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Cambodia
Despite a ravaged past the Kingdom of
Cambodia
remains one of Asia's most
enthralling destinations. A country deeply enriched in its history and
culture, it never fails to impress even the most seasoned traveler. From the
deserted beaches on the Gulf of Thailand, to the exotic senses generated
during a visit to Phnom Penh, from the deep jungles and minorities of the
northwest, to the final mystique and grandeur of the Angkorean period in all
its glory,
Cambodia
is a land of warm, enigmatic people maintaining the
richness of their culture for the world to see.
With two Raffles International properties the Grand Hotel d'Angkor in Siem
Reap and Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh, the Amansara, Sofitel Royal Angkor
Golf & Spa Resort, Le Meridien Angkor, Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa hotels
in Siem Reap it is possible to see the great sights of
Cambodia
in unabated
luxury and in the style and elegance of an era long past.
Nobody leaves
Cambodia disappointed. The exotic land of the Angkor Kings
lies waiting to be explored.
Entry into
Cambodia:
Visa regulations for
Cambodia
couldn't be more simple. Visas are available
on arrival at both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports and take no longer than
10 to 15 minutes to procure (dependant on flight arrivals).
Simply complete the visa form from the immigration counter, and hand in
together with your passport and passport size photograph.
A processing charge of US$20 is applicable once the visa has been issued.
Please be sure to bring cash for this payment as traveler's cheques and/or
credit cards are not acceptable.
For larger group travel, when time is of the essence, visa forms are
available in advance from either an overseas Cambodian Consulate or Embassy,
or directly from our Phnom Penh office.
WHEN TO TRAVEL?
Fortunately, the weather in
Cambodia
is quite often predictable. The country
basks in hot tropical sunshine all year round but the seasons can basically
be divided into the following categories:
November - February
The cool dry season with no rain. Morning and evening temperatures are very
pleasant but can still rise to 30 degrees Celsius during the afternoons.
This is the ideal period to be touring the temples of Angkor, however, is
considered to be the 'peak season' of travel. Average minimum temp: 20/22
Average maximum: 30/31
March - May
Very hot and dry with humidity build up in April. The weather at this time
can be particularly uncomfortable for most visitors with temperatures rising
to 35 degrees Celsius and above. The moist humid air that proceeds the wet
season can be particularly oppressive when walking around the Angkor
temples. To travel at this time we recommend doing what the locals do and
maximise sightseeing time in the relative coolness of the early mornings and
late afternoons. Average minimum temp: 25/27 Average maximum temp: 34/35
June - October
May can still be very hot if the rains come late, however, once into June
the parched earth suddenly becomes green and lush from the sudden abundance
of water. The air is refreshed for short periods and it can be a good time
to travel if wishing to avoid the crowds of the high season. The air remains
very humid however, and days are still hot. Flooding in Phnom Penh is often
a problem after a torrential downpour, however, the storms that occur over
the temples and forests at Angkor at this time can be spectacular. For those
that have visited the Angkor region at this time, special moments can be had
wandering the stone temples in solitude during an afternoon tropical
downpour. The rain rarely prolongs throughout the day and evenings and, in
general, comes in the form of a predictable short, sharp afternoon burst.
Average min temp: 24/25 Average max temp: 32/33
Festivals and Public Holidays:
13-15 April - Bonn Chaul Chhnam (Khmer New Year)
The New year's festival spans three days following the end of the harvest
season. Khmers clean and decorate their houses with altars for offerings.
Then they play traditional games such as Angkunh, Chaol Chhoung, Leak
Kansaeng and tug of war.
13-15 May - HM the King's birthday.
The newly appointed King His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath
Norodaom Sihamoni celebrates his birthday with a three day public holiday
Early May - Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal.
