"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."
- Robert Louis
Stevenson
- Robert Louis
Stevenson
Angkor
Siem Reap
Phnom Penh
Coast
Battambang
More…
Siem Reap
Take a break from the temples - activities for families, nature-lovers and adrenaline junkies. Or those just looking to relax...
- Enjoy the countryside from horse-back to quad bike
- Appreciate and practice traditional arts and crafts
- Play golf on world-class courses
- Indulge in spa treatments
- Learn to cook Khmer cuisine
Siem Reap is a great base for walking and kayaking, birdwatching and visiting temples well off the beaten track for that true "Indiana Jones" feeling.
Battambang
Delve into the picturesque countryside as you ride Battambang's infamous bamboo train, be awestruck by the skills of the Phare Ponleu Selpak circus troupe and view the emerging art scene in Cambodia's third city.
Travel by boat between Siem Reap and Battamabang and absorb the sights, sounds and smells(!) of life on the Tonle Sap Lake - possibly opting for a luxury cruise with personal chef and masseuse.
Sihanoukville
Excellent diving, snorkeling, water sports and beach relaxation can all be found at Cambodia's liveliest beach destination, Sihanoukville. Still relatively undeveloped, Sihanoukville is a great base to visit the beaches and ecosystems of Ream National park, take a trip out to one of the islands, or just lay back and enjoy the sunshine.
Kep & Kampot
Kick back in sleepy coastal towns Kep and Kampot, as you soak up the sun on Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), sail the coastline and savour mouth watering crab, seasoned with local salt and pepper (possibly the world's finest). Once the Cambodian royal beach resort, Kep is a sleepy backwater, and the perfect place to unwind - enjoy it before everybody else finds it! And did we mention the seafood?
Takeo
Make your journey to or from the Coast of Cambodia part of the experience: visit some of the untouristic sights of rural Takeo province.
- Take a speed boat through the ancient canals of Funan to Phnom Da
- Visit the ancient city of Angkor Borei, cradle of the Khmer civilisation
- Climb to the top of Phnom Chisor for views over the Mekong floodplain towards Vietnam
Song Saa
Enjoy the serenity of outstandingly beautiful natural surroundings from your luxurious villa on Song Saa Private Island, the epitome of paradise. Dine on world-class cuisine, experience the unforgettable wonder of a bioluminescence swim and enjoy the facilities of this all inclusive 5* resort.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a vibrant city, with bars, restaurants and a developing music scene. Beyond the stunning Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, or the challenging Khmer Rouge sites, conisder:
- Traditional dance and acrobatics at Sovanna Phum theatre
- Go behind the scenes at Ta Mao wildlife Sanctuary
- Cruise the Mekong at Sunset, or head further afield to one of the silk weaving villages
Koh Kong
Amid the stunning setting of the South Cardamom Mountains get up close to nature trekking through the lush jungles of Koh Kong Province. Explore the rivers by kayak, take a boat through the mangroves on the coast, and swim in waterfall pools such as at Tatai.
Accommodation ranges from the luxurious 4 Rivers floating lodge, through ecologically sensitive choices such as Rainbow lodge, to homestays in Cambodian communities.
Birding & Wildlife
Endangered mammals and unique bird species - Cambodia conceals a wealth of wildlife. From simple day trips and overnight stays, to fortnight-long expeditions around the country:
- Ang Trapaeng Thmor - a man-made reservoir from the Khmer Rouge era, now home to the Sarus Crane
- Tmatboey and Florican Grasslands - home of Ibis and Fish Eagles
- Vultures and Jackals at Chhep
- Seima - possibly the best place in the world to see Woodpeckers (16 species)
The Tonle Sap & Soft Adventure
Enter stilted houses in the floating and stilted villages along the Tonle Sap Lake to see how these subsistence fishing communities live: take a short trip in a motor boat, or take the opportunity to follow little explored kayaking routes through the flooded forests to floating villages.
