Cambodia Holidays

Introduction

One of the most breathtaking sights you can experience is to see the temples of Angkor Wat at sunset and although many never go far beyond this spectacular complex during their stay, more and more people are beginning to realise that Cambodia has much more to offer than the famous Temples of Angkor.

Cambodia is blessed with undeveloped golden beaches, unspoilt forests and beautiful old colonial cities like Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampot and Kep, all of which have a very relaxing atmosphere.

It is also the gentle, polite and charming personality of the Khmer people which makes Cambodia such a memorable destination and after decades of upheaval and isolation, Cambodia is emerging as a new and exciting tourist destination.

Overview

The famous temples of Angkor are the central highlight of this tour; but Cambodia has so much more to offer. This fascinating itinerary takes an in-depth look at regions of this country not normally visited by mass tourism. From French colonial towns to small villages, explore the real Cambodia.

Days 1-2 : UK – Phnom Penh

Fly overnight to Phnom Penh via Kuala Lumpur.

Day 3 : Phnom Penh

Sightseeing today includes visits to the Silver Pagoda, the striking Emerald Buddha and the National Museum. We also visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes; both of which are very moving experiences. We later enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River.

Day 4 : Phnom Penh – Kep

Travel to the colonial coastal town of Kep. En-route we visit Tonle Bati Lake and Phnom Chisor to explore the ancient temples. We also visit Kompong Trach to see the limestone caves that have been carved into the mountain.

Day 5 : Kep – Kampot – Sihanoukville

We travel west and drive along the southern coast driving through the city of Kampot to Sihanoukville. Kampot is the provincial capital, yet it is also known for its rustic colonial French and Chinese architecture, quieter streets and an abundance of fresh seafood, which gives this old town its ambiance. After strolling through the town, we continue to Sihanoukville – the most beautiful beach destination in Cambodia.

Day 6 : Sihanoukville

Spend the day at leisure relaxing in this beautiful seaside town.

Day 7 : Sihanoukville – Battambang

We visit Kirirom National Park to see the stunning waterfalls and wildlife before returning to Phnom Penh.

Day 8 : Phnom Penh – Battambang

Travel (approx 5 hours) to Battambang with its beautiful colonial houses. En-route we stop at Oudong to visit this 17th century capital city, a potters’ village in Kampong Chhnang Province and the floating village of Chnok True.

Day 9 : Battambang – Siem Reap

Enjoy a short ride on a local Bamboo train and visit small local villages to discover the daily life of the Cambodian countryside and ‘La Maison de Coco’. We then travel by tuk-tuk back to Battambang. After lunch, we drive to Phnom Bannon Hill and climb the 337 steps to Prasat Bannon temple and enjoy the breathtaking view over the surrounding plains.

Day 10 : Battambang – Siem Reap

(High Water Season – Aug to Feb): We travel by private speedboat down the Slung Sangker River to Tonle Sap and drive the short distance to Siem Reap.

(Low Water Season – Mar to Jul): We travel by road to Siem Reap and visit the National Silk Centre in Puok District to see the production of silk en-route.

Day 11 : Siem Reap

Drive to the fortified city of Angkor Thom. Start at the Southern Gate and continue to The Bayon, which is beautifully carved with numerous striking faces followed by a visit to the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the magnificent Angkor Wat.

Day 12 : Siem Reap

Visit Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple which is dedicated to Shiva. We also visit Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Kravan, Ta Keo and the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor, which has been swallowed by the jungle. The temple is cloaked in dappled light, its crumbling towers and walls locked in the embrace of a vast root system of enormous fig trees and giant creepers. In the evening, we climb to the summit of Pre Rup Temple at sunset for a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape.

Day 13 : Siem Reap

Explore the magnificent temple of Beng Mealea and visit ‘Les Artisan D’Angkor’, where disadvantaged youths are taught how to make traditional Cambodian crafts. In the evening, we will enjoy an Apsara Dance Show, also known as Khmer Classical Dance.

Days 14-15 : Siem Reap – UK

Fly overnight to the UK via Kuala Lumpur, arriving home the following day filled with many happy memories.

Pick & Mix

As well as suggested holiday itineraries, Medway Travel are delighted to be able to also create bespoke holiday experiences that are tailored to your exact wishes.

If you have particular places of interest in mind that you would like to incorporate within your next holiday to Cambodia and the rest of Indochina, just contact one of our experienced travel consultants with your wishes and allow us to put together the ideal arrangements for you.

