Lets go Indochina - Travel and more

Which tropical beach or beaches to visit? To help with this tough decision, browse our choice of the best of Cambodia’s beaches here to find inspiration…

SIHANOUKVILLE BEACHES…

Occheuteal Beach – The largest, most easily accessible and most popular beach in Sihanoukville, Occheuteal is where people meet to while away lazy days in the sun. Popular with expats and younger travelers, there are many laid back bars serving great seafood and other western and traditional dishes and the view out of the bay is spectacular. Sunset here is fantastic, and a large stretch of the beach is actually almost completely undeveloped.

Serendipity Beach – This is the name given to a picturesque small patch of beach at the most extreme northern end of Occheuteal Beach, where entertainment, accommodation and beachside dining catering to tourists can be found.

Otres Beach – For those who like to get away from it all, Otres Beach is a peaceful paradise just a couple of kilometers away from the main centre of Sihanoukville. It has a 3km long stretch of fine white sand across timeless blue sea and islands in the distance. Until now there have only been rumours of development, but nothing has happened yet save for some relaxed beach huts and the odd guesthouse.

Sokha Beach – A private beach shared only with other residents from Sokha Hotel. If you want to relax on a picture perfect beach, the best in Sihanoukville, this is the place for you…

REAM NATIONAL PARK BEACHES –

Ream National Park Beaches – With the excellent continued conservation effort at Ream, the kilometers of beach which exist there are still pristine, with perfect stretches of palm lined chalk white beaches and turquoise seas abound. The beaches are unnamed, and empty, most of the time.

KEP BEACHES…

Kep Beach – Kep Beach is the only beach in Kep Town. It’s a fairly narrow beach, however it is a gorgeous haven which offers beautiful sunsets and with a charming promenade looking over the bay, it’s a great place to observe the traditional life of the local fisherman bringing in their catch.

KOH KONG BEACHES…

Cham Yeam Beach – Cham Yeam Beach is a picturesque beach sitting very close to Thailand which is earmarked for significant development. Right now it’s an untouched crescent of white sand bar the odd beachside restaurant.

Located around most beaches are local businesses who can arrange boat trips to the islands or beach and water activities if you so wish. Alternatively contact us and we’ll be happy to arrange your activities prior to your arrival.

Angkor Wat and the Angkor Temples are worthy of a lifetime of exploration, but for most of us this is not always possible. That is not to say that a little time doesn’t go a long way. The iconic temples of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Preah Khan for example, are all easily visited in a short time, and for those who are making a flying visit, we’ve selected the finest temples of Angkor and created an itinerary which is unhurried but complete and makes optimum use of a shorter time, meaning you can enjoy the best of these magnificent temples.

DAY 1 – Arrive to Siem Reap, Ta Prohm, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Banteay Srey.

DAY 2 – Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Sunset.

DAY 3 – Departure

This tour allows you to completely immerse yourself in the culture and warmth of Cambodia, treating yourself to the luxurious tropical paradise of Sihanoukville at the end of your adventure through the rest of the country. You’ll see the quintessential best of this unspoilt and fascinating kingdom, before soaking up the rays on white sand beaches, gazing out to the islands in the distance across the bright turquoise seas...before visiting them.
Your tour will commence in Siem Reap, where you will come nose to nose with the ancient Angkor Temples that  you will have read about, the majesty and awe inspiring size and complexity of which never fail to stun even the most seasoned and experienced of travelers. On the periphery of Angkor is the great Tonle Sap Lake also – the largest lake in Southeast Asia which cannot go unmissed. After immersing yourself in the majesty of Angkor, you will travel to Battambang – the lush, wild garden of Cambodia where ancient temples, limestone cliffs, wonderful culture and a charming network of villages and countryside tracks lead you around the province. On to Phnom Penh, a city undergoing an unceasing renaissance. Phnom Penh’s modern chic culture, daring modern infrastructure and creative young generation juxtaposing with the city’s enduring history, colonial architecture and traditional Khmer customs come together to create a fascinating 21^ST century capital city. After a refreshing look at Phnom Penh’s capital, we shall head south to Sihanoukville, where perfect tropical shores and pristine desert islands are yours for the taking – the perfect way to end a visit to beautiful Cambodia.

