An Old-Fashioned Adventure
Are you looking for a little more than the standard tourist experience? ProVacation has you covered. One of the best ways to do a tour of Cambodia is through its bylanes, walking paths, bike routes, hiking trails and waterways. Cambodia offers varied scope for adventures off the beaten path. Take a closer look at rural life as you ride a bicycle through the rice fields and villages of Battambang. Share a meal with a Cambodian family in their home. Skip the luxury sedan for local tuk tuks to see the sights of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Go hiking and take a dip in the waterfalls of the Phnom Kulen mountain range. Sail on the peaceful waters of Tonle Sap Lake to visit a beautiful floating village. Near the Thailand border, Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary awaits you. It is one of the last places you can see the critically endangered national bird of Cambodia - the giant ibis. And if you’re particularly lucky, you could make history by spotting a kouprey. These unique bovine creatures may possibly be extinct since the last one was spotted in the 1980s!
The Majestic Temples of Angkor
Travel to Cambodia for one of the most breath-taking monuments of Asian history - the Angkor Archaeological Park. Angkor or Yasodharapura was the capital of the great Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Today, it is one of the most-visited tourist spots in the world. The ruins of Angkor contain over one thousand temples scattered through the surrounding forest and farmland in the province of Siem Reap and you could spend a whole week here. Be prepared for several long walks, sometimes at the crack of dawn, for the best prospects, and to do some homework reading to fully grasp the scale and significance of this site. The largest and most well-known is the temple of Angkor Wat, constructed by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century. It is considered to be the epitome of Khmer architecture with a magnificent ‘temple mountain’ and galleries with intricate bas-relief and religious motifs on the walls. This region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and shows evidence of impressive hydraulic engineering that presumably supplied water for irrigation along with storing and managing water for the city’s use. Millions of tourists visit Angkor every year and yet, no guide book or review website can prepare you for the first sight of this ancient wonder.
A Spiritual Hub of Asia
Cambodia is one of the major centres of Theravada Buddhism in the world. It is the official religion of the country with an overwhelming majority of the people practising it. This forms an interesting juxtaposition with the influence of Hinduism that pervades the history of the Khmer kings but has left little trace in modern-day Cambodia. If it is peace that you seek, let the ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples of Angkor comfort you with their timeless dignity. Marvel at the great Silver Pagoda at Phnom Penh and the Wat Phnom, the temple the city was named after. Visit the commune of Banteay Chhmar. Treat yourself to a massage in one of the cities and meditate on the verdant banks of the Tonle Sap.
An Ancient Civilisation
The Khmer civilization stretches back for thousands of years and the people of Cambodia have witnessed the rise and fall of kingdoms, French colonisation and horrific civil war. The country is still rebuilding itself, decades after the end of Pol Pot’s regime. Tourism is one of the forces helping the Cambodian economy get back on its feet and the people here are warm and hospitable. Forego the impersonal hotel for a homestay and a closer look at everyday life in the cities and villages. Explore the Tuol Sleng Museum and the National Museum for a wider understanding of the land and its history and tantalise your tastebuds with a piping dish of amok trey (freshwater fish coated in a spicy paste and steamed in banana leaves) and rice.
Life by the Water
Not many think of beaches and the ocean when talking of Cambodia and you’ll definitely miss out on the parties at Sihanoukville if you’re one of them. Once a seaside resort town that catered only to the super elite and wealthy, Sihanoukville’s golden sands and pristine blue waters are a balm to tired eyes. Go scuba diving, jet-skiing or fishing and take a sunset walk on Sokha or Otres Beach. The more famous Mekong River, of course, flows like life-blood through this region. A multi-day relaxing cruise on the river is a great way to not just see Cambodia, but also tie in a customised tour of neighbouring countries Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. Befriend an Irawaddy dolphin and soak in one of the gorgeous sunsets over the river. The mighty Mekong beckons!
A Treasure Trove of Stories and Mementos
The rich and colourful history of Cambodia has created traditions of craft, weaving and metal-work unique to the region. The night markets and shopping centres are crowded and buzzing with tourists throughout the year. Though the sale and export of genuine registered antiques is strictly forbidden, no one can resist the lure of replicas, pretty knick-knacks and street food. Visit the Angkor Night Market near Sivatha Street for your fill of bamboo, rattan, clay and wooden handicrafts, silk and cotton textiles and souvenirs. If you’d like to go straight to the source, visiting craft villages is a great experience. Purchase an intricately engraved betel nut box from the silversmith workshops in the village of Koh Chen or a clay candlestick-holder from the village of Andong Russei. Your thoughtful patronage will help sustain the Cambodian economy through its craftsmen.