Pettitts Travel

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Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

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Cambodia Holidays

A fascinating and welcoming country of considerable variety and diversity, to the outside world Cambodia is best known for being the setting for the magnificent remains of Angkor Wat. Undeniably special, Cambodia has plenty more to offer than this sole temple complex and in little more than a week it is possible to discover a land steeped in history and culture with outstanding natural beauty and an enticing undeveloped coastline. Retaining a quiet charm that helps it to stand unique from its near neighbours, Cambodia also prospers from its position between Vietnam, Thailand and Laos, is well connected by air, land and river to the rest of Southeast Asia and is easy to incorporate into a multicentre holiday.

One of the wonders of the ancient world, the spectacular temples of Angkor Wat are the outstanding highlight of the country and a must for any traveller, however, there are also a whole host of other lesser-known archaeological remains to discover including the mountain top temple of Preah Vihear, the 10th century complex of Koh Ker, secluded Kbal Spean and isolated Srah Damrei. Bustling capital Phnom Penh is a charming city of wide tree-lined boulevards, palaces, pagodas and grand colonial architecture. Phnom Penh was also the principal city of the notorious Khmer Rouge regime. The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum provide an unsettling, frank and thought-provoking window into this painful period of contemporary Cambodian history.

Few deviate from the well-travelled route that links Angkor and Phnom Penh yet further afield it is possible to spend time in the sleepy colonial town of Battambang, see rare and endangered river dolphins in Kratie, bird-watch beside the Tatai River, explore the wildlife rich jungles of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri in the remote Northeast or head south to the provincial town of Kampot and nearby Kep – a serene and picturesque coastal town famous for its seafood and laid-back atmosphere. The Mekong River can also be navigated from either Siem Reap or the capital south to Vietnam and the verdant Mekong Delta. Pettitts Travel have led the way in designing tailor-made holidays and tours to Cambodia for over 30 years.

Popular Tailor-Made Itineraries

Journey through Cambodia

14 days from
£3445 pp

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Hidden Treasures of Cambodia

19 days from
£5150 pp

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Rural Cambodia - Village Life, Temples and Wildlife

16 days from
£4135 pp

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Journey through Cambodia

14 days from
£3445 pp

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Hidden Treasures of Cambodia

19 days from
£5150 pp

icon

Rural Cambodia - Village Life, Temples and Wildlife

16 days from
£4135 pp

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View All Cambodia Itinerary Suggestions

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Your holiday in Cambodia

Bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, with a coastline on the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia lies in the very heart of Southeast Asia. Still relatively undeveloped when compared to its near-neighbours, Cambodia is young at heart – a country rapidly growing, in touch with its heritage but also embracing the outside world. Cambodia is also geographically diverse with grand rivers and impenetrable jungle, tall mountains, white-sand beaches and vast lakes. This, when taken as a whole, makes Cambodia a vibrant and exciting destination with much to offer and plenty to experience. With considerable knowledge in arranging tailor-made holidays to Cambodia, there is an assortment of Cambodia itineraries featured on our website. These have been carefully designed to showcase the range of options available and the different routings that can be taken. All holidays to Cambodia include hotels, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees and you will also have at your disposal a private car and driver throughout as well as local English-speaking guides. When on holiday you will also have the support of both our UK office and our partners on the ground in Cambodia.

At the planning stage, our featured Cambodia itineraries are a good starting point. Not only do they incorporate a number of different ideas, routings and themes but also show how Cambodia can be combined with the wider Southeast Asia region. Predominately focused on the cultural and wildlife highlights of the country, these journeys can also be fully tailored to include any specific interests or requirements you may have. Journey through Cambodia is a two week introduction to the country and combines the temples of Angkor Wat with Battambang, Phnom Penh and Kep. Hidden Treasures of Cambodia also incorporates little-visited Kratie and Kampot whilst Rural Cambodia – Village Life, Temples and Wildlife explores the remote Northeast as well as the pristine wilderness of sacred Phnom Kulen. The majesty of Cambodia and Laos, Essential Vietnam and Cambodia and The Best of Indochina highlight the different ways Cambodia can be included in a multicentre Southeast Asia holiday. For those wishing to explore the region by river, there are a variety of Mekong cruises from short sojourns between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to longer journeys linking Siem Reap with Vietnam.

Places to visit in Cambodia

Cambodia is a treasure trove of ancient remains, rural villages, charismatic cities and a spirited Khmer culture unique to the region. Learn about the country’s extremely difficult recent past in capital Phnom Penh, explore the magnificent Angkor temples, visit the sleepy colonial town of Battambang or search for endangered river dolphins in rural Kratie. The jungle-clad south has a decidedly tropical feel with the Cardamom Mountains and Tatai River one of Cambodia’s most remote areas and a region that supports a diverse range of rare bird and animal life. The south is also pepper country – Kampot is famous for its spicy fresh green peppercorns – and the sleepy coastal town of Kep offers a relaxed and undeveloped alternative to the larger resorts of neighbouring countries. Cambodia can also be combined with Laos and Thailand or by river on a Mekong cruise to southern Vietnam.

