Cambodia Tour

Cambodia, bordered by Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, has a fabulous heritage, warm friendly people and an untamed wild landscape. The beautiful and extensive temple ruins at Angkor, now a UNESCO Heritage site, represent the glorious pinnacle of Khmer civilization and are one of the most spectacular historical sites in Asia.

Adventure seekers will love Cambodia's wild northeast with its stunning scenery, alternative hill tribe cultures and varied wildlife. Go trekking, mountain biking or simply explore.

The legacy of Cambodia's artistic past can still be seen in the handicrafts and silverware found in the bustling markets of Phnom Penh. Excellent craftsmanship can be found at excellent prices.

Phnom Penh

 Phnom Penh's history begins with Lady Penh who discovered five Buddha images concealed in a tree and had a pagoda named Wat Phnom Don Penh built on that spot. The city that took its name from the pagoda was founded nearly a century later, becoming the capital in 1866.

Following its recent traumatic history, parks, gardens and elegant villas are now being restored. Tree-lined boulevards still reflect the elegance of the city's French colonial past, and camera-clicking tourists sit in pedicabs ("cyclos") which weave their way leisurely through the increasing numbers of cars and motorcycles. This pleasant scene, coupled with the current bustle of optimistic commerce, belies the chilling fact that the city stood abandoned and empty between 1975 and 1979 during the forced evacuation by the detested Khmer Rouge

Angkor Wat - Siem Reap

 Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Angkor is quite simply one of the wonders of the oriental world.
This incredible temple complex, which lay forgotten beneath the jungle for centuries, dates back to the 12th century and represents one of the world's most remarkable architectural achievements.

Spread over several hundred square kilometres, the former capital of the powerful Khmer civilisation, Angkor is truly spectacular with temples, monuments and beautiful sculptures providing a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Khmers.

Angkor cannot be "done in a day." While most of the main temples are clustered within a 10km radius, many tourists who visit for 3 days (considered the minimum time) often say they would like to stay for a week. Such is the spendour and the allure of this amazing place.

What to See Around Angkor

There are about 60 temple ruins in the Siem Reap area alone so you need to choose according to your schedule and level of interest.

On the "must see" list are the legendary ruins of Angkor Wat, the giant faces of Bayon and the Giant tree at Ta Prom. The famous South Gate of Angkor Thom can be seen en route to Bayon. Angkor Thom has some interesting terraces and the massive "temple-mountain of Baphuon and Phimeanakas is worth seeing.

Other temples you should visit if time allows are Pre-Rup, Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Ta Som. If you have more time, visit the Roulous Group around 12 km outside Siem Reap, which contains monuments and early Angkor Art. Further away (38km from Siem Reap) Banteay Srey is also well worth a visit.

Sihanoukville

 Located 230km southwest of the capital city Phnom Penh, the little-known resort of Sihanoukville offers beach holidays to suit everyone.

About 1,500 rooms of all standards are currently available to tourists who often desperately feel the need of the sea breeze after tiring days spent exploring the temples of Angkor. Sihanoukville contains four beautiful beaches with white sand and swaying palms lapped by the warm, translucent water of the Gulf of Siam. The water is clean, the people are friendly and mass tourism has yet to take off.

Visitors can enjoy the nearby Kbal Chhay waterfalls, the Bokor Hills and the Ream National Park with its stretches of unspoiled coast and mangrove forests. From Victory Beach, about three or four kilometres away, boats can be hired to picnic on uninhabited islands where there is excellent snorkeling. There is a fast boat connection to Koh Kong province, and to Trat in Thailand, where there is an international border checkpoint.

The local Express Bus takes around three and a half hours to reach Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh by National Road No 4.