The Angkor Wat alternative: exploring Cambodia’s holiday

The next morning, after a giant plate of breakfast noodles, Bunt and I set off for another little-visited temple, Preah Vihear, cambodia visa bangkok the highest of the Khmer empire, crowning the Dangrek mountains.

It was more than three hours’ drive away, but for years it has been largely out of bounds because of a border dispute with Thailand. That dispute came to a head in 2011, when troops from the two countries clashed and dozens of soldiers were killed.

 Close up detail of the Preah Vihear Temple, Cambodia

 Temple view … Preah Vihear in detail. Photograph: Liam M Koehler
In 2013, the International Court of Justice ruled in Cambodia’s favour, the Thai army withdrew, and two years later the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office deemed it safe to visit. There are still troops on the ground, but a peace deal has been struck and the area is slowly trying to build up its tourist industry. There is even a fancy hotel nearby, the Preah Vihear Boutique, with an inviting pool and a spectacular mahogany staircase (doubles from £65 a night B&B).

We passed through the dramatic tour to cambodia from dubai  winged gopura (entrance pavilion) to explore the causeways and carved galleries

The temple itself is in an incredible setting. I craned my neck as we drove to the foot of the mountains, which jut out suddenly from the plains, with the shrine’s silhouette perched imposingly on the top.

Until three years ago, there was no road here; you’d have to trek through the undergrowth. Now, you can hitch a ride in an open-top truck or on a motorbike, and complete the steep climb in 15 minutes.

Whereas Banteay Chhmar was encased in jungle, like a secret hideaway, Preah Vihear stands stoically exposed, offering sweeping panoramic views. It also has different origins: it dates from the early 9th century, when it was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Centuries later it became a hideout for the Khmer Rouge, the brutal regime that claimed the lives of up to two million Cambodians.

As incense wafted through the air, it was hard cambodia vacation packages to believe the turbulent history of this serene temple. We passed through the dramatic winged gopura (entrance pavilion) to explore the causeways and carved galleries. Many were in decent condition, though some of the statues had been beheaded (looters again) and there were bullet holes in the sandstone.

If walls could talk, I don’t know where these timeworn witnesses would start. I am not even sure how Bunt managed to condense so much into his immersive crash-course. Cambodia is one of those places where you certainly leave with more than a suntan. And what I appreciated most about visiting its more secluded temples is the extra space and solitude that helps you begin to take it all in.

The trip was provided by InsideAsia Tours, which has a six-night Rural Khmer Temples tour, which includes Preah Vihear and Siem Reap, from £1,549pp, including private guide and transport, but excluding flights

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3 days in Siem Reap Cambodia (2)

You can spend a lot of time eating at Pub Road or around that area. We didn't actually really love any of the cafes or restaurants there but they're there if you want a Western fix. There are some wonderful restaurants that are safe to eat at where you can eat with the locals.

Back at 60 Road there are a range of sit down restaurants with a range of Cambodian BBQ restaurants where you can sit down and cook your own. I was perplexed at first as families looked like they were cooking hot pots. Cambodia Cooking Class  is a fascinating and clever take on barbecue. Everything is cooked on a gas cooker with a dome in the centre. Lard and butter are provided as is a soup. The soup is poured around the dome and the vegetables cook in this while you spread some butter on the dome and the meat is cooked on this so you get the barbecued meat and seafood plus nicely cooked vegetables. A serving that can feed 4 will set you back $13USD and we tried Ming Ming's Seafood.

Closer in town Restaurant Chan Ras II on Sivatha Road is a place that serves incredibly tasty food. The lovely Lara took us there and she explained that it is the same sort of food as the fine dining restaurants but the versions here might be slightly different. The curry may have more liquid in it because they need to stretch it further etc. Cambodians also tend to eat a lot of rice and smaller serves of protein.

Dishes at Chan Ras II

We tried the Prahok k'Tis (a delicious pork and prahok dip with vegetables), soft braised eggplant with pork, morning glory with pork, a chicken and vegetable curry and a  tour to dubai from cambodia Chinese pork sausage. Everything was delicious with robust flavours and the total bill was $15USD. Oh and you can BYO too!

