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Cambodia
Country info
Square area:
181,035 km²
Population:
16 million
Capital:
Phnom Penh
Currency:
Riel (KHR)
Language:
Khmer
Religion:
Buddhism
Political:
Constitutional monarchy
English:
Widely spoken
Safety level
Cambodia is a safe country, although there are street crimes, like pickpocketing, targeting foreigners, and common in urban areas.
From the greatness of the Khmer Empire to the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime, the stories of Cambodia leave no one indifferent. And neither do its landscapes. Jungle rainforests rim the country, holding a stunning wildlife. Life floats on the waters of Tonle Sap Lake and Mekong River. And the whitewashed beaches along the Gulf of Thailand evoke paradise.
Thanks to this diversity, Cambodia is popular with travelers and investors alike and is changing at a fast rate. Experience the tourist-flooded Angkor Wat, Phnom Phen, and Sihanoukville, then take an unpaved road for a taste of the genuine Cambodian hospitality.
- Roam the largest religious site in the world, the stunning Angkor Wat - the ‘city of temples’.
- Honor the million Cambodians killed by the Khmer Rouge at the moving sites of Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields.
- Spot the wildlife, from the Indochinese tiger in Botum Sakor National Park to the white Irrawaddy dolphins in Kampot.
- Snorkel, scuba, birdwatch or just relax on Cambodia’s islands, like the Koh Rong Sanloem.
- Off-the-beaten-path, visit the Elephant Sanctuary in Mondulkiri and admire Yeak Laom crater lake in Ratanakiri province.
THE
TEMPLES OF
CAMBODIA
Perfect For
CULTURE
FOOD
PHOTOGRAPHY
PEOPLE
Itinerary ideas
DAY 1
Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by your chauffeur and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and relax for the rest of the evening.
DAY 2
Early morning tour of the Temples of the Forest. During the walk, you will make a breakfast break. In the afternoon, explore the world’s largest city Angkor Thom followed by a sunset boat ride.
DAY 3
Enjoy a boat tour to the Tonle Sap Lake as an off-the-beaten-path experience. After spending the afternoon at leisure, a dynamic artistic spectacle will follow - Phare, the Cambodian circus.
DAY 4
Enjoy the sunrise in Angkor Wat which is a great opportunity for masterpiece photography. In the afternoon, visit the rural parts undiscovered by foreigners. A traditional dinner will be served afterwards.
DAY 5
Domestic flight to Phnom Penh followed by a transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, or explore the bustling streets of the capital. Try some local cuisine in one of the numerous restaurants.
DAY 6
Hop on a cyclo, a traditional Cambodian means of transport. This morning is reserved for an architectural tour of the town's center, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Royal Palace. After the tour, enjoy some time over dinner.
DAY 7
Private transfer from Phnom Penh to Kep. Upon arrival, settle in your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, or explore this former French colonial retreat on your own.
DAY 8
Enjoy this day at leisure. Relax by your hotel's pool enjoying cocktails and sun. You might want to walk up the Kep Hill on your own to enjoy some amazing views over the Gulf of Thailand.
DAY 9
Enjoy this day at leisure. Indulge in your hotel's amenities and the impeccable service. Round off your day with sunset cocktails at the pier of the Knai Bang Chatt Sailing club.
DAY 10
Enjoy some time at leisure before meeting with your chauffeur for a private transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for your outbound flight.
On this tour of Cambodia, discover its colorful culture and centurie-old cities still standing proud as ever. From off-the-beaten-path experiences to amazing views over the Gulf of Thailand.
DAY 1
Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by our agency representative and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and relax for the rest of the evening.
DAY 2
Head on an early morning cycling tour of the Temples of the Forest. Between visiting the temples, enjoy a local breakfast. In the afternoon, explore the world’s largest city Angkor Thom, followed by a sunset boat ride.
DAY 3
Your boat ride across the Tonle Sap Lake will take you to a floating village where you will enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, meet up with Robina Hanley and head for a tour and soak up her great knowledge of local traditional and modern art.
DAY 4
Begin the day by watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat, followed by a helicopter flight over the temples. When you think it can't get better than that, head on an afternoon ox-cart ride to discover villages outside Siem Reap.
