Explore Cambodia – Unique Culture, History & Landmarks 5 Nights / 6 Days

Cambodia is one of the most popular tourist destinations bordering by Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Cambodia tourism is all about stepping back into history where culture, heritage, and natural wonder have blended together.

• Accommodation at hotel as mentioned or similar ones
• Ground transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
• Shuttle bus for route Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
• Meals: Breakfast at hotel only
• Service of English Speaking Guide
• Tour with entrance fees as specified
• Mineral water during excursion
• All services mentioned in the program

• Airfare
• Airport Taxes
• Visa
• Travel Insurance
• Tips to Driver and Guide
• Personal expense
• Use of vehicle other than the specified itinerary.
• Any item that is not mentioned in the above Tour Price includes

• Country:Cambodia
• City:Phnom Penh
• Area:181,035 km²
• Weather:34°C, Wind
• Local time:4:10 PM
• Currency:Cambodian riel
• Language:Khmer
• Population:15.14 million

General Information About Cambodia

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and Gulf of Thailand coastline. Its busy capital, Phnom Penh, is home to the art deco Central Market, glittering Royal Palace and the National Museum's historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country's northwest lie ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire.

History of Cambodia

Migrations into the mainland regions of Southeast Asia from the north continued well into historic times. The ancestors of the Cambodians came with earlier waves that followed in the wake of the proto-Malays. The Cambodians are closely related to the Mon who settled further to the west but of whom only small pockets survive in Thailand and Burma. According to conventional history based largely on Chinese sources, when the Cambodians arrived in presentday Cambodia, two powerful states had already been established there by people of the Malay stock--Champa, controlling part of central and southern Vietnam, and Founan (Funan), sited in the southernmost part of Vietnam and most of presentday Cambodia. Founan was at the height of its power at the end of the fifth century A.D. Some scholars, such as Nasuruddin, believe that the court of Founan had Indian dance and music which spread to the other parts of the Kingdom (1992:2), but Chandler (1992:13ff) casts doubt on the reliability of the Chinese sources. It is believed that one of Founan's vassals was the Cambodian state of Chenla, situated in presentday northern Cambodia and southern Laos. By about the middle of the sixth century A.D., Chenla overcame Founan and reversed the pattern of overlord and vassal. About A.D. 627, Chenla completely absorbed Founan, during the reign of Isanvarman I who married a princess of the neighboring kingdom of Champa, and extended his domains westward until it bordered the Mon kingdom of Dvaravati (Cambodia 1969:104).

Before the end of Jayavarman I's reign, Chenla was showing signs of breaking up. Civil war followed his death, and the country split into two parts: Land Chenla (northern part) and Water Chenla (southern part), and Cambodian power suffered an eclipse for more than a century. The Cambodians, like the people of Founan and Champa, absorbed many aspects of Indic culture, including the Hindu-based concept of the Sivite Deva Raja (God-King) and the great temple as a symbolic holy mountain. Although Cambodian kingdoms waxed and waned and were eventually eclipsed, the Cambodian penchant for building temples of stones throughout their kingdoms left monuments by which today's people can sense the power and cosmic order of their ancient forebears. Though he did not found the city of Angkor, Jayavarman II (802-830), revived Cambodian power and built the foundation for the Angkorean empire, founding three capitals--Indrapura, Hariharalaya, and Mahendraparvata--the archeological remains of which reveal much about his times. The first great expansion of Cambodian power occurred during the reign of Suryavarman I (1002-1050). After winning a long civil war, he turned his force eastward and subjugated the Mon kingdom of Dvaravati. Consequently, he ruled over the greater part of presentday Thailand and Laos, as well as the northern half of the Malay Peninsula. This period, during which Angkor Vatt was constructed, is considered the apex of Cambodian civilization. Cambodia became a great empire, and the great temples of Angkor, an archeological treasure replete with detailed stone bas-reliefs showing many aspects of the culture, including some musical instruments, remain as monuments to the greatness of Cambodia's culture.

