Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Homestay Program
HOMESTAY
$
( 012 237605; info@visitbanteaychhmar.org; r US$7)
Thanks to a pioneering homestay pro-
ject run by the CBT office, it's possible to stay in Banteay Chhmar and three nearby ham-
lets. Rooms are inside private homes and come with mosquito nets, fans that run when
there's electricity (6pm to 10pm) and downstairs bathrooms. Part of the income goes into
a community development fund.
Banteay Chhmar Restaurant
(mains US$1.50-4)
Near the temple's eastern entrance, this rustic restaurant is the only place
to dine without pre-ordering. It serves really tasty Khmer food.
CAMBODIAN
$
Orientation
The main road through town runs west to east south of the
baray
and then takes a
90-degree turn north just after the
baray
. The market and the taxi park are at the turn; a
few hundred metres north is the temple's main (eastern) entrance.
Information
Community-Based Tourism Office
(CBT; 012 237605;
www.visitbanteaychhmar.org
)
Besides ar-
ranging homestays and guides, this pioneering office also rents bicycles (US$2 per day).
It's opposite and a bit south of the Banteay Chhmar main entrance.
Getting There & Away
Banteay Chhmar is 61km north of Sisophon and about 50km southwest of Samraong
along NH56. This road was a mess when we visited as it was being upgraded, but should
be better by the time you read this. The temple can also be visited on a long day trip from
Siem Reap.
From Sisophon's Psar Thmei (1km north of NH6), most northbound share taxis go only
as far as Thmor Puok, although a few continue on to Banteay Chhmar (15,000r, one hour)
and Samraong. A
moto
from Sisophon to Banteay Chhmar will cost US$15 to US$20 re-
turn, a taxi US$40 to US$50.
