Destination Background

Angkor, located in the province of Siem Reap in Cambodia, is the capital of the ancient Khmer empire. Located in dense jungle 20 miles from Lake Tonle Sap, Angkor contains hundreds of ancient temples built during the 9th to the 15th centuries. The most famous of these temples is Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. Ideal months for travel are November through January with cooler temperatures and little rain. Starting in February, temperatures start rising to peaks as high as 104° F (40° C) in April. While the monsoon season in May through October brings afternoon rains that can turn the roads to outlying temples into quagmires of mud, intrepid tourists this time of year are rewarded by views of Angkor framed by verdant, lush foliage.

Since there are no accommodations in Angkor, most tourists stay in Siem Reap and take local transportation for the 20-minute ride to Angkor. From Siem Reap, there are several options to get to Angkor. Tuk-tuks, or motorcycle taxis, are the most popular mode of transportation. There are also tour buses and cars for hire. Because of Angkor’s size, most travelers hire transportation for the whole day to get to various parts of the temple complex. The temples of Angkor cover an area of 400 km2, so travelers would do best to plan their itinerary carefully, taking into consideration accessibility of sites by road. Angkor Wat, the largest temple, is by the ancient city of Angkor Thom and is the most easily accessible area. Other groups of temples include sites east and north to Angkor Thom (Le Petit Circuit and Le Grand Circuit), the Roluos group located 15 km east of Siem Reap, and other outlying temples that are located more than 20 km from Angkor Wat.

Lighting at sunrise and sunset makes for the most dramatic viewing of the temples, and these are therefore popular times to visit. Visitors are suggested to wear long pants or long skirts and covered shoulders as a sign of respect, because Angkor is considered a holy site. A typical itinerary starts early at the northern reflecting pool to watch the sun rise behind Angkor Wat. The day can then be spent taking a tour of the archaeological wonders of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. While being surrounded by ancient relics, visitors are reminded of the present day by hawkers of food, drink, and souvenirs in front of many of the temples. At the end of the day, visitors climb up the steep steps of Phnom Bakheng to watch the sun set over Angkor.

Immunizations

Hepatitis A Vaccine
Hepatitis A is highly endemic in Cambodia. All travelers should be protected against hepatitis A.

Typhoid Vaccine
All travelers should be protected against typhoid. Although the vaccine provides good protection against typhoid infection, no vaccine is 100% effective, so precautions should still be taken in selecting food and drinks.

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Vaccine
JE is endemic countrywide with transmission season extending from May through October. Vaccination is recommended only for travelers who will be visiting rural areas of Cambodia during the transmission season with extensive outdoor exposure (see the Japanese encephalitis section in Chapter 2). Most visitors to Angkor who are planning on a typical tour of the temples will not need JE vaccination.

Rabies Vaccine
Visitors to Angkor should avoid contact with animals, such as stray dogs in Siem Reap city and monkeys in the Angkor temple complex. Do not pet or feed animals. If bitten, seek medical attention.

Malaria
Angkor is often visited at sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes are likely to bite, putting travelers at risk for mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. Malaria chemoprophylaxis and mosquito avoidance are both recommended.

Atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline should be taken to prevent malaria. Chloroquine and mefloquine are not recommended because P. falciparum may be resistant to these drugs in this area. Purchase malaria prophylaxis drugs in the United States before travel, because counterfeit malaria drugs have been found in Southeast Asia.

Avoid mosquito bites by using a recommended repellent, sleeping under a mosquito net if not in an air conditioned room, and wearing protective clothing. Mosquito bites can transmit not only malaria but other diseases such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis.

Other Health Risks
Landmines are present in undeveloped areas surrounding Angkor. Stay on well-traveled roads and walkways.

Monkeys are present in the temple complex. Do not pet, handle, or feed wildlife. In addition to the physical injuries caused by bites and scratches, there is the risk for transmission of infectious diseases such as herpes B and, to a lesser extent, rabies.

Temperatures can soar up to 40° C in April, and visiting Angkor will involve walking long distances and climbing up steep steps. Stay well-hydrated, wear sun block, and be aware of your fitness level when touring the temples. Drinks are sold at the entrances to many of the more popular temples.

General safety precautions should be taken when visiting Angkor after dark, especially women traveling alone at the outlying temples. Visitors who plan to view the temples at sunset should be sure to bring a flashlight to negotiate steep temple steps in the dark.