Angkor Wat ‘Small’ and ‘Grand’ Circuits

These routes follows the map of the ‘Small Circuit’ and ‘Grand Circuit’ tours popular with visitors. They the outer area of Angkor Wat, the inside of the Angkor Thom complex, and numerous other temples, archaeological sites, ruins, and sections of countryside with waterways & rice fields. It’s a combination of roads (with decent shoulder/sidewalk) & paths. There’s plenty of cars, tuktuks, & bikes on the roads nearer the main temples, but also some sections with less traffic.Notes: admission ticket required. Also, it’s recommended to run with traffic, not against it.  More details: see this guide from Mark Koester.

Grand Circuit. Green line on map. We’ve mapped the full 25 km loop, but there are options to shorten/mix & match or hire a tuktuk driver, who can provide guidance, water, and the ability to do a shorter, one-way run.  Starting near the west gate of Angkor Wat, run around the perimeter, and then follow the ‘grand circuit’ road east. It’s 5.5 km from the Angkor Wat East Gate to the Srah Srang area, a scenic spot with numerous temples & sites [Here, the Short Circuit heads west to Ta Phrom]. Head east to Pre Rup Temple, and then north to the East Baray area, passing the East Mebon Ruin. It’s 5 km from Pre Rup to the Neak Pean area — a large lake with the Neak Poan Temle in the middle. Follow the north end of the lake for 5 km to the Preah Khan Temple (a large and open space surrounded by trees), and then LEFT on the road passing Krol Romeas, to the North Gate of Angkor Thom. It’s then 3.5 km north-south through Angkor Thom, passing the iconic Bayon Temple.

Small Circuit: Red line on map. Also an excellent loop, and is 17 km instead of 25 km. Follow the same route to Srah Srang. There, instead of continuing east on the Grand Circuit, head west to Ta Phrom Temple — famous for its trees which have taken over parts of the temple. This is some of the nicest road section of road in the area. Continue on the road to Ta Keo and enter Angkor Thom through the Victory (east) Gate.