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DAY 1: Siem Reap( arrival);

DAY 2: Siem Reap;

DAY 3: Siem Reap;

DAY 4: Siem Reap / Battambang;

DAY 5: Battambang / Phnom Penh;

DAY 6: Phnom Penh;

DAY 7: Phnom Penh / Khiri Rom / Sihanoukville;

DAY 8: Sihanoukville;

DAY 9: Sihanoukville;

DAY 10: Sihanoukville / Phnom Penh (departure).

The following tour is designed to allow you to see the most important elements of Cambodia’s two most vibrant cities, the wonder that is the ancient city of Angkor on the doorstep of its contemporary neighbor Siem Reap, and also some of the lesser visited gems that most visitors miss. Phnom Penh, which is fast earning a reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s most enjoyable and modernizing cities, will be your first destination. From here we head to Siem Reap, taking in two beautiful provinces of Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom along the way. And then once in Siem Reap, a town which exudes charm and character in abundance, the jaw dropping legacy of the Angkor Temples will be revealed, as will the incredible Tonle Sap lake and some lesser visited treats like jungle clad ruins and atmospheric hilltop temples such as Beng Mealea and Phnom Krom.

DAY 1 – Arrival to Phnom Penh.

DAY 2 – Phnom Penh, Royal Palace, National Museum, Tuol Sleng (S21), Killing Fields.

DAY 3 – Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham - Kampong Thom – Siem Reap.

DAY4 – Angkor Wat, Preah Khan, Bayon, Angkor Thom

DAY 5 – Ta Prohm, Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei.

DAY 6 – Beng Mealea, Tonle Sap Lake, Phnom Krom

DAY 7 – Siem Reap, departure.

 

The climax of this explorative tour of Cambodia is the capital city of Phnom Penh, which can be put perfectly into its modern day context once you’ve explored the country in its profundity, and you will come away with a deep understanding of this remarkable nation and its extraordinary people, while getting up close to the beautiful attractions which hide around every small corner of the country. Here we intertwine the most well known elements of the country with some of those not so well known, but certainly no less impressive nor significant. After a first night spent in Phnom Penh, visiting floating villages and ethnic communities along the Tonle Sap Lake on the way we proceed to Battambang, a natural paradise where the emerald green rice fields shine around the temples, mountains, and wonderful communities and villages for whom they provide the habitat. Then on to Siem Reap, home of the incredible Tonle Sap Lake, and where Angkor Wat, the 8^th Wonder of the World and largest religious building known to man will be discovered, along with the other mere 100+ stunning Temples of Angkor in all their glory. After Siem Reap Reap we will head to Kampong Thom, home of Sambor Prei Kuk, the 7^th century Funan legacy, before continuing on to Kampong Cham, a bustling riverside city which effortlessly combines a busy commercial scene with laid back colonial charm and historical beauty. And then our final destination - ‘The Pearl of Asia’ - Phnom Penh. We’ll learn about Cambodia’s suffering in recent years, and how the country is incredibly overcoming their past and bracing for the future, while visiting the capital’s gems and feeling the atmosphere, sights and sounds of what is one of Asia’s most exciting cities.

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DAY 1: Phnom Penh arrival;

DAY 2: Oudong / Kampong Chhnang / Pursat / Battambang;

DAY 3: Battambang;

DAY 4: Battambang / Siem Reap and Angkor;

DAY 5: Siem Reap and Angkor;

DAY 6: Siem Reap and Angkor;

DAY 7: Kampong Thom / Kampong Cham;

DAY 8: Kampong Cham / Phnom Penh;

DAY 9: Phnom Penh;

DAY 10: Phnom Penh departure.

