TOURS
First, we will present the most common tours to the temple area, then the more remote temples further away. But soon you´ll see that Siem Reap has so much more to offer than “just” the temple complex of Angkor Wat.
Here are OUR suggestions on what else to do while staying with us at Babel Guesthouse.
Please respect the prices on our tours. The prices are set together with the drivers and staff at Babel Guesthouse. They are fair! Remember that each and every Tuk Tuk driver has a family to support, and they have really been through a very rough time during Covid.
Note that all Tuk Tuk tours and most of the other tours and activities that we recommend will be put on your room bill and be paid at the end of your stay.
General information Angkor
Entrance fee (to be paid at the ticket office on your way to the temples or online):
1-day pass 37 usd
3-day pass 62 usd
7-day pass 72 usd
Most popular Tuk tuk tours
Small tour pr Tuk Tuk: 18 usd
Duration: maximum 6-7 hours
This tour includes the most famous temples of Angkor: Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Phrom
Big tour pr Tuk Tuk: 18 usd
Duration: Maximum 6-7 hours
This tour includes the temples along the big circuit: Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Bantey Kdei
Full day temple tour pr Tuk Tuk: 28 usd
Duration: Maximum 10 hours
This tour includes both the small tour and the big tour
More than 7 hours for Small/Big tour or more than 10 hour for the full day tour: add 5 usd
With sunrise or sunset: add 5 usd
With sunrise and sunset - add 8 usd
Only sunset: 10 usd
ALL TOUR CAN BE SHORTER THAN THE MAX DURATION TIME
With a 1-day pass you get to see the most known temples – Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Phrom (small tour).
With a 3-day pass you get to see the main temples, but you also get to feel the magic at temples far away in the countryside. Come and talk with us for suggestions.
Mountain bikes are from $6 a day
Want to rent your own motorbike? E-bike? Come and talk with us about prices.
OUTLYING TEMPLES
Banteay Srey Temple $30
located 38 km from Siem Reap, Banteay Srey is a small temple made of red sandstone. The walls are covered with some of the most beautiful carvings of any Angkorian temple.
Banteay Srey and Kbal Spean - $35
Combine a visit to Bantey Srey with a lovely 2 km uphill jungle path. At the top you will take discover spectacular carved riverbed inside a beautiful river. The best time to visit this place is between September and January.
While you are in the area, make sure to visit THE LANDMINE MUSEUM situated not far from Bantea Srey Temple. The museum gives you a very good insight in history of landmines in Cambodia. You’ll learn about the dangers of landmines, where they came from, who laid them, how they work, and their presence in Cambodia.
MORE OUTLYING TEMPLES
Beng melea and rolous group - $40
Beng melea – 63 km east from siem reap lays Beng Melea. A stunning “jungle temple”. If you are there when the temple opens at 7, you can enjoy walking around in this quiet and isolated temple almost by yourself.
Note - there is an extra entrance fee in addition to the temple pass: $5
Rolous group – only 13 km from Siem Reap you´ll find some of the earliest structures built by Khmer, dating from the late 9th century. Rolous group is a collection of monuments representing the first major capital of the Angkorian Era Khmer empire.
THE GREAT LAKE OF TONLE SAP
The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest fresh-water lake in Southeast Asia and the richest fishing lake in the world. In the wet season it swells up to 12000 square kilometres, and it shrinks down to 2500 square kilometres during the dry season.
The floating Villages, Chong Khneas
This is the most famous of the communities on the lake. It is located close to the city of Siem Reap, so it has become very touristy. But it’s worth a visit as it gives you a great opportunity to experience the life of the people living on the lake. A trip to see the sunset over the lake is recommended.
The Floating Village pr Tuk Tuk: $15
Per boat (various prices): $20 - 27 per person
Note - We at Babel cannot control the fees out there.
Kampong Phluk
Situated about 25 kilometres east of Chong Kneas, Kampong Phluk is less visited by tourists. This is a small village of stilted houses, which gives you a very good insight into the fish-economy based life on Tonle Sap. The flooded forest surrounding the village is the main attraction, but is at its best for only about four months a year (August-December). There is a big difference if you visit the village in the wet season compared to the dry season. Where you can walk during the dry season is only reachable by boat in the wet season.
Kampong Phluk pr Tuk Tuk: $18
Boat (various prices): $20-27 pr person.
Note – We at Babel cannot control the fees out here.
Floating Villages SCAMS
Please be aware of scams for Tourists in the floating villages and Kampong Pluk!
Please do not buy schoolbooks, rice, noodles etc for the children at the “school”. The schools are put there as a tourist attraction, almost like a zoo. The children are not orphans, but children the conmen gather as part of their scam. These children should have been home with their families, and attended to a real school.
To avoid all the scam and hassle, we can highly recommend you a set tour with TARA RIVERBOAT.