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is the inauguration of the planting season. The
Ploughing ceremony is performed by a man. King of Meakh, who leads the yoke
and plough, followed by a woman, Queen Me Hour, who sows seeds. After thrice
circling the rice field, the procession stops at a chapel where Brahmins
invoke the protection of the Gods. The sacred cows are unharnessed and
guided to seven silver trays containing rice, corn and other foods. Based on
their choice, predictions are made for the coming year.
21-23 October - Bonn Dacca Ben & Bonn Pchoum Ben.
The Spirits Commemoration Festival is held for the spirits of the dead. Bonn
Dak Ben - the offering of food to the monks - lasts for 15 days. The 15 day
of the ceremony - the full moon - is called Bonn Phchoum Ben, the collection
of the bens (offerings). During this celebration, if departed souls do not
find their family making offering at a Wat, it is believed that the soul is
cursed and will bother the descendent throughout the year. October - Bonn
Kathen The 29-day religious festival is marked by town and country folks
marching in procession to the Wat where the Monks are waiting to change
their old saffron robes for new ones offered during the festival. The
ceremony brings spiritual merit to both lay people and the monks.
30 October-1 November - HM the retired King's birthday.
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Norodom Sihanouk Varman, the retired King of
Cambodia, was born on 31 October 1922 in Phnom Penh. Every year his birthday
is celebrated in regal fashion and the entire nation joins in to honor
their King.
9 November - Independence day.
Independence day, the date Cambodia achieved independence from France in
1953, is marked by a parade with floats and spectacles highlighting the
nation's achievements.
4-6 November - Bonn Om Touk
The Water Festival, which ushers in the fishing season and marks the
reversing of the current in the Tonle Sap river, is a spectacle to behold.
At the height of the rainy season, the water in the Mekong river flows with
such power that it backs up into the Tonle Sap river, forcing the Tonle Sap
to reserve it's current and begin flowing northward to the Great Lake. As
the water level begins to subside, the current reserves again. The festival
draws tens of thousand of people to the river banks to watch longboat races,
fireworks and a lighted flotilla of boats under the full moon.
HOW TO TRAVEL?
Both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh have daily air connections to Bangkok,
Thailand (considered the 'gateway' to
Cambodia). Currently, there are
international air services from Siem Reap to Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City,
Singapore, Bangkok, Phnom Penh to Vietnam, Laos, Hong Kong, Guangzhou,
Singapore and Malaysia.
Flights:
Cambodia
has a domestic service to some provincial towns in the country,
with the focus on Siem Reap. Siem Reap Airways (the sister carrier of
Bangkok Airways) operates continuous air services between Phnom Penh and
Siem Reap with up to six flights in each direction during the high season
between November and February.
During the quieter months of June-September scheduled services drops to
three in each direction. ATR 72s & Boeing 717s are currently in service on
these routes.
For large group bookings it is common for the airline to 'add' an additional
service to accommodate, dependant on availability.
Airport tax is incurred on both domestic and international sectors and is
generally not included in our programs (unless specifically requested for
high profile groups or FIT's). Current costs for departure tax are:
International - ex Phnom Penh & Siem Reap US$25 and Domestic - US$6 ex Phnom
Penh and Siem Reap
Road travel:
It is now quite safe and common for travellers to journey between Phnom Penh
and Siem Reap as well as Poipet and Siem Reap by car, however, these road
between Poi Pet and Siem Reap or Battambang are considered 'hard going' by
those that have done it.
The highway between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, on the coast, is fully
paved and is in excellent condition. This journey takes approximately three
hours by car. Whilst on tour in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Angkor)
Destination Asia utilizes only the best available vehicles for our clients.
Typical vehicles are a Toyota sedan for 1-2 passengers, Toyota microbuses
for 3-6 passengers, and Toyota Coasters for 7-15 pax. All vehicles are
modern and come equipped with full air conditioning. The Coaster vehicles
are also equipped with microphones and speakers for guides and tour leaders
to utilize during touring. Separate luggage vans are used for groups as
required. For larger groups (above 15/16 pax) we use 45 seat coaches which
are available in Phnom Penh. However in Siem Reap, due to the terrain and
the more pleasant experience of visiting the temples in smaller groups, we
generally divide the number of passengers into an appropriate number of
25/33 seat Coaches with a guide assigned to each one. Visits to sites are
then generally staggered in order to avoid overcrowding.
