Cambodia Tours

Cambodia has a warm / hot tropical climate that is relatively calm and consistent throughout the year.

The average temperature is 27ºC.

There are two seasons, the humid and rainy monsoon season which spans from June to October, and the dry season which is from November to May.

The coolest period for our Cambodia tours and Angkor Wat tours tend to be from December to January.

Enchanting Travels welcomes you on one of  our private Cambodia tours. 

1. As one of the largest temple complexes in the world, Angkor Wat is an incredible former city in the midst of the jungle. Be mesmerized by the sheer scale and magnificence of these impressive carved structures, such as the four-faced Bayon Temples.
2. Experience a memorable natural spectacle during a night kayak trip over River Tatai! Experience thousands of fireflies illuminating the shores lined with mangrove trees with their magical light.
3. The Royal Palace in the capital Phnom Penh is the seat of the Cambodian royal family and testimony of the magnificent Khmer architecture. The Silver Pagoda with the adjoining gardens is also worth a visit.
4. Cambodia has a profoundly sad history, which you can learn about in the moving Tuo Sleng Genocide Museum – once a prison of the Khmer Rouge.  Learn about the terrible years of suffering during the reign of a terrorist regime.
5. Siem Reap is located near the Angkor temple complex and boasts its own marvellous architecture. Along the splendid alleys of the city, there are numerous fine French-colonial buildings, while the Old Market is home to Chinese-style buildings.
6. Visit the picturesque floating villages on the shores of Tonle Sap, one of the largest lakes in Southeast Asia. The lake, together with the Mekong River and Basaac River, forms a waterway system that allows you to travel to Laos and Vietnam.
7. A cruise over the Mekong River Delta takes you from Siem Reap in Cambodia to Saigon in Vietnam. On the way, you can enjoy floating markets, colorful harbor towns and visits to imposing temples, including, of course, the famous Angkor Wat.
8. Our secret travel tip: In remote Rattanakari you can experience Cambodia quite authentically. Stroll along the red mud trails, admire the characteristic wooden houses built on stilts, or go hiking in the surrounding mountains.
9. Sihanoukville is the perfect place if you wish to enjoy a Cambodia beach vacation. There are crystal clear waters and fantastic sandy beaches in the shade of lush green mountain ranges.
10. Just a few kilometers from Battambang, the mighty Wat Banan Temple rises up on a 400-meter-high hill. The temple complex was built between the 11th and 12th century ,and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

Cambodia has had a fascinating and diverse past, from the Stone Age of hunters and gatherers, up until to the modern day.

Cambodia was for centuries divided into rival states before King Jayavarman II founded the Khmer Empire. As a nation of animists, the integration of Hinduism and Buddhism was introduced easily in the 9th century and coexisted with the traditional belief that spirits inhabited the earth.

During the golden age of the empire that existed until the 13th century, great temple complexes were built with regal and fine carvings, including the notable Angkor Wat.

During the 16th century, Cambodia was conquered by the Thai, destroying the capital city, Phonm Penh, at which time European missionaries also arrived. By the 19th century, Cambodia was under the protectorate of France. Cambodia became its own independent kingdom under Norodom Sihanouk in 1953.

When the Vietnam War crossed into the border of Cambodia in the mid-1970s, the communist and brutal agrarian regime of the Khmer Rouge was born. This led to what is considered one of the worst genocides in modern history that today is remembered by the mass graves known as the Killing Fields, which you can visit on one of our private Cambodia tours.

The civil war ended when the Khmer Rouge were successfully removed by Vietnamese troops and the People’s Republic of Kampuchea was formed. Today, despite a heavy-hearted legacy, Cambodia is ever optimistic about its future, and Cambodia tours are playing a positive role in boosting an emerging economy.

During your private Cambodia tour, you will notice that the culture and tradition are steeped in its history. You can expect a fusion of local traditions with the practicing Buddhism and Hinduism, especially when taking one of our Angkor Wat tours.

The official language of Cambodia is Khmer.

Top Cambodia Travel Tips – Culture:

• Regardless of gender, when meeting someone for the first time, press your palms together in front the of the chest, smile politely and, as you bow, say Chumreap Suor. The lower the bow, the more respect you are giving.
  When addressing someone, you can use the title Lok for a man and Lok Srey for a woman before their name.

• Choice of transportation in Cambodia is still quite limited. Cars that are available for usage are typically Toyota or Hyundai models from the late 1990s. While being old, these cars thankfully have air-conditioning for your comfort. Wearing a seatbelt in Cambodia is still not common practice – be aware that the vehicles in which you travel won’t be fitted with seat belts in accordance with current convention.

• If you are giving a gift during one of our Cambodia tours, avoid white gift wrapping paper and always present gifts with both hands. Note that Cambodians generally do not celebrate birthdays.

• If you take out the local currency, Riel, note that you cannot convert it back to your own currency. With this in mind, limit how much cash you get exchanged.

The cuisine of Cambodia has a wonderfully fresh approach and it has been influenced by the French during colonisation, from Chinese immigrants, as well as its neighbouring countries, Thailand and Vietnam. On one of our Cambodia tours, you can also expect Japanese and European cuisine in coastal towns, such as Sihanoukville, located in the southwest of the country. Naturally, the coast is renowned for its seafood.

Why not try a few typical Khmer dishes?

• Fish amok: steamed coconut fish in banana leaves

• Amok chouk: snails with curry steamed in their shell

• Samlor machu trey: sweet and sour soup with fish

• Char kroeung sach ko: stir-fried lemongrass beef

• Nom banh chok: Khmer noodles

• Bai sach chrouk: grilled pork and broken rice

• Lok lak: stir-fried beef in brown sauce

Top Cambodia Travel Tips – Cuisine:

• A typical Cambodian meal usually consists of soup, salad, a main fish dish, vegetables and rice. Meals are often completed with fresh fruits and delicious sticky rice.

• Many restaurants in Cambodia provide rice for free.