Tara is a 41 metres long boat, almost a hundred years old. It was originally build as a cargo vessel travelling from Vietnam to Cambodia via the Mekong River. Tara has now been renovated into a beautiful, laid back restaurant, and it is situated right next to the floating Villages. This charming old boat is the perfect place for a quiet and lovely sunset after a tour exploring the life of the people living in the floating villages.
Sunset tour (the most popular tour) – $38 (dinner and drinks included).
A friendly and knowledgeable tour guide will pick you up at Babel. Along the way to Tara Boat, you will pass rice paddys, lotus fields and stilted houses, before entering a small boat that will take you around the floating villages.
Sunset will be on Tara Riverboat, with a lovely meal and drinks included in the price.
Book your sunset tour with us in the bar/reception.
VILLAGE TOUR
We are proud to introduce to you our very own Village tour, made by one of our lovely Tuk Tuk drivers at Babel Guesthouse. This tour will take you for a visit to a local family, and learn about their customs. We will walk around in the peaceful countryside in beautiful sceneries - lotus farms, rice fields, water buffalos and smiling people. A lovely way to see the real Cambodia.
You can choose to have a traditional meal with the family out there if you add $4 pr person.
Come and talk with us for more info.
1 person $25
2 persons $30
3 or 4 persons $35
SILK FARM
Artistans D’Angkor is a Cambodian Social business, creating job opportunities for young people in rural areas while reviving traditional khmer craftmanship. The organization was founded in 1992 and is known for their silk, stone, ceramics and silver-craft.
The Silk Farm is located 16 km to the west of Siem reap. Around 30 minutes by tuktuk. Here you will be met by an English-speaking guide who will show you everything about the silk production, from the plants that are grown for the silkworms, all the way to the finish product. High quality raw and fine silk. Their shop has a huge selection of stunning clothes and accessories
Choose yourself what time you want to go - pr Tuk Tuk $15
LOTUS FARM TOUR
The lotus flower (Babel logo) is a symbol of purity. Description of the flower can be observed on the relief carvings in the temples of Angkor Wat. Natural fibers can also be carefully extracted from the stem to create a thread, which can be woven. And did you know that all parts of the flower are edible?
Learn more about all of this by visiting one of the beautiful lotus farms out in the quiet countryside with one of our drivers at Babel.
You can choose to stay in one of the bamboo bungalows there for lunch and chill for as long as you like.
(Note – lunch not included in the price).
Choose yourself what time you want to go - pr Tuk Tuk $12
WEST BARAY
West Baray is a rectangular shaped reservoir from the Angkor Wat period. Measuring approximately 7,8 by 2,1 kilometers, this is the largest man made lake in Angkor. It is impressive considering it is build by hand.
This is a very popular destination for locals to hang out and have picnic with their friends and families, especially on Sundays. Rent a small bamboo hut with hammocks, relax and enjoy the happiness of people playing in the water. Food stalls are available, where you can taste local fresh fruit, coconuts, chicken, fish, frogs – you name it!
Tuk Tuk to West Baray - $13
ANGKOR BALLOON
You don’t need a drone to take amazing aerial shots of Angkor Wat! Instead, experience Angkor from above with Angkor Balloon, a tethered helium balloon that ascends to approximately 120m for a bird´s eye-view over Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, West Baray and this characteristic Kingdom of Wonders countryside landscape with its rice fields and sugar palm trees.
Located just 10 minutes drive from Siem Reap airport - ask us about the price of Tuk Tuk.
Adult - $15
Children under 12 years old - $7
Children under 5 free.
– temple pass not needed -
PHNOM KUHLEN
Located 50 km from Siem Reap this is the place where the 500 year long Age of Angkor began. The mountain contains several minor ruins, an active pagoda, the river of thousand lingas and a beautiful waterfall. Phnom Kulen is not only a historical site and one of the most holy places for Khmers, but also a very beautiful place for a refreshing day tour. The waterfall is accessible for a cooling dip on a warm day, and it´s also a great picnic spot, well set up in Cambodian style with hammocks and shelters to keep you shaded from the sun.
Practical information - Phnom Kulen
In Cambodian culture people dress conservatively even whilst swimming. Keep your shorts and t-shirt on. No bikinis or speedos please!
It´s around 1.5-2 hours drive from Siem Reap. You need to go early, as the road in one-way traffic only.
A day tour to Phnom Kulen is $65 pr taxi. Trekking with a guide is also possible. Come and talk with us for more info.
Phnom Kulen is within the Kulen National Park, which requires a separate ticket to the Angkor Archaeological Park – $20.
ANGKOR ZIP LINE
In the deep jungle of the majestic temples of Angkor, prepare to soar on ziplines, traverse suspended sky bridges, abseil from towering trees, be amazed by the majesty and magic of the rainforest and fly like never before!
A team of experts, with over 20 years of experience, have constructed a thrilling and safe eco-adventure incorporating the jungle´s natural features while protecting its towering trees, exotic flowers, fauna and native wildlife.
– temple pass not needed -
Come and talk with us about prices.
