Cultural Cambodia

Cambodia is an enduring and captivating tourist destination. This beautiful country has pushed away its disturbing past, and now its warm and smiling people welcome you to their homeland. From the UNESCO World Heritage city of Angkor and its many temples in the north to Kep in the South with its stunning National Park and beaches, Cambodia is every culture lover’s dream destination.

Siem Reap is situated just 4 miles South of Angkor Wat and it is a good gateway to this vast temple Complex, which covers several temples including Bayon (temple of smiling faces) and Ta Prohm temples, where the film Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed. Because the site is so vast you can purchase tickets for one, three, or seven-day passes. Please talk to our advisors about pre-booking tickets.

For those of you who are seeking a more serene atmosphere, then travel further north to Banteay Chhmar temple, this is a jewel from the Khmer empire, largely forgotten by most people and half-devoured by plants, the community of this village is fighting to preserve and restore this temple.

Exhilarating ride and relaxing beaches

To the South of Siem Reap, you find Tonle Sap Lake and its remarkable floating villages. Take a boat tour to these villages and learn about the fragile ever-changing ecosystem of the lake and the villagers that depend on the natural resources it provides. Tonle Sap Lake is the largest lake in Southeast Asia. It shrinks and swells in time with the wet and dry seasons, due to a flow from the Mekong River.

Discover the heart and soul of the capital, Phnom Penh, where Cambodia’s traditional and colonial architectures entwine, Explore a rich cultural heritage in Cambodia’s national museum, from its 14,000 beautiful artefacts. Visit Phnom Penh’s tallest temple, Wat Phenh with its intricate carvings, and marvel at the craftsmanship of the past. Indulge yourself in a delicious meal along the Sisowath Quay, you may even be lucky enough, when visiting, to witness one of the many festivals that are held here. Soak up the stunning views on a cruise along the Mekong River, while sipping your favourite drink and nibbling on the superb local cuisine. Honour Cambodia’s past by paying homage at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre (Killing Fields). The museum was originally a school but was transformed into a security prison (S21) by the regime. This museum will give you a deeper understanding of war crimes, while ensuring that these atrocities are never forgotten and culture the need for peace and understanding. A trip to Cambodia isn’t complete without a visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, where the walls of the palace will leave you enchanted by murals depicting ancient tales, while the awe-inspiring Pagoda with its silver floor embedded with dazzling gemstones will leave you breathless.

In contrast to the capital city, Battambang is tranquil and smaller, take a cooking class where you can learn to cook one of the local dishes, Amok, (steamed fish, in a coconut sauce served in a banana leaf) wander through the market and if you're brave enough try fried crickets (they’re actually not that bad). Take an exhilarating ride on the old bamboo train to the outskirts of the city.

Unwind on the beautiful beach of Kampot, but before that, visit La Plantation in the mountainous region of Kampot to taste and learn about the growing of peppercorns, or drive to the top of the mountains, to discover Preah Monivong Bokor National Park. At the top of this mountain area you can walk back in time to Bokor Hill Station, a French resort town that was deserted in the 1940s, during the First Indochine War. Relax on the stunning beach of the small coastal town of Kep, also famous for its blue swimmer crabs. Delicious!

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