Chong Phov Khmer restaurant

Another great find with Lara was new restaurant Chong Phov Khmer which was probably my favourite meal in Siem Reap. Open for only a few months it is something of a secret. If you want to dine with local Cambodians but in a upmarket but casual atmosphere ex Malis chef Eng Im cooks some divine dishes that have people coming back day after day. There's the Sour Beef soup with Curry Spice and Morning Glory - don't let the word sour put you off it's one of the most perfectly balanced soups you'll ever eat.

6. Eat At An NGO Eatery

Cambodia is a country rebuilding itself and on the ground there are many NGO (non-governmental organisations) that are designed to support social enterprises and teach people new skills in hospitality. This is not what you would call "pity tourism" - indeed dining at some of these NGO cafes and restaurants will give you one of the best meals, drinks, cakes you could have.

New Leaf Eatery on Street 09 has a fabulous atmosphere that just draws you in. The menu is made up of a mix of Cambodian dishes and Western dishes (about 30%/70%) and 80% of the profits go to the various charities. The flight to cambodia from Ho Chi Minh  staff are sweet and helpful and we absolutely adored the green mango salad and the fish amok 2 ways. The mains even come with a complimentary beer, limeade or ginger ale.

Strawberry and kampot pepper shake (left) $4.25USD, Watermelon Virgin Mary $3.75USD at Marum

One of the tastiest places to try real Khmer food is at Marum, an NGO and training centre for disadvantaged youth. Staff wear t-shirts that denote them as a teacher or a student. The staff are genuinely friendly and the food is absolutely delicious. I'd put this down as one of my favourite meals in Siem Reap.
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4 days in Siem Reap Cambodia

Cambodian art and homewares are lovely and distinct from what you may buy in other countries. Made in Cambodia Markets on Kings Rd are on every night and vendors do not have to pay a commission to sell at this market so the proceeds go to the creators themselves at a fair price. I picked up some beautiful scarves, bags and a lovely tactile wooden bowl. It is slightly pricier but these are generally artisans that produce things that you won't find at other markets. The Foreign Correspondent's Club (FCC) has a few good shops mostly for the serious art collector.
==> Read: siem reap to phnom penh tour 

Young monk and friend at Angkor Wat

To access the temples you will need to buy a 1, 3 or 7 day temple pass (the lines for the 1 day passes are the longest) so leave some time for the queues. The most popular position is across the lake to get the sunrise in the background. But just know that you will actually share this moment with thousands of people.


Angkor Wat

A little tip though: if you want a few minutes of Angkor Wat to yourself, the temple opens at 5:45am and from 5:50pm is when people start to file in. This literally gives you five minutes to have some quiet, contemplative time to yourself before everyone comes in. There is also a dress code at Angkor Wat travel package because you are entering a place of worship. Women must have their shoulders covered as well as clothing past their knee (although on the day about 50% of tourists ignored this and we saw bra tops and Daisy Dukes). They have however been known to refuse entry to those that don't adhere to this.

Street food at Phsar Leu markets

Can you believe that I waited til this long in the story to mention food? Silly me because the food in Cambodia is really, really good and chances are, unless you've visited already, you may not have tried much of it before as it has stayed in the shadow of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. One thing though, you need to be careful with street food in Siem Reap. Street food isn't quite as safe as it is in Thailand and people should exercise more caution here than you would in other countries. Food poisoning is not only confined to street food but please don't eat it freely as you would elsewhere.

==> siem reap adventure tours 

Tropical fruit

One of the best ways to try it is on a tour. River Garden's tours are held daily and are Cambodian chef-led tours where they take you to hand picked stands. For $25USD per person they pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. We started off our tour with Chef Saroun at Phsar Leu market where we bought Nom Ken Cha deep fried rice flour cakes with shallots that come with a chilli sauce and a home made fish sauce. When I was curious about the hanging beef balls at a stall she also bought some of these to snack on.

Fruit vendor at 60 Road

The tour then progressed to 60 Road, a very popular local street food and shopping market with a fun park attached to it (it's near where you buy your temple ticket). Come 7pm this will be very busy with families eating picnics (a night-time venture as the days are too hot to sit outside). We pick up several items including tarantula spiders, larvae and water beetles as well as fruit and dessert.

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Temple of Preah Vihear – a Khmer masterpiece of architecture

After four hour driving north from Siem Reap, you will reach a beautiful UNESCO
World Heritage site- Preah Vihear temple. It sits atop a steep cliff in the Dangrek
Mountains near the Thai border and commands superb views of northern Cambodia.
A visit to the Hindu Preah Vihear temple will not only bring you into contact with an
archaeological site built during the ancient Khmer Empire but also an area of military
confrontation as a result of on-going border tensions.

