Cambodia holiday - temples, history, people, traditions

Designed from the ground up to provide a real understanding of the history and culture of the Khmer people.

During 14 varied and interesting days, you visit not only Cambodia's ‘highlights’ such as Angkor Wat and the Royal Palace, but also get well away from the tourist trail, meeting the country’s people and understanding more about their culture and way of life.

This journey takes a comfortable pace, punctuated by enough free time for visitors to explore for themselves or just relax a little. We believe that no–one can truly appreciate the beauty of anywhere if they have only ten minutes to see it, so we give you time at each place we visit to take photos, talk to local people or just absorb the atmosphere.

Accommodation is in clean, comfortable locally–owned guest houses or small hotels with fan or air–conditioning and private bathroom, each of which has been hand–picked by us. The exception is actually a highlight of the trip – a homestay in the countryside.

A variety of transport is utilised over the two weeks: riding motorcycle pillion cross–country; speedboat; minibus and by foot – plus a few surprises! This trip is suitable for moderately fit adults of any age and children over 10 years old. There are some short uphill walks, and you must be able to carry your own bags between your room and your transport, and to get yourself on and off boats. There are also options to extend this trip with a seven–day jungle/hill tribe adventure or a few extra days at the beach.

Our journeys take a comfortable pace, with ample time at each location for you to admire the scenery, talk to local people, or just relax in the shade of a tree with a cool drink. Any walking is at a gentle speed, for short distances, on flat terrain or up small hills. Our clients are generally well-travelled, with a genuine interest in other cultures, and a mixture of singles and couples - so many opportunities for interesting dinner conversations!

Extensions: There are also options to extend this trip with a seven-day jungle/hill tribe adventure or a few extra days at the beach. Pchum Ben - please enquire for dates
Pchum Ben is the most culturally and religiously significant event of the year. This "festival of souls" oncentrates on blessing the souls of ancestors, relatives and friends who have passed away. Buddhist temples are the focal point for this festival and most Cambodia visit their local temple to make traditional offerings and pray.

During an extra day in Battambang, you will join with your tour leader and a local family to prepare food and give offerings to the monks. If you wish, you can purchase traditional clothing at the local market for very reasonable prices - a chance to really integrate.

Bonn Om Tuk - 01 Nov 2009
During the rainy season, so much water flows down the Mekong that when it joins with the Tonle Sap river at Phnom Penh, the force of the water actually causes the Tonle Sap to change direction! As water levels fall, the flow in the Tonle Sap returns to its usual direction, an event marked by Bonn Om Tuk, the most extravagant festival in the calendar. Phnom Penh's population swells as boat crews and their supporters flock to the riverbank to watch hundreds of brightly colored boats with over 50 paddlers battle it out for top honours.

During an extra day in Phnom Penh, your tour leader will take you through the throngs of promenading people to a "place with a view" - a popular cafe with a first floor balcony where places will be reserved for you. Spend a couple of hours boat and people-watching, and when the sun sets you can see brightly decorated floats cruise along the river with firework displays.

Makha Bochea - 14 Feb 2010
Marks the four auspicious occasions, which happened nine months after the Enlightenment of the Lord Buddha. According to tradition, on this day: 1,250 enlightened disciples of the Buddha spontaneously gathered ; every one had been previously ordained; they knew to meet together without any previous appointment; and it was the full-moon day. The Lord Buddha gave an important teaching to the assembled monks on that day 2,500 years ago, which laid down the principles of the Buddhist teachings.

An early start on the morning of day 11 will allow you to witness and participate in the ceremonies at Oudong, which is the former royal seat of Cambodia and host to a $4.5m stupa built in December 2002 to house some fabled remains of the Buddha. Your tour leader will accompany you and can give advice on proceedings.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony - 29 Apr 2010
In the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and they plough a furrow in some ceremonial ground, while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky.

Depending on what the oxen eat, court soothsayers make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. During an extra day in Phnom Penh, you will watch the ceremony and visit a small island in the Mekong River where people still live the traditional way or life.