The #1 Place You Must Visit in Your Life
Climb the stairs (literally) at ... Angkor Wat
There are more than 1,000 temples, shrines and tombs to walk through in this city within Northern Cambodia, but Angkor Wat is the pinnacle of them all. (Get there early—it opens at 5 a.m.—to avoid crowds and to catch Insta-worthy sunrise photos.) Made from sandstone blocks and carved from floor-to-ceiling with Hindu deities, you'll have plenty to discover as your Fitbit silently tracks your steps. But that's not the only climbing you'll do. Some of the other top temples, like Phnom Bakheng, are built so that you actually have to climb up them. Make sure you're up for the challenge with comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes—and maybe don't pack a ton in your day bag.
Do yoga at ... Angkor Bodhi Tree Retreat & Yoga Centre
Book your stay at this private sanctuary and you'll be treated to a daily vegetarian breakfast and dinner, meditation and yoga classes. (Most of the classes are open to the public, too.) After your yoga class, rent a bicycle for the day for some exploring, or sign up for a Mystery Moto Tour to have a local guide show you the non-touristy areas while on the back of a motorbike.
Experience the culture at ... Bokator School
Learn about the martial art of Bokator—an ancient Cambodian style that nearly went extinct, but its warriors are depicted on the Angkor temple carvings—and take a lesson from a Bokator master. If you book through Sabaia Adventures, you'll visit a local training center and receive an introductory lesson.
Channel your inner badass at ... Ta Prohm
Before you get your fill of temples, be sure to visit this still-popular, yet lesser-known, religious site in the middle of the jungle. While there you can unleash your inner Angelina Jolie, since this is where scenes from Tomb Raider were filmed. The unique look of the temple is similar to what European explorers first discovered, says Lonely Planet, and its crumbling towers are wrapped in roots and natural foliage. You can explore the various courtyards and narrow corridors, and while you unfortunately can't climb across the galleries anymore, you can definitely get some drool-worthy yoga pose pictures in front of the tree temple.