National park · Cambodia
Angkor Archaeological Parkឧទ្យានបុរាណវិទ្យាអង្គរ
Buy the pass at the official Angkor Enterprise office (one day US$37, three days US$62), start at Angkor Wat's west gate by 05:00 for sunrise, then run the small circuit by tuk-tuk (about US$15–20 a day) before 09:00; skip the midday temple march and return for Bayon after 15:00.Buy the pass at the official Angkor Enterprise office (one day US$37, three days US$62), start at Angkor Wat's west gate by 5:00 AM for sunrise, then run the small circuit by tuk-tuk (about US$15–20 a day) before 9:00 AM; skip the midday temple march and return for Bayon after 3:00 PM.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
400 km²154 sq mi
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Cambodia ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra. Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival.
- Cambodia ↗Angkor Wat and other active temples enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered, or you are turned away at the gate.
- Cambodia ↗US dollars are used for most tourist prices; carry clean, undamaged small notes and some riel for change under one dollar.
At a glance
- Country
- Cambodia
- Area
- 400 km²154 sq mi
- The protected zone is about 400 km²; the wider Angkor region once covered roughly 1,000–3,000 km² of Greater Angkor (check).
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Siem Reap
Angkor is not a single temple but a 400 km² archaeological park holding the remains of several Khmer capitals from the 9th to 15th centuries, including Angkor Wat and the walled city of Angkor Thom. It has no accommodation inside the boundary; Siem Reap, 6 km south, is the base. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site (1992) and was on the Danger List for years because of looting and a falling water table. There are no marked hiking trails in the national-park sense — the walking here is temple-to-temple, plus a few forest paths and the Kbal Spean riverbed carvings 45 km out.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1992Angkor; placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger the same year and later removed.
Size and age
400 km²154 sq mi · national park since 1992
The protected zone is about 400 km²; the wider Angkor region once covered roughly 1,000–3,000 km² of Greater Angkor (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Siem Reap.
Why go
- Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument on earth, and the bas-relief galleries alone take an hour to walk.
- Bayon's 216 stone faces and the terraces of Angkor Thom sit inside a walled city you can still trace on the ground.
- Ta Prohm and Preah Khan show the temples half-swallowed by forest, which is how most of them looked before clearance.
- The park is close to a real town: Siem Reap is 6 km from the west gate, so you sleep in a hotel, not a tent.The park is close to a real town: Siem Reap is 3.7 mi from the west gate, so you sleep in a hotel, not a tent.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, 25–30 °C; peak crowdsDry, 77–86 °F; peak crowds
- FebDry and clear; still busy
- MarHeat builds; haze
- AprHottest month, up to 40 °CHottest month, up to 104 °F
- MayHot; first rain
- JunGreen, quiet, afternoon rain
- JulWet; moats and barays full
- AugWet; fewest visitors
- SepWettest; some tracks muddy
- OctRain easing; rice green
- NovDry season starts; crowds return
- DecCool, dry; Christmas and New Year peak
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey-headed and other forest birds in the shaded temple groundsNov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Macaques and other monkeys around Ta Prohm and the roadsidesAll year · Do not feed them; they bite and steal bags. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Water in the moats, West Baray and Kbal Spean riverJun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Dust and haze on outlying dirt roadsFeb–May | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Siem Reap
Tuk-tuk, car or rented bicycle north on Apsara Road; the ticket office is off the main temple road.
20–30 min
Open the page →
From Siem Reap airport
Taxi or hotel pick-up to town, then the same road north to the park.
30–45 min
Open the page →
From Phnom Penh
Bus or shared minivan on National Highway 6, then a tuk-tuk to the temples.
5.5–7 h
Open the page →
From Battambang
Road via Sisophon, or the boat on the Sangker in the wet season.
