Angkor Wat: Travel tips and things to do

A visit to Siem Reap in Cambodia is usually all about Angkor Archaeological Park, the site of the temple city that served as the capital of the Khmer empire from the 9th to the 15th century and is arguably the country’s most iconic sight. But if you need a break from temple-hopping, consider these activities instead.

Cruise on Tonle Sap lake

South-east Asia’s largest freshwater lake makes for an interesting cruise. The lake is a natural wonder: in the dry season from November to March, much of Tonle Sap is just 1m deep, but this increases to 10m by the end of the rainy season, from May to October.

Correspondingly, its surface area can increase from 2,500 sq km to a whopping 16,000 sq km – about 20 times the size of Singapore.

Various companies offer such cruises, from which you can get a glimpse of the communities living along its shore, as well as the floating villages – complete with schools and community centres – on the lake.

A half-day cruise (four to five hours, including land transfers) costs between US$20 and US$100 a person, depending on the level of luxury you’re looking for.

Cheaper cruises operate on long-tail wooden boats taking up to 20 passengers or so, while higher-end options are more comfortably outfitted and come with meals and alcohol. Or, book Park Hyatt Siem Reap’s private boat (from US$500), which takes up to 20 people for a customised cruise.

A sunset cruise, for example, can be had with a full-course dinner and on-board bartender serving free-flow alcohol.