The more adventurous may venture further afield by kayak, getting closer to nature exploring the mangroves and channels around the lake, perhaps entering the Prek Toal biosphere with a specialist wildlife guide.
Combine kayaking with biking and walking tours - explore the countryside of rural Siem Reap Province, even camping out on the banks of an Angkorian reservoir now only used by wildlife.
Remote Temples
Put yourselves in the shoes of the original European explorers "discovering" lost temples in the forests of Cambodia:
- Preah Vihear - still very much in the news as Cambodia and Thailand dispute ownership of this temple with magnificent views overlooking the plains of Northern Cambodia
- Koh Ker - combine with Beng Mealea as a day trip by road
- Banteay Chhmar - a magnificent complex in the northwest of the country, stay overnight in the local village to enjoy the morning light
- Preah Khan of Kampong Svay - visit by 4 Wheel Drive (dry season) or helicopter only!
Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri
True wilderness country, visiting Mondulkiri or Ratanakiri provinces will ensure you're off the beaten track. Regions of forest, plantations and waterfalls, populated by tribes living on the margins of Cambodia - socially and geographically - they are far from fast-paced, and accommodation can be rustic!
Angkor
Guided along our unique crowd avoidance routes you'll discover hidden temples across the main Angkor Archaeological park. Experience more:
- Take an awe-inspiring aerial tour of Cambodia's phenomenal national symbol Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world
- For that special occasion, arrange a private dinner at your own Angkorian temple - an unbeatable backdrop for a celebration banquet
Laos
So close in character, Lao people are even more relaxed and welcoming than Khmers. Laos is a large, sparsely populated country, with the mighty Mekong winding its way through stunning mountain scenery before the waterfalls of the 4,000 Islands into Cambodia.
Consider Laos for:
- Relaxing in the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang
- Elephant trekking - from half a day to a week through the jungle
- Meeting some fo the (over 100) minority groups that live in Laos
- A range of adventure sports - rafting & kayaking, trekking, climbing & mountain biking
Cambodia and Laos - an unforgettable taste of Indochina.
Mouse over, or click, for more information
All things Angkor
Angkor Wat - Temple Guide
- All about the temple - history, maps & plans, best times to visit
Angkor Wat is a magical place to visit. Expert guides will introduce you to this marvel of the ancient world, centrepiece of the largest city in the world in the middle ages.
For a magical experience, view the temples from the air, or even use as a backdrop to your very own "temple dinner".
Without Crowds - Touring with ABOUTAsia
- Crowd avoidance - our research programme
- Temple guides - carefully selected
- Tailor-made travel - tour your way
ABOUTAsia's guides are interviewed for knowledge and language skills, and learn our crowd avoidance routes through the Angkor temples.
Angkor Temples
Highlights such as the Bayon, Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei, less visited temples such as Preah Khan, as well as distant sites.
Itineraries
- Short Stays for the essential sights
- Longer Vacations for a fuller experience
- With other countries for highlights of SE Asia
Visit the essential Angkor Temples during your 3 day tour, or make Siem Reap one stop on a much longer vacation.
Hotels For Your Stay
- Amansara for the ultimate stay
- Luxury Hotels for a range of styles
- Boutique Hotels - more intimate properties
Accommodation for tastes ranging from indulgent luxury to stylish minimalism, colonial grandeur or a relaxed family feel.
Far Flung Sites - Distant Temples
- Koh Ker - combine with other sites
- Preah Vihear - disputed UNESCO site
- Banteay Chhmar - daytrip or homestay
Take time to explore the jungle temples by 4x4, or combine several into one "grand tour" by helicopter.
Siem Reap & Around
Away from the Temples
- Fishing Villages of the Tonle Sap
- Golf - perhaps combine with a Spa package?
- Siem Reap Attractions - more suggestions
The range of activities changes often - ask us for our current recommendations.