DAY 5
Domestic flight to Phnom Penh followed by a transfer to your hotel. Later that day, enjoy an evening stroll of the town followed by a visit to a small hill within the city to find about how the city got its name.
DAY 6
Enjoy the morning tour of the capital's architectural sights on a traditional cyclo. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to meet one of the S21 survivors. The evening is reserved for sunset drinks and authentic traditional dinner.
DAY 7
As a perfect start of the day, go for a morning tour of the city market to enjoy traditional breakfast treats. After breakfast, a transfer to the private island of Song Saa will follow. Upon arrival, check in your luxurious resort.
DAY 8
Enjoy this day at leisure. Whether it is by the pool or in the ocean, indulge in this piece of heaven. Make sure to enjoy the evening in the resort's main restaurant offering a 360-degree ocean view.
DAY 9
Enjoy this day at leisure. Lounge on pristine sands, explore the underwater secrets, or see the native plants and unique wildlife while hiking the rainforest trails. If you prefer to stay at the hotel, pamper yourself with a spa treatment.
DAY 10
Take Song Saa’s speedboat to Sihanoukville to proceed with your private road transfer back to Phnom Penh for your outbound flight.
Discover the well-kept secrets of Cambodia. This tour takes you cycling, boating and flying over the most impressive sights Cambodia has to offer. Enjoy the behind-the-scenes on this journey of a lifetime!
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What to Expect
Cambodia has a great selection of hotels. From some of the world's leading chains to small properties, and even private islands, there is a great variety for everybody's budget and preference. We always recommend a property with an outdoor pool as that really makes a difference in this tropical and humid climate.
Temptation Angkor Hotel
• Phnom Penh and Siem Reap offer a wide range of luxury international chain accommodation
• Quality service and SPA offer at properties
• Price determines the quality which is usually below Western standards
Cambodian climate is tropical and heavily influenced by monsoon rains. The dry season from November to February ranges from warm to hot and it is the peak time for traveling to Cambodia. Traveling from May to mid-November is to be avoided due to heavy rain season. There are numerous festivals taking place throughout the year that may be of help in planning your dates for visiting Cambodia.
Phnom Penh year-round temperatures
• November to February, best time to travel - dry season
• May to November avoid traveling due to heavy rains
• The Water Festival and The Pirogue Racing Festival in Phnom Penh take place in November
• Choul Chnam Thmey in April is a 3-day celebration of traditional Lunar New Year
• Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May celebrates the rice-growing season
WiFi is usually good and available in most hotels and restaurants. In bigger towns it is usually faster. But for unlimited internet access, buying a local SIM card is the way to go.
SIM cards can be purchased anywhere but you’ll get the entire set-up done by the salesperson at official stores.
SIM card for Cambodia
• Country code: +855
• Good WiFi available at most hotels and restaurants
• Local SIM card is the best way to have internet at all times
• Plug types are A, C and G; standard voltage is 230V and it operates on 50 Hz
Cambodian or Khmer cuisine is unfairly not so world-known as Vietnamese or Thai but heavily influenced by her neighbors. The street food culture is also present in all major cities. Mostly based on rice, spices such as black pepper, lemongrass and salads made of unripe fruit will be a great revelation for each traveler.
Phnom Penh food market
• Samlor Korkor is a spicy fish soup; it's a national dish
• Variety of upscale restaurants serving set menus for dinners showcasing the traditional cuisine
• Chopsticks are the norm but don’t leave them sitting vertically in a bowl of rice - it’s bad luck
• Locals rarely tip but it became common for travelers to add about 10% on the total bill
Be ready to travel back home with an extra suitcase. Different fabrics in vivid colors, finest silk, spices, carvings, silverwork and Buddhist artwork will be a nice reminder of your great time spent in Cambodia. Russian market in Phnom Penh and Angkor Night Market are the best places to find all authentic memorabilia.