After the death of Suryavarman II (1113-1150), Cambodia lapsed into chaos until Jayavarman VII (1181-1218) ordered the construction of a new city. He was a Buddhist, and for a time, Buddhism became the dominant religion in Cambodia. As a state religion, however, it was adapted to suit the Deva Raja cult, with a Buddha Raja being substituted for the former Shiva Raja or Vishnu Raja. The Siamese Tai became increasingly powerful in the valley of the Chao Phraya River. In 1238 they captured Sukhothai and soon established a powerful, independent kingdom (Cambodia 1969:105). The rise of the Tai kingdoms of Sukhothai (1238) and Ayuthaya (1350) resulted in almost ceaseless wars with the Cambodians and led to the destruction of Angkor in 1431 when the forces of Ayuthaya captured Angkor itself through the treachery of two Buddhist monks. They are said to have carried off 90,000 prisoners, many of whom were likely dancers and musicians (Thailand 1969:151, Blanchard 1958:27). The period following 1432, with the Cambodian people bereft of their treasures, documents, and human culture bearers, was one of precipitous decline. In 1434 King Ponhea Yat made Phnom Penh his capital, and Angkor was abandoned to the jungle. During the following century, King Ang Chan (1516-1566) transferred the capital to Lungvek (lovek), but it was taken in 1594 by the Siamese.

. Due to continued Siamese and Vietnamese agression Cambodia appealed to France for protection in 1863 and became a French protectorate in 1864. During the 1880s, along southern Vietnam and Laos, Cambodia was drawn into the French-controlled Indochinese Union. For nearly a century, the French exploited Cambodia commercially, and demanded power over politics, economics, and social life. During the second half of the twentieth century, the political situation in Cambodia became chaotic. King Norodom Sihanouk (later, Prince, then again King), proclaimed Cambodia's independence in 1949 (granted in full in 1953) and ruled the country until March 18, 1970, when he was overthrown by General Lon Nol, who established the Khmer Republic. On April 17, 1975, the genocidal Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot (alias Saloth Sar) came to power and virtually destroyed Cambodian people, their health, morality, education, physical environment, and culture. On January 7, 1979, Cambodian forces under Heng Samrin together with Vietnamese forces, ousted the Khmer Rouge. After more than ten years of painfully slow rebuilding with only meager outside help, the United Nations intervened resulted in the Paris Peace Accord on October 23, 1992 and created the conditions for general elections in May 1993, which led to the formation of the country's current government and the restoration of Prince Sihanouk to power as King in 1993. Nonetheless, the Khmer Rouge continue to control portions of western and northern Cambodia, and security outside the capitals remains problematic.

Siem Reap

Home of Angkor Wat, one of the greatest religious monuments in the world, Siem Reap is a charming tree-lined city with a narrow river flowing through the center of town. While most visitors spend their time exploring the ancient temple ruins, there are plenty of other diversions in town. The Tonle Sap Lake (and river), considered the heart of Cambodia, is located near here and boat tours offer visitors a glimpse into the traditional Khmer way of life. Floating villages, sunset cruises and tours of the bird reserve of Prek Tuol are all worthwhile.

Phnom Penh

The capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia is located at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap. There is plenty to see in this small colonial capital. The many sidewalk cafes, established along the riverfront. In addition to such tourist sites as the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and Wat Phnom, there are several markets selling silk, silver, gems and antiques. Also worthwhile is a visit to the notorious "Killing Fields" and Tuol Sleng Museum

Battambang

The second largest city in Cambodia, Battambang is located on a rich and fertile plain, which provides much of the rice and other important crops for the country. The Sangker River cuts through the town center, which is filled with colonial and shop house architecture. The region has numerous Angkorian and post-Angkorian sites. Some of the most interesting are the Wat Ek and Phnom Banon (both 11th century – Suryavarman I).

The Southern Temples

Phnom Penh allows the traveler to visit some of the major archeological sites of Cambodia. Ta Phrom temple (12th century) can be found near Tonle Bati Lake and the fine Angkorian temple of Suryagiri (11th century) is located on top of Phnom Chisor Mountain. Other interesting stops include Angkor Borei, the first capital of the Pre Angkorian Kingdom of Chenla, Phnom Da temple (6th century) and Asram Maharosei, a unique Indian-style sandstone temple.