3–4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Angkor Wat | The 12th-century temple-mountain and its bas-relief galleries, moat and west causeway. | Angkor pass; upper tier queued and dress-checked. |
| Angkor Thom | The walled last capital: Bayon, Baphuon, the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King, and five gates. | Angkor pass; walk or ride between the monuments. |
| Small circuit (Le Petit Circuit) | Ta Keo, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Sras Srang and Prasat Kravan east of Angkor Thom. | Angkor pass; the standard one-day loop. |
| Grand circuit (Le Grand Circuit) | Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup north and east of Angkor Thom. | Angkor pass; quieter than the small circuit. |
| Roluos group | Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko, the 9th-century capital Hariharalaya, 15 km east of Siem Reap on Highway 6.Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko, the 9th-century capital Hariharalaya, 9.3 mi east of Siem Reap on Highway 6. | Angkor pass; easy to add on the way in or out. |
| Outlying temples | Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean north, Beng Mealea east, Phnom Krom south. | Angkor pass for Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean; separate tickets for Beng Mealea and Koh Ker. |
Sketch map
- 1Angkor Enterprise ticket office · Gate≈13.371, 103.856On Apsara Road; the only place to buy passes.Map ↗
- 2Angkor Wat west gate · Trail≈13.412, 103.867Map ↗
- 3Bayon · Viewpoint≈13.441, 103.859Map ↗
- 4Baphuon · Viewpoint≈13.444, 103.856Map ↗
- 5Ta Prohm · Trail≈13.435, 103.889Map ↗
- 6Preah Khan · Trail≈13.462, 103.872Map ↗
- 7Banteay Srei · Trail≈13.599, 103.963Map ↗
- 8Kbal Spean · Trail≈13.680, 104.000Map ↗
- 9Phnom Krom · Summit≈13.286, 103.812Map ↗
- 10Siem Reap · Town≈13.362, 103.860Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-day pass | US$37 | person | 2026 estimate; sold at the Angkor Enterprise ticket office on Apsara Road, not at the temples. |
| Three-day pass | US$62 | person | Valid on any three days within a 10-day window (check). |
| Seven-day pass | US$72 | person | Valid on any seven days within a 30-day window (check). |
| Children under 12 | Free | person | Free with photo ID showing age; passport for foreign children. |
| Tuk-tuk, small circuit | US$15–20 | vehicle | Per day; drivers add about US$3 for a 05:00 sunrise start. |
| Car with driver | US$45–50 | day | With an English-speaking licensed guide; more for outlying temples. |
| Licensed guide only | US$20–35 | day | Rates vary by language and route (check). |
| Bicycle rental in Siem Reap | US$3–4 | day | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Angkor pass permit or guide
Angkor Wat upper tier (Bakan) permit or guide
Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei permit or guide
Beng Mealea and Koh Ker permit or guide
Park rules
- Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered at all temples; a scarf over bare shoulders is not accepted. Entry to the Angkor Wat upper tier is refused if you fail the check.
- Drones
- Flying drones over the park requires permission from Apsara Authority; assume it is not allowed (check).check
- Touching carvings
- Do not climb on bas-reliefs or sit on naga balustrades; some galleries are roped off for conservation.
- Smoking and litter
- No smoking inside temple enclosures; bins are scarce, so carry rubbish out.
- Monks and worshippers
- Angkor Wat and some temples are active religious sites; keep quiet, do not block people praying, and ask before photographing monks.
- Motorbike rental
- Renting a motorbike without a driver is discouraged for foreigners and police may stop you; if you ride, wear a helmet — it is required by law.
Where to stay
Near the park
Siem Reap
The only practical base: hostels, guesthouses and hotels of every level, 6 km from Angkor Wat.The only practical base: hostels, guesthouses and hotels of every level, 3.7 mi from Angkor Wat.
Near the park
Siem Reap riverside and Old Market
Walkable food and night market area; tuk-tuks wait outside.
Near the park
Hotels on Apsara Road
Closer to the ticket office and the park gate, quieter at night.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Slippery stone steps medium
Monkeys medium
Traffic on Apsara Road medium
Landmines and unexploded ordnance low
Accessibility
- Angkor Wat's west causeway, the outer gallery and the Bayon lower level are reachable by wheelchair with help over grass and stone thresholds.
- The Angkor Wat upper tier, Ta Keo and many tower stairs are steep and not accessible; Baphuon has a long raised walkway.
- Tuk-tuks and cars can drop passengers at most temple entrances; distances between stops are still 5–15 minutes on foot.
Visiting lightly
- Buy the pass only from the official Angkor Enterprise office; unofficial 'guides' selling tickets at the road are not authorised.
- Do not ride elephants; the park's elephant rides have been criticised for welfare reasons and alternatives exist.
- Carry a refillable bottle — the park sells bottled water at every temple and plastic waste is a visible problem.
- Keep to wooden walkways at Ta Prohm and roped routes elsewhere; skin oils and shoe grit damage the sandstone.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Angkor Archaeological Park?
The official Angkor Enterprise passes are US$37 for one day, US$62 for three days and US$72 for seven days (2026 estimate). Children under 12 are free with proof of age. Buy at the ticket office on Apsara Road, not at the temples.
What are the best hikes in Angkor Archaeological Park?
There are no long marked trails; the walking is temple-to-temple. The closest thing to a hike is Kbal Spean, a 1.5 km forest climb to riverbed carvings, and the short climb up Phnom Krom for sunset. The small circuit on foot or by bicycle covers about 30 km of flat shaded road.
When is the best time to visit Angkor Archaeological Park?
November to February is dry and coolest at 25–30 °C, but also the busiest. June to October is the wet season: greener, quieter and cheaper, with rain usually in the afternoon. March to May is the hottest stretch, up to 40 °C.
How many days do you need at Angkor?
One day covers Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. Three days lets you add the grand circuit, Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean without rushing. A seven-day pass suits repeat visitors and photographers.
Can you visit Angkor without a guide?
Yes. The pass is personal and the main temples are signed. A licensed guide costs about US$20–35 a day and is most useful for the bas-reliefs, which are hard to read without explanation.
What should you wear to Angkor?
Shoulders and knees covered at every temple. A scarf over bare shoulders is not accepted at the Angkor Wat upper tier, and you will be turned away. Light, long clothing also helps against sun and mosquitoes.
Is sunrise at Angkor Wat worth it?
It is the single busiest hour of the day, but the light on the towers and the reflecting pool is the reason most people come. Arrive by 05:00, stand north of the west causeway, and leave for Ta Prohm or Bayon by 07:30 to stay ahead of the coaches.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go