Battambang itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Battambang

1. 01

   Day 1: Temples, the bamboo train and the old town

   Leave early with a driver for Wat Banan, climbing only as far as suits you, then ride the bamboo train nearby. Return to town for lunch and a rest. In the late afternoon, walk the colonial streets around Psar Nath and finish at the Sangkae River and old bridge. Book the Phare circus on another day if a show is scheduled.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Bamboo Train (Norry)	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon; dry months
   Wat Banan	1.5 to 2 hours including the climb	Demanding	Early morning or late afternoon; November to February
   Psar Nath (Central Market)	45 minutes to 1 hour	Easy	Early morning, before the heat

   Pace: Wat Banan involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Wat Banan: The approach is a long, steep flight of laterite steps with no handrail along most of it and almost no shade, so it is hard on knees and in the heat. Older visitors can enjoy the view from the lower sections and the foot of the hill, where it is level.

Plan 02

2 days in Battambang

1. 01

   Day 1: The old town and the circus

   Walk the heritage streets and Psar Nath in the morning, visit the Provincial Museum (closed Mondays) in the heat of the day, then rest. Spend the late afternoon by the river and go to a Phare show in the evening if one is scheduled.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Psar Nath (Central Market)	45 minutes to 1 hour	Easy	Early morning, before the heat

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Temples outside the city

   Start at Wat Banan, add the bamboo train, then see Phnom Sampeau after lunch if you want to include the memorial caves. If energy is low, choose Wat Ek Phnom instead of Sampeau.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Wat Banan	1.5 to 2 hours including the climb	Demanding	Early morning or late afternoon; November to February
   Bamboo Train (Norry)	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon; dry months
   Phnom Sampeau	2 to 3 hours	Demanding	Morning; November to February
   Wat Ek Phnom	1 to 1.5 hours	Easy	Morning or late afternoon; November to February

   Pace: Wat Banan and Phnom Sampeau involve a lot of walking or steps — do them early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Wat Banan: The approach is a long, steep flight of laterite steps with no handrail along most of it and almost no shade, so it is hard on knees and in the heat. Older visitors can enjoy the view from the lower sections and the foot of the hill, where it is level.

   With parents at Phnom Sampeau: The caves are partway up the hill and the road and steps are steep; the monastery climb on foot takes about an hour, and the descent is on uneven ground. Many older visitors go up by vehicle where possible and see only the caves.

Plan 03

3 days in Battambang

1. 01

   Day 1: Colonial centre

   Walk the heritage quarter, Psar Nath and the museum, with a long lunch and rest, and the river at sunset.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Psar Nath (Central Market)	45 minutes to 1 hour	Easy	Early morning, before the heat

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Banan and the bamboo train

   See Wat Banan in the cool of the morning, ride the bamboo train and visit the railway station, then rest in the afternoon. In the evening, see a Phare show if scheduled.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Bamboo Train (Norry)	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon; dry months
   Wat Banan	1.5 to 2 hours including the climb	Demanding	Early morning or late afternoon; November to February

   Pace: Wat Banan involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Wat Banan: The approach is a long, steep flight of laterite steps with no handrail along most of it and almost no shade, so it is hard on knees and in the heat. Older visitors can enjoy the view from the lower sections and the foot of the hill, where it is level.

3. 03

   Day 3: Wat Ek Phnom and Phnom Sampeau

   Visit Wat Ek Phnom north of the city early, then the Bahá'í House of Worship if open. After lunch, go to Phnom Sampeau for the caves and the memorial, choosing the lower caves if the climb is too much.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Wat Ek Phnom	1 to 1.5 hours	Easy	Morning or late afternoon; November to February
   Phnom Sampeau	2 to 3 hours	Demanding	Morning; November to February
   Bahá'í House of Worship	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Daytime; check access first

   Pace: Phnom Sampeau involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Phnom Sampeau: The caves are partway up the hill and the road and steps are steep; the monastery climb on foot takes about an hour, and the descent is on uneven ground. Many older visitors go up by vehicle where possible and see only the caves.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Battambang trip for parents and children

• Do the temples in the early morning and rest in the afternoon.
• Choose a hotel with a lift or ground-floor rooms and a pool for midday breaks.
• Hire a car with a driver instead of a tuk-tuk if heat or dust is a concern.
• Wat Banan and Phnom Sampeau have steep steps; Wat Ek Phnom and the town are easier.
• Carry water, a hat and a light scarf for shoulders, and wear closed shoes with grip.
• Take travel insurance covering medical evacuation, and note the nearest clinic to your hotel.

Battambang with elderly parents: the full guide →