Cambodia budget holiday, ancient Angkor Wat

Cambodia budget holiday, ancient Angkor Wat

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How Cambodia budget holiday, ancient Angkor Wat makes a difference

Peace and tranquillity have finally come to Cambodia after years of war and faction fighting. This, along with the archaeological wonders of the Angkor region, is drawing an increasing volume of visitors to this tiny nation. Tourism is one of the key industries re-building the shattered economy and, in line with our operations around the world, we are committed to employing local Cambodian tour leaders, and staying in family-owned hotels. This short six-day trip focuses on the major sights, while allowing participants a good measure of interaction with the local people. This operator supports the Phnom Penh Cyclo Centre in Cambodia which provides vital social and educational assistance to local cyclo drivers.

This trip is focused on respecting and benefiting the local people and the environment of this country. On this trip you will be lead by an experienced local leader passionate about their country's history, heritage and natural beauty that will help you to get 'under the skin' of their country and see it through the eyes of a local. This trip stays at locally run accommodation; we eat at local restaurants and travel on local transport. This ensures the financial return to the local economy opens up training and employment opportunities - and allows for informal and meaningful interaction between our travellers and local people.

We are constantly seeking new and innovative ways of neutralising our impact on the environment. We will become the first Australian adventure tour operator to offer a voluntary carbon offsetting option on the land component of all its tours, as well as the accompanying flights. Our Community Trust provides funds for local community projects and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable tourism development in the destinations in which we operate. First and foremost, but not exclusively, the Trust supports projects and initiatives that advance education and employment within the tourism and hospitality industry. The Trust operates on a not-for-profit basis, with every cent of funds donated by us, our staff and our travellers, going to the nominated projects.

The maximum group size on all of our adventures is 16 passengers – with exception of some African trips (24 max) and in the Polar Regions, where our ship carries a maximum of 110 passengers. Travelling in small groups ensures we make significantly less impact on the natural environment, as well as breaking down many of the communication barriers presented by a larger group.

Cambodia budget holiday, ancient Angkor Wat

Cambodia budget holiday, ancient Angkor Wat

Reviewed 08 Apr 2008 by Jacinth Awolola Hill

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Our stay in Cambodia. It was as much a success due mainly to the expertise of our tour Guide Mr Sok Vuthy. He not only carried out company duties but was always congenial, honest and transparent in his dealings and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure the success of our holiday.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Unless you're tied to 4/5 star luxury and not done touring before, don't take too much notice of the company dire warnings. Found the group tipping system extremely useful and fair, taking away a lot of the stress and additional concerns.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes. Specific evidence of the benefits to local people was more apparent in Cambodia especially as we used more local transport in the form of the cyclos more frequently. We also had pointed out to us the company's contribution to projects which enriched the lives of the community. We also dined at a restaurant totally run by and for street children. Stay in Saigon and Bangkok very short, but again in Bangkok used local transport where possible as much for experience and to benefit local people.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

A very positive experience.

Reviewed 01 Nov 2006 by Alan Macdonald

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Most memorable was the killing fields/S21 torture & interrogation chambers. But every day of the trip was memorable.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Take plenty of mosquito repellent and read a book on the country before travelling. Don't be afraid to go just because you're slightly older, as a 59 year old I was very much "part of the crowd".

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

All tourism benefits local people, and this one does so particularly, including building a well for a local village.

Reviewed 18 Oct 2006 by Erin O'Brien

I had a fantastic time in Cambodia - completely fell in love with the country, and most of all the heart of it; its people.. My only complaint is that my vacation wasn't nearly long enough, but that's my job's fault, not the operator's!

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It's difficult to pick one highlight - there were many to choose from, but the temples of Angkor Wat were at the top, and so was a visit to an orphanage just outside of Phnom Penh..Truly inspirational! Also, our local guide Sahm (I know I misspelled his name..) was funny, energetic, and really knowledgeable, it was great having him show us around Phnom Penh and Siem Reap..

