Posted Date: Tuesday 9th of February 2016
Third Memorable Trip with Poan!
Poan (Sophoan) was my personal guide in Siem Reap during my visit in 2010 and 2012. Since my travel buddy wanted to visit Angkor Wat, I sent Poan an email to inform him approximately 4-5 months in advance, to ensure we secured a spot on his busy calendar!
Planning the itinerary with Poan was easy. He responded quickly and made recommendations based on our preferences. As mentioned, this was my third visit but the first for my friend. We needed a mixture of popular tourist favorites as well as remote temples to tour.
This time we ventured all the way to Preah Vihear, near the Thai and Laos border. Poan made all the arrangements including a very good lunchbox from Blue Pumpkin (since he knew I am a picky eater). Very satisfactory! The only complaint I had was that we should have visited Beng Mealea first to conserve sunlight and then go to Preah Vihear after lunch. This way, the sun would set on the drive back and not while we were visiting Beng Mealea. I felt we didn't spend enough time at my favorite temple (which turned out to my travel buddy's favorite too!)
During the tour, Poan was very accommodating as before. Any sudden changes to the itinerary was accepted. This including calling a restaurant to arrange for takeaway when we were too tired and wanted to go back to the hotel for dinner. If he is going to be your tour guide, look out for his infamous "one, two, three, cheese!" when taking your photo. He also has many personal and funny stories to share. He is humble, sincere and has a great sense of humor. At least he laughed at all my jokes!After all these years, I am glad to call him a friend. Keep up with the good work Poan! Thanks again for a very memorable trip. We had a great time.
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r350259499-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted Date: Saturday 6th of February 2016
A Wonderful Siem Reap, Angkor Wat Adventure
This was an excellent service from beginning to end!
A couple of months before leaving on our Southeast Asian trip, we emailed Angkor Wat Services (recommended by a friend) and set up a three-day guided tour of the Siem Reap area (along with airport pickup and drop off). Sophoan (Poan) Rath responded to our emails quickly and sent a detailed recommended itinerary that included the main temples, temples a bit off the beaten path, the town of Siem Reap, and the Chong Kneah floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. He also sent price specifics that clearly broke down the costs for each segment of the tour and any expenses we would need to pay on our own like our Cambodian Tourist Visas, temple passes, and boat tickets to visit the floating village. (U.S. dollars are needed for all these expenses.) We were invited to make any changes we wanted to the itinerary he proposed. I did some research and it appeared to be a very comprehensive plan, so we made no changes. We also felt the price was quite reasonable for a personal tour like this one. We were told we could make any adjustments we liked to the plan once on the tour as well. That kind of flexibility was reassuring to us. In the end, we made very few changes and Poan adjusted the cost accordingly. (Note: We paid our tour guide directly for the entire tour on the last day in US dollars – the preferred currency. This covered everything including the drivers. ATMs are plentiful in Siem Reap, so getting cash was no problem.)
Everything went like clockwork and our guide, Sim Sopheaktra, was extremely knowledgeable, informative, and personable. We felt like friends by the end of the three days. Sim is a temple scholar and explained each site in detail, including inscription translations. He also explained his culture to us as we toured, giving us a meaningful appreciation for Cambodia. He takes great pride in his national heritage. His English is good and he has a fun sense of humor. Our itinerary was carefully planned so we would avoid the most crowded times at each temple and we stopped at delightful local restaurants for lunch. We are both well into our sixties and by the afternoons we started to slow down. Sim was sensitive to our energy level and checked in with us often as we climbed up and down steep stairs and huge uneven stones. Sometimes there were railings to help us out, and sometimes not. Our drivers were also excellent. We felt very safe and cared for and they always had water to offer us. I can’t imagine negotiating all we saw and learning all we learned on our own. We would have missed so much.
We feel extremely fortunate to have had this excellent, personal service during our entire stay in Siem Reap and highly recommend it to anyone traveling there.
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r353176089-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted Date: Friday 5th of February 2016
Amazing first trip to Siem Riep!
This was my first time to Cambodia, and it was a great experience in Siem Riep thanks to Sophoan! Our 3 day private tour was well organized with private driver and flexible schedule to suit our needs. If we wanted to go back to the hotel earlier or change dinner plans, Sophoan would arrange. Sophoan is so friendly and tells us a lot of information about the historical sites. We went to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Elephants Terrace, Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea and Preah Vihear. Preah Vihear was a longer drive up the mountain, but it was very nice with the view! The weather was sunny, hot and dry, so not as much greenery to see. Overall, our trip had a great balance of outdoor sightseeing and relax time, thanks to Sophoan!
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r349943589-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted Date: Monday 1st of February 2016
Highly recommended Angkor Wat day trip from Bangkok
Angkor Wat was a great day trip from Bangkok (though 2-3 days would be more practical). This was a very long day trip, but everything worked seamlessly. Driver picked me up on time at 3 am at hotel, the border crossing was quickly and easily handled (take mosquito repellant). Arrived in Siem Reap around 9 am for a quick breakfast before starting the sightseeing. The guide (and also the drivers) were all great. I spent 7-8 hours at the temples and felt I got a great overview of the site. There were plenty of opportunities for breaks and time in the air conditioned car (it was very hot). Again, I cannot overemphasize how organized the entire day was, everything happened on schedule, there was no stress, Cambodia visa was easily handled (for a USA citizen), and I arrived back at my hotel on schedule, far less tired than I should have bee after such a long day. Angkor Wat was spectacular. An absolutely unforgettable trip that I highly recommend (and bring clean, crisp, undamaged US dollars for use in Cambodia).