Adventure Activities
- Cycle Tours - temples or countryside
- Trekking & Camping - get closer to nature
- Kayaking - around the lake
Example Itineraries for the more active traveler, or those wishing to see more of the country than most tourists.
Itineraries
- 6 Days - a little more in Siem Reap
- add Phnom Penh for a longer stay
- Tonle Sap Circuit - around the lake
All of our "off the shelf" tours only have a few days in Siem Reap. Many guests stay for much longer, however...
Hotels for Your Stay
- Amansara for the ultimate stay
- Luxury Hotels for a range of styles
- Boutique Hotels - more intimate properties
Accommodation for tastes ranging from indulgent luxury to stylish minimalism, colonial grandeur or a relaxed family feel.
Phnom Penh
Tourist Attractions
- Royal Palace
- Tuol Sleng - Genocide Museum
- Phnom Penh Attractions - more suggestions
The sites of the Khmer Rouge are challenging, and not for everybody, but the city has much more to offer...
Hotels for Your Stay
- Raffles - luxury and history
- Luxury Hotels in a range of styles
- Boutique Hotels - more intimate properties
The best hotels for being in the thick of the action, or keeping the children happy...
Travel Itineraries
Combine Siem Reap with Phnom Penh, include Battambang for a more provincial Cambodian city feel, and perhaps finish at the coast...
Coast & Islands
Song Saa
Song Saa is a brand new all-inclusive 5* resort off the coast of Sihanoukville. Contact us for 2012 packages.
Travelers looking for a more rustic feel should consider the islands off Sihanoukville: accommodation can be basic, but seclusion is unrivalled.
Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville is Cambodia's lively beach town, ideal for family beach time and as a base for snorkelling or diving.
Itineraries
- Siem Reap to Song Saa
- Two Week vacation - with a stay in Kep
- Cambodia Beach Vacation
Add a short or longer stay at the coast to round off your Cambodian journey. From diving to desert islands - perfect relaxation.
Kep & Kampot
Kep and Kampot are relatively undeveloped coastal towns that are simply great places to relax - and enjoy some great food.
Battambang
Battambang City
Riding the Bamboo train, and visiting the Circus are the real must-dos, but Battambang also boasts Cambodia's first vineyard...
Battambang Hotels
We prefer Bambu, but other boutique properties are available including Au Cabaret Vert, home of Cambodia's first ecological pool
Itineraries
A 2 day visit to Battambang can be added to any itinerary as a more relaxed way of traveling between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
More Destinations
Koh Kong
Explore the mangroves forests and waterways of Koh Kong province - trek up mountains, swim under waterfalls...
Takeo
- Takeo touring
- Phnom Da
- Phnom Chisor
Takeo is between Phnom Penh and Kep, and is a great day out when traveling between the two cities, or out from Phnom Penh.
Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri
Explore the wildlife, cultures and landscapes of the Northeast of Cambodia - an alternative to Laos.
Itineraries
Longer journeys, including some out of the way places - ask our experts for something unusual, tailor-made for you.
Birdwatching "Supertour"
- Giant Ibis & Sarus Cranes
- Pileated Gibbons & Pygmy Loris
- Vultures & Fish Eagles
- Irrawaddy Dolphins & Mekong Turtles
Visit the north of the country, visiting 7 different sites as well as the temples of Angkor.
Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar...
- Siem Reap & Luang Prabang
- Cambodia & Laos
- Vietnam & Myanmar - contact us
To complement our Laos extensions, new partners are developing unique itineraries in Vietnam and Myanmar (Burma) for us.
Peerless service standards and local positioning have made us the tour operator of choice by international luxury travel groups and discerning independent travellers to Angkor Wat, Cambodia and Southeast Asia.
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© Andrew J Booth - all rights reserved on website contents 2010-13. No text or images may be reproduced or used on another website without written permission from ABOUTAsia.
© Andrew J Booth - all rights reserved on website contents 2010-13. No text or images may be reproduced or used on another website without written permission from ABOUTAsia.