The best time to visit Angkor Wat is now

The best time to visit Angkor Wat is now

Since Cambodia appears on the global platform and tourism increases rapidly, now is the best time to visit Angkor Wat

years ago, when our world tour was still a wink, I met a travel writer named "John" at an industrial party. In the first 30 minutes of the conversation, John was fascinating when he entertained me with stories from Namibia, who entertained Mongolia and Timor-Leste.

When the hour passed and became three drinks three, he fell into a tirade of swirling about tourism and how the most valuable sights in the world were destroyed.

"Kia", he hissed and emphasized my name in a single syllable. "The best time to see the world is now. You say you want to travel? Go and look at the world before it is destroyed by the hordes."

I rolled my eyes. Funny how travel writers always apologize to the "hordes" as if an 800-word-word order from Easyjet Traveler offers a meaningful reason to be somewhere.

Of course John was not entirely wrong. There are certainly different categories of exotic travel destinations: those that are hardly known (e.g. Bhutan, Mongolia, Turkmenistan), those that arise (e.g. Island, Laos, Myanmar) and those that have been created (e.g. Thailand, India, Mexico).

countries in the first two categories are often the most interesting and it is always nice to see them before they slip into the third. For example, take Cambodia. For a long time it was reasonably part of the group of "emerging" companies, but that changes quickly.

I visited the country for the first time in 2011 and it immediately became my favorite. The mixture of incredible architecture, fascinating history, natural beauty and inviting locals made it an incomparable choice for those who are looking for sun and culture.

I spent five days to explore the temple, visited Angkor Wat (the greatest and most impressive of the temple), followed by Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Preah Khan and Beng Meaealea.

Some of the temples were almost empty, and only a handful of visitors were scattered over the complex.

• Alt = "Best travel time for Angkor Wat: monk hike">
• Alt = "Best travel time for Angkor Wat: Panorama">
• Alt = "Best time for a visit to Angkor Wat: View from the top floor">
• Alt = "Best travel time for Angkor Wat: sunrise">
• Alt = "Best travel time for Angkor Wat: View of Bayon">
• Alt = "Best travel time for Angkor Wat: quiet">
• Alt = "Best time for Angkor Wat: Few visitors">
• Alt = "Best time for Angkor Wat: Stairs">
• Alt = "Best time for Angkor Wat: Kia on the stairs">
• Alt = "Best travel time for Angkor Wat: aerial occupancy">
• Alt = "Best time to visit Angkor Wat: Nobody nearby">
• Alt = "Best travel time for Angkor Wat: Ta Prohm">
• Alt = "Best travel time for Angkor Wat: View of Ta Prohm">
• Alt = "Best time for Angkor Wat: Kia and Peter">
• Alt = "Best time for Angkor Wat: Beng Mealea">
• Alt = "Best time for Angkor Wat: empty courtyard">

we coilate five years and experience is a little different. Angkor Wat is just as breathtaking (Lonely Planet, in fact, was elected 1 of the 500 best places in the world last year), but the temples are getting full.

The Selfie sticks and Lara Croft poses are relatively harmless compared to the tourists who touch flat reliefs, climb over protected rocks and pushing around the monks in the temple. The problems are numerous enough to have led to a teaching video for the temple label.

The UNESCO has been watching tourism as a long time and repeatedly demands sustainable solutions. It worked with a number of partners on the tourism management plan for Angkor's World Heritage Area and determined measures that must now be taken.

The proposed solutions include the appointment of a temple manager for every larger location, the administration of the visitor flow by restriction, where to go and what you can do, the introduction of a transport system that controls the vehicle and not vehicle-based flow, better communication of the visiting label and the improvement of the infrastructure in Siem Reap and near Tonlé Sap.

There is no doubt that these measures will control the demand better, but there is no guarantee that they will slow down the increase.

In fact, Sok Sangvar, head of the Angkor Tourism Management Working Group, said last year: "I heard it so often that there are too many people in Angkor. It's not about the numbers; it's about how to deal with these numbers."

This indicates that there will be no strict restrictions in the Machu Picchu style for the number of tourists permitted per day. In this sense, the best time is to visit Angkor Wat.

The numbers are still in the low million range: 2 million a year compared to the 9 million of the Chinese wall, the 7 million of the Colosseum and the 4 million of Giza. The temples are as impressive as all three and will become more and more popular, so now is the best time to visit Angkor Wat.

With all his roar and fear, John from the party was right: The best time to travel is now, so drive to Cambodia and look at Angkor Wat. Now go while it still appears. Go while the tree roots tear through old walls, feel more tomb Raider than looted grave.

Watch the legendary sunrise via Angkor Wat, see how the shadows of the faces of Bayon spread, marvel at the ruins interspersed with the jungle in Ta Prohm and discover this hidden gem before it is revealed to everyone.

Angkor Wat: The essentials

was: Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

WO: I traveled on board the Toum Tiou II, a surprisingly spacious river ship with 14 cozy cabins, each with your own bathroom with hot water shower, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer and large window with a view of the Mekong.

• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">

(pictures: G Adventures)

There is a common dining room, free tea and coffee (and cookies!) All day and all night, a lounge area, a sun deck and a bar (if you are lucky enough to have Mitch as a bartender, be sure to order a mojito!)

When: Cambodia is warm all year round. The best time to visit Angkor Wat is between November and March when you can enjoy cool, dry days, but note that this is the main season.

June to October is hot and possibly wet, but still a good time for a visit. Rain tends to fall for a short outbreak in the afternoon and rarely affects the travel plans, the crowds are lower and Angkor Wat is the most lavish.

like: I was at G Adventures Mekong River Cruise Adventure at a price of £ 1,299 per person for a 10-day trip from Saigon to Siem Reap. The price includes most meals, activities and a chief experience officer (CEO). For more information or bookings, call 0344 272 2040 or visit gadvures.com.

Note that the prices do not contain flights. Vietnam Airlines offers the only non-stop flights of the UK to Vietnam, with daily flights from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Hanoi or Saigon. Book via skyscanner.net.

We recommend using Bookaway to find bus, ferry and train tickets in Cambodia. You can find popular routes here.

alt = “Mekong River Cross LP guide”>

Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Nordthailand offers a comprehensive travel guide for Phnom Penh and the Mekong Delta, ideal for those who want to explore both the most important sights and take the less busy road.

disclosure: We traveled to Cambodia with the support of G Adventures. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make sound decisions with honest advice.

main picture: g Adventures

 .