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

I recommend that people bring the bare minimum - you really can find everything at budget prices at the markets.. I further recommend that if you bring a digital camera, definitely bring several memory cards because photo opportunities are EVERYWHERE!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes, we patronised places that directly benefited local people..

4. Any other comments?

I give it ****, or maybe **** and one half, if only it could have gone on longer..

Reviewed 15 Mar 2006 by Andrea Quayle

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Visiting the Genocide Museum and the Killing fields was undoubtedly the most moving and educational experience, and most memorable and has spurred me on to find out more about the Cambodian people's experiences and to find some small way to help in future.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Be aware that disabled street vendors of books are (at least in my experience) selling mainly good copies of up to date books (eg Lonely Planet guides) at reasonable prices, the books often donated by the publishers. Give street children usable items such as shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, etc.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes.

4. Any other comments?

Our Cambodian guide was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of information of Cambodia's history, including playing an informative DVD on the bus from Phnomh Penh to Siem Reap, and also took us on extra trips at no charge.

Reviewed 22 Feb 2006 by Amanda Heseltine

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Most memorable was the spirit and warmth of the Cambodian people after such a horrific recent history. Specific to the tour was our excellent local guide who put so much energy into keeping everyone happy and providing us with any information we requested (and also the fantastic food).

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

It is not a roughing-it/backpacker style tour - there is absolutely no need for the mosquito net etc which the tour company suggest you bring - one girl had a huge suitcase rather than a backpack and it wasn't a problem at all. We stayed in 4* hotels and were driven around in a private bus. However, as this was the case I would say it was very good value for money.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

It benefited local people in so much as we went to local markets, had some free time when we used local motos etc and also had Cambodian guides and drivers - however, we stayed in a non-Cambodian owned hotel in Siem Reap and inevitably some of what we spent went to the non-Cambodian company which runs the tour. Environmental Impact - our huge coach from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap carrying six tourists, the guide and the driver was definitely not environmentally friendly! We could have picked up Cambodians from the main coach station to make up numbers - I discovered later in my holiday that there are always plenty of people waiting to fill the buses at the coach stations. It was a bit sickening to plough past mini-vans, bursting at the seams, with people sitting on the roof when we had about 40 free seats!

4. Any other comments?

The tour is described as six days but is essentially four days as the group meets during the evening of the first day and parts company after breakfast on the sixth day. It was the perfect way for me as a single female to find my feet in a new country and assess how safe I felt. It was also a very relaxing way to travel as everything is arranged for you so there is no decision-making about where to stay, eat, go and no need to worry about missing out on important places to see. However, I would say that I developed a better understanding of the country once the tour was over and I travelled using local transport and so on.

Read the operator's response here:

Thanks for taking the time to give us feedback on your recent holiday with us and we are delighted to hear that you had a fabulous time. I am yet to hear from somebody who, having been to Cambodia, has not been touched by the fortitude and warmth of the local people...it may sound like a platitude but it always strikes me that people who have been through hard times are always more likely to give visitors a warm reception. We believe wholeheartedly in employing local people to lead it's trips so it is always a pleasure to hear positive reports about them. Our leaders in Cambodia regularly get excellent feedback but you can be sure your comments will be forwarded and gratefully received by our team in Cambodia.

I sympathise with your feelings of unease at being chauffeured in a bus big enough to accommodate another 40 people, especially when mini-buses etc are packed to the rafters! In theory we would love to be able to tell our drivers to pick up local people waiting for a bus but in reality this is not possible. While most of our clients would be happy with this arrangement there would unfortunately be others who would complain. We would also incur the wrath of local bus companies, taxi drivers and moto drivers and potentially deprive local people of well needed employment. A smaller vehicle would be the obvious solution but it can often boil down to what vehicle is available on the day. Thanks again Amanda and we hope to see you on one of our trips again soon.