I was in awe. The moment we got off the plane in Cambodia, I instantly fell in love. If you’re planning to travel to Cambodia, you’re in for quite a ride. It’s filled with so much beauty and history beyond the Angkor temples. The people show such strength and kindness. We truly got a taste of the entire country. Our 10 day itinerary took us from the ancient wonders of Siem Reap, to the jungle of Mondulkiri, and ended with relaxation in Kampot and Koh Rong Sanloem. There are many reasons to fall in love with this country, but here are some reasons why we did.

Travel to Cambodia: Here’s Why You Should Go

Are you deciding whether to go to Cambodia? We’ve put together a list of reasons to visit there, and why we’d love to go back. We even brought our 3 year old daughter with us, and she loved it! It’s a one-of-a-kind special place and once you go, you’ll know why.

Closeup details of Banteay Srei temple

The Wonder of the Siem Reap Temples

The first and obvious reason why you should travel to Cambodia are the Angkor temples. You truly can’t visit here without seeing them. We spent 3 days exploring a variety of them, and each one is unique. It’s incredible to see these ancient structures up close and personal. The detail and love is clearly shown in the carvings and bas reliefs. It’s no surprise why these are UNESCO World Heritage sites. You’ll have an unforgettable experience discovering each one, regardless of the crowds. If it’s not already on your bucket list, this post will help with that!

Wondering which ones to see? 13 Siem Reap Temples Worth Visiting

The gorgeous sunrise at Angkor Wat, so worth it!

Angkor Wat Sunrise

One of my main goals for traveling to Cambodia was to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Yes you have to get up at 4am in order to get a good spot, but trust me it’s so worth it! Seeing Angkor Wat is already amazing enough. But watching the beautiful warm rays of the sun slowly rising from behind is mindblowing. And what’s even better? You get to explore the temple during the most magical time. The early morning sun makes for some beautiful lighting. And droolworthy shots. It doesn’t get any better than that!

See more: How to Capture the Angkor Wat Sunrise

A friendly street food vendor outside Angkor Wat

The Warmth of the Locals

I have heard great things about the people of Cambodia. But I didn’t expect to come across such an incredible welcome. Historically, the culture has been through so much tragedy. But the inner strength and bravery shines through. Every local we came across was very kind and welcoming to us. They were so great with our daughter and we were well taken care of. You will truly enjoy the culture here, and the people make it even more memorable. Take time to get to know some of the locals, they have quite the stories to tell.

Roben, our tuk tuk driver in Siem Reap

The Tuk Tuks

I absolutely loved going on the tuk tuks in Cambodia. There’s nothing like feeling that refreshing breeze after spending time in the heat. It was also so cool watching the life go by as you sit back and relax. I’ll forever remember all the outside smells while riding along. For the temples, we booked our tuk tuk driver in advance at a set price, which made it much easier while we were there. But there is definitely no shortage of them around the cities!

Some street food vendors along Pub Street

The Night Markets

Like most Asian countries, night markets are everywhere. Siem Reap is full of several of them to explore. Pub Street is one of the most popular spots to hang, and really comes alive at night. There are unique foods to try (like bugs!) and plenty to see. Get your feet massaged by fish, or shop for some souvenirs. It’s always a cool experience, and Southeast Asia is known for them.

A sampling of curries and amok in Siem Reap

The Exotic Food

Khmer cuisine has such wonderful flavor. The famous fish amok was full of interesting aromas and also so comforting. The curries were very mild and sweet, not spicy like those of Thailand. Dishes were typically served with a side of rice. One snack you must try is sticky rice. It’s typically sold along the streets in Siem Reap, and it’s just the perfect blend of flavors. Everything we had tasted extremely fresh, flavorful, and healthy. Also, the fruit is just incredible, some of the best I’ve had. And make sure to try a fruit shake! I must have had one every day. You really can’t go wrong with any of the food in Cambodia.

Overall view over Kompong Khleang floating village

The Floating Villages

There is more to do in Siem Reap beyond the temples. Along the Tonle Sap are several floating village communities. During dry season the water level is low, so many of the homes aren’t as submerged. Some of these villages are tourist traps though. But we did some research and found the perfect responsible choice in Kompong Khleang. It’s truly fascinating to get a glimpse into the way of life here. You’ll have an eye opening experience, and witness a gorgeous sunset on the Tonle Sap.

