Do you have to be a part of a tour to explore Angkor Watt?

Do you have to be a part of a tour to explore Angkor Watt? Does anyone know of a tour package that includes hotels and transportation in Bangkok, Phuket, Phenom Pen and Angkor Watt? We would book our own flights stateside and back but would just be part of their itinerary over in Thailand and Cambodia. Also are any visas need for US citizens?

Do you have to be a part of a tour to explore Angkor Watt?

No, you dont need to part of a tour, its easy to sort out and go yourselves, packages tend to be rather over priced

visas are needed, can apply online, or get the nice one on a page of your passport when you arrive

Do you have to be a part of a tour to explore Angkor Watt?

No - just find yourself a good driver, and a tour guide (optional) and then explore! Enjoy!

I%26#39;d probably recommend doing Angkor Wat alone, or at least not as a part of a tour group - you can go at your own pace that way.

And the Tuk Tuk / MOTO prices are coming down at the moment due to the lack of tourists in Siem Reap

Leaf:

Hope you%26#39;re staying warm down there!! I think having a guide depends on the amount of time you have available. In November we were there for only two days, so a guide was helpful in maximizing our time there. He also offered a couple of last minute suggestions that added to the enjoyment of our trip. But as other posters have said you can do it on your own.

just get a free copy of a guide book and do it yourself.that way you will go where you want to go and let your guesthouse or hotel organise drivers or pick ups ect..your hotel will have the free guide books so ask them

No, you do not need to be part of a tour. As far as guides, we did both one day on our own and another day with a guide. We much more preferred on our own. We found it to be information overload with the guide. Read up some, go, explore and enjoy! US citizens need a tourist visa. It is available on-line (not recommended) or upon arrival at the airport with a completed form (print off of internet), passport photo and cash payment. As far as the tour with accommodations are concerned I suggest you contact a local travel agent.

Why is an online visa ';not recommended';? Most of the people I know that travel to Cambodia frequently have their visas done online as they don%26#39;t want to mess with it at the airport. I also had mine done online and I just breezed through customs while the rest of the group from my plane was still bsuy shuffling money, passports and photos at the little visa counter there. It%26#39;s up to you.

Yes, it is fine to do on-line if you apply well in advance. I was not clear. I meant to state that I do not recommended it if applying just before a trip in case of problems with approval or timing of approval thus wasting money.

If you get the right tuk tuk driver, you%26#39;ll have a built-in guide. Mine was fantastic and ended up taking me to a Cambodian wedding celebration. Many of them are quite industrious and see the value of tourism. I was quite impressed with how much my tuk tuk driver knew and just enjoyed spending time learning all things Cambodian from him. If you need a recommendation, please feel free to email personally. Safe travels.