Helicopter: Cambodia’s Premier Launch Point for Aerial Temple Views

Why Visit Helicopter

Helicopter serves as the main departure point for scenic flights that reveal the full scale of Preah Vihear Temple and the surrounding jungle canopy. Positioned on a cleared plateau at the base of the Dangrek Mountains, the site offers travelers a rare chance to bypass the steep mountain road and reach the 11th-century sanctuary by air in minutes.

What to Expect on Arrival

The open helipad sits amid dry dipterocarp forest with panoramic views toward the Thai border. Operators keep a small fleet of helicopters ready for 15- to 45-minute circuits that circle the temple’s long stone causeway and drop into the valley below. Ground visitors can also watch takeoffs and landings while learning about the temple’s dramatic cliff-top setting.

How to Get There

Reach the helipad by road from Siem Reap (three hours) or from the Preah Vihear town turnoff via well-maintained laterite tracks. Most travelers combine the visit with a morning temple tour, landing directly at the upper sanctuary before returning to the helipad for the next flight or a ground transfer.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season from November through March delivers the clearest skies and safest flying conditions. Early morning departures avoid the afternoon thermals that can make flights bumpier over the mountains. Avoid the peak rainy months when low cloud often grounds aircraft.

Nearby Attractions

• Preah Vihear Temple – a short flight or steep hike from the helipad
• Prasat Ta Muen Thom – Khmer ruins straddling the border a few kilometers east
• Choam Ksant market – local produce and handicrafts on the route back to town

Combine a morning flight with an afternoon visit to the temple’s lower pavilions for a complete understanding of the site’s layered history and engineering.