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A 3 days tour in Siem Reap is the perfect way to explore Cambodia's cultural hub. This charming city is perhaps best known as the gateway to Angkor Wat, but it has plenty to offer besides temples. With three well planned days, you can learn about ancient ruins, vibrant markets, tasty local food, and moving cultural experiences that make your journey unforgettable.
Siem Reap - Getaway to ancient world (Source: aavietnamtravel)
Start your Siem Reap Tour 3 days ahead of schedule with an early morning visit to Angkor Wat. Seeing the sun rise above the shadow of this famous temple is something not to forget and one of the main reasons individuals travel to Cambodia. Walk around the vast temple complex after sunrise. The bas reliefs and geometrical spires make Angkor Wat not only a national icon but also a masterpiece of Khmer architectural art.
After Angkor Wat, continue your 3 days tour of Siem Reap to the final Khmer Empire capital, Angkor Thom. Inside Angkor Thom, don't forget the Bayon Temple and its enigmatic smiling stone faces. Then head on to Ta Prohm, the "Tomb Raider Temple," where nature and architecture collide as giant tree roots snake through the stone ruins.
Stunning Angkor Wat (Source: Wikipedia)
Lunch, return into town and have a lok lak, stir fried beef with lime dipping sauce, rice, and a fried egg. It's a simple Cambodian classic that delivers huge flavor. Walk through Siem Reap Old Market (Phsar Chas) in the afternoon and sample local crafts, spices, and souvenirs. Some great street food can be found there as well, including skewered meats, fresh spring rolls, and sugarcane juice that are worth a taste.
Top off your evening with dinner at a restaurant like Chanrey Tree, where you can savor refined Khmer dishes in trendy riverside surroundings. Try amok trey, a coconut fish curry that's rich and steamed in banana leaf. This first day of your Siem Reap Tour 3 days gives you a good dose of Cambodia's cultural and spiritual identity, all wrapped in centuries old ruins and jungle lushness.
Siem Reap old market - Phsar Chas (Source: Expedia)
On your second day of a 3 days tour in Siem Reap, take a break from the temples and try life on water. Go to Tonle Sap Lake and one of the floating villages like Kampong Phluk or Chong Kneas. These villages comprise stilted homes and floating buildings, adapting to the rise and fall of Southeast Asia's biggest freshwater lake. A boat trip around the village offers an insight into a unique type of life that remains intimately linked with fishing and the rhythms of nature.
En route back from the lake, stop by Artisans Angkor, a local workshop where you can see traditional Cambodian crafts being made: stone carving, silk painting, woodwork, and more. This is a great place to support local artisans and pick up meaningful souvenirs. Next door, the Angkor National Museum puts the temples you visited on Day 1 into further context with artifacts, tales, and multimedia exhibits that bring history to life.
Tonle Sap Lake (Source: VietjetAir)
For lunch, go to a basic local café or restaurant and order num banh chok, or Khmer noodles. These are rice noodles topped with green fish curry and fresh vegetables, light, flavorful, and refreshing. You might also like to try bai sach chrouk, thin slices of pork served on top of broken rice, traditionally served for breakfast but enjoyable at any time of day.
In the evening, walk along Pub Street, the hub of Siem Reap nightlife. It is filled with restaurants, bars, and street stalls. Street food here is quite tasty. Try grilled squid, banana pancakes, or even fried insects if you dare. Eat dinner at a simple restaurant such as Khmer Kitchen, where you can sample a variety of local cuisine at affordable prices. A second day in your Siem Reap Tour 3 days injects culture and introduces you to the everyday life that still flows through this ancient region.
Try out Khmer Kitchen restaurant (Source: SiemReapWonder)
Wind up your 3 days Siem Reap tour with a quieter cultural excursion. Start your morning with a good Khmer cookery class. Half day is the standard arrangement in most cooking schools around the town, opening with the marketplace visit to gather the ingredients, followed by the hands-on tutorial on Cambodian cooking. More than a fun activity, though, but something to acquire as a skill that can be called upon later when you return home.
After having lunch and cooking, relaxation time has finally arrived. Book a massage or spa treatment. Khmer massages are identical to Thai massages but slightly less intense. Look for spas that make use of natural local products and offer peaceful garden spaces, it's the perfect way to rejuvenate after two hectic days.
Khmer cooking class (Source: Pelago)
Spend your afternoon at the Cambodia Landmine Museum or APOPO Visitor Center, where you can learn about the history of war and work to demine and rebuild communities. These places offer somber but useful information about Cambodia's more recent history and resilience.
For your final meal, go out with a bang. Head to a place like Marum, which supports vocational training for disadvantaged youth while serving innovative Khmer dishes. Try grilled eggplant with minced pork, coconut rice pudding, or chili lime frog legs if you’re feeling bold. Toast your last night with a local beer or sugar palm wine, knowing you’ve made the most of your Siem Reap Tour 3 days.
Cambodia Landmine Museum (Source: Pelago)
Read more: Siem Reap Trekking Tour 3 Days: Explore Siem Reap
Food is always among the charms of traveling, and a Siem Reap Tour 3 Days gives plenty of chances to taste Cambodia. Start your days with the local coffee and a plate of bai sach chrouk (pork and rice), normally served with pickled vegetables and broth.
For lunch, green mango salad or num banh chok, a rice noodle served with fish gravy and vegetables, can be light and cool. For dinner, attempt the assortment of Khmer cuisine. Fish amok, possibly Cambodia's most famous dish, is a must. It's steamed in banana leaves and packed with creamy coconut flavor. Lok lak is another favorite, typically served with rice and a fried egg on top.
Bai Sach Chrouk (Source: MaryChanCooking)
For the more adventurous, Siem Reap night markets have fried bugs, grilled frogs, and other street food. However, there are also Western style cafes and fusion restaurants available if you want to take a break from local food.Travellers should try the desserts, sticky rice with mango, palm sugar sweets, or pandan cakes. Wash it down with sugarcane juice, fresh coconut water, or a locally brewed beer.
Num Banh Chok (Source: tovegetableswithlove)
A 3 days Siem Reap Tour provides you with the perfect mix of culture, history, food, and local life. Within three days, you can witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat, explore the floating villages on bike, indulge in the authentic Khmer cuisine, and soak up the friendly Cambodian hospitality. But the key to making the most out of your trip is meticulous planning and that's where we can assist you. Book now with Asia King Travel today and experience Cambodia like a local.
