The Kingdom of Cambodia has rightfully become a tourism mecca due to the magnificent architectural heritage of Siem Reap. In the past several decades, Angkor Wat has become one of the world’s most famous attractions, on par with the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal, even earning center stage on the Cambodian national flag. Other must-see Angkor ruins within the UNESCO-protected archaeological park include the superlative Ta Prohm, Bayon and Banteay Srei, to name but a few.
It would be a mistake, though, to think that Cambodia starts and ends with Siem Reap. The capital, Phnom Penh, continues to revitalize itself and offers excellent Khmer arts experiences, an itinerary counterbalance to sober reflection on the Khmer Rouge years. Rural Battambang tempts authentic countryside life, far removed from the traffic of Angkor. And the southwest coastal towns of Kep and Sihanoukville, in addition to their charming French colonial remnants, are now a portal to one of Southeast Asia’s most acclaimed resorts, Song Saa Private Island. Cambodia today is a complete holiday destination like never before.
Region
Indochina
language
Khmer
capital
Phnom Penh
population
17,182,862
area
181,035 km²
currency
Cambodia Riel
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FIND YOUR
Inspiration
Locally based with in-country expertise means our Destination Experience Designers can curate exceptional activities and experiences for you that are beyond the reach of the average traveler. We piece these together as a framework for your own bespoke adventure, you can find it in our featured journeys or speak to our travel advisors.
Inspiration
Locally based with in-country expertise means our Destination Experience Designers can curate exceptional activities and experiences for you that are beyond the reach of the average traveler. We piece these together as a framework for your own bespoke adventure, you can find it in our featured journeys or speak to our travel advisors.
CAMBODIAN CULTURE IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION
EXPLORE the culture of Cambodia with an insider, learn history lessons while walking along taking yourself some amazing photos. Cruise the quiet river on your private Gondola boat with bottles of wine and some cheese to end the romantic afternoon with sunset in Siem Reap.
DISCOVER SIEM REAP COUNTRYSIDE BY QUADBIKE
GET ready for the adventure to the remote & lesser-known countryside of Siem Reap on your private quadbike. Experience the daily life of Khmer people and the authentic beauty of rural areas. Enjoy the sunset with bartender’s selected cocktails or icy cold Angkor beer in the middle of nowhere with standing table for a bite of heavy canape.
SEE SIEM REAP COUNTRYSIDE BY BIKE WITH PICNIC LUNCH
MAKE most of your time in Siem Reap with an exciting biking itinerary from your hotel to rural Siem Reap. Biking through the city to green rainforests, villages, local markets is easily one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the UNESCO-listed landscape. Immerse yourself in the local culture with stops at a local farmer’s house for a refreshment with coconuts and exclusive chat with the locals.
TASTE OF CAMBODIAN CULTURE WITH EXCLUSIVE DINNER
JOIN the amazing show performed by well-trained Khmer artists that some scenes may make your heart jump out. Enjoy your exclusive reserved first row with cold drinks during the performance. End the night at a local Khmer restaurant with hand selected authentic menu by our chief experience officer locally based in Cambodia.
ATTEND A MONK BLESSING CEREMONY
EXPERIENCE the local sociable practices & rituals of Khmer monks for blessings at Angkor Wat temple. Showered with jasmine flower water and chants, and respectably gifted with a red string on wrist – sign of good luck at the end of the ritual. Gain confidence in life and peace of mind once coming back home from the holy land of Siem Reap.
EXPLORE THE ENCHANTING LANDSCAPES OF SIEM REAP WATERWAY
CRUISE the largest fresh water of Southeast Asia, Tonle Sap Lake on a private local boat with chilled Angkor beer and mineral water. Explore the daily life of Cambodian people living alongside on stilted and floating houses. See the fishermen’s life and their daily religious practice temple. Interact with local people and enjoy your picnic lunch by the lake with authentic Khmer cuisine.
When to go
Cambodia is blessed with one of Asia’s simpler weather systems. The country has two distinct weather seasons, but you can travel in Cambodia all year round. In general, the entire country is subject to the same weather patterns, mainly due to the relatively uniform altitude and latitude throughout Cambodia.