This tour will immerse you fully into Cambodia, and you will experience life in Cambodia from every angle. Angkor Wat and the enigmatic Temples of Angkor will be the finale, but only once you’ve explored the rest of this mesmerizing country, including some of the seldom visited areas of the country that most will never, ever get to see. Our journey will commence in the capital Phnom Penh, where we shall soak up the atmosphere of Cambodia’s vibrant capital in its modern day context, before heading north to Kratie. Peaceful Kratie is home to a community of precious Irrawaddy Dolphins who inhabit the Mekong River in the region – join them on the Mekong in their natural habitat as the sun sets over this charming part of the world. After Kratie we will proceed north to the province of Ratanakiri to discover another world within Cambodia where ancient tribes and elephants roam the land, and a fascinating and hugely intriguing culture amid a land full of sublime, raw beauty awaits. Our visit will then take us to Stung Treng where we will learn of the Mekong Blue Project – a factory set up to provide employment in silk production to female workers and now the biggest employer in the province, before a relaxing evening. From Stung Treng we will head to Kampong Cham where we shall get our first glimpse of Angkorian ruins and experience the hustle and bustle of Cambodia’s ‘commercial’ riverside life, before making our way the following day to Battambang. Battambang is a beautiful city full of colonial grandeur and ornate pagodas, but the real beauty is in the sights around the city, which include mountain top pagodas, Angkorian temples, stunning countryside and the bamboo train (all will be revealed!). After exploring Battambang, we shall proceed to Siem Reap, a fine city in itself and also the doorstep to the Angkor Temples. Cambodia will have already captivated your senses and quenched your thirst for discovery and cultural enrichment, but there are fewer more magical feelings that will beat coming nose to nose with the Temples of Angkor in all their beauty and grandeur – a fitting end to your profound discovery of Cambodia.

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DAY 1: Phnom Penh arrival;

DAY 2: Phnom Penh / Kratie;

DAY 3: Kratie / Ratanakiri;

DAY 4: Ratanakiri;

DAY 5: Ratanakiri;

DAY 6: Ratanakiri / Stung Treng;

DAY 7: Stung Treng / Kampong Cham;

DAY 8: Kampong Cham / Battambang;

DAY 9: Battambang;

DAY 10: Battambang / Siem Reap;

DAY 11: Siem Reap, Angkor;

DAY 12: Siem Reap, Angkor;

DAY 13: Siem Reap.

One of the most exciting elements of Cambodia travel is that you can explore the interesting juxtaposition of the ancient civilization of Angkor, with its fascinating customs, history and contrasts - compared with modern Cambodia as it is today. In the following tour you’ll arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant and increasingly modern city and learn about the effects of Cambodia’s contemporary history on life today in Cambodia, while visiting a selection of the capital’s most wonderful sites, all of which will contribute to giving you an understanding in context of the country’s past, and present.  We will then explore the lesser visited Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham provinces, home to some exquisite temples in beautiful, peaceful surroundings, before the adventure culminates in breathtaking Angkor, Siem Reap, where the Eighth Wonder of the World in all its majesty begs to be explored, before embarking on a trip to admire the Cambodian phenomenon which is the Great Tonle Sap Lake.

DAY 1 – Arrival to Phnom Penh.

DAY 2 – Phnom Penh, Royal Palace, National Museum, Tuol Sleng (S21), Killing Fields.

DAY 3 – Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham - Kampong Thom – Siem Reap.

DAY4 – Angkor Wat, Preah Khan, Bayon, Angkor Thom

DAY 5 – Ta Prohm, Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei.

DAY 6 – Tonle Sap Lake, departure.

Angkor Wat temple is nothing short of spectacular – a phenomenal display of architectural brilliance. The awe-inspiring temple, built in the 12^th

century, is the legacy of King Suryavarman VII, and his masterpiece was constructed in honour of the Hindu God Vishnu and according to a complex design which reflects in every detail Hindu cosmology, mythology, and symbolism.

Angkor Wat, being the state temple of Suryavarman VII, took the design of a ‘temple mountain’. This building style was not unique to Angkor Wat, and similarly the temples of Bakong, Baphuon, Ta Keo, and several others were built this way. This style has a symbolic purpose, as it’s a representation of Mount Meru, which was where in Hindu Mythology it is believed the Gods resided.  To what extent the stunning moat which surrounds Angkor Wat was built for aesthetic reasons we can only speculate, but following the belief that the temple represented Mount Meru, the moat was almost certainly built to represent the surrounding ocean. To reach the temple this moat must be crossed via the magnificent causeway which emanates from Angkor Wat’s west side, and at this point you step into Angkor Wat’s outer enclosure.

