Journey through an ancient Kingdom steeped in history. Explore the laid back capital of Phnom Penh, visit the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor on the jungle plains of Siem Reap, and relax on the beaches of Sihanoukville and Kep. There is so much to see when you visit Cambodia. Whether you want to tour the temples, explore the cities or laze on a pristine beach, we design tailor-made luxury holidays to Cambodia that suit you.
Put simply, the Angkor temples should be on everyone’s bucket lists! Millions of tourists flock to the Angkor temples every year and spend hours, or even days, exploring them. The site is considered one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world. So what are the Angkor temples? And why are we this certain that they should it be on your bucket list? Take a read of the below to find out why….
A small country bordering Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia is a stunning place with so many unique experiences to be had. Along with a visit to the famed temples of Angkor Wat, a holiday to Cambodia can include interacting with injured elephants and escaping to a private island, amongst other wonderful and little-known activities. We asked our specialists to think outside the box and come up with the top 10 unique things to experience in this wonderful country…
Deciding on your honeymoon destination is one of the most exciting and diffcult choices to make during your wedding preparations. Expectations are high to craft the trip of a lifetime which suits you both perfectly. With this in mind, our specialists have put their heads together to handpick a selction of properties which are just perfect for celebrating your honeymoon.
Cambodia and Vietnam complement each other beautifully: Cambodia has a more laid back charm while Vietnam is the beating heart of Indochina, with fast paced ancient cities. Even in 10 days, you can combine Cambodia and Vietnam with ease, but we’d recommend a little longer to do these wonderful countries justice. You can even cruise between the two along the historic Mekong River.
With jungle-tangled temples, white sandy beaches, a rich cultural heritage and the most hospitable people you’re likely to ever meet; Cambodia is an excellent option when planning your honeymoon. Feel humbled as you watch the sun rise over the majestic Angkor Wat, barter with locals as you shop on the famous floating markets, and ease into a slower pace of life in one of the coastal fishing villages. Cambodia has everything you need for the honeymoon of a lifetime.
No trip to Cambodia is complete without spending at least a few days in Siem Reap, which is the base for exploring the extraordinary Angkor Archaeological Park. The jewel in the park’s crown is of course the dramatic Angkor Wat, which is the largest religious building in the world. However, there are many other wonderful temples to explore, a number of which have been reclaimed by the jungle, creating an alluring atmosphere of mystery and adventure. Visitors to Siem Reap can also enjoy a trip to Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The water stretches as far as the eye can see, and the lake is home to several floating villages.
During a trip to Cambodia, it is also worth spending a few days in the country’s capital Phnom Penh. This is the best place to learn about Cambodia’s tragic modern history, as there are many remnants here from the brutal Khmer Rouge Regime. The Khmer Rouge party initially began to form in the 1960s, but did not receive much traction until 1970s, finally seizing Phnom Penh in 1975. During the party’s four-year rule, around two million Cambodians died, either as a result of starvation or from mass executions by the soldiers.
In Phnom Penh, it is possible to visit the notorious S-21 Jail, where up to 17,000 people were detained and tortured. Nearly all of these people were then executed and buried in mass graves in the area now known as the Killing Fields, which lies just outside the city.
Beyond these poignant reminders of the past, modern Phnom Penh also has plenty to offer. There are a number of fantastic restaurants as well as an eclectic mix of architecture, including the grand Royal Palace, colourful Chinese temples and fading Colonial store fronts.
Cambodia also has some wonderful locations for those wanting to get off the beaten track. Far to the east of the country, Mondulkiri is the country’s largest, and yet most sparsely populated province. Unlike much of Cambodia, which features swathes of verdant rice paddies and wide rivers and lakes, Mondulkiri has a more wild-feel, with deep rainforests and rolling hills. This is also the best place in Cambodia to visit ethical elephant projects.
The towns of Battambang and Kep both offer travellers an insight into local life in Cambodia beyond the cities. Battambang lies to the west of Tonle Sap Lake, surrounded by pretty countryside laced with rice paddies and orchards. Kep is on the country’s south coast, featuring a sleepy laid-back atmosphere and fantastic seafood.
For the ultimate Cambodian beach experience, the coast around Sihanoukville and the Koh Rong Archipelago offer a range of retreats, from boutique beach bungalows to exclusive villas on private islands. Sandy shores and turquoise seas await visitors here, as well as a number of diving and snorkelling sites.
Did you know?
Laser technology has revealed the ruins of medieval cities beneath the tropical forest floor leading archaeologists to believe that, at its prime, the Khmer empire was once the largest in the world.
Did you know?
Cambodia’s national flag is one of two which features a building, depicting the iconic Angkor Wat, the other is the national flag of Afghanistan.