Welcome to Cambodia

Cambodia officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia and once known as the Khmer Empire, which is country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The country presents a fascinating history, diverse, geography and rich culture. Covering an area of 181,035 square kilometers, bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the eat and Gulf of Thailand to southwest. With a population of over 14.8 million inhabitants, 90 percent of whom are Khmer and the remaining 10 percent are Vietnamese, Chinese, Cham and hill tribes. The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, which is practiced by approximately 95 percent of Cambodian population.

Cambodia Map  

The capital and largest city is Phnom Penh, the political, economic and cultural center of Cambodia. The kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with Norodom Sihamoni, a monarch chosen by the Royal Throne Council as head of state.

 
Cambodia's ancient name is " Kambuja " in 802 AD, Jayavarman II declared himself king marking the beginning of the Khmer Empire which flourished for over 600 years allowing successive kings to dominate much of Southeast Asia and accumulate immense power and wealth. The Indianized kingdom  built monumental temples including Angkor Wat, now a World Heritage Site, and facilitated the spread of first Hinduism, then Buddhism to much of Southeast Asia. After the fall of Angkor to Ayutthaya in the 15th century, Cambodia was then ruled as a vassal between its neighbor. 

Siem Reap Angkor

SEAM REAP 

Siem Reap, which literally means the “Defeat of Siam”, is the most prosperous region of contemporary Cambodia. Its close proximity to the Angkor Wat temple complex  has turned the city into one of the world’s premier travel destinations. More than one million travelers visit Siem Reap every year to explore over a thousand years of Khmer heritage built near Tonle Sap Lake,  the foundation of the economic power of the ancient Cambodian empire. The heart of Siem Reap’s tourist district is known as Old Market, or Psah Chas. This part of town is home to a large concentration of restaurants and shops geared towards  an ever-increasing number of American, British and European tourists. The influx of tourism has transformed a quiet little city into a bustling downtown area with an eclectic array of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that rivals any college town along with a night market that keep going well past midnight.

THE THINGS TO DO

Siem Reap welcomes approximately one million tourists per year from the U.S., England, Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, just to list a few.Beyond the draw of Angkor, Cambodia is one of the poorest…and cheapest destinations in Asia and boasts tropical rain forests and unspoiled jungle that draws its share of ecotourism.    While some families visit, the majority of the American and British tourist we saw were adults in their twenties and thirties.

The official language was until recently still French and you can get buy almost anywhere in town with English, but when you walk down the center of the old town, you can hear a barrage of languages the offers instant confirmation that visitors come from all over the world to experience the historical treasures of Cambodia.  This wave of vacationers has led to the growth of a vibrant shopping, nightlife and entertainment scene. Whether you’re looking for a theater or a dance club, you’ll find lots on like minded people and lots of cheap beer in this trekker’s Mecca.

The Angkor National Museum, home to a breathtaking gallery of 1000 Buddhas, is one of Asia’s premier attractions. This modern facility is devoted to the preservation of Khmer traditions and the history of Angkor Wat. Visitors learn about Cambodia’s temple heritage through a series of video screens and cutting edge displays.

A variety of shopping centers, spas, cafés, parks, and other activities can be found throughout the the old market area.  Don’t expect duty free mall stuffed with high-end boutique shops or even basic necessities.  The local merchants offer a variety of hand made item, local silk goods, world famous Cambodian puppets and an assortment of disturbingly similar goods that could be found at a flee market anywhere in the world.

My favorite Siem Reap temples include Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, but they are all amazing. The sunrise reflecting on the lake is magical, or so we are told.  We arrived at 5:45 am just in time for the rain to let loose. .

Put Siem Reap Cambodia on your do list for vacations and remember that the recommended dates are from October to March when the weather is most comfortable, the temperature is moderate and the sun shines most of the day.  April through August is the rainy season and offers a relentless mix of high temperatures and high humidity– a combination to be missed.  Its these little details that make the difference!

3 Days 2 Nights " Discovery Angkor Package "

Full Tour Itinerary:
  Day 1: (Tuk Tuk driver and Tour guide)
  The morning Tour
    - Arrived Siem Reap airport in the morning - meeting our tour guide transfer to the hotel for check in
    - After check in, start the tour to small circuit including as:
      1. Angkor Thom City Area
        + South Gate of Angkor Thom
        + Bayon Temple
        + Baphuon Temple
        + Terrace of the Elephants
        + Phimeanakas
        + Terrace of the Laper King
      2. To visit Ta Prohm Temple
   The afternoon Tour
      3. To have lunch at local restaurant near by temple (Pay your own account)
      4. To visit the Angkor wat
      5. To visit sunset at Phnom Bakeng mountain
    The evening Tour
      6. Has a oil massage for 60 minutes
      7. Transfer back to hotel

Day 2: (Tuk Tuk driver and Tour guide)
     The morning tour
      1. To visit Banteay Srey Temple
      2. To glimpse of countryside (Visit the local people how to make sugar palm)
      3. To visit Banteay Somre temple 
     The afternoon Tour
      4. To have lunch at local restaurant near by temple (Pay your own account)
      5. To visit Preah Kan temple
            6. To visit Artisans d’Angkor (Wood & Stone Carving, Lacquering, Silver Plated & Silk Painting)
     The evening tour 
      7. To have dinner buffet and join with Apsara dance show
      8. Come back to hotel

Day 3: (Tuk Tuk driver)
      Transfer back to the airport or bus station.

Rate are quoted in US dollar

Rate are including accommodation with 3 star hotel (Auberge Mont Royal d'Angkor Hotel) 

 Single use:                 $290 for a person

 Double or Twin use:  $374 for two people