Who is my guide?
All guides are local Khmer and are licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. They
are fluent in English, French, German, or Spanish and remain proud of their
heritage and culture. They have generally come from a University educated
background and have worked with a wide range of foreign guests from all
corners of the globe. Expertise and experience are two of the qualities we
insist on from our guides to ensure our clients come away with a thirst for
more!
Hotels and restaurant standards:
Cambodia is enjoying a long awaited rejuvenation as an exciting travel
destination, and a large amount of hotels and restaurants are springing up
to cater towards the foreign visitor.
Hotel properties in Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, are numerous but
mainly cater towards the mid-range category (***).
-
Raffles International Grand Hotel d'Angkor *****
-
Hotel de la Paix*****
-
Amansara *****
-
Le Meridien Angkor *****
-
Sofitel Royal Angkor Golf & Spa*****
-
Angkor Palace Resort & Spa*****
-
Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa****
-
Pansea Angkor ****
-
Angkor Century ****
-
Borei Angkor ***
-
Lotus Angkor ***
Without a doubt, the 'jewel in the crown' of accommodation belongs to the
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. Completely refurbished by the Raffles Group of
Hotels in 1998, the "Grand" has come to symbolize a return of luxury, style
and grace to Siem Reap, and is considered by all those that have stayed
there one of the most elegant properties in South East Asia today. Luxury
does come at a price however, and rates are quite high, however, it's
reputation and sense of history sees the Grand very often fully booked
during the busier months and therefore advance reservations are essential.
Please see our Grand d'Angkor profile for further information.
In Siem Reap, the Grand Hotel d'Angkor is the very essence of 'power-dining'
with high standards of international fare, alternatively; Italian Cuisine at
Le Meridien Angkor, exceptional French Cuisine at Victoria Angkor and the
finest Cambodian Menu possible is at Meric’s Restaurant of the Hotel de la
Paix.
A select group of local restaurants are usually full with both locals and
overseas visitors enjoying Khmer or international fare and a cleansing ale
of 'Angkor beer' at remarkably inexpensive prices will smooth a parched
thirst, these include Viroth’s, Carnets d’Asie, Café Indochine, FCC Angkor
and the Linga Bar.
Hotel properties in Phnom Penh vary according to budget, from mid range
tourist properties, to first class and the luxurious. The following
international hotel chains that are established in Phnom Penh are as
follows:
A select group of local restaurants are usually full with both locals and
overseas visitors enjoying Khmer or international fare and cleansing ale of
'Angkor beer' at remarkably inexpensive prices will smooth a parched thirst,
these include Malis, River house, Luna d’autunno, Topaz and FCC.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME:
Clothing:
Light, comfortable clothing, with a light sweater for the cooler months at
Angkor are recommended. Good walking shoes are also beneficial. Shorts are
acceptable on foreign women however is best avoided as the Khmer are very
modest and revealing clothing is frowned upon and socially unacceptable.
Some temples and tourist sites do not permit shorts above the knee and it is
recommended to dress accordingly. Dinner restaurants require only
smart/casual clothing.
Health:
An anti-gastric or upset stomach remedy is recommended as you may be eating
food your system is unused to. We recommend you seek a medical
practitioner's advice on up to date precautionary medicine. It is not
recommended that medicines be purchased inside
Cambodia.
Food/Cuisine:
Bottled water is readily available and recommended at all times. Fresh salad
vegetables are best avoided unless washed yourself. Hotel dining and the
restaurants recommended by Destination Asia are considered suitable for
foreign visitors. We do not recommend purchasing food from street stalls.
