Cambodia Holidays

Introduction

Only recently has it been permitted (and safe) to explore Cambodia beyond Phnom Penh and Angkor. Travelling by land, sea and river, you will take an in-depth look at some of these newly opened lands: from French colonial towns and remote villages to relaxing on the pristine beaches of the Andaman Sea and visiting some of the fascinating Khmer temples scattered throughout Cambodia.

Overview

After sightseeing in Phnom Penh, you will south to the charming riverside town of Kampot where you will take a journey into the surrounding picturesque countryside in a peculiar form of local transport based on the tractor known as a 'remorque'. Continuing along the coast to Sihanoukville, you will then take a boat trip through the offshore islands enjoying the unspoilt beaches and tropical waters of the Andaman Sea.

Travelling back to Phnom Penh, you continue your adventure and head for Kratie, home to some of the last Irrawady freshwater dolphins in Southeast Asia. Sightings are common and you will spend some time here to enjoy this unique opportunity. You will stop at Kompong Cham for a chance to explore by bicycles, then drive on to Kompong Thom passing many remote villages along the way. You will also visit the ancient Chenla capital of Sambor Prei Kuk: over a hundred temples dedicated to Shiva lie hidden in the jungle, at this tranquil and rarely visited 7th century site.

Your tour would not be complete without a visit to the breathtaking temples of the Angkorian Kings. Constructed over a period of some 600 years, hundreds are scattered through a vast area of the Cambodian jungle. Your exploration includes the main highlights - Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom and Angkor Thom, as well as a number of lesser known and newly opened ones, such as Banteay Srei. Finally you fly back to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh.

Travelling with a tour leader and using local guides your group will consist of between 12 to 16 travellers. Accommodation is based upon bed and breakfast as you are encouraged to reduce your carbon footprint by using local restaurants and produce. This tour is operated in conjunction with Explore who have been awarded a three star for responsible tourism.

Destination Information

Weather

Cambodia is a hot and tropical country, being hottest in April and coolest in January (although still in the high 20’s). Although rainfall is at its maximum in October, Phnom Penh and Slem Reap receive very little rain compared to the coastal areas, and when it does rain it tends to be in the form of sporadic mid afternoon downpours. There is normally very little rain between December and March.

Passports and Visas

An entry visa is required by all UK nationals and can normally be obtained upon arrival at Slem Reap and Phnom Penh airports at a cost of about US$20 (please also bring one passport sized photo for the visa). All visa information is subject to change –you should confirm all visa requirements with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

Passports should have minimum three-month validity beyond your intended date of departure from Cambodia.  Please note that surrounding countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos) all require passports to be valid for six months.

Health

Please consult your GP for up-to-date health requirements before visiting Cambodia.

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusion from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this – please contact a member of the Leisure team for further details.