cambodia's highlights

To help you decide on your itinerary and give you an idea of what is available in Cambodia we have highlighted some of the major places of interest throughout the country. Once you have chosen where you would like to go, and what you would like to see, we can advise on the most appropriate routing and tailor an itinerary to meet your requirements. If you would like further information or would just like to discuss the various options that are available please contact us.

We have also put together a selection of sample itineraries to show you what is possible over varying durations. Again any of these suggestions can be tailored to accommodate your desires and ideas. For further information please click here.

A land of amazing temples and lush jungle

Phnom Penh

Capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is located at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap. The city was founded in 1372 by a Khmer woman called Penh who set up a monastery on a hill near the banks of the Mekong. As the Cambodian word for hill is Phnom the city’s name means hill of Penh. Strongly influenced by its French colonial past, Phnom Penh has a wealth of fine European architecture. The city also boasts numerous bars and restaurants, markets, pagodas and a fine promenade along the river. Visitors should not miss the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and Wat Phnom. The notorious “Killing Fields” and Tuol Sleng Museum, whilst harrowing, chronicle the Khmer Rouge's period of government and help one to understanding this terrible chapter of Cambodian history.

Phnom Penh is one of Asia’s up and coming cities and for some ideas on what to do there and where to stay please see our section on travel ideas for Phnom Penh.

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Udong

Udong, some 25 miles from Phnom Penh, was the ancient capital of the Khmer Kingdom and is where traditionally kings have been crowned. The complex of temples and stupas offers some spectacular views of the surrounding country. King Ang Dung, great grandfather of the present king, was crowned here and it is a popular weekend retreat with locals and foreign residents alike who come to picnic here.

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Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the nearest town to the temples of Angkor and is something of a boom town these days. Once a quiet and sleepy place, Siem Reap has changed dramatically over the last few years as a multitude of new smart hotels have arrived to take advantage of the worldwide interest in Angkor Wat and the nearby jungle temples. Despite this, Siem Reap is still a very pleasant town to spend a few days. Enjoy promenades along the river and around the old market or round off a good day’s sightseeing with a few drinks in trendy Pub Street. Excursions to the nearby Tonle Sap Lake or the bird reserve of Prek Tuol can easily be combined with your tour of the temples.

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Angkor

The temples of Angkor, just a few miles north of Siem Reap, are without doubt the most famous, most enormous, most impressive and most important attraction not only in Cambodia but possibly in the whole of Southeast Asia. The scale and beauty of Angkor Wat is bound to amaze the first time visitor and the 200 smiling faces at the Bayon will leave a lasting impression on all that are lucky enough to see them. As well as the major temple complex, in and around Angkor Wat, there are smaller, but no less dramatic, temples that were ‘lost’ to the jungle and still have huge banyan trees growing through the middle of their former royal buildings.

No trip to Cambodia is complete without a visit to Angkor and for more information on its history, temples and where to stay please click here.

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Battambang

The second largest city in Cambodia, Battambang is located in a rich and fertile plain. The Sangker River flows through the town centre, which is filled with interesting, if dilapidated, colonial architecture. A very relaxed place to visit Battambang offers access to numerous pre-Angkorian and Angkorian sites and some of the most interesting are the 7th century Wat Toul Baset, 11th century Wat Ek and 10th century Phnom Banon which sits on the top of a hill and affords great views of the surrounding countryside.

For details on our favourite hotel in Battambang please see our section on chic hotels in what’s hot.

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Rattanakiri

Around 375 miles from Phnom Penh lies the province of Rattanakiri which has been dubbed the ‘wild east’ of Cambodia. A beautiful region with mountainous and forested landscapes making it a great spot if you’re looking for a little soft adventure, away from the buzz of the main tourist centres. Here life is taken at a slower pace and on your travels you may meet the Jarai, Kreung and Tampuan hill tribes who reside here, practicing a way of life that is centuries old and, for the most part, untouched by the modern world. One of the highlights of the region is a visit to Yeak Laom Lake, lying in the crater of an extinct volcano it offers a tranquil and charming oasis surrounded by pristine jungle.

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Mondulkiri

Mondulkiri is the largest province in Cambodia and also the least populated. It sits in the far east of the country, on the Vietnamese border, and as one of the least visited regions in the country it offers great opportunities for exploring lush tropical jungle, which covers the mountain areas, and for seeing the varied wildlife that inhabit the grand scenery. Around Sen Monorom, capital of the province, there are 11 different hill tribes, each with their own language, culture and traditions which make a visit to this region a fascinating experience. Due to the lack of development and the nature of the countryside trips are difficult, or even impossible, during the rainy season.

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Kratie

A charming riverside town with some fine colonial buildings and a couple of interesting markets. Most visitors come for the chance to see the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins which frequent the water around here. Many travellers making the trip up the Mekong to Kratie have witnessed the graceful ‘aquatic dances’ of these mammals. Unfortunately there is no guarantee of encountering them but your best chance of seeing dolphins is from December through to June.

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Kampot

Kampot is a pleasant town a few miles inland from Cambodia’s south coast. Sitting on the banks of the river Tuk Chhou, Kampot is a great place to enjoy a boat trip on the river. It is also a great base for excursions to the nearby Bokor National Park, which can be found in the Elephant Mountains, and offers great scenery, waterfalls and a chance to see the old French hill station of Bokor.

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Kep

The nearby seaside resort of Kep (Kep-sur-Mer) is located 15 miles from Kampot. This beautiful coastal area was once the favourite holiday spot for Cambodia’s French-influenced elite at the turn of the 19th century. From Kep fishing boats can take you to one of the islands scattered in the bay.

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Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville, or Kompong Som, is Cambodia’s only deep-sea port. The beaches here are some of the most unspoilt in all of Southeast Asia. White sand, blue water, a tropical climate and fresh seafood welcome the visitor who can choose to dive, snorkell, take a boat trip to nearby islands or simply relax on the beach. The new Sokha Beach Resort has opened its doors thereby improving the standard of beach accommodation and development in the region continues with a golf resort being planned near to Ochheuteal beach. A perfect place for travellers who wish to finish their visit to Cambodia with a relaxing beachside stay.

For details on our favourite hotel in Sihanoukville please see our section on the beach in what’s hot.

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