That said, Khmer cuisine is a delight to the senses. Rice and noodles form
the basis of most dishes, which also heavily rely on fish and chicken. Fresh
vegetable are in abundant supply (in fact, vegetarians are very well catered
for) and are most often served in a light stir-fry or in a broth, with the
addition of chilli, lemongrass, coriander or special Cambodian spices.
Exotic fruit is both a common dessert and excellent breakfast accompaniment.
Most dishes are designed to be shared in the middle of a table, and unlike
in Vietnam, do not rely on chopsticks, with the spoon and fork being the
common dining utensil. Currency: The Cambodian Riel is a non-convertible
currency and at time of writing trades at 4,000 to $US 1. Most shops and
restaurants also use USD freely. Credit cards are not widely accepted and
travellers' cheques can only be cashed at authorized foreign exchange
outlets, top hotels and banks, and do require presentation of a passport.
Small denominations of USD cash is the most practical currency to carry.
People:
The Khmer people are very receptive to foreigners and will welcome you
warmly. There is little evidence of animosity, and are pleasantly graceful
in their mannerisms. Many speak a certain level of English and are more than
willing to engage in conversation. There is always time to stop and be
friendly to the visitor.
Safety:
Cambodia
is a third world country and lavish displays of wealth only
encourage petty theft. Do not wear large amounts of jewelry, handbags or
cameras carried carelessly over a shoulder as passing motorbikes may easily
snatch them. Being aware of your surroundings and carrying little obvious
wealth is the best defense against theft. Do not take cyclos, motorbike
taxis or walk deserted streets after dark in Phnom Penh - it is not
considered safe and returning to your hotel by car after dinner is our best
advice.
In Siem Reap local motorized "Remoks" offer a fun way to get around town.
Similar but not the same as Bangkok Tuk Tuks, Cambodian Remoks are cheap,
travel at a sensible pace and are a lot less noisy than their counterparts
across the border.
Film:
Camera film is widely available in
Cambodia, however always check the use-by
date. X-ray machines in use are quite modern so there should be no need for
concern, however if you are working with fast speed professional film it is
best to hand carry through.
Mobile Phones:
The Cambodian network is compatible with most overseas networks, but it is
important to check this with your phone company prior to arrival should you
wish to use your mobile phone whilst in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Tipping:
Tipping for service is not expected in
Cambodia
but is most certainly
appreciated. A tip of one or two dollars for a meal or $US1 to a cyclo
driver can be a substantial bonus in a country where the annual average
income is less than $US300! You should tip at your own discretion however we
recommend you allow $US15 per day for your guide and $US10 for your driver.
SIEM REAP - HEART OF ANGKOR
“My desire is, not to impose my opinions on any one, especially with regard
to the wonderful architectural remains which I have visited, but simply to
disclose the existence of these monuments, which are certainly the most
gigantic, and also to my mind display a more perfect taste than any left to
us by the ancients…”
Henri Mouhot, Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam),
Cambodia
and Laos, 1864
Explorers, adventurers, missionaries and Ambassadors have recorded visits to
the Angkor Temples for well over eight hundred years, describing the
monumental remnants of what was once a thriving culture that spread from the
Mekong Delta to the north of Laos and occupied most of modern day Thailand.
This Cambodian empire has left some of the greatest buildings and sandstone
carvings depicting the religious figures of Vishnu, Shiva, Uma, Hanuman and
their epic deeds one the one hand. Whilst on the other, are enduring images
of everyday life by the shores of the huge internal Ton Le Sap Lake that
rises and lowers according to the Mekong River's annual flooding.
Deep in the north west of
Cambodia lie the temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor
Thom, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan and Banteay Srei to name a few. Smaller Temples
of Neak Pean, Ta Som, Banteay K’Dei, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda
can be included according to your client’s interest and activity level.
Satellite photos suggest further mounds of earth, unseen by the naked eye at
ground level that could benefit from exploration.
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