KULEN ELEPHANT FOREST
The elephants of Angkor will never carry tourists again! From 2020 all the elephants that used to have long tough days carrying tourists around in the hot temples were moved to Kulen forest. Here they can now roam and socialize unburdened, within 530 acres of lush forest.
Experience the daily life of the elephants and spend your time observing them as they enjoy their natural surroundings. You get to interact with the elephants while feeding them, and you get to walk with them into the forest and witness how they choose to spend their time.
Come and talk with us about prices.
OBS! This tour sells out quickly in high season! Please send us an email to reserve your spot if you are interested in this trip.
REMOTE TEMPLES
Do you have some extra time? And are you looking for something very different? Read this!
Thanks to a network of new roads, very remote temples can now be reached in relative ease by Taxi. We have reliable Taxi drivers at Babel Guesthouse who can gladly take you to temples like Preah Viaher, Koh Ker or Prei Kuk.
Preah Viaher is an ancient Hindu temple that is situated on top of a 525-metre cliff. You will be blown away by the breath-taking view over both Cambodia and Thailand from the temple. A trip to Preah Viaher can be combined with a visit to beautiful Koh Ker on the way back to Babel. Leave early, as it´s around three hours one way to get to this magical temple.
Deep in the jungle in Kampong Thom province you´ll find the stunning temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. You are at one with nature, as you walk peacefully around - very few tourists visit these temples. The Prei Kuk temples are our absolute favourite temples, and we can strongly recommend you to visit.
Preah Viaher Tour $120 (per Taxi)
Preah Viaher + Koh Ker Tour $140 (per Taxi)
Prei Kuk Tour $120 (per Taxi)
Please double check the taxi prices with us.
DIRT BIKE TOURS
Are you really adventurous and tough, and want to see far away temples, villages and waterfalls where almost no tourists visit? Then Hidden Cambodia is a great option for you.
Established in year 2000, Hidden Cambodia is the first dirt bike company of its kind in Cambodia. Almost two decades of doing dirt bike tours, they know so many hidden places that you wouldn’t see on normal tours. The local guides are very experienced riders, so you can count on them to bring you to fun places to ride. They make sure to take care of you and meet your level, whether you are riding for the first time or not.
Hidden Cambodia specializes in tailor made tours to rural areas, jungle, forest, mountains, down hill, up hill, rocky roads, remote temples in the middle of the jungle, and remote temples on mountain hills.
The two most popular tours are to the jungle temple Koh Ker and a tour to kulen mountain.
Koh ker tour – $100
Kulen mountain tour – $130 (plus entrance fee for the mountain - $20)
They also tailor make tours to remote temples.
QUAD BIKE TOURS
The quad bikes are specially designed off road vehicles that cope with all kind of terrain. After clear instructions and practice, you will go for an unforgettable off road experience amongst rice fields and traditional villages. Their guides will show the way.
TRADITIONAL APSARA DANCING
This beautiful dance has been a part of Khmer culture for well more than a millennium. The dances are better described as dance-dramas as they also convey a story or message. This dance form is an important piece of Khmer cultural heritage. It was almost destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime, but over the last two decades it has seen a great revival.
PHARE - THE CAMBODIAN CIRCUS
NO ANIMALS INVOLVED
This is Siem Reap´s top rated evening entertainment. They have long been no 1 on TripAdvisor, and there is a reason for that. More than just a circus, Phare shows are unlike any in the world: dance, theater, original live music and breathtaking circus arts are used to tell uniquely Cambodian stories from recent history, folklore and modern society. The young artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent.
We can REALLY recommend this for families with children, but no matter what age - EVERYONE loves these shows!
OBS! This show sells out quickly in high season! Please send us an email to reserve your seats if you are interested in seeing this show.
COOKING CLASS
Want to learn how to cook Khmer food yourself?
Start the day with a guided tour of a local Cambodian market. Learn all about the colourful produce, amazing fruits and typically Cambodian ingredients. From the marked you head out to the countryside for your hands on interactive class. Led by fantastic chefs, you´ll learn how to cook three delicious Cambodian dishes that you will be able to re-create back home.
You can choose to do a Normal cooking class or Just dessert cooking class. Each participant has his or her own cooking station and equipment. Both classes will last about 3 hours.
$32 per person.
APOPO - HERO RATS
Not far from the city center of Siem Reap is Apopo´s Visitor Center. This center gives you the chance to discover the history of conflict in Cambodia, the impact of landmines on local communities, and the opportunity to meet and see the HeroRATs in action.
They have designed and build a demonstration area where the HeroRATs will sniff out buried items, scratch the surface to indicate they´ve found something to trainers and of course receive a tasty treat as a reward.
SIEM REAP HAS SO MUCH MORE TO OFFER!
Pottery class, basket knitting, jewelry making, ferris wheel, trick ark museum, butterfly cetre, wake park, minigolf, playgrounds... and a lot more!
Come talk to us at the reception for the up to date offers!