Kompong Thom

Kompong Thom is a small town located on the banks of the Stung Sen River. It is the base for excursions to the archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk. Located 35 km from the city, the ancient capital of Chenla still contains 100 temples from the pre-Angkorian period (7th century) which are surrounded by lush forest.

Kompong Cham

This lively port on the banks of the Mekong has some good examples of colonial architecture, as well as some interesting temples (including Wat Nokhor and Wat Kohear Nokor). Outside the provincial capital, on the other bank of the Mekong River, is Chhup, a rubber plantation that was first established in the region by the French tire maker Michelin.

Koh Kong

The southern Cardamom Mountains are an exceptionally beautiful area and a biodiversity hotspot. They are one of the last remaining elephant corridors and large predator ranges in the region. The mountains host more than half of Cambodia's 2,300 bird species and are home to 14 globally threatened mammal groups. Explore the inhabited islands, isolated beaches, pristine rainforest, mangrove-lined rivers and remote waterfalls. Ecotourism is starting to open up the Koh Kong Conservation Corridor.

People Of Cambodia

Cambodia's people must be some of the most resilient on the earth. Having experienced tortuous war years, poverty and horror, they still are courteous, friendly and welcoming. You will love the constant array of smiling gentle faces and the best compliment to pay your hosts is to remain cool tempered, calm and ready for Care always.

When to go

Cambodia can be visited at any time of year. The ideal months are December and January, when humidity levels are relatively low, there is little rainfall and a cooling breeze whips across the land, but this is also peak season when the majority of visitors descend on the country. From early February temperatures keep rising until the killer month, April, when the mercury often exceeds 40°C. Some time in May or June, the southwestern monsoon brings rain and high humidity, cooking up a sweat for all but the hardiest of visitors. The wet season, which lasts until October, isn’t such a bad time to visit, as the rain tends to come in short, sharp downpours. Angkor is surrounded by lush foliage and the moats are full of water at this time of year. If you are planning to visit isolated areas, however, the wet season makes for tough travel. The best time of the year to travel to Cambodia is October through March, the dry season, when temperatures are more moderate. In April, Cambodia's weather can easily reach temperatures of 40°C. The rainy season runs from the second half of June through to the first half of October. This time of year is wet and less dusty, the scenery is deep green and the waterfalls and rivers are at their most spectacular. During this time of year the day time temperature is approximately 24°C, the evenings can be slightly cooler. Our advice would be to simply allow the Cambodia weather to be a part of your travel experience. Bring along a poncho and swimming clothes and you'll be prepared for all that Cambodia has to offer. Cambodia is a great holiday destination all year round, just remember that the weather remains unpredictable.Summary

The Rainy Season

The Cambodia weather has a south-western monsoon which causes heavy rains almost daily from June until October, usually during late afternoon or evening. Don't allow these heavy rains to ruin your day, the heavy afternoon showers can often freshen the air and bring the temperature down. The rains in Cambodia are usually heavy but short and the rain usually leads to short windows of beautiful skies with dark ominous clouds and amazing thunder and lightning. Most of all, nature and the paddy-fields are the most radiant shade of green during the rainy season. September is known for the most precipitation, however this can differ per region and each year is slightly different. The Cambodia weather also has a north-western monsoon which causes temperatures to drop slightly and causes some precipitation from November through March. The driest months of the year are January and February, and sometimes there is no precipitation at all during these months. You'll notice that even though there's no rain during a dry spell, the sky may not be clear blue. Cambodia's weather is coolest between the months of November and January, but even then the temperature will not drop below 20°C. April and May are dry months; however temperatures can easily soar up to 40°C.

Sun and fun at the beach

Although Cambodia isn't exactly known for its beaches, the beaches in the bays around Sihanoukville and the deserted beaches of Kep are wonderful for relaxing and outdoor activities. Naturally you'll want to have dry, sunny and warm weather during a stay at the beach. The best time to visit is during the dry season which lasts between October until mid June. April and May are especially pleasant for beach visits since temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius. During the monsoon season (June-October) you can expect higher humidity and heavy rain falls, which tend to come in the form of short but heavy afternoon showers. Some days it can be completely dry, but others it may rain all day. The weather shouldn't stop you from travelling to Cambodia during these periods, but you may need to bear the weather in mind if you're thinking about an extended beach break in Cambodia during this period. With a little preparation and sunny outlook you'll still enjoy your time there.

