CAMBODIA
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CULTURE
Cambodia will win your heart with its beautiful, ancient temples, friendly residents, and creative spirit. Cambodia is a fantastic complement to Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand and offers more than just temples.
In contrast to many other Buddhist nations in the region, the Khmer culture is relatively open. There is no shortage of the traditional Khmer and Buddhist ideals. The Khmer people are friendly, open, and very respectful of their ancestors. It is common to see ceremonies in daily life, particularly in rural areas where the old practices are still practiced. Over the past 20 years, there has been a huge shift in the population of the largest cities. In contemporary Cambodia, modern culture and customs are frequently entwined.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
The dry season normally lasts from November to March, when temperatures drop as a result of the northern winter. The rains that follow the Khmer New Year, or "Choul Chnam Thmey," which is scheduled between March to April (moon dependent), signifies the wet season. Although this season is technically categorized as "wet," locals now refer to it as "Green Season" because the rains restore the luster and texture to the enchanted forests that surround the temples, making it a photographer's and traveler's dream from April to October.
HOW TO GET THERE
The best global hubs are Bangkok, Hong Kong, or Singapore. Regionally, it is also doable but takes longer to get to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Kuala Lumpur. Frequent flights leave from China. Travel via land is common. Overland crossings at Pailin, Poipet, Veun Kham, and Bavet are frequent. Another excellent choice is to get to Phnom Penh by boat through the Mekong Delta through Chau Doc.
where to sleep
Cambodia is home to some great accomodations options for all types of travellers. There are also several remarkable luxury resorts in the country's jungles and its islands. There are excellent mid-range hotels everywhere, and they all have excellent amenities and knowledgeable employees. To add some variety, take a look at local homestays, lodges and camps as well.
What to expect
Travelers frequently choose Cambodia as one of the "most welcoming locations" in South East Asia. Families traveling together will find surprising activities for all. The knowledgeable guides and drivers greatly enhance all tours and traveling off the beaten path is worthwhile. The best combination of culture, nature, adventure, and relaxation can be found there.
Discover the cuisine
Cambodian cuisine is a fusion of Thai and Vietnamese flavors with a distinctively local flavor. The Tonle Sap Lake is the center of the Cambodian economy. Popular dishes include fish and rice, and sour soup is frequently served. Fresh spring rolls, a sour soup with fish, chicken with ginger, and a sweet desert are all staples of a nice home-cooked Khmer meal.
CAMBODIA CITY GUIDE
Within each of the cities and provincial towns of Cambodia, travellers adore the romantic colonial buildings that scatter across the country
Siem Reap
The popular town's name is a literal translation of the phrase "Defeat of Siam." Siem Reap has become one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world because of its close proximity to the Angkor Wat temple complex. Discover the over a thousand years of Khmer history constructed next to Tonle Sap Lake, the cradle of the old Cambodian empire's economic strength.
The Old Market is the center of Siem Reap's tourist area. A significant number of eateries and retail establishments targeted at travellers are located in this area of the city. A sleepy little town has become a vibrant downtown with a diverse selection of eateries, bars, and nightclubs as well as a night market thanks to the increase in travellers.
Battambang
Western Cambodia's Battambang is recognized for three things: its meticulously preserved French colonial architecture, its thriving arts community, and its abundant rice crop (thus the moniker "Cambodia's rice barn"). The center of Cambodian art and music used to be Battambang (pronounced "Battam-bong"). The Central Market, a rare specimen of New Khmer architecture outside of Phnom Penh, is the heart of Battambang. The city center is covered in colorful storefronts and murals that show some of the region's equally colorful historical figures.
Battambang's once-sleepy alleyways are now teeming with lively cafes, artist-run galleries, and specialty stores. Some of Cambodia's top outdoor attractions and unique activities, like the renowned bamboo railway, are located just outside the city.
Phnom Penh
The energetic, bustling capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh - located where three rivers converge. The capital city still has a lot to see and still has a lot of beauty. With French colonial buildings and boulevards lined with trees, it retains a provincial charm and tranquility amid the impressive Angkorian grandeur. There are lots of intriguing attractions in the capital. There are numerous markets selling carvings, paintings, silk, silver, diamonds, and even antiques in addition to the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, the Choeng Ek Killing Fields, and Wat Phnom.
Additionally, Phnom Penh serves as a gateway to the southern coast's beaches and the provinces' ethnic minorities.