The temple was registered as a World Heritage Site by Unesco on July 7, 2008.
According to Chuch Phoeun, secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and Fine
Arts, “The Preah Vihear temple is a masterpiece of Khmer creative genius, a unique
testimony to the cultural tradition of civilisation and the most outstanding architectural
feat of an ancient technological ensemble, with a landscape illustrating a significant
stage in human history”.
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Located on a hill in northern Cambodia and dates to the Khmer Empire, this temple
is dedicated to the supreme god Shiva. The main construction took place in the 11th
and 12th century with smaller parts dating back to the 9th century.

The temple’s layout is complex. It has four levels with four courtyards, each
containing five Gopuras (entrance pavilions). Since ancient times, PreahVihear has
been a place of pilgrimage and sacred worship for kings and commoners alike, as it
has a stylised representation of Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods.

There is a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases
over an 800 meter long axis. This temple is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer
architecture, in terms of plan, decoration and relationship to the spectacular
landscape environment. This site is particularly well preserved, mainly due to its
remote location.
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Visiting the temple is quite easy but you require to buy an entrance ticket and drive
up the hill with a local vehicle. On the hill, you will see some Cambodian military
watching the border with Thailand.

It is suitable for tourists to make a day trip from Siem Reap. However if you have the
time it is well worth an adventurous overnight. And f you’d like to know more about
what an overnight in Preah Vihear province is like, please do not hesitate to contact
our Travel Consultants.

-(cambodia travel)

Top 10 best hotels and resorts in Siem Reap

As the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, Siem Reap is the most attractive city in
Cambodia. There are a lot of hotels and resorts in town which are suitable for
every budget. Here we recommend you some finest hotels in Siem Reap
based on their uniqueness about architecture, design, and services.

1. Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra offers 5-star accommodation in Siem Reap close to
the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat. The Siem Reap hotel, which elegantly
combines Khmer and French architectural design, features landscaped
gardens, 5 restaurants and bars, meeting facilities, a luxury spa and the
largest free form swimming pool in Cambodia. There are 238 rooms, with 14
suites and an Opera Suite. It is a place to relax and typically for those who like
to play golf. The leading luxury resort offers a world-class 18-hole golf course
at the Phokeethra Country Club.

Address: Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Khum Svay Dang Kum, Siem Reap,
Cambodia

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2. Raffles Grand Hotel

The luxury Siem Reap hotel offers personalized pampering at the award-
winning Raffles Spa, as well as an array of fine dining choices, from exotic
Khmer cuisine at the Restaurant Le Grand to the Elephant Bar. It serves fine
wine, champagne and cocktails, including the signature Airavata. For a one-
of-a- kind dining experience, opt for private dining at one of the magnificent
temples of Angkor.

Address: 1 Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Khum Svay Dang Kum, Cambodia

3. Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat

Navutu Dreams Resort lies 12 km from the temples of Angkor Wat and 16 km
from Siem Reap International Airport. It offers something different from other

hotels in Siem Reap. This resort is one of the best options for those who are
not interested in staying in Khmer style house.
The architecture of the hotel is a mix of Mediterranean comfort and style.
There are 3 large pools and 28 guestrooms and suites which offer the luxury
of space and relaxation.

Address: Navutu Rd, Krong Siem Reap 17251, Cambodia

==> Tour from siem reap to phnom penh

4. Angkor Miracle Resort Spa

Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa is the 5-star luxury hotel and located right in the
heart of Siem Reap, Cambodia. This high-end resort is 10 km from the
sprawling Angkor Wat temple complex and 13 km from Angkor Thom, the
ruins of the 13th-century Khmer capital. The resort features elegantly
appointed 247 rooms and suites. Other amenities consist of an elegant
restaurant, a terrace and a poolside bar, along with an outdoor saltwater pool,
a posh spa, a gym and a tennis court.
Address: National Road No. 6. Khum Sra Nge (Opposite Cambodian Cultural
Village), 12207 Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia

5. Le Méridien Angkor

Le Meridien Angkor is an international luxury hotel conveniently located in
Siem Reap. It is the closest five-star hotel to the Temples of Angkor Wat
which features 213 inviting guestrooms and suites and multiple international
dining options. There is also a spa, a gym and a Khmer-style landscaped
outdoor pool, all instilled with a blend of local Khmer influence and modern
design comforts.