Learn more: Kompong Khleang Floating Village

One of the elephants roaming free at the Mondulkiri Project

Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

Deep into the eastern side of the country is the Mondulkiri Province. You can take a bus here from Phnom Penh and it’s a 6 hour journey. The area is beautiful and filled with dense jungle, home to indigenous Bunong tribes. There are also several elephant sanctuaries here to visit. We spent the day at the Mondulkiri Project to visit one. It’s a wonderful initiative to help preserve the forest in Sen Monorom and provide a protected home for the animals. You’ll spend the day in the jungle feeding, and bathing the elephants as they roam freely. And feel good about such a great cause too. How’s that for a bucket list idea?

Discover more about the project: Best Elephant Sanctuary in Cambodia

The view of the eco lodge in Sen Monorom, Cambodia

Jungle Eco Lodge

While you’re visiting the elephant sanctuary, take some time to unplug in nature. During our time in Sen Monorom, we stayed at a nature lodge surrounded by the beautiful jungle. It was quite remote, and we had the unique opportunity of falling asleep to wildlife sounds. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy itinerary at the temples in Siem Reap. We booked Tree Lodge Cambodia, which is owned by the same family who started the Mondulkiri Project. They have a restaurant and terrace with stunning views, and wifi for those who need it. At just $15 per night, how can you go wrong?

View of the empty salt fields in Kampot

Salt Fields in Kampot

Did you know there are salt fields in Kampot? Apparently sea salt production is pretty big here. Located within a rural area along dusty dirt roads are these magnificent salt fields. It’s a beautiful sight to see during sunrise or sunset. Kampot is such a serene and chill town, there’s so much more to explore. Definitely don’t leave here without trying some Kampot pepper, or even visit a pepper plantation. It’s the best pepper we’ve had! It was so wonderful here and we hope to return back someday.

See more: One Day in Kampot, Cambodia

A hammock at our jungle lodge in Mondulkiri

The Hammocks

Hammocks are a way of life in Cambodia. You can find them everywhere. We saw them hung beneath homes, within tuk tuks, and designated resting stations. It’s a daily routine here to take naps after lunch. I never truly appreciated just how comfortable they are until coming here. I can definitely get used to spending some time in one everyday. Can you imagine taking a break from work just to relax in a hammock? It’s a genius concept!

The beautiful Saracen Bay in Koh Rong Sanloem

Remote Islands of Paradise

The coastal town of Sihanoukville gives access to two remote islands. Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are about an hour ferry ride from the pier. While Koh Rong is more of a party island, Koh Rong Sanloem is a much more remote and quiet escape. We stayed on Saracen Bay for a few days to end our long trip. The island is so beautiful and still has an untouched feel. You can snorkel, sunbathe, and swim with glowing plankton at night. M’Pai Bay Village was such a funky and artsy village in a more isolated part of the island. It’s just pure bliss staying here, you will not want to leave!

Visit Cambodia for an Unforgettable Experience

We hope this list helped you decide on travel to Cambodia. If it’s not already on your bucket list, I’m sure it is now! It’s truly just a beautiful country with so much variety. There is still even more to see beyond this list, so book a trip now and discover for yourself. You won’t regret it!

Start planning your trip with our Complete 10 Day Guide to Cambodia.

Have you been to Cambodia? Did you fall in love with it too? We’d love to hear more in the comments!

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Ever since I was in college, I’ve dreamed of seeing the Angkor Wat sunrise. That dream finally became a reality recently during our 10 day Cambodia trip, but it definitely took some effort. This magnificent event draws thousands of people everyday. This means that it can be a rather daunting task taking the perfect shot. I’m here to give some tips and photography basics to help you capture a beautiful memory.

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Capturing the sun as it was coming up

Angkor Wat Sunrise: Is It Worth It?

“Was it worth the effort?” This was one of the most popular questions I got after seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat. I think the answer can be very subjective, but my answer is yes. There will definitely be frustrations, and annoyances, from the massive crowds of tourists. It may seem like one of those overrated touristy bucket list items. But I must say that watching the sun rise from beneath such a beautifully ancient structure was incredible. It’ll be a moment you’ll never forget.

Best Time to Go

The most ideal time to go to Cambodia is during the dry season. This is usually from November through March. Overall, you want to make sure to go on a clear day. Keep an eye on the weather before you go, otherwise you may be disappointed with grey skies covering the beautiful colors of the sunrise.