Currncy Of Cambodia

Cambodian currency is the Riel but use Dollars. The US dollar remains king in Cambodia. Armed with enough cash, you won’t need to visit a bank at all because it is possible to change small amounts of dollars for riel at hotels, restaurants and markets. Hardened travellers argue that your trip ends up being slightly more expensive if you rely on US dollars rather than riel, but in reality there’s very little in it. However, it never hurts to support the local currency against the greenback. It is always handy to have about US$10 worth of riel kicking around, as it is good for motos, remorque - motos and markets. Pay for something cheap in US dollars and the change comes in riel. In remote areas of the north and northeast, locals only deal in riel or small dollar denominations. The only other currency that can be useful is Thai baht, mainly in the west of the country.

Prices in towns such as Krong Koh Kong, Poipet and Sisophon are often quoted in baht, and even in Battambang it is as common as the dollar. There are no banks at any of the land border crossings into Cambodia, meaning credit cards and travellers cheques are effectively useless on arrival, although there will likely be ATMs in Poipet in the near future. In the interests of making life as simple as possible, organise a supply of US dollars before arriving in Cambodia. Cash in other major currencies can be changed at banks or markets in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. However, most banks tend to offer a miserable rate for any nondollar transaction so it can be better to use moneychangers, which are found in and around every major market. Western Union and MoneyGram are both represented in Cambodia for fast, if more expensive, money transfers. Western Union is represented by SBC and Acleda Bank, and MoneyGram is represented by Canadia Bank.

ATMs

There are now credit-card-compatible ATMs (Visa and MasterCard only) in most major cities including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang and Kompong Cham. There are also ATMs at the Cham Yeam and Poipet borders if arriving from Thailand. Machines dispense US dollars. Large withdrawals of up to US$2000 are possible, providing your account can handle it. Stay alert when using them late at night. ANZ Royal Bank has the most extensive network, including ATMs at petrol stations and popular hotels, restaurants and shops, closely followed by Canadia Bank. Acleda Bank has the widest network of branches in the country, including all provincial capitals, and many have ATMs. However, these are not yet compatible with international credit cards, although rumours are that they will be upgraded soon.

Credit cards

Top-end hotels, airline offices and upmarket boutiques and restaurants generally accept most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, sometimes American Express), but they usually pass the charges straight on to the customer, meaning an extra 3% on the bill. Cash advances on credit cards are available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Battambang and Kompong Cham. Canadia Bank and Union Commercial Bank offer free cash advances, but most other banks advertise a minimum charge of US$5. Several travel agents and hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap arrange cash advances for about 5% commission; this can be particularly useful if you get caught short at the weekend.

Travellers cheques

Acleda Bank now offers travellers cheque encashment at most branches, bringing financial freedom to far-flung provinces like Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri. It is best to have cheques in US dollars, though it is also possible to change euros at Acleda Bank and most major currencies at branches of Canadia Bank. Generally, you pay about 2% commission to change travellers cheques.

Exchange rate

The Riel per US$ exchange rate on the streets of Siem Reap has been stable at around 4,100 - but most shops will round to 4,000 for ease. When receiving change from a dollar, the cents will be returned to you in Riel - if you give a 10 dollar note for a $2.50 item, you will usually get 7 dollars and 2,000 Riel change.

Nightlife In Cambodia

Nightlife in Cambodia is exciting and you must experience its attractions as part of your Cambodia Tours. In order to enjoy the Nightlife in Cambodia to its fullest, you can head for the capital city of Phnom Penh. Rubies Wine Bar can be a lovely choice and worth a mention with its beautiful atmosphere. The Phonm Penh Peace Pub which was formerly known as the Peace Café features art house films and mainstream films on big screen. Some of the other places which you can check out for Nightlife in Cambodia, are the Riverhouse Lounge and L' Asiate. The late night of Strip Phnom Penh is a great option for Nightlife in Cambodia. This area has some of the most popular bars including The Walkabout Bar, The Heart Of Darkness, Howie's Bar, Shanghai Bar and others. The Walkabout Bar is the only place in town serving excellent ice cold beers and food 24 hours a day on all the days of the week. If it’s early evening, you can visit the DV8, OneZeroFour, Green Vespa or Shanghai Bar.