Sihanoukville
The majority of travellers to the south enjoy Sihanoukville's beach or to use the city as a launching pad to explore the nearby islands, which have white sand beaches and warm, shallow waters. Sihanoukville is located on a peninsula that projects into the Gulf of Thailand. The city's shoreline has been revamped in recent times due to private development and commercialization however the it's shore remains with white sand beaches bordered by trees and hazy islands that loom alluringly out at sea.
Ream National Park, which has a mangrove forest and excellent sandy beaches, is another place of great natural beauty that is accessible from Sihanoukville. Bokor National Park east of town is still worthwhile visiting for an unnerving tour around the deserted hill station amid its jungle-clad hills.
Kep & Kampot
Southeastern Cambodia – Kep, a sleepy seaside destination famed for its fresh crab and Kampot - both locations are like one vast market garden: producing durian, watermelon, coconuts, salt, and more importantly, pepper. The latter is cultivated and was once the condiment of the colonial occupiers – at the time, no Parisian table worth its salt was without Kampot pepper.
LOCAL EXPERIENCES
Each of these experiences have been designed or tested by our team and have the best reviews from past travellers.
Pre Rup temple
Experience sunrise away from crowds at Pre Rup temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Continue to visit Ta Prohm, considered to be the most photographed temple within the Angkor complex with its trees shrouding the ruins. A private champagne breakfast awaits at a local artist’s house famed for its aristocratic heritage and host to an A-list of privileged guests.
Afterwards, visit Angkor Wat to respect its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, reliefs and sculptures and surrounding sites within the Angkor Complex.
Kulen forest
Drive through the countryside that surrounds Siem Reap towards the Kulen Elephant Forest. A real experience awaits to observe the daily life of the elephants. Spend your time observing these majestic creatures as they enjoy their natural surroundings of the forest floor. Walk with them into the forest and witness these elephants in their natural habitat. A unique picnic style lunch is served within the forests, surrounded by the elephants nearby.
Phnom Kulen
Travel to Phnom Kulen “Mountain of Lychees” the most sacred mountain in Cambodia. Visit the 1000 carvings of Yoni and Linga etched into a sandstone riverbed and a breathtaking waterfall. Continue on 4×4 to a bat cave before trekking to Srah Dumrei “Elephant Pond”, finish at a campsite where spacious private tents await, each equipped with private amenities and verandahs, perfect for soaking in the magical jungle canopy. Next day, trek through the forest to reach Preah Ang Thom, a Buddhist monastery built in the 16th century notable for its 8m tall Buddha statue.
Local cuisine
Visit 3 of most highly rated restaurants in town. Enjoy a progressive dinner by tuk-tuk with starter, main course, and dessert in three different Siem Reap restaurants.
The absolute best of authentic Cambodian cuisine. The top chefs in Siem Reap who between them have Michelin star training, worked with Anthony Bourdain, Luke Nguyen and Gordon Ramsay and hold the title of Cambodia’s only Master Chef.
TUK TUK TOUR
By tuk-tuk, explore the city’s headline monuments starting with the Independence Monument. Stroll through the Independence Park and observe Statue of the King’s Father. Hop back onto the tuk-tuk for the Central Market, a stunning art deco colonial building.
Stop at one Monivong Boulevard’s oldest buildings to take in the view continuing to the Railway Station, the National Library, Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace and the Silver
Pagoda. Complete the day with a sunest.
ANGKOR THOM
Start today with a visit to Angkor Thom, and the Bayon temple. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King could welcome back his victorious army.
Next head to the picturesque Ta Prohm. This temple is considered to be Angkor’s most beautiful structure and is overgrown. In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat.
PREFERRED HOTELS
LUXPERIA keeps up to the latest with our local hoteliers in every country. Here is just a sample of some of the best options for all categories.
Hôtel KVL is the perfect place to stay if you want to be in the center of Phnom Penh while yet enjoying a peaceful urban refuge.
Its eateries, bars, and social areas are made to foster interaction, and its guest rooms are the ideal synthesis of comfort, style, and utility, all made with the requirements and preferences of the contemporary traveler in mind. The design, amenities, and services at Hôtel KVL are of the highest caliber and are motivated by travel and design.
The Cambodian capital's Rosewood Phnom Penh offers an ultra-luxury experience. The hotel is located on the top 14 floors of the Vattanac Capital Tower, which rises 188 meters above Phnom Penh's downtown and is regarded as a symbol of the country's modernization. From here, guests may enjoy unrestricted views of the storied Mekong River.
