ft4lyf

^^

venomtrilogy

I recently booked Synon for a day at Koh Ker and a few spots near there. I emailed him about 3 weeks before the trip and he confirmed the date quickly. When we later emailed about a pickup time, again he was very prompt in his reply and confirmation. He gave me some suggestions, too. He confirmed through email the day before the trip and was waiting outside my hotel when I walked out a few minutes early. So far, so good.

We had a very pleasant conversation on the way up. But I got the impression that maybe he had not slept so well the night before. He veered a little often, and at one point veered so far left in the opposite lane with a truck coming toward us that I instinctively just grabbed the wheel and turned it back. He then thanked me and said something like "That could have been bad." He just seemed tired. We stopped at a couple places where the drivers hang out while the tourists explore. Every time I came back he was napping in a hammock. On the way back to Siem Reap he was much better. He was attentive and drove in a straight line, so it seems like the napping helped.

lhmpdx

We were in Siem Reap for 4 days in March, 2019 and used Synon for airport transfers and a trip to Ankor Wat and other temples. He was everything you'd want in a driver: easy to contact before your trip; prompt; dependable; honest, and helpful with a variety of travel tasks. For example, he helped us find an excellent local laundry that did 2 KG of laundry for the same price that the Park Hyatt charges for one t-shirt. .

I also highly recommend Siem Reap Food Tours. We've taken a lot of food tours, in Asia and Europe, and Steven's morning tour was one of the very very best. (We made a mistake and only booked the morning tour; I expect the evening one is also great.)

Michael Ad

We did the evening one; it was great.

Annalisa12

Link doesn't work?

We are looking at 4 days. Angkor Wat and other things to see around Siem Reap. Approx how much for his services/car etc?

Is he just a driver? Does he do tour guide info at sights?

Hoyaheel

Link works fine for me. But no 2019 rates posted (and the 2018 rates page just has a map, I don't see prices....)

Annalisa12

Link works now. Thanks.

I got quote from the Park Hyatt. They have a luxury $ component added I think.

Hoyaheel

We're staying at the Park Hyatt. But will *not* be booking anything through them ;-)

price123

I believe his rates are $25-35 / day depending on where you want to go (more for Koh Ker, Kulen etc).
Drivers are not permitted to enter temples and guide.

Annalisa12

Thanks for the info.

I just heard back from him too and this was the approximate cost.

Does he give you information like a guide or does he just drive you from A to B.

How would we get an Angkor Wat guide if he cannot enter?

THanks

price123

Annalisa12

I booked Synon for $35 a day and a bit more if we go to temples further out. He will get an Angkor Wat guide for me for $35.

The Park Hyatt quoted $203 plus 17.5% tax for 2 people for Full day tour Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm.

CIT85

We were in Siem Reap for 4 nights and I had had Synon for 3 days plus the airport pick up and drop off, so essentially 5 days. This is low season for Siem Reap, so I was able to book with Synon a week before we arrived.

We had Synon arrange for a guide on first full day for Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom. $35 each for Synon and the guide. The guide was new to Synon but excellent and very knowledgeable about the places we visited and what the wall carvings meant. I highly recommend getting a guide for this particular itinerary. Guides have to be certified by the government ($3K fee for certification) and it's not possible for Synon to be a guide since he did not go to college, so anyone who's wondering why Synon can't also be a guide can put this issue to rest.

We did Koh Ker and Beng Mealea the second day and it was $100. The third day was Tonle Sap Lake, $45. The water level of the lake was very low, up to 30 ft below high points, end of dry season before monsoons. It would be interesting to see the lake when it's full.

Auto import duties are extremely high in Cambodia. They import very old used Lexus SUVs from California and 2003 Lexus RX300 still cost a whopping $17K, Blue Book value in the US is ~$5K.

Synon did not ask for payment for pick up and drop off. But since he could use the money during low season and sparse bookings, I paid him enough tip to cover the cost.

I would highly recommend Synon to anyone looking for a driver in Siem Reap.

Annalisa12

I booked Synon for 3 days recently when my husband and I visited. When I booked via email after a recommendation here he answered me promptly in the evenings (after a day of touring I assume) and his answers were easy to understand. We arranged 3 days similar to CIT85 above. $35 a day for Angkor Wat and other close temples, an extra $10 on top of the $35 for the 4.45 am pick up the next day to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat and $100 to visit temples far away during an 8 hour day. We paid for the entry fees ourselves.

I asked about a guide and he organised one for $35 a day. Khun was a certified Angkor Wat guide and wore a uniform as did the majority of the guides working at the temples. He was very knowledgeable. Some words were hard to understand but after a hour or two we got used to it. He was happy to answer anything about his country. Both Synon and Khun spoke excellent English. Here and there we all had to ask for something to be repeated. They did like a joke and we had a lot of fun.

Synon always offered cold water and a cold towel on arriving back at the car. He and the guide would always open the car doors for us and as I have a hip issue my mobility isn't that great and they both were concerned that I was managing and asked if I needed help or needed toilet stops. Khun would help me down the stairs at the temples, of which there are many! He would happily scramble up stairs with my husband when he wanted to climb the temples as I waited below.

I have no hesitation in recommending him and like the fact that the cost of the tour goes directly to him. Many Cambodian folks are suffering and need our support so please tip what you can.

Hoyaheel

We'll be in Siem Reap at the end of August. We're doing a river cruise from HCMC to PP then flying (with the group) to SR. So some of our Siem Reap touring will be included in the river cruise. We're staying an extra day and a half on our own - but we aren't sure what we'll have already seen OR how much more we'll want to see. How far in advance would I need to book Synon, do you think? Anyone know - if he is booked, if he has others he'd recommend? Thanks! [I know I'm asking for guesses]