Address: Vithei Charles De Gaulle, Khum Svay Dang Kum, 12207 Siem
Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia

( Source: angkor wat vacation packages)

Wild animals you need to see in Cambodia

If you are planning your Cambodia tour package in the mountainous regions, you will see the wide range of beautiful mammals, birds and reptiles in this area.

Cambodia is home to an incredible collection of wildlife. As for this, there are many sanctuaries and projects helping the survival of rare and endangered animals within Cambodia. There are many activities and sights to see on magnificent variety of the Cambodia trekking tour.

1. Irrawaddy Dolphin

Kratie is located 200km west of Mondulkiri on the banks of the Mekong River. The main reason for a visit to Kratie is to spot the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphin. They are an endangered species throughout Asia, with shrinking numbers inhabiting stretches of the Mekong in Cambodia and Laos, and isolated pockets in Bangladesh and Myanmar. They are dark-blue to grey, can grow to 2.75m long, and are recognisable by their small dorsal fins and bulging foreheads. Despite drastic measures to try and protect them, these numbers continue to plummet, and experts now estimate there are only around 80 Irrawaddy dolphins left in the Mekong between Kratie and the border with Laos.

The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) population inhabits a 190km stretch of the Mekong River between Cambodia and Lao PDR. The latest population is estimated between 64 and 76 members (2008 figures). The Irrawaddy dolphin is identified by a bulging forehead, a short beak, and 12-19 teeth on each side of each jaw. The pectoral fin is broadly triangular. There is a small dorsal fin, on the posterior end of the back.

2. Banteng

The banteng (Bos javanicus javanicus) is also known as the tembadau and is a species of wild cattle found in southeast Asia; They are social creatures that spend most of their time in herds of between 2 and 40 individuals, usually tour in cambodia led by an older cow and a single mature male. Other males live either alone or in bachelor groups. This single male of the group breeds with all the females which means that competition for dominance is fierce. Usually a single calf is born after a 285 day gestation, they are then weaned at between six to nine months old.

They are found throughout southeast Asia including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. They prefer to live in dry deciduous forests, feeding in open clearings.

Considered to be one of the most beautiful and graceful of all wild cattle in Cambodia, banteng populations  declined by about 95 percent between the late 1960s and early 1990s, according to WWF Cambodia. Today, the Eastern Plains of Cambodia is home to the most banteng, where work to preserve them has led to the population’s stabilisation. However, habitat loss and illegal poaching remain the animals’ main threats, as well as disease from wild livestock.

3. Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon

The yellow-cheeked crested gibbon is one of six species of crested gibbons, all of which have suffered from accelerating declines throughout their range, mostly due to habitat loss and hunting for the pet trade. Yellow-cheeked crested gibbons occur in northeastern Cambodia, southern Vietnam, and southern Laos, with Cambodia probably containing the majority of these individuals.

As a result of forest destruction and hunting, the wild population is estimated at less than 25,000 with the majority of the surviving population in Cambodia. In the Eastern Plains Landscape of Mondulkiri, a recent survey found Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary to hold the second largest number of these gibbons in Cambodia after Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area. Gibbons in the wild are very timid, although they happily co-exist with doucs, they are afraid of the tougher, noisier macaques.

4. Pygmy Slow Loris

A Pygmy slow loris is a small, compact creature with a short tail, a short, rounded muzzle, round eyes that are directed forward and fur that is short and dense. They are mostly brown, gray or reddish-brown. Between their eyes are white lines, with dark markings encircling them, and a faint medial stripe on the crown. Their hands are broad and they have an opposable thumb. The two genders are similar in appearance

The species also seems to be the most common mammal used in traditional Khmer medicines. Protected areas in eastern Cambodia, like Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, are thus likely to be important areas for the conservation of pygmy loris.

The slow lorises are small nocturnal and arboreal primates from Southeast Asia that prefer the tops of the trees and have slow, deliberate movements. Depending on the author, 3-5 species are distinguished. The Bengal Loris lives in Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam. The population trends of this species are unknown, but it has been intensively hunted as it is a popular pet species and used in traditional medicine in many ways.

