Mr Kat, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat Tuk Tuk driver and guide – simply the best
Do yourself a massive favour and hire Mr Kat as your Tuk Tuk driver / guide for Angkor Wat, you will not regret doing so.
I spent hours researching for our trip to visit Angkor Wat and its temples, as a couple we decided not to hire a guide within the sites themselves but to hire a Tuk Tuk driver for the day and go around ourselves. For us this was THE BEST decision – we could spend as much or as little time in each complex as we wanted, and were not being rushed along (we also like photography so could zig zag or go back to our hearts content to take shots)
Communication / Booking your trip – Before you arrive
I came up with a shortlist of drivers and plumped for Mr Kat (it is important you whatsapp before your trip to book him, otherwise you may be disappointed)
Mr Kat’s communication with us was faultless, his written and spoken English is excellent, and he would always reply really quickly (and if he couldn’t reply with an indepth answer in that moment, you would get a quick message saying he was with clients and be back asap, and he always did)
I had an idea of the temples we wanted to see, Angkor Wat at dawn, the small and grand circuit etc, and also because I knew it would be really hot (we were there mid March 26) we didn’t want to do a full day of touring but asked Mr Kat if we could start early, go back to Siem Reap hotel late morning and go back out again around 3pm – again this was no problem. We agreed to his exceptionally reasonable price for what was a private vehicle for 3 days – please don’t try to barter him down, at the end of our 3 days, for the service Mr Kat offered we felt he had undervalued himself.
There was no deposit up front, and payment was given at the end of the trip.
Punctuality
We would agree a pick up time with Mr Kat, and without fail he was always there 5 to 10 mins early for every pick up, a quick whatsapp to let you know he had arrived, no pressure, just to let you know he was there.
The Tuk Tuk
Mr Kat had a great tuk tuk, always clean, and surprisingly comfortable – he always had cold bottles of water available for you, and cold menthol flannels to wipe face and hands with when you returned all sweaty from sightseeing, which was always gratefully received.
Mr Kat – so much more than a tuk tuk driver
Not only did Mr Kat know which was the best temple to visit at which time of the day – essential to avoid the crowds (although there is no way to avoid crowds at Angkor Wat itself) and tour buses at some sites, but also as we liked photography he knew which temples had the best light for sunrise, sunset, and morning or afternoon light.
Mr Kat will stick to your itinerary if you want, but if you ask for his advice then you will never go wrong, also he will suggest alterations to the trip for your benefit e.g. we went to sunrise at Angkor Wat (he knew exactly what time to be there to get front row at the lake and the exact place to stand to get the iconic photo of the towers mirrored in the water without the palm trees in the way – and this was to within a couple of feet – and he sent photos of exactly where to be stood and walked us to the entrance) in the afternoon we had arranged to go back to Angor Wat to explore inside and see it in the afternoon light – that day he had checked the weather forecast, and as it was forecast cloudy in the pm, he suggested another temple instead, said the following day was forecast sunny and we would get more from changing the plan, we did and it was J he did this even though it meant a detour and more miles in the tuk tuk for him, as ever Mr Kat wanted you to get the best experience possible.
Mr Kat – The Guide
We never employed a guide for our visit, and tuk tuk drivers are not allowed into the temple sites, however Mr Kat was so very knowledgeabel about every temple we visited, the history of the area, and before every visit he would give us a rundown of the main things to see inside, where to start and what not to miss. He had a big laminated sheet of the area and temples to give you a visual before entering. Also whilst driving between sites he would stop to explain about areas we were passing, and also stop off at photo opportunites.
We were never rushed through any site, but because of his experience showing many people around he would give you an idea of how long you were likely to spend at each place – but there was never any suggestion to be back by any particular time, he would always be there ready to pick you up whenever you came out.
We threw so many questions to Mr Kat over our 3 days with him, and he could answer them all.
Mr Kat – The Person
But more than being professional, knowledgeable, reliable, flexible (he even stopped off at a local mini market on way back to our hotel one day so we could pick some beer up, went in the shop with my husband to act as translator and make sure he wasn’t overcharged) Mr Kats passion and enthusiasm for the area and the temples shone through, he enjoyed what he was doing and genuinely wanted us to enjoy the trip too, nothing was ever too much trouble, unfailingly polite, a genuinely kind man, we also had discussions about Cambodia compared to UK and how education, health, pensions etc differed. It gave us a real insight into the country and its people.
We had a great time in Cambodia, and feel honoured to have met and been shown around this area by Mr Kat – thank you Mr Kat
Just go book him
WhatsApp +855 10 682 710
Posted Apr 5, 2026, 10:25 AM UTC