The best time to visit Angkor Wat is now

The best time to visit Angkor Wat is now

With Cambodia emerging on the global platform and tourism increasing rapidly, now is the best time to visit Angkor Wat

Years ago, when our trip around the world was still just a twinkle in my eye, I met a travel writer named “John” at an industry party. For the first 30 minutes of the conversation, John was fascinating as he regaled me with stories from Namibia, Mongolia and Timor-Leste.

However, as the hour passed and his two drinks turned into three, he launched into a tirade about tourism and how the world's most treasured landmarks were being destroyed.

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

I rolled my eyes. Funny how travel writers always excuse themselves from the “hordes”, as if an 800 word assignment from easyjet Traveler offers a sensible reason to be somewhere.

Of course, John wasn't entirely wrong. There are certainly different categories of exotic destinations: those that are little known (e.g. Bhutan, Mongolia, Turkmenistan), those that are emerging (e.g. Iceland, Laos, Myanmar) and those that have recently emerged (e.g. Thailand, India, Mexico).

Countries in the first two categories are often the most interesting and it's always nice to see them before they slip into the third. Take Cambodia for example. For a long time it was sensibly in the group of “emerging” companies, but that is changing quickly.

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

I spent five days exploring the temples, visiting Angkor Wat (the largest and most impressive of the temples), followed by Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Preah Khan and Beng Mealea.

Some of the temples were virtually empty, with only a handful of visitors scattered throughout the complex.

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Fast forward five years and the experience is a little different. Angkor Wat is just as stunning (in fact, it was ranked number 1 in Lonely Planet's 500 Best Places in the World last year), but the temples are getting more and more crowded.

The selfie sticks and Lara Croft poses are relatively harmless compared to the tourists touching bas-reliefs, climbing over sheltered rocks and crowding around the monks in the temple. The problems are numerous enough to have led to an instructional video on temple etiquette.

UNESCO has been monitoring the increase in tourism for several years and continues to call for sustainable solutions. It has worked with a number of partners on the Tourism Management Plan for the Angkor World Heritage Area and identified actions that need to be taken now.

Proposed solutions include appointing a temple manager for each major site, managing visitor flow by restricting where visitors can go and what they can do, introducing a transportation system that controls vehicle- and non-vehicle-based flow, better communicating visitor etiquette, and improving infrastructure in Siem Reap and near Tonlé Sap.

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

In fact, Sok Sangvar, head of the Angkor Tourism Management Plan working group, said last year: "I've heard it so many times that there are too many people in Angkor. It's not about the numbers; it's about how you deal with those numbers."

This suggests there will be no strict Machu Picchu-style restrictions on the number of tourists allowed per day. With that in mind, now is the best time to visit Angkor Wat.

The numbers are still in the low millions: 2 million per year compared to the Great Wall's 9 million, the Colosseum's 7 million and Giza's 4 million. The temples are just as impressive as all three and will continue to grow in popularity, so now is the best time to visit Angkor Wat.

For all his bluster and fear, John from the party was right: the best time to go is now, so go to Cambodia and see Angkor Wat. Go now while it's still showing up. Walking as the tree roots tear through ancient walls feels more Tomb Raider than looted tomb.

Watch the legendary sunrise over Angkor Wat, see the shadows scatter from the faces of Bayon, marvel at the jungle-obscured ruins at Ta Prohm and discover this hidden gem before it is revealed to all.

Angkor Wat: The Essentials

What: Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Where: I traveled aboard the Toum Tiou II, a surprisingly spacious riverboat with 14 cozy cabins, each with a private bathroom with hot shower, air conditioning, safe, hairdryer and large window overlooking the Mekong.

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(Images: G Adventures)

There's a shared dining room, free tea and coffee (and cookies!) all day and night, a lounge area, a sun deck and a bar. (If you're lucky enough to have Mitch as your 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 peak season.

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

How: I went with G Adventures Mekong River Cruise Adventure priced at £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 to book, call 0344 272 2040 or visit gadventures.com.

Note that prices do not include flights. Vietnam Airlines offers the UK's only non-stop flights 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. Popular routes can be found here.

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Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand offers a comprehensive travel guide to Phnom Penh and the Mekong Delta, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

Disclosure: We traveled to Cambodia with support from G Adventures. All publications say this, but we really don't guarantee positive coverage. We say what we think – good and bad – so you can make informed decisions with honest advice.

Main image: G Adventures

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