah Vihear temple at the disputed Thai border are safe now, a new access road was constructed recently. You should know: The Cambodian authorities would not allow tourists to visit a place that is involved in military combat or is not safe for them. You might imagine, guests endangered or injured at a temple would be a total publicity desaster for Cambodia’s important tourism sector. So as long as access is permitted and tickets are available: security conditions are okay. On the other hand: In case of a newly worsened situation or of any security risks you must accept that we can not visit Preah Vihear Temple.

In case you are interested in one of this tours and ask for a quotation, please let us know your meal basis (full board, half board, bed and breakfast or no meals included). 

1 day “Second Angkor” (tour code SR-TT-01-A)

Beng Mealea and Koh Ker

This full-day itinerary is for those guests who only want to spend their nights in Siem Reap. Our classical full-day excursion, starting early in the morning and arriving in Siem Reap late, will show you Cambodia’s second largest temple town, Koh Ker, and visit Beng Mealea on the way.

In case you already know Beng Mealea, we of course could cut it in favour of more time at Koh Ker.

morning: Beng Mealea

afternoon: Koh Ker

2 days “Northern Highlights” (tour code SR-TT-02-A)

Beng Mealea, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear, Banteay Srei

This is the classical itinerary for those who want to see both Koh Ker and Preah Vihear. It requires an overnight stay in a simple guesthouse in Sra Emm near Preah Vihear.

In case you already know Beng Mealea or Banteay Srei, we of course could cut it in favour of more time at Koh Ker or Preah Vihear.

day 1

• Beng Mealea in the morning
• Koh Ker in the afternoon
• 1 overnight stay in Sra Emm

day 2

• Preah Vihear in the morning
• Banteay Srei in the afternoon
• back to Siem Reap

2 days “Remote Temple Towns” (tour code SR-TT-02-B)

Beng Mealea, Sambor Prei Kuk, Preah Khan Kampon Svay

This tour will lead into eastern direction. Beng Mealea is on the way. You will visit the most ancient temple town of Southeast Asia, Sambor Prei Kuk, and the largest Khmer temple complex at all, Prasat Bakan, also called Preah Khan in Preah Vihear Province.

In case you already know Beng Mealea, we of course could cut it in favour of more time at Sambor Prei Kuk. A new road connecting Prasat Bakan with Beng Mealea is under construction. We can not promise it will be passable at any time, so maybe you must accept to drive the same way back via Kampong Thom.
 

day 1

• Beng Mealea in the morning
• Sambor Prei Kuk in the afternoon
• 1 overnight stay in Kampong Thom

day 2

• Prasat Bakan (Preah Khan Kampong Svay)
• back to Siem Reap

3 days “Northern Temples Round-Tour” (tour code SR-TT-03-A)

Beng Mealea, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear, Banteay Chhmar

This is a classical tour to Koh Ker and Preah Vihear plus an extra excursion to the north-west in order to visit the face-tower temple of Banteay Chhmar, too.

In case you already know Beng Mealea, we of course could cut it in favour of more time at Koh Ker.

day 1

• Beng Mealea in the morning
• Koh Ker in the afternoon
• 1 overnight stay in Sra Emm

 day 2

• Preah Vihear in the morning
• 1 overnight stay in Banteay Chhmar

day 3

• Banteay Chhmar the morning
• back to Siem Reap in the afternoon

4 days “Temple Towns Round-Tour” (tour code SR-TT-04-A)

Beng Mealea, Sambor Prei Kuk, Prasat Bakan, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear, Banteay Srei

This is a tour both to the east and to the 2 classics in the north. In the east you visit Sambor Prei Kuk and Preah Khan Kampong Svay (Prasat Bakan), Cambodia's most ancient temple town and largest temple compound repectively. In the north you enjoy the classical excursion to Koh Ker and Preah Vihear, the second largest classical angkorian town and Cambodia's most spectacular mountain temple respectively.

In case you already know Beng Mealea or Banteay Srei, we of course could cut it in favour of more time at Sambor Prei Kuk or Koh Ker respectively.

day 1

• Beng Mealea in the morning
• Sambor Prei Kuk in the afternoon
• 1 overnight stay in Kampong Thom

 day 2

• Prasat Bakan (Preah Khan Kampong Svay)
• 1st overnight stay in Sra Emm

day 3

• Koh Ker full-day excursion
• 2nd overnight stay in Sra Emm

 day 4

• Preah Vihear in the morning
• Banteay Srei in the afternoon
• back to Siem Reap

5 days “Grand Temple Towns Round-Tour” (tour code SR-TT-05-A)

Beng Mealea, Sambor Prei Kuk, Prasat Bakan, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear, Banteay Chhmar

This is the full circle for seeing all 5 major Khmer temple towns and temple complexes outsides Angkor, plus Beng Mealea on the way.

In case you already know Beng Mealea, we of course could cut it in favour of more time at Sambor Prei Kuk.

The advantage of our itinerary starting in the east and driving counterclockwise is: You will see the temples in chronological order.

day 1

• Beng Mealea in the morning
• Sambor Prei Kuk in the afternoon
• 1 overnight stay in Kampong Thom

 day 2

• Prasat Bakan (Preah Khan Kampong Svay)
• 1st overnight stay in Sra Emm

day 3

• Koh Ker full-day excursion
• 2nd overnight stay in Sra Emm

day 4

• Preah Vihear in the morning
• overnight stay in Banteay Chhmar

day 5

• Banteay Chhmar in the morning
• back to Siem Reap in the afternoon