On passing through the gates of the 1 kilometer square outer enclosure the sheer immensity and beauty of Angkor Wat in all its glory starts to unravel before your very eyes. A first set of columned windowed corridors house a powerful statue of the God Vishnu, decorated in golden robes, from where you can descend into the main complex and feast your eyes on the central structure of Angkor Wat. The three tiered complex is adorned with a quincunx of towers which have become an icon of Cambodia, and the perfection and symmetry in design of these towers becomes evident as you circumnavigate the site. The central lotus style tower emanates above the rest at whichever point you view the complex , and as you set foot into the main complex through one of the gopuras of the lower level gallery the significance of Angkor Wat starts to become apparent. Dominating the lower level a kilometer long stretch of incredible intricate carvings, both dramatic and humorous in equal measure depicts all manner of scenes of war, religion, and regal life. After exploring this beautiful art you can venture to the libraries, galleries and corridors of this immense complex before heading up to the second tier where you will emerge in the elevated courtyard built around the central tower. Perfect carvings of Aspara dancers, devas, asuras and more depictions from Hindu mythology decorate Angkor Wat and are seemingly never out of view.

This amazing man-made phenomenon must be seen to be believed. In the light of dusk, throughout the day, or under the setting sun, Angkor Wat has kept visitors spellbound since it was opened to the world quite recently. Be sure to not miss Angkor Wat while in Indochina and Cambodia.

 

Vietnam is an eclectic and fascinating mix of culture and colour, scattered throughout the country within diverse and breathtaking landscapes. The Vietnamese know how to live life, and it seems a second is not wasted in this fast-paced, exhilarating country whose intoxicating mix of cultural influences will keep visitors entertained at all times. The history of Vietnam in the latter half of the 20^th century is extremely compelling, and seeing and understanding Vietnam in its present day context is sure to intrigue and enlighten. A stretch of coast flanking one entire side of the country sure has its picture perfect vistas, and anything from a day to a lifetime can be spent exploring it. There’s buzzing Ho Chi Minh City with its powerful atmosphere of a city hurtling in to the future, sensorial Sapa, and if that’s not enough, 2000 islands in Halong Bay. But Vietnam’s real charm, it’s real character, lies in the hearts of its people who have proved to be some of the most resourceful on the planet, but with a strong commitment to maintaining important core beliefs – family values, a lust for life, and a playful personality and outlook on life. Show respect, learn the culture, read-up on the history, treat people as you would wish to be treated, and you will be quite at home in Vietnam. An adventurous spirit and open mind will be good assets to enjoying Vietnam, as is expecting the unexpected.

We've trusted our eyes our whole life, but once visiting Cambodia, we may start doubting them.

In front of Angkor Wat, one of the world's greatest achievements, we seem to be so tiny. Drops of the sunlight piece the ancient walls and bring people from the modern life back to the Empire of Kingdom Champa as well.

Emerging from a violent past of human rights atrocities, war and political instability, Cambodia is recovering from its past and slowly becoming a top destination on the South East Asian travel map. Travellers to Cambodia can now enjoy many wonderful aspects of this country. Pleasurable moments can be had in the snatches of friendly conversations, in the tranquillity ushered in by Buddhist prayer or in the sounds of workers in the rice paddies. One can also search for the charms of the French-era capital city Phnom Penh, visit the tragic horrors of the Killing Fields or drift past sleepy riverside locations on a boat.

If looking for a relaxation on beach, we can take a bus to Sihanouk Ville, the only maritime port of Cambodia where we also can explore the south coast and nearby Ream National Park.
How else to explain the exotic tremendous splendor of the 9th- to 13th-century Khmer temples, the lively Apsara dances, the tropical islands with barely a beach hut in sight and the untold adventures lurking in northern forests? All only can be explained by your own experience.