Unique souvenirs of Cambodia
• Krama, cotton-made, checkered unisex scarf
• Batiks, eye-catching colored fabrics that are an art form in Cambodia
• Kampot pepper is best to buy in Kampot district
• Bargaining is a norm in Cambodia; you might be overcharged at some markets
Despite a turbulent history, Cambodian people are considered to be one of the most hearty and welcoming people in Southeastern Asia. Respect their conservative Buddhist culture and wear appropriate clothing including long pants, even when the temperatures are high. Avoid touching other people's heads or pointing your feet at anyone (at statues in pagodas, as well) because it is considered insulting.
Inside the Angkor Wat Temple
• Women should cover their shoulders and not wear shorts for visiting pagodas; they should never touch a monk or hand anything to them
• Better to avoid mentioning politics, war or the Khmer Rouge
• Always remove your shoes before going into temples, homes, and some businesses
Cambodia today is a quite safe country with friendly and welcoming locals, although exercising common sense is advised during night time. Tourism is the main source of income for the locals. Tourists’ security is the number one priority. Cambodia is ranked high for safety, although some petty crimes and bag-snatching occur in main centers.
Cambodia is perfectly safe
• Beware of local ice, tap water and unpeeled fruits
• Due to no hygiene rules on street food stalls, stick with busy ones
• Public hospitals are not of a very high standard
• Roads outside of main areas are in poor condition
Flying to Cambodia will take you to the major airport in Phnom Penh, or a smaller one in Siem Reap or Sihanoukville. Depending on your previous stop, there is a boat or vehicle option as well.
For moving across the country we have high-class Toyota vans with English-speaking guides.
A real local experience would be a ride in the tuk-tuk, colorful two-wheel motor carriages.
Most of the vehicles are Japanese-made
• Driving side: right
• The main airport is Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) in Phnom Penh
• Taxis and tuk-tuks are not metered so make sure you negotiate a price before the drive
• Motodops (motorcycles) and cycles (tricycles) are operating as budget taxi service
• Car rental is not recommended due to a high number of traffic accidents in the country and troubled night drives
What to pack
In terms of weather, lightweight clothes are welcome throughout the year. If traveling during monsoon time, a raincoat is a good idea. Make sure to pack your camera gear as you will be visiting one of the world's most unique heritage sites. Of course, as in all tropical countries, sunscreen, bug repellent and head cover are highly recommended.
In The Media
5 of the Best Street Food Finds in Phnom Penh
Most Diverse Street Food. Curious?
Sihanoukville, Koh Rong & Koh Rong Sanloem
A Perfect Island Adventure
The City Of The God Kings: Angkor Wat
The Very Latest Archaeological Finds
7 Must-Do's in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Angkor Wat and More
Phnom Penh - Kingdom of Wonder
City View With Arising of Mekong River
Botum Sakor National Park
Living With Locals in Cambodia
Pich Sophea - Oun Tov Hery
Popular Cambodian Music
Khmer for Beginners
Learn Some Useful Phrases
Best to combine with
Thailand
Both filled with temples and pagodas, great food and smiling people, Cambodia and Thailand couple well.
Laos
Like two sides of a single story, Cambodia and Laos share the banks of the Mekong River, a history of Indochina and the reverence of Buddhism.
Vietnam
With a common border of over 1.000 kilometers and a shared history with Indochina, Cambodia and Vietnam might seem the same. But travel them together - and you will never mistake one for another again.
Quirks for the Curious
The Lotus Farm
The Lotus Farm is basically a large lake producing thousands of lotus flowers which are harvested to create a unique, silk-like textile. Lotus is, of course, used in Khmer cuisine as well. Pretty much all parts of the plant are edible but we prefer the dried seeds. They have a nut-like flavor and are often sold dried in western countries. Lotus farm makes for a nice, non-touristy detour from the main route and you can get a good picture of how people live in Cambodia.
The Lotus Farm is basically a large lake producing thousands of lotus flowers which are harvested to create a unique, silk-like textile. Lotus is, of course, used in Khmer cuisine as well. Pretty much all parts of the plant are edible but we prefer the dried seeds. They have a nut-like flavor and are often sold dried in western countries. Lotus farm makes for a nice, non-touristy detour from the main route and you can get a good picture of how people live in Cambodia.
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