Developed with the beauty of the Cambodian coastline in mind. It was created with local resources, using local labor, and with local art and soul. It breathes in sync with the natural world. Song Saa Private Island is a sophisticated tropical retreat with a pristine private beach, roomy wooden homes, wonderful spa retreats, and a preserved coral reef. It allows you to disconnect from the outside world and tune into simple pleasures.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables, Ibis rice from farmers in the North, plump cashew nuts, and meaty coconuts from adjacent communities are just a few of the locally produced components used by their chefs.
Song Saa gives you the freedom to be as busy or inactive as you like when it comes to passing the time.
The first private wildlife and nature reserve in Cambodia is called Shinta Mani Wild, and it is situated inside Southern Cardamom National Park. The journey begins with a zip across a wire suspended high above a waterfall that views out over 800 acres of rainforest that is protected. 15 distinct canvas-walled tents, each with a unique design that is both tasteful and unusual and faithful to Bill Bensley's aesthetic.
On the Tatai River's bank, encircled by the breathtaking Cardamom Mountains. Listen to the soothing sound of the river and the orchestral accompaniment provided by the local fauna, which includes birds, insects, monkeys, and, if you pay close enough attention, possibly even an elephant.
Each of the floating tents has a private sundeck, and much of the furniture is made from hardy water hyacinth plants that are common in the area. Let the stunning waterfalls to the intriguing nature trails amuse by day or simply lounge on your private sundeck, swim or kayak. By night, listen to the jungle while dining on regional and western food.
A 48-room design hotel on Siem Reap's riverside, Treeline Urban Resort offers a one-of-a-kind home for visitors visiting to the gateway city for the temples of Angkor. The tailored experience was expertly created with top Cambodian artists and features designated rooms for a developing private collection of contemporary art. The rooms blend sustainably sourced native timber and stone features with locally created soft furnishings to create a space of calm, casual elegance with an exquisite standard to achieve an organic and minimalist look.
The only premium all-suite hotel in Siem Reap that is in close proximity to Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Anantara Angkor Resort. It provides the ideal starting point for temple exploration by tuk-tuk, Vespa, or helicopter and is only 15 minutes away.
Use your Temple Guru to locate remote ruins. Discover the best boutiques and street cuisine with the Streetwise Guru. The largest suites in Siem Reap are perfect for romantic hideaways and have interconnecting suites for families, so you can unwind in comfort after a day of exploration.
Phum Baitang's "green village" is located at the entrance to Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is surrounded by 20 acres of lush gardens and rice paddies. 45 private terrace and pool villas designed after Khmer stilted farmhouses, while its spa programs use traditional local wellness traditions dating back hundreds of years.
The free-standing villas honour the rustic appeal of traditional Khmer dwellings with distinct living areas, individual gardens with terraces, and many with pools while evoking the cultural diversity of Cambodia.
Beyond swimming and taking in the spectacular sunsets in the open-air infinity pool, there are a variety of activities available, including touring the Tonlé Sap's floating residences, riding a bicycle through the nearby villages, and exploring the rice paddies.
One of Siem Reap's most prestigious hotels, the former Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) Angkor by Avani welcomed dignitaries, celebrities, archaeologists, and international correspondents from all over the world. Neo-colonial renovations have been used to update this old estate, adding modern accents from the region like Apsara statues, artisanal textiles, and the aroma of fresh lemongrass.
Eighty of the hotel's rooms and suites open to a central courtyard with a saltwater pool and century-old banyan trees providing shade. The Mansion and Scribe, where visitors congregate to swap stories over drinks at the end of the day, are without a doubt the center of the FCC Siem Reap.
A SAMPLE ITINERAY
An exciting sample itinerary ready to be tailored for every traveller’s need.
Contact our team to design a trip dedicated to your own personal interests or use the following as a guide to what can be achieved in this destination.
AIRPORT ARRIVAL TRANSFER
Today you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for your stay in Siem Reap.
PHARE CIRCUS
Tonight, be amazed by the talents of the acrobats from the famous Phare Circus who work mainly with disadvantaged young people. They learn circus skills, theatre performance, music and a range of visual arts. It combines local traditions with new creative and innovative genres. Daring athleticism is combined with stories that speak powerfully to Cambodia’s not-too-distant history; for example, escape from tyranny is depicted through tightrope walking. The dark subject of a young girl trying to deal with memories of atrocities, is depicted by breathtaking acrobatics in which seemingly impossible goals are achieved. More than simply a circus, Phare is an amazing blend of traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society under a big top tent.(Pick up from your hotel at 6pm)
In the foothills of Kulen Mountain lie 1100 acres of protected forest inhabited by the 14 elephants of Angkor. For 26 years, these elephants have given rides to visitors in the temples of the world heritage site. The Kulen Elephant Forest is a haven where these retired elephants can interact freely, and are treated with the greatest care and attention. At the reserve, there are no tricks, no riding, and the elephants are free to roam and socialize as they please.