Sharky's is another good choice with drink specials on different days. DV8 remains usually busy from 8 pm till 2 am in the morning. Martini is another great option. It has a dance floor with seating arrangement around the dance floor. The air conditioned dance floor is popular with the regular crowds. There is a raised section with two pool tables and a bar outside. The food area is excellent and serves dishes within affordable range. The bar remains open till 3 am in the morning. You can head for Georges if you are into late night outs. Visit the Shanghai Bar for Nightlife in Cambodia. It is mainly a hostess bar offering a good selection of western food. It has seen immediate success in a short span of time as it was opened in late 2000. Zanzibar is one of Phnom Penh's most popular hostess bars. You will find this on the Street 104. The range of spirits and beers available here is sure to delight you.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is a surprisingly good little party town, offering a dusk till dawn nightlife and a variety of places from which to choose - dance clubs, sports bars, neighborhood pubs, karaoke, upscale clubs and more. Bars and clubs are scattered across the town but as the city is fairly compact it’s never more than a five or ten minute ride between places, usually less. And there are several little clusters of bars and nightspots around town allowing you to hop easily from one to the next. The riverfront area sports the greatest number of places with dozens of bars and restaurants stretching along Sisowath Quay and up the side streets. Radiating off the riverfront road, Street 104 and Street 136 both harbor goodly collections of sports and hostess bars open late into the night. Another little huddle of hostess bars sits at the corner of Streets 108 and 51. Late night, the clubs are the place to be. In the couple of blocks between Streets 154 and 174, Street 51 near the Heart is lined with a varied collection bars, busy into the early morn - Walkabout, Zeppelin, and Howies are but a few of the Street 51 places. The street is busiest after midnight with some bars open past 4AM. Street 51 is also a good place to place to get a midnight snack. The Walkabout is open 24/7, Zeppelin Café serves food until at least 4AM and there are a couple of late night restaurants in the Golden Sorya Mall opposite the Heart.

Siem Reap

The Bars of Siem Reap’s nightlife stretches to near dawn these days with the bar scene coming to life around dusk and the last few pubs and clubs closing as late as 4AM. Nightlife venues are located across town but the center of the action is the Pub Street area where many of the most popular bars and clubs are clustered. Some of the best early evening happy hour deals can be found on Pub Street. The Pub Street area also has some of the latest running bars in town, including the Temple Club, Angkor What, Mikey’s and X-Bar. And if music is your thing, a growing number of bars in the Pub Street area offer semi-regular live music in the evenings, including The Warehouse opposite the Old Market, In Touch and Banana Leaf on Pub Street and X-Bar on Sivutha at the end of Pub Street. As one might expect, the focus for most visitors to Siem Reap are the ancient temples of Angkor, visiting the great Tonle Sap Lake, and other daytime activities.

But to think that there is not much to do after dark, would be wrong. After all, this is a tourist town. The liveliest areas in Siem Reap after dark are Pub Street, the Old Market area, the alley and lane off Pub Street, and the Night Market area. Most venues are frequented by either tourists or expats, but some establishments attract both types of customers. Closing times vary widely, and range from about 12 midnight for those places that are restaurant-bar combinations, to the early hours of the morning for hardcore bars. No matter what your taste, for both drinking and dining, there are many venues to choose from for a fun evening out. While the nightlife in Siem Reap doesn’t even come close to that of Thailand, or even Phnom Penh, you should be able to find what you are looking for. From intimate and stylish places for a quiet cocktail, to Khmer disco type paces with very loud music, to bars with very attentive ladies, there is something for everyone. See below for a few venues we have reviewed for you.

Language in Cambodia

Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is used in most social contexts including government administration, education at all levels, and in the mass media. It is spoken by some 7 million people living there, roughly 90% of the population. Regional differences are slight and normally mutually intelligible. Based on the dialect of the capital city of Phnom Penh, Modern Khmer is used throughout the nation and widely understood by its inhabitants. Much Khmer vocabulary used in literature, the military, and administration is borrowed from Sanskrit, or Pali. Due to years of French colonial rule, numerous French words have been incorporated into the language as well.