Things to Do in Cambodia in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Cambodia
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Angkor Wat crowds drop by roughly 40% compared to winter peak season - you'll actually get those iconic temple photos without dozens of people in the frame, and the early morning sunrise sessions feel genuinely peaceful rather than like a tourist scrum
- Hotel rates typically run 30-50% lower than December through February pricing, and you'll have actual negotiating power for room upgrades since occupancy hovers around 60% - a $150/night boutique hotel in high season might quote you $85-100 in September
- The countryside explodes with green after months of monsoon rains - rice paddies around Siem Reap and Battambang are at their most photogenic, and waterfalls like Kulen Mountain and Bousra actually have water flowing (they're often disappointing trickles by March)
- Mekong River levels are high enough for boat trips between Siem Reap and Battambang to operate reliably, and Tonle Sap Lake expands to roughly triple its dry season size, making floating village visits like Kompong Khleang far more interesting than the muddy channels you'd see in April
Considerations
- Rain happens, though it's not the all-day washout tourists fear - expect short, intense downpours lasting 30-90 minutes, usually between 2pm-5pm, which can disrupt temple exploration if you're caught without cover at a remote site like Beng Mealea
- Humidity sits consistently around 70-80%, which means that 31°C (88°F) feels closer to 36°C (97°F) with the heat index - cotton clothes stay damp, camera lenses fog when moving between air-con and outdoors, and you'll be changing shirts twice daily
- Some remote Cardamom Mountain treks and northeastern Mondulkiri trails become genuinely impassable with mud, and a few budget guesthouses in places like Koh Rong close entirely during September since backpacker numbers drop - always confirm accommodations are actually open before booking
Best Activities in September
Angkor Archaeological Park Temple Tours
September might actually be the best month for Angkor despite the rain risk. The afternoon showers cool things down considerably, morning sessions from 5am-11am stay mostly dry, and the reduced crowds mean you can spend 20 minutes alone in Ta Prohm's iconic tree-root galleries instead of waiting for photo opportunities. The moat around Angkor Wat fills completely, creating perfect reflection shots. Light is softer through cloud cover, which photographers actually prefer over harsh December sun. Book sunrise tours knowing there's maybe a 30% chance of clouds blocking the full sunrise, but the temple itself is always stunning regardless.
Phnom Penh Cultural and Historical Tours
The capital is actually better in September than the scorching hot season from March to May. Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are entirely indoors or covered, S-21 and Choeung Ek are mostly shaded or have indoor exhibits, and the Russian Market's covered stalls make shopping comfortable even during brief rain. The Mekong riverfront promenade is gorgeous in late afternoon when storms clear out. September also sees fewer tour groups clogging the Genocide Museum, so you can move through at your own contemplative pace.
Battambang Countryside Cycling
The rice paddies are brilliantly green in September after months of rain, and morning rides from 6am-10am stay relatively cool with cloud cover. The famous bamboo train still runs regardless of weather, and village workshops making rice paper and fish paste are all undercover. Cycling lets you stop for photos of farmers planting rice, water buffalo wallowing, and those classic palm sugar tree landscapes. Rain typically holds off until afternoon, giving you a solid 4-5 hour window for riding.
Kampot and Kep Coastal Exploration
Southern coast gets less rain than Siem Reap in September, and the cooler temperatures make exploring Kampot's pepper plantations and Bokor Mountain actually pleasant instead of sweltering. Kep's crab market operates daily regardless of weather, and the covered pavilions let you eat fresh crab even during showers. Kayaking through Kampot's mangroves works better in September with higher water levels. The French colonial architecture in Kampot town photographs beautifully under cloudy skies.
Tonle Sap Floating Village Visits
September is actually ideal for Tonle Sap because the lake is near its maximum size - roughly 12,000 square km (4,600 square miles) compared to 3,000 square km (1,200 square miles) in dry season. Floating villages like Kompong Khleang and Kampong Phluk are genuinely floating rather than sitting in mud, and you'll see the remarkable stilted houses with water 6-8 m (20-26 ft) below the floors. Boat rides feel more authentic when there's actual water depth. Go in the morning before afternoon rain.
Siem Reap Food and Market Tours
September brings seasonal fruits like mangosteen, rambutan, and dragon fruit to markets at peak ripeness and low prices. Cooking classes work perfectly since you're indoors during afternoon rain, and evening food tours through Pub Street and night markets operate rain or shine under covered stalls. Try prahok ktiss (fermented fish dip), num banh chok (rice noodle breakfast), and amok (coconut curry) at their freshest with September's abundant produce. Markets like Phsar Leu and Old Market are partially covered.
September Events & Festivals
Pchum Ben (Ancestors' Day)
This 15-day Buddhist festival typically falls in late September or early October, with the main ceremonies happening over the final three days. Cambodians return to home villages to make offerings at pagodas for deceased relatives, and you'll see temples packed with families in white clothing making food offerings at dawn. Markets sell special sticky rice cakes called num ansom. It's Cambodia's most important religious festival - respectful visitors are welcome to observe morning ceremonies, but dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees. Many businesses close for 2-3 days during the peak period.