With 75 remaining captive elephants in Cambodia, the protection of this amazing animal is more critical than ever. A visit to the Kulen Elephant Forest will not only help the elephants of Angkor but all elephants in Cambodia through the KEF’s longer term objectives, for we believe in the power of education and tourism as drivers for conservation.
Starting at 7:45am be picked up by your tuk tuk driver and transfer the very short distance to the meeting point just across the river, enjoy a scenic one hour drive from Siem Reap by minivan, followed by an introductory briefing providing you with much more information on these magnificent animals. Then head out to meet and greet the elephants. This is followed by a 2km observation trek through the forest, the elephants are free to roam. After a hot trek the elephants will want to cool off, so you will have the opportunity to watch them play in the cool pond and provide them with some enrichment treats. We then retire to the lodge and enjoy a Khmer style lunch before heading back to town at 2pm.
Recommendation Item: Spot shoes, a hat, sunglasses, mosquito spray, sunscreen and an outfit that can get dirty.
SIGHTSEEING, SWIMMING, BBQ AND CAMPING
At 9am we will meet at your hotel and after loading up we will depart to Kulen Mountain about 1.5 hours drive (there will be a chance to stop on the way for provisions). At 11am we will stop at a popular (and very instagrammable) viewpoint on the mountain. We then continue to visit the River of 1000 Linga, an amazing carved riverbed dating back from Pre Angkor times and the large reclining Buddha carved into a rock atop the mountain surrounded by a colourful pagoda. Tate time to visit and fully appreciate the location. You also have a chance to make a blessing in the traditional pagoda.
After the visit we proceed to our campsite for the night. A local, picnic style lunch will be served next to the river, time to relax at leisure. You have the option to set up camp or alternatively our rangers can set it up for you prior to arrival. The Campsite is located in a quiet, shaded area by a natural mountain river, the perfect place to kick back, relax and enjoy a swim, a few cold drinks or a good book. This evening your guides will prepare a delicious BBQ dinner, you are welcome to assist or simply relax. After dinner a campfire will be lit and marshmallows will be toasted before bed.
BREAK CAMP, TREKKING, WATERFALL AND LUNCH
This morning, awake to the sounds of the jungle and enjoy the cool of the day. Your guides will prepare fresh coffee and cook a light breakfast with an array of different items to choose from. We aim to break camp and leave the campsite by around 8:30am to the Environment station where we begin our 6km trek through the lush jungle before returning to your vehicle. Along the way your guide will point out things of interest giving you further insights into life in the forest. Afterwards, we continue to the large Kulen Waterfall to enjoy a relaxing and refreshing dip before lunch in local style in a Sala by the waterfall. When lunch is finished and guests are ready to go, we will depart back to Siem Reap (arrival around 4pm).
Wake up early this morning to depart at 4:45 AM, to see the amazing sunrise at Angkor Wat, a must do on any trip to Siem Reap, the pre-dawn view provides a different and tranquil feeling in the cool of the morning. We will return to your hotel in time for Breakfast.
We start today with a visit to Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centrepiece; the Bayon temple. Although it may look like a shapeless mass of stone, further scrutiny reveals towers with enigmatic faces of former King Jayavarman VII. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King could welcome back his victorious army and the Terrace of the Leper King, which holds perfect carvings winding along a narrow passageway that leads to the Baphuon complex.
Next head to the picturesque Ta Prohm. This temple is considered to be Angkor’s most beautiful structure and is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of the trees have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘forgotten city’ feeling.
Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant nearby the Temples before continuing to Angkor wat. In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond.
This morning is at leisure until your guide will come to meet you for your airport transfer for your onward journey.
Hartley Family - October 2022
Siem Reap: A town with special charm
Luxperia organised an amazing weeks holiday in conjunction with Anantara. The experience was amazing. Airport transfers, excursions, upgrades all worked out to plan. We even managed to get a special package outside of the normal promotion at an incredible price for the quality we received. Would highly recommend the company!