For inspiration of what the rest of the Far East has to offer, you may like to look over the details below. All of the following destinations can effectively be "picked and mixed" with a holiday to Cambodia, so contact us and we will design the most time and cost effective itinerary for you.

Vietnam

Vietnam covers an area of over 330,000 square kilometres stretching south from the Chinese border along the east coast of the Indochina Peninsula. The country comprises a complex geography with soaring mountains, fertile delta plains, ancient forests filled with exotic fauna, winding rivers and long sandy tropical beaches. Many years have passed since the end of the American war in Vietnam and yet this is often the first image that people still have of this small South East Asian country. But in reality Vietnam is a country of outstanding natural beauty, with many small peaceful villages.

The people of Vietnam are gentle, smiling and welcoming to visitors with the richness of their origins evident in their daily life. Spirituality in Vietnam is a kaleidoscope of beliefs from Confucianism to Christianity, with a mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, Animism and Tam Giao (triple religion) thrown in for good measure.

Some of the best beaches and most tranquil islands in South East Asia can be found along the coastline of Vietnam and because of the proximity of the whole country to the sea, delicious seafood is always on the menu. With its historic cities, beautiful scenery and friendly people, Vietnam will surely hold something of interest for you.

Laos

With a landscape dominated by mountains, rainforest and the mighty Mekong River, Laos is one of the hidden treasures of Indochina! With the smallest population of all Indochinese countries, Laos provides the traveller with a chance to truly experience Asia as it once was. Largely undeveloped, devoutly Buddhist and blessed geographically with natural beauty, this country will leave a lasting impression on all who visit.

Bangkok

Every Thailand holiday includes a visit to the kingdom’s capital city, Bangkok, or Krung Thep, “the city of angels” as it is known to its inhabitants. Many tourists who travel to Bangkok are immediately overwhelmed by the sheer size of the city and the vast number of attractions Bangkok has to offer.

While the immensity of the city and the chaos of its bustling streets can be intimidating at first, those who spend some time in Bangkok are quickly enamored by the variety of attractions Bangkok contains, from exotic temples, which epitomize Thailand’s strong Buddhist history, to modern shopping malls, which have make shopping an integral part of any Bangkok holiday.

Nearly every Bangkok holiday includes a visit to Thailand’s Grand Palace, arguably the premier Bangkok sightseeing attraction. Situated in the heart of Bangkok’s Rattakosin district, the gleaming spires of the Grand Palace are conveniently located nearby Bangkok’s most spectacular temples, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keaw), the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), and Wat Po, which features an enormous reclining Buddha and was home of the first Thai massage school in the kingdom. These iconic destinations are top attractions to all visitors who travel to Bangkok looking to appreciate Thailand’s unique cultural traditions.

Other highlights of a visit to Bangkok include a ride on a tuk-tuk, shopping at the floating markets or experiencing the bustling nightlife.

Cha'am Beach Stay

A quiet alternative to Hua Hin, where many Thais enjoy succulent seafood and visitors have a range of accommodation options including luxurious golf resorts and small boutique beach hotels.

Located less than 200 km south of Bangkok and just 20 km north of Hua Hin, Cha-am is a quiet beach retreat in Petchaburi Province; a long stretch of silvery sand that is far quieter than nearby Hua Hin.

Cha-am is popular with couples looking for a romantic retreat, seniors who like peace and quiet, and families with young children who are looking for an area that is both safe and free from the hassle of beach vendors. It’s also a popular weekend destination for Bangkok residents who enjoy the sea, even if the sand is not as fine as at nearby Hua Hin. While it is relatively quiet, Cha-am still offers visitors a number of beach activities, such as jet skiing and banana boat riding, and the seafood is as readily available and inexpensive as any beach town in Thailand.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, boasts the world's tallest skyscrapers, and still warmly embraces its multi-cultural past. Anchoring the centre are the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, which are fondly nicknamed the "Twin Jewels of Kuala Lumpur", and a trip to KL is not complete until you have visited these structures.

Chinatown is renowned as a paradise for bargain hunters, and you will find a lively night market in the main area - Petaling Street. The stalls offer all sorts of goods at rock-bottom prices, and haggling is a way of life here.

The best-known attraction near Kuala Lumpur are the huge Batu Caves - a must-see tourist spot for visitors staying in KL for longer than a couple of days. Batu is made up of three main caves, and several smaller ones. To reach Temple Cave, the largest of all the Batu Caves, you will journey up 272 rock stairs, with the company of dozens of macaque monkeys!

Essential 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 or use our Online Insurance Quotation System