What You Need to Know Beforehand

In order to watch the sunrise and secure a good photo spot, you’ll have to leave your hotel at 4:30am at the latest. We highly recommend having your ticket already. We made the mistake of buying them the day of, and although we still lucked out with a decent spot, you might not be as lucky. If we had the tickets already I imagine we would have gotten an even better one.

Make sure to have a flashlight handy. After entering the gate you’ll have to journey through the dark to find your spot. We actually didn’t scope out the temple the day before to find the ideal place, but did do some research ahead of time and already had an idea. So it would be best to do either of these, so you’re not stumbling around in pure darkness trying to decide.

Another helpful tip is to book your tuk tuk driver ahead of time. We had found Tuk Tuk Roben on the Tripadvisor forums, and booked a full 3 day temple tour with him. You can also book through your hotel or hostel as well.

You could also book a sunrise temple tour this one with transportation included. You’ll have a guide along with you, which could give more insight and tips for taking photos.

Lastly, wear good bug repellent. It’s a must while traveling in Cambodia in general and will protect against sickness that can make you ill for weeks. Better to be safe than sorry!

The Ideal Place for Photographs

While researching, the most common place I kept coming across was the left corner of the left reflecting pond, so we headed straight there. It definitely was the perfect place for those quintessential shots you typically see. Because we had to buy our ticket first, we ended up getting here too late to have first pick. I’d say we got pretty lucky to only end up being behind one person, who was kind enough to duck for a lot of our shots.

We also chatted with a local guide who claimed the most ideal spot depends on what time of year you go. During dry season, the left side is indeed the best. But during wet season, the right side is actually better. This is all due to the positioning of the sun and where it falls within the temple silhouette.

Beautiful rays of sun shining through

Photography Tips to Capture the Perfect Angkor Wat Sunrise

Use a DSLR Camera + Wide Angle Lens

While phones can take some pretty amazing shots these days, there’s still nothing like a good DSLR camera. It’s our trusty travel companion, and the shots always turn out much more epic than the phone. We use the Canon 5D Mark III, although any DSLR will do the trick.

The right lens can make a huge difference. Bringing a wider angle lens will allow you to get some nice shots within the tighter spaces within the temples. It also allows you to fit more within the frame, really highlighting just how grand these structures are. We always bring the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 II lens, it’s perfectly versatile for travel purposes.

Bring a Tripod

Since there will be low light as the sun rises, a tripod will help to keep your photos crisp and in focus. It may be a pain to carry, but if you booked a tuk tuk or car for the day, they can hold onto it as you explore the other temples. Having a tripod means you’ll have to make sure to secure a spot in the front, so nobody can get in front of your shots. We use this MeFoto Travel Tripod, which is lightweight and perfectly compact for travel purposes.

Alternatively you can also choose to bring a monopod instead. You can easily carry it, and also not take up as much space with your whole setup. We don’t have one, but saw a few using them.

Use a Remote Shutter or Set a Delay

Another helpful item is a wireless remote shutter. It allowed us to enjoy the moment more and snap photos with a simple button click. Make sure that you buy one that is compatible with your camera model. It’s important to familiarize yourself with using one before the big day, so make sure to practice at home. Also, check that it’s sufficiently charged the night before, and test so that it’s working properly.

If you don’t have a remote shutter, you can achieve similar results through your camera settings. By setting a few second delay for each shot, it will eliminate any chance of blurry shots from the camera shake.

Setup Your Focus to Infinity

After your camera is all setup on the tripod, you’ll have to focus it. It can be tough to do this in pitch black, but try your best to find something with the most contrast. I focused to infinity on one of the spires, and all of my shots came out crisp. As the light increases it’ll become much easier to focus it.

Familiarize Yourself with Long Exposures

For low light photography, long exposures can give some stunning results. Do a bit of research on it before the actual day of sunrise and practice. Since I’m a more seasoned photographer I put my settings on Bulb, which meant I controlled the aperture and the shutter speed. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start with Aperture mode, so the camera decides the ideal shutter for exposure.

Camera Settings

In order to have clear shots with no grain, I set the ISO to 100. Being able to do longer exposures will allow you to set a lower ISO. I kept my aperture from between f/8-f/16, and varied it between shots.

While it was still rather dark, I started the shutter speed with 45 seconds and altered based on the exposure. Then I gradually decreased to 30 seconds, then 15, then even less as the sun finally rose. With aperture mode, you will only have to worry about changing that between shots.

