Best Time to Visit Angkor Wat

Last Updated: February 24,2020

Cambodia is regarded as one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is the country with the most significant religious monument globally. For a reason, a countless number of tourists visit the nation annually. But deciding the visiting period to Angkor Wat can be a little tricky.  

When going on tourism, there are two options available. You can decide to choose the raining season when the temple sites will muddy or the period when the weather will be good (the best time most people like to visit the sites) especially for taking pictures.   

Since the weather is warm throughout the year in Cambodia, many tourists visit Angkor Wat throughout the year and the best time also called Peak travel season to visit Angkor Wat is during the dry and mild weather. 

Angkor Wat

Detailed Climate Display

The approximated climate around Angkor Wat is shown below.

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Traveling in the Dry Season

Going by Southeast Asia distinctive weather, the dry season is the best time to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The dry season is between late November and early April.

Traveling in the Best and Peak Seasons 

Apart from the fact that December and January are the busiest months in Angkor Wat, it is also the best best-weather months that a vast number of tourists floods Angkor Wat in tour buses to see the monuments. The peak season runs from December to the February end. 

Angkor Wat

Traveling in the Hot Months

April and May remain the hottest months in Cambodia. My advice is that you avoid going to Cambodia during these months except if you can bear the heat and suffocating humidity while exploring the ancient temples. In these two months, you can have a more personal space to yourself at the temples as long you don't mind the heat stroke. To have the best time of your three-day trip to Angkor Wat, try to schedule your traveling between the raining and dry seasons which is between November and March. This period remains the best time to visit Angkor Wat. If you are so lucky, you can have less sunny days with scorching heat and few crowds giving you the opportunity to take as many pictures as possible. The raining season is between late May or June to October end. The wettest month of the year in Cambodia remains October while the January remains the month with most sunshine. 

TIPS FOR ANGKOR WAT'S BUSY SEASON

Are you planning to visit Angkor Wat during the busiest months (February), you may find this tips useful; through

  • Tip number one; start early and avoid the famous sunrise photo spots. 

  • Tip number two; do not schedule your meal times to get the best of the temple while others are taking their breakfast/lunch/dinner. In other words, do not eat while others are eating. Make your mealtime irregular.

  • Tip number three; try and go beyond the main Angkor Wat site. Get a copy of the book titled, 'Ancient Angkor.' The book is available for sale everywhere, and it is a good map for exploring the ancient site. In addition to that, you can engage the services of a transporter to take you beyond the old temple ruins. If you are lucky enough, you may have the remote part of the temple to yourself.  

  • It has become a usual habit for many tourists visiting Angkor Wat to go through a reasonably likely route through the temples. Many choose this because of its accessibility and its visibility on the tourist's map. You can decide to have a mix-up itinerary to explore the temples differently.  

  • Majority of the tourists usually settled for a tuk-tuk service and a local guide to take them beyond the far part of the sites. Renting a scooter or mountain bike might be a consideration if you are skilled enough because it will help you avoid traffic and sightsee the temples on your terms. Having comfort in what it takes to drive in Asia should be appealing to you. 

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