There are two distinct seasons – dry (October to late April) and wet (May to late September). Within each season there are variations in temperature, with the final few dry months leading up to the wet season (March and April) and the early months of the wet season (May and June) usually being the hottest of the year with temperatures in excess of 35°C at times.
Humidity is at its highest during March and April whilst the coolest months of the year tend to be between October and December, however this is cool for Cambodia but far from chilly with average temperatures hovering around 24°C-26°C.
Cambodia’s dry season lasts from October to April, when the dry north-east monsoon characterized by hot wind blowing across the entire country. Whilst November to January is quite cool (high 20°C’s), by April the weather is scorching making early morning and late afternoon Angkor Temple tours, with a few hours by the hotel pool at lunchtime, the preference for many. Thanks to the hot weather this is unsurprisingly the season when Cambodia’s tourist numbers peak. In more remote parts, such as the north east regions of Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri, the roads are at their best and journey times are shorter because of this. Kep and Sihanoukville on the south coast are popular during this season as they bask in the brilliant sunshine and sea conditions are very favorable.
Cambodia’s wet season comes courtesy of the southwest monsoon and lasts from May to October, bringing with it almost 75% of Cambodia’s annual rainfall. Across Cambodia, throughout much of the rainy season, daytime temperatures average between 25°C and 27°C. The early months of the wet season (May – July) remain very hot with infrequent rainfall usually in the form of short downpours. In the latter months (late July – September) the rain tends to become more constant and is heavy at times, especially in coastal and rural regions.
Travel in the more remote corners of the country, such as Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri, is almost impossible due to the state of the roads and journeys into the north east are inadvisable during the peak wet season because of this. There is also very limited access to Bamboo Island (near Kep) due to the high seas.
Destination Indochina has been delivering rare opportunities to engage with beautiful Vietnam and her people. Our dedicated team of travel professionals have their finger on the pulse of what is new and trending in the region and our transformational journeys inspire travelers of all walks of life. Connect with specialists in culture, food, art, religion and history and get the best advice on where to eat, shop and unwind.
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Cambodia Journeys
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Discover Long Tan Battlefield, Nui Dat Base & Vung Tau
Escape the bustling city noises with the honking sound, travel to the peaceful & quiet rural areas of Ba Ria. Sightsee the old battlefield relics from 1960s and learn history lessons while visiting the Nui Dat base (SAS Hill), Luscombe airfield, Horse-shoe Fire Base, Long Tan Memorial Cross & Long Phuoc tunnels. Experience the countryside…
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Experience the irresistible allure of Hanoi on this journey. Delve into the surprises of sophisticated French-colonial cities and quaint heritage towns, tasting true Vietnam at every turn. Venture through small streets with its own style. And encounter the people, culture and cuisine that together make this country so vibrant.
- Hanoi, Vietnam
Discover Duong Lam Ancient Village & Countryside
Discover the ancient village of Duong Lam, its people, culture and tradtitions on a quick escape by private jeep to the rural peaceful countryside of Hanoi. Sightsee 400 year old laterite brick ancient houses with unique architecture. Visit the communal house, a worshipping place of the tutelary god – founder of the village, also considered…
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Experience the Saigon local culture, lifestyle, culinary art and learn history lessons. Visit “must see” historic colonial landmarks and ride on local pedicab “xich lo” in China town. Refresh at the famous Roof Top garden “The Five O’Clock Follies” in town with view over iconic tower and walking street. Lunch at a famous contemporary Vietnamese…
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Deep in the culture of Vietnamese’s culinary with destination specialists’ hand-picked restaurants. Learn the art of local street eats and immerse in the local culture. Enjoy the night from ground to sky, and end by the underground bar.
- 3 hours, from US$95pp
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Zip through the narrow alleys of Saigon on the back of a vintage scooter and gain a greater understanding of why locals love this mode of transportation. In essence, scooters allow them to easily zig-zag through areas that cars simply can’t negotiate.
