Guides
While tuk tuk drivers can get you to all the temples they are not allowed
to accompany you into the temples. That is the role of guides,
who are meant to have gained their guide’s licence by means of a
course and examination, though not all have.
While most hotels and guesthouses have a list of reputable guides, the cousin of the person on the front desk may not turn out to be such a bargain. The first criteria for a guide is that they have a clear command of your language; having a guide you can barely understand is a frustrating way to spend a day. They should of course, have a good understanding of the history of the temples and of contemporary Cambodian life. It’s a bonus if they are personable and you click with them.
There is a Khmer Angkor Tour Guide Association where qualified guides who can speak Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese can be hired on a daily basis. This Association can also organise accommodation and transportation and general assistance. Their email address is khmerang@camintel.com.
If you call from outside of Cambodia, their landline phone number is +855 63 964 347 and their mobile phone numbers are +855 12 184 1552 or +855 12 829 930. If you are calling from within Cambodia, drop the country code (855) and for the mobile numbers also put 0 in front of the 12. Our address is #311, Mondol, Khum Svay Dankum, Siem Reap Angkor. This is behind the Enjoy Villa on the street next to the Centre Market.