Reviewed 08 Jan 2012 by Jillian Woodford
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The homestay in the Tai Leu