==> Adventure Tours in Siem Reap 5. Clouded Leopard

The Leopard Cat is a small wild cat in the size of the domestic cat that lives in South and East Asia. Due to its large distribution area, several subspecies are distinguished that may exist in different kind of habitats. The overall population is not endangered, but regionally the species has become rare.

This beautiful wild cat inhabits lowland primary and secondary forest. It is mainly nocturnal in habits, but may be active during cooler parts of the day. The Clouded Leopard is considered to be 'the smallest of the big cats' more closely related to larger species such as the true Leopard and Tiger than smaller species, such as the Leopard Cat .

They can also be seen at Wildlife Alliance’s Phnom Tamao Rescue Center, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, where animals are rescued from the clutches of illegal trade and poaching, and rehabilitated before being released into their natural habitat. The clouded leopard is under threat due to wildlife hunting and loss of habitat.

==> Source: https://cambodiatours.com/

The most fascinating towns in Cambodia you must visit [Part 1]

If you are bored with the natural sights of Thailand or Vietnam, Cambodia is definitely a perfect choice for exploring the culture and natural beauty in here.

While the larger cities are rapidly modernizing, the towns are more quiet and it also comprises many interesting things that hasn’t been discovered. This Cambodia travel destination brings you a chance to experience a more traditional way of life, including treks into the jungle or to see more fascinating ancient ruins.

1. Koh Rong

Koh Rong is located about 25 kilometers from Sihanoukville, in the Gulf of Thailand. The island has 43 km of beautiful sandy beaches along both its Eastern and Western shores; its main attraction. Most travelers stay in guesthouses and bungalows situated along the beach at Koh Tuich Village (Tui Beach).

There are scuba diving centres on the island and trips to nearby islands for scuba diving and snorkeling can easily be arranged. Other activities include jungle-trekking, kayaking as well as fishing tours if lazing on the beach and swimming in the turquoise waters becomes a hardship. The vast majority of the island is still totally undeveloped although plans are in the pipeline to highly commercialize the island in the future including an airport, casino and golf course

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2. Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville is a coastal town in the south of Cambodia. The town was developed to accommodate the country’s first deep-water port in the late 1950s. A couple of years later, it had already become Cambodia’s prime seaside resort destination. Unlike other coastal towns, Sihanoukville can accommodate everyone, from the backpacker to the luxury seeker, which explains why the jet setters -from the capital head there in the weekends. Sihanoukville is also home to a vibrant nightlife.

Developed to accommodate the country’s first deep-water port in the late 1950s, Sihanoukville is a coastal town in the south of Cambodia and also home to a vibrant nightlife. Few years later, it had already become the prime seaside resort destination in Cambodia. Unlike other Cambodia’s coastal towns, Sihanoukville can accommodate all kinds of travelers, from the backpackers to the luxury seekers, which explains the reason why the jet setters – from the capital city head there on weekends.

Sihanoukville is Cambodia's premier beach town, sporting miles of white sand beaches, some excellent seafood, a heady party scene, and several nearby tropical islands. The town sits on a peninsula jutting into the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Beaches of fine pearl-white sand line the shore around the peninsula, each offering its own unique character, from the busy and popular Ochheuteal Beach to the secluded chill-out far end of Otres Beach

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3. Kampot

Kampot is one of the top destinations for nature in Cambodia. This quiet town is also famous for being the pepper capital of the world. The impressive range of riverside restaurants and small secluded bungalows combined with the charm of Cambodian small towns make the place an ideal one to relax in. Kampot also provides a great base for those wishing to visit the Bokor National Park and its French colonial hill station.

Kampot – a quiet town famous for being the pepper capital of the world is one of the top destinations for nature in Cambodia. It is the impressive range of small secluded bungalows and riverside restaurants combined with the charm of Cambodian small towns that make this place an ideal place to relax in. Also, Kampot provides a stunning base for those who wish to visit the Bokor National Park as well as its French colonial hill station. Cambodia travel packages.

For a laid-back stint of restful hammock swinging, you can't beat Kampot. This little riverine gem has it all when considering doing absolutely nothing. If you want to splash out a tiny bit, book a bungalow at Les Manguiers, one of Asia's most blissful venues.

==> For more information, please visit:

- siem reap to halong bay

- cruise phnom penh to siem reap

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