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r360484236-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted Date: Monday 1st of February 2016
Worth Every Penny
I was a little nervous about booking this trip as we need to cross the border from Thailand. Sophoan was so very responsive and answered all of my questions. The pick-up was ontime. He arranged for someone to walk with us (literally) through the border crossing in both Thailand and checking into Cambodia. A Taxi was waiting to pick us up. Sophoan and Sim were waiting for us. Sim was very respectful and sharded a lot of his knowledge of the area and the culture. It was very hot and Sim took special care to ensure we were rested and drank lots of water. He showed us where to take the best pictures and made sure we were in most of them. At the end of our journey he took us to a very beautiful shop for collectables. I would recommend this trip to anyone. My pictures do not do justice the amazing adventure we experienced.
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r355812218-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted Date: Friday 8th of January 2016
Amazing tour, great tour guide and driver and an excellent employee who arranged everything for us
We took an unforgettable one day tour of Angkor Wat and Thom and other temples in the area and used Angkor Wat Services (by the way, there are a number of companies with a similar name, so be aware of that).
I arranged everything with Sophoan Rath via email and could not be happier with the result. He is extremely organized, efficient and responsive and made setting everything up very easy. Our tour guide was Sim and he is very knowledgable (and well-espected by the other guides we ran into who knew him) and easy to spend the day with. We started out with Angkor Thom and ended up at Angkor Wat in the late afternoon, when crowds were thinner. It turned out to be an smart plan. I also have to mention our great driver, Tunar, who did an excellent job and was a pleasure to spend time with as well.
We opted not to have the local lunch near the temple and rather went back to our hotel. The guys were very accommodating about it. It turned out to be a great plan... a few hours off from walking through the vast temple sites in the midday heat was a welcome break and we enjoyed Angkor Wat that much more.
I would highly recommend this company and our guide and driver. They were genuinely the best. Tip: Feel free to avoid the sunset view from the temple on the mountain. It is wildly overcrowded and if you don't get there early enough (4 pm?), you may not be allowed to go up in time to see it (there's a limit of 300 people at any time). Sunset at Angkor Wat was more than beautiful enough for us and I think more spectacular in every way.
PS We also scheduled a tuk-tuk for the next day to see the area again and Sophoan arranged a very good driver who did a great job for us. Alas, I did not write his name down but we commend him, too.
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r345281054-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted Date: Wednesday 18th of November 2015
Amazing trip in Cambodia thanks to Angkor Wat Services!
After reading such amazing reviews on trip advisor I decided to contact Angkor Wat services back in March to enquire about a day trip to Angkor Wat. Sophoan was quick to reply to all my emails and booked me in for November.
We completed the day trip from Bangkok this week and everything was so smooth and organised so well and it was all thanks to Sophoan and Angkor Wat services. We had an amazing trip to Angkor Wat and Sophoan was so knowledgable and made sure we saw all the important parts of the temple complex as well as always being so kind as taking photos for us also! He made sure the visa process and meeting him at the border crossing was quick and easy and we were so well looked after. The Angkor Wat is a sight to see that is for sure - the long day was well worth it! Do not hesitate to book with Sophoan, you will have an amazing trip, I cannot recommend him enough!
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r328139823-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted Date: Sunday 26th of July 2015
A day tour in Angkor Wat + A wonderful Tour Guide = Excellent Trip!
We had a private day tour trip from Bangkok to Angkor Wat a week ago, arranged by Mr. Sophoan Rath. I already read some good reviews about this man, and indeed, Mr. Poan, as we call him, speaks for himself. The trip was well planned and arranged, everything was set perfectly.He make sure that his guests will have a comfortable and enjoyable trip. Every service he gave is worth the penny you spend. I definitely recommend you to all my friends and colleagues who wish to go to Angkor Wat someday.I didn't regret I chose you to be our Tour Guide. Kudos to your Mr. Poan and company!!!
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r295215496-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Posted Date: Friday 17th of July 2015
Extremely knowledgeable guide and a seamless experience across borders
We took a day trip to Angkor Wat on a family vacation to Thailand. I contacted Sophoan online from the US to plan the day trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap and back. Sophoan was prompt in his communication and provided me with all the information I needed to plan the trip. His day trip offering is unparalleled. The trip started from our hotel in Bangkok in a van up to the Thailand/Cambodia border. We were transferred into another van across the border for the rest of the journey to Siem Reap and the same arrangement on the way back. Sophoan planned everything meticulously, including transportation on both sides of the border. We didn't have to think about anything and just soak in the culture and heritage of Cambodia and admire architecture of Angkor Wat.
Sophoan is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the region and is fluent in English, which made the experience unforgettable. Angkor Wat itself is magnificent.
I have taken several guided tours in multiple countries, including the developed western world and I can say without a doubt that the quality of service and experience that Sophoan offers is by far the best I have ever experienced. We look forward to visiting Cambodia again, for a longer stay next time, and will look no further than Sophoan to help us plan it.
Angkor Wat Services day tours - TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297390-d2628479-r503297679-Angkor_Wat_Services_day_tours-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
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