MAP OF CAMBODIA

When to Visit cambodia

There are two main seasons in Cambodia, rainy and dry – the former occurs between June and October and the latter from November to February. The dry season can also be subdivided with a slighter cooler period post rainy season until February when temperatures then steadily increase until the monsoon hits at the beginning of June. Regardless of season, the climate in Cambodia is tropical with an annual average temperature of around 27°C, however, pre-monsoon it is not uncommon for the mercury to rise to 33°C of 35°C. The entire country is affected by the summer rains which heralds the start of the monsoon season. The rains sweep in from the southwest and country receives over three quarters of its annual rainfall before the dry season starts again.

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Best Times
Good Times
This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

flag of Cambodia Capital: Phnom Penh

Main Language: Khmer

Time Zone: GMT + 7

Currency: Riel (KHR)

Explore Cambodia

 Siem Reap - Angkor Wat
Cambodia River Cruises
Cambodia Wildlife Holidays
Temple Complexes of Cambodia

Temple Complexes of Cambodia

Cambodia is famous the world-over for its incredible temple sites. Ancient religious remains are found throughout the country with the highest concentration found in the west close to Siem Reap. The best-known temples in Cambodia are those at Angkor Wat. Located a short distance from Siem Reap, the earliest of these temples date to the 9th century and are, without doubt, some of the finest architectural gems of the region. In addition to the extraordinary remains at Angkor, there are a multiple other impressive temples and monuments to discover on a Cambodian holiday, many of them in remote areas. Key temple sites include the spectacularly sited Preah Vihear, the pre-Angkorian site of Sambor Prei Kuk, atmospheric Banteay Chhmar, the monumental animal statues that form part of Srah Damrei and 10th century Koh Ker – a former capital of the Khmer Empire centred on the impressive seven-tiered step pyramid of Prasat Thom.

River Cruises in Cambodia

Bisected by two mighty rivers with the mammoth Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, at its core, life in Cambodia remains largely centred on these impressive waterways. Providing succour to farmers, linking the country’s most important economic hubs, home to a wide range of bird and animal life and supporting multiple communities that live in centuries-old, stilted homes, the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers are the lifeblood of Cambodia. With rivers playing such an integral role in society, there are few better ways to experience everyday Cambodian life than on a river cruise. Allowing you to combine countryside with ancient sites and quaint rural villages with bustling urban centres, river cruises vary in duration from short three-night journeys linking Siem Reap to Phnom Penh or Phnom Penh with the Mekong Delta or longer week-long explorations that travel either up or downstream to combine Vietnam with Cambodia’s main highlights.

River Cruises in Cambodia

Cambodia Holiday Review

I would like to thank you for another outstanding organized and beautiful tour to Cambodia. We did not face any problems over the whole tour and the hotels were excellent choice with very warm, kind and thoughtful staff.

We look forward to travelling with you again in the near future.

DD - Cambodia - February 2020

Accommodation in Cambodia

Due to its proximity to the temples of Angkor Wat, the town of Siem Reap has the widest range of accommodation available in Cambodia from small boutique properties to leading international luxury hotels. In capital Phnom Penh and Battambang, the Cambodia’s second city, there is also a good selection of places to stay. Cambodia’s coastline is largely undeveloped but Kep has a very good small boutique sea-facing resort. In rural areas, in particular the north and east, accommodation is limited and tends to be clean and comfortable but of a simple standard. There is also a unique floating lodge on the Tatai River which serves as an excellent base for exploring the Cardamom Mountains.

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Ancient Cambodia

Common Cambodia Travel Questions

A1 - Arguably the best time to visit Cambodia is between the months of October and April. This is the dry season with blue skies and very little risk of rainfall. From April to the beginning of the rainy season in June the humidity and temperature steadily increases until the first rains fall. Welcomed across the country, the monsoon paints Cambodia in a different complexion – the countryside is lush, landscapes green, rivers and lakes full and temples quiet which makes this period a particularly special time to visit.
A2 - Visas can either be purchased on arrival in Cambodia or obtained in advance online. Tourist visas are valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in the country.
A3 - Despite its relatively small size, Cambodia has plenty to offer from spectacular ancient sites and white-sand beaches to relaxing river cruises and historic towns and cities. For a simple holiday incorporating a few of the main sights, you will need the minimum of a week. However, we would recommend at least two weeks in Cambodia which will allow you to truly experience the country without the need to rush. Cambodia is also easy to combine with its near neighbours Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
A4 - There are no direct flights between Cambodia and the UK so any journey requires at least one stop en-route. Depending on where you connect, flights will take approximately 14 to 16 hours.
A5 - We would recommend that you speak to your doctor regarding health requirements for Cambodia, however, advised vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid. Malaria risk is present throughout the year in all areas except Phnom Penh and the other main cities so, in some instances, anti-malarial tablets may also be needed.
A6 - The currency of Cambodia is the Riel with US Dollars also widely accepted throughout the country. Credit cards should not be relied upon for general purchases but are accepted by most larger hotels and establishments. ATM machines are present in Cambodia’s larger towns and cities.
A7 - Khmer is the official language of Cambodia. Additionally, English is now also widely spoken having been taught in schools and universities since the 1990s. Chinese, Vietnamese and French are also spoken.
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