CAMBODIA
INTRODUCTION
Once the greatest empire in Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s colourful history and awe-inspiring sites make it one of the most exciting countries in the region to visit.
The main tourist attraction of Cambodia is the ancient archaeological ruins of Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, the natural beauty of this country extends beyond Angkor and includes virgin forests, waterfalls, and remote hill-tribe villages in the north-eastern provinces, making this a rewarding adventure and ecotourism destination. The southern region’s coastline earns popularity for its white-sand beaches in Sihanoukville and surrounding areas. The eccentric capital city of Phnom Penh is the business and social hub of the country.
Cambodia is raw, alive, beautiful and challenging—never taking you too far from a feeling that you're almost a part of history in the making, not merely an observer
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ABOUT
LANDSCAPE
Cambodia shares borders in the north with Laos, to the west with Thailand, in the east with Vietnam and in the southwest with the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia’s landscape is a blend of rice paddies, sugar palm plantations and remote jungles. While most visitors come to see the marvels of Angkor Wat, Cambodia offers plenty of natural beauty for those willing to explore.
Bordering the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest, Cambodia offers some lovely beaches, while to the north and northeast are mountainous. Life in Cambodia has always revolved around two bodies of water, the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake. Tonle Sap, the name of which means ‘Great Lake,’ is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
CLIMATE
Cambodia has a tropical climate that is warm and humid with two distinct seasons: rainy and dry. During the peak of the rainy season (June to August), the humidity is higher and the temperatures can reach the upper 30C (86F), From September to early November, it is wet and slightly cooler. Seasonal flooding in Phnom Penh and the rest of Cambodia occurs in September and October which may cause disruption to travel. The dry season (November to May) is pleasant from November to February and becomes hotter from March to May, where temperatures can soar as high as 38C (100F).
PEOPLE
Cambodia is the most ethnically homogeneous nation in Southeast Asia. The country remains a predominately agrarian society with 80% of the population living in the countryside working in agriculture and fishing. More than 95 percent of its 15 million citizens are ethnic Khmers. The Vietnamese form the largest minority group, followed by Chinese Cambodians and Cham. Remote mountain areas are home to a number of smaller ethnic groups. The dominant religion is Theravada Buddhism.
HISTORY
Cambodia’s recorded history dates back as far as the Roman Empire. At its’ most powerful, the Kingdom of Funan covered much of present-day South East Asia and even had contact with the Roman Empire. Funan developed into the state of Chenla and was finally replaced by the even more powerful Kingdom of Angkor in the ninth century. The legacy of this era is what draws most visitors to Cambodia. From the 9th to 13th centuries Angkor’s rulers presided over the construction of one of the most astonishing architectural achievements in the world. While more than 100 temples remain, these magnificent structures are but a mere shadow of the astonishing religious capital that once stood here. Hundreds of wooden palaces, houses and public buildings are long gone.
In 1864 the French added Cambodia to their colonies in Indochina. After almost a century under their governance, independence was declared in 1953. In 1969 the war in neighbouring Vietnam spilled over into Cambodia, as American and South Vietnamese troops invaded to attack the northern Vietnamese forces operating in Cambodia.
A dark period fell over Cambodia on April 17th, 1975 when a Cambodian resistance group, the Khmer Rouge, took control of the capital and proceeded to implement one of the most destructive campaigns of social re-engineering ever recorded. As the Khmer Rouge wished to create a peasant-led, agrarian cooperative, Cambodia’s cities were forcibly emptied and people were resettled in rural labour camps. Anyone with foreign ties or education was liable to be executed. By the time Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1978 and overthrew the Khmer Rouge, almost one in five Cambodians was dead.
In the middle of 1993, the United Nations oversaw elections in Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge’s leader, Pol Pot, died of natural causes in April 1998.
Today Cambodia is a member of the WTO, ASEAN, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The per capita income is rapidly increasing, with tourism and textiles making up the top 2 industries of the economy.
TIME ZONES
Cambodia operates on Greenwich meantime +7. Please note Cambodia does not observe daylight saving hours.
COUNTRY CODE
Cambodia country code +855
MOBILE PHONES
Your guide can assist you to purchase a local SIM card and/or hand set at many mobile phone shops. ‘Top up’ credit vouchers are available at most phone shops, particularly ones displaying the network logo. You can place international phone calls and send faxes at most hotels, although hotels often charge extra fees.
INTERNET
Wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet access is available in most hotels throughout Cambodia and free Wi-Fi is available in many restaurants, cafes and bars. Be careful to not save your password or sensitive information on public computer terminals.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity in most of Cambodia is 220V, 50Hz. Electric power sockets generally fit two round pins. Three-pin plug adaptors are usually provided by deluxe hotels. In all countries, protect sensitive electronic equipment like laptops from power fluctuations by using a surge-protector.
kor and includes virgin forests, waterfalls, and remote hill-tribe villages in the north-eastern provinces, making this a rewarding adventure and ecotourism destination. The southern region’s coastline earns popularity for its white-sand beaches in Sihanoukville and surrounding areas. The eccentric capital city of Phnom Penh is the business and social hub of the country.
Cambodia is raw, alive, beautiful and challenging—never taking you too far from a feeling that you're almost a part of history in the making, not merely an observer.
CITY HIGHLIGHTS
PHNOM PENH
Phnom Penh was once nicknamed 'The Pearl of Asia' as was considered one of the finest cities in the region. Located in the south-central region of Cambodia, at the junction of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh has been Cambodia’s capital for a majority of the last six centuries. Phnom Penh today is a vibrant economic centre with a population of two million. Cafes, restaurants and hotels line the riverfront while boutique shops and art galleries sprout along smaller side streets. Even as it undergoes urban development, Phnom Penh has retained much of its old-world charm as evident in the French colonial architecture and traditional ornate temples. Rich in history, the city offers a number of cultural and historical sites including the National Museum, Royal Palace, and Silver Pagoda.
To truly understand the country’s history and the people’s mind-set, a visit to the Tuol Sleng Prison is a must. Also known as S-21, this former school became a torture centre during the Khmer Rouge’s dark reign and has now been preserved as a museum for visitors to learn about and pay their respects to those who fell victim to Pol Pot’s regime. On the outskirts of Phnom Penh are the Killing Fields, an area where some 17,000 men, women and children were murdered and dumped in mass graves. Not for the faint-of-heart, these sites are sobering reminders of the Khmer Rouge’s brutality. A beautiful memorial now stands at the site as well.
SIEM REAP
Siem Reap, located in north-west Cambodia, is a charming provincial town defined by a cluster of villages, Chinese-style shop houses, and French-colonial architecture. As a gateway to the ancient temple ruins of Angkor, Siem Reap has experienced exponential growth in recent years with hotel and resort developments turning this once sleepy village into a tourism mecca. Activities to experience in the town of Siem Reap include watching a traditional Cambodian “apsara” dance performance and participating in a Khmer cuisine cooking class to exploring the peaceful countryside on the back of a horse or on a quad bike. The rural outskirts offer plenty of interesting activities such as visiting craft villages, workshops and silk farms, taking a bike ride through the scenic countryside, or participating in a humanitarian assistance program by making a pump well donation or funding a local school.
Getting here: Most visitors arrive in Siem Reap by air. There are direct flights from most major capital cities in Southeast Asia. It is a 40-minute flight or a 6-hour journey by road from Phnom Penh.
TEMPLES OF ANGKOR
Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins whose artistic and archaeological significance and visual impact place it alongside other wonders of the world like the Pyramids, Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal. Built between seven and eleven centuries ago, the temples—about 100 of which are still standing—were devoted to Buddha and Hindu deities. Within the fortified city of Angkor Thom lies the Bayon temple, the third tier of which is lined by 216 huge, carved faces that stare down from 54 towers. Other highlights include the Buddhist temple of Ta Prohm, which was not been restored and looks just as it did when French explorers stumbled upon it in the 1860s, and Angkor Wat, a vast temple complex dedicated to Vishnu in the early 12th century. Many of the temples are covered with fantastic carvings depicting religious stories and scenes from daily life.
When you visit the temples, you will be issued an “Angkor Pass” which is similar to an entrance ticket but has your photo on it. The pass allows you access to all the temples in the complex and some surrounding structures. Make sure you keep the pass with you at all times just in case you would like to explore the temples in your leisure time, as long as the date is still valid. Passes are valid for either 1 or 3 days.
TONLE SAP LAKE
Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and is vitally important to Cambodia. Connected to the Mekong River by the Tonle Sap River, the lake and river are particularly interesting because the flow of the Tonle Sap River changes direction twice per year. During the dry season, the Lake drains into the Mekong; but during the rainy season, the mighty Mekong forces the Tonle Sap River to reverse its course effectively filling up the lake and quadrupling its size. The lake is home to many villagers and numerous Cham (minority) communities, living in floating villages around the lake. (Please note - boats cannot operate near the floating village in April - July due to low water level. During these months, tours to Tonle Sap will be by car.)
BATTAMBANG
Sitting on the Sangker River just south west of the Tonle Sap Lake, Battambang town is at the heart of Cambodia's 'rice bowl'. Although being the country's second biggest town, Battambang still has a very local provincial atmosphere. Much of the architecture is traditional Cambodian and French colonial, evident in the town's many French-style villas and storefronts. The nearby countryside also harbours old pagodas, Angkorian-era ruins, caves, waterfalls, and Khmer Rouge period killing fields.
Getting here: There is a daily boat that departs Siem Reap at 7:30am. It's a picturesque but rough, 6-8-hour journey across the Tonle Sap and up the Sangker River and only available in the wet season. Overland from Phnom Penh to Battambang is 291km (4 hours) on a paved road in good condition.
RATANAKIRI
Banlung City is the provincial capital of Ratanakiri Province in the mountainous north-eastern corner. It is one of the poorest regions in the country with a sparse population of 150,000. Ratanakiri is known for its lush forests and rich biodiversity, though recent development is threatening the province's ecological health. Some of the most biologically diverse lowland tropical rainforest and mountain forest ecosystems of mainland Southeast Asia are located in Ratanakiri. Activities include excursions/treks to remote Khmer Loeu villages and jungle areas, waterfalls, gem mines, and Ratanakiri's famous Yeak Laom volcanic lake.
Getting here: Access by reasonable roads from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in the Dry season only. Both routes are usually conducted over two days with interesting stops en route.
MONDOLKIRI
Mondolkiri is the largest province of Cambodia but is sparsely populated with about 40,000 people. Located on the eastern highlands, Mondolkiri has scenery and a climate quite unlike anywhere else in the country. There are rolling grassy hills, serene rivers, powerful waterfalls, and forested mountains. At an average elevation of 800m, it can get quite chilly at night. Mondulkiri has numerous tourist attractions such as waterfalls, indigenous hill tribe culture, national parks and elephant trekking. Sen Monorom, the provincial capital, is a quiet town with a frontier feel, although it has the potential to develop into an eco-tourism centre.
Getting here: It is 370 km (6-8 hours) by road from Phnom Penh to Sen Monorom. Most of the road is in good condition.
SIHANOUKVILLE
Located on the southwest peninsula facing the Gulf of Thailand, Sihanoukville was originally founded as a port town half a century ago. Today this provincial town is Cambodia's premier beach destination with miles of powdery white sand beaches, picturesque islands and warm tropical waters which can be visited year round. The nearby islands teeming with coral and a colourful range of tropical fish offer excellent opportunities for snorkelling and diving. If you are a seafood lover, you will especially enjoy the local specialties of fresh caught crab and shrimp.
Getting here: Sihanoukville is 230 kilometres or about a 3 ½ hour drive from Phnom Penh. It is accessible via one of the best inter-provincial roads in the country. It is a 35-minute flight from Phnom Penh, 60 minutes from Siem Reap.
KEP
In contrast to the popular and bustling beachfronts in Sihanoukville, Kep is a small and low-key beach town. From the early 20th century through the 1960s, Kep was Cambodia's premier beach town, drawing weekend holiday-makers to its picturesque shores lined with ritzy ocean side villas of the privileged class. Nowadays, the old villas are in ruins, and the town is known more for its oceanfront seafood stalls than for its beaches, which are narrow and stony, offering just a few slivers of sand. Rabbit Island, a short 20minute boat trip from the shores of Kep has beautiful beaches and a very relaxed atmosphere.
Nearby attractions include the quaint French colonial style town of Kompot. Bokor Hill Station, this mountaintop collection of colonial buildings (hotel, casino, church, and royal residence) constructed by French authorities in the early 1920s as a retreat for French officials and foreign visitors now boasts a modern hotel-casino which has dramatically changed the sleepy atmosphere of yesteryear.
Getting here: From Kampot, it is a 25km (30-45 mins) trip on paved, smooth road through scenic Cambodian countryside. From Phnom Penh, it is 3 hours.
VEHICLES
Choice of transportation in Cambodia is on a par with most other countries in the region. Cars for hire are typically Toyotas and have air conditioning. Wearing a seatbelt in Cambodia is required by law for both drivers and passengers. For 3 or more passengers, 7-12 seat air-conditioned transit vans are the normal
EATING & DRINKING
Khmer cuisine is closely related to her neighbouring countries, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, although it is not as spicy. Curries, stir fried vegetable, rice, noodles and soups are staples of Khmer diet. Coconut milk is the main ingredient of many Khmer dishes. One of the most popular dishes is amok, a thick soup of boneless fish with coconut and spices. Both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh boast a wide range of high quality restaurants serving European and Asian cuisine. Local Cambodian beer is close to European beers and popular with most Western tourists. A complete range of Western spirits is served in all establishments. Virtually every restaurant and bar features Western cocktails. Beers cost from 50 cents to $1.50 in local establishments. Spirits and cocktails can be had for less than $3.50
SHOPPING
Join in the fun at the local markets by bargaining with the vendors. This type of transaction is typical in the market setting and great way for travellers to feel like a local. Tour guides are able to share tips and trick for finding good deals with visitors, like teaching them how to check prices of the same items in the neighbourhood before reaching a deal, especially for more expensive items. Beware of buying gold, silver or gems, especially in the Old Market area, it is normally brass and glass.
If you are being followed by street vendors and do not wish to make a purchase, often the best course of action is to say “no” firmly and politely and continue on your way. Do not hesitate or linger, as this will encourage the seller to try and engage you further.
If you choose to ship items home, we highly recommend that you buy shipping insurance and check the policy details. As shops are not responsible for damages incurred en route, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
SKY TRAVEL and our guides cannot accept responsibility for any misrepresented or faulty goods. We do not take responsibility for following up on merchandise that you choose to ship home. Our guides only make suggestions, not guarantees.
MONEY
The ‘riel’ is Cambodia’s national currency. The current exchange rate is approximately 4000 riels to 1 US dollar. However, US dollars are the preferred currency of ALL Cambodians. Riel may be given in change for sums under $1, do not accumulate too many riels as they cannot be exchanged outside of Cambodia. Travellers cheques are no longer accepted in Cambodia. The only exception is ANZ Royal banks but it can be a lengthy procedure. ATM machines can be found on virtually every street corner in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, they only issue US dollars. A fee of at least $5 may be charged on ATM transactions (plus your own bank fees at home), so try to withdraw all you may need in one transaction. $100 notes are distrusted and can be very hard to exchange in many parts of Cambodia, so try to bring lower denomination notes. As ATM machines generally issue $100 notes, it may be an idea to draw $90 in a transaction. Torn or marked notes will rarely be accepted in Cambodia; so do not bring them and always check your change, refusing any damaged or marked notes
SENDING MONEY
The cost of living in Cambodia is around 25% of most Western countries. The exception being in 5 star hotels where you can expect everything to be a similar cost to the West. The main course in a local restaurant can be between $5-10. In a good Western restaurant, you can expect to pay $8-12 for the main course. Drinks in good quality local bars will be at least half what you pay in the West. The local form of transport is the “tuk-tuk”, a two wheeled carriage that seats up to 4 people and is towed behind a motor bike. A tuk-tuk trip within town should cost no more than $3 total, so fix the price before you board
CULTURAL ETIQUETTE
Cambodians consider it disrespectful to touch someone on their head. It's also impolite to gesture with your feet or prop them up on furniture; to do so implies that you look down on the people sitting around you.
Revealing clothing is unacceptable off the beach. Shorts are generally fine—as long as they aren’t too short.
When visiting pagodas and temples, shorts and tank-tops are unacceptable. Your knees and shoulders must be covered. Footwear and socks must be removed in pagodas. Shoes are usually removed when entering private homes too.
Public displays of affection between men and women may embarrass your host. On the other hand, it’s perfectly normal for a pair of men or a pair of women to link arms or hold hands.
When greeting people in Cambodia, it’s customary to use the sampeah gesture: bring your palms together at chest level and bow slightly in the direction of your acquaintance.
Beckoning someone by crooking your finger is considered rude. The correct way to call someone over is to extend your hand with the palm down and flap your fingers towards your wrist. To ask for the bill in a restaurant or shop, extend one hand in front of you with the palm raised and pretend to write on your palm with the other hand
SAFETY TIPS
Land mines and unexploded ordinances (UXOs) can be found in the most remote rural areas in Cambodia, especially around Preah Vihear and Banteay Meanchey. Most other areas accessible for tourists have been cleared by international de-mining organisations such as MAG, CMAC or HALO.
Do not leave your wallet or mobile phone in the back pocket of your pants or anywhere else that’s easily reached (like an outer zip-up compartment on a backpack). Be especially vigilant in markets and other crowded places.
Pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are more of a problem in popular tourist areas in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap but happens less frequently than in other Asian countries.
Follow your guide’s advice when sightseeing around the Temples of Angkor. Be especially cautious if you choose to climb to the top levels of the temples as the way up and down can be steep and the steps uneven, and in wet weather, they can be very slippery.
PACKING
PACKING ESSENTIALS
What you take will naturally depend upon where you are traveling, and it can often be difficult to decide what to pack, nevertheless, the following should act as a useful checklist of essential items worth thinking about taking.
• Passport – Ensure that it is valid and in good condition with empty pages available. Make a photocopy as well
• Insurance – Ensure that it will be valid for the whole journey
• Passport Photos – Will invariably be needed for certain overseas visas
• Emergency contact numbers: SKY TRAVEL, Insurance Company, friends and family.
• Debit/credit card cancellation numbers
• Air tickets and Itinerary
• Money belt – Ensure that it is discrete and comfortable to wear
• First Aid kit – In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap U-care pharmacies offer a full range of Western medicines, but it is advisable to carry your own basic travel kit to cover simple mishaps which may occur along the way
• Personal Medication –with international doctors’ note to ensure easy passage of medication across international borders
• Sun block – High UVA protection ideally
• Sunglasses & sunhat
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Mosquito spray & insect repellent
• Long sleeve top and trousers – Useful to protect against mosquitoes at dawn and dusk and the sun through the day
• Camera & battery
• Security code pad lock
• A small amount of currency in USD small notes
CLOTHING
Since the weather is consistently warm throughout the country, it is advisable to bring comfortable lightweight, loose fitting, cotton clothing and long-sleeved items for protection from mosquitoes and the sun. During the rainy season, an umbrella and open-toe sandals are recommended. Cambodia is a very casual country and a lightweight jacket may only be needed in the more upmarket hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A hat and high-factor sun block are advisable for protection against the hot sun when sightseeing.
T-shirts and knee length shorts are acceptable for visiting temples or pagodas, including those of Angkor Wat. Shoes are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are advised to wear long trousers or long skirts.
At the Angkor Wat complex, you’ll be on your feet and walking a lot, sometimes over rough and slippery surfaces, so choose your footwear carefully. The soles of your shoes should offer good traction.
TOILETRIES & MEDICATION
While imported beauty products are available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, you’d be wise to pack staples like sunscreen, contact lens solution, tampons and mosquito repellent. It is advised that your prescription medication is in its original box with the label along with the prescription to avoid any complications that may arise at Customs. Many medicines are available in Southeast Asia without prescriptions. If you plan to purchase medication, choose a reputable supplier, such as U-care pharmacies, and read the labels carefully, particularly paying attention to the expiration date.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
You should bring a money-belt to safely carry your travel documents and cash, and ensure that your luggage has a lock. Bring photocopies of your passport and visa, plus some extra passport-sized photos if you’re applying for on-arrival visas. When flying into or within Cambodia, you will probably be given baggage claim tags (they will be stuck to the back of your ticket). Keep these, as you may need to show them when leaving the airport.