Crowds of people all trying to take the same shot

Keep an Eye on Rude Tourists

It’s inevitable that there will be a few rude tourists who will try to get in front of your shots. I definitely spoke up during their attempts. Afterall, I didn’t wake up at 4am to have someone getting in the way of my shots. Speak up and stand your ground, I’m sure you traveled far to get here.

Editing Your Sunrise Shots

I usually use Lightroom to edit my photos and it works great. For more detailed touchups I use Photoshop. Make sure to shoot in RAW format so that you can do more detailed edits with them after. For quick on the fly editing while traveling, I use the Lightroom app.

Stay Around for Awhile

After the sun rises, a lot of people will start heading to the temple or queuing for the tower. We actually stuck around for awhile and kept taking photos since the crowds dispersed. The lighting was quite magical over the temple complex and looked just as stunning. However, if you have limited time in Siem Reap, you may want to head to the tower right away instead. We ended up missing it this trip, so that gives us a good reason to return!

Alternative Sunrise Spots

If you’ve already seen the sunrise at Angkor Wat, you might want to watch it elsewhere. Some of the other great spots to watch are Bayon, Pre Rup and Sra Srang. You could also head up to Phnom Bakheng, we went here for sunset and it was glorious!

See more: 13 Siem Reap Temples Worth Exploring

Exploring the inside of Angkor Wat

Exploring Angkor Wat

Now that you’ve taken those prized photos, head to the temples to explore. It will be during the golden hour and the lighting will be perfect, so take advantage! We headed inside around 7:30am and it was still rather empty. We started noticing big crowds coming in around 8:30ish, so maximize your time right after the sun rises.

Angkor Wat sunrise is definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that won’t be forgotten. What makes it even more memorable is the effort you took to get there. It’s like a rite of passage in a way, something that deserves a huge pat on the back for having achieved.

Have you seen the sunrise at Angkor Wat temple? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.

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Getting to travel the world is a luxury that not everyone can do. To be in a different country each week or month is another level that few often reach. There are those who can plan it by saving up, selling everything and living more simple. Then there are some who are already in the financial position to do so without having to worry about working. Having a fully remote job to work from anywhere is another way to live the traveling dream.

For those of us like myself who work a 9-5 office job and have limited vacations days to use, traveling the world nonstop just isn’t an option. But that doesn’t have to put a damper on your love for wanderlust. I’m here to help give tips on how to maximize those vacation days and still travel often while working an onsite office job.

How to Travel the World: Use Those Vacation Days Wisely

1. Plan Trips Around Holidays

Traveling during holidays may be more busy and expensive, but there’s ways around that. You can typically gain a day or even more by planning a trip around a holiday. Instead of leaving during the peak travel, leave a few days before the busiest days occur. For instance if you choose to go during July 4th, book your flight for the tail end of June to beat the crowds.

2. Use Personal Days for Shorter Trips

If your company offers personal days in addition to vacation, use these days for smaller trips. Go on a road trip around your city and take a long weekend. Or fly to a city and spend a few days there. It would definitely be nice to spend a full week or more in Iceland, but it can certainly be done in 4-5 days as well. This will allow you to still see new places without using up a lot of vacation time.

3. Offer to Work from Home

If you’re going somewhere far and would like some extra days there offer to work from home a few of those days. If your job allows for it you can work from super early in the morning to the afternoon and still have some time afterwards to explore.

4. Borrow Vacation Time

Do you hope to add another trip, but don’t have enough days? If your company allows it see if you can deduct or borrow from the following year. This can allow you to go to more places a certain year if you plan to travel less the year after. Alternatively you can also carry over days if you don’t use them all, and throw in an extra trip with those.

5. Comp Days

Another approach to gaining a few extra days could be comp days. If your boss allows it you can offer to work some extra hours to get a few comp days. This can help extend a shorter trip or even allow for a few extra long weekend trips.

6. Plan Your Flights for Late Evening

Flying out late at night can help save you vacation time by being able to still work that day. For instance a 10 day trip can only use up 6 days by flying out on a Thursday night and returning on a Sunday. This can be even maximized more if it’s over a holiday.

It’s definitely a struggle having a desire to travel the world with an onsite office job. We hope these tips on how to travel the world with limited vacation may help you to make use of the time you have. Eventually if your field allows it you may want to consider a fully remote job or starting your own business to allow a work from anywhere situation. Either way we definitely feel your pain. Having limited time to travel allows us to really appreciate and not take for granted the places we get to see. We are lucky and thankful to be able to travel and explore beyond our home!

Do you find ways to still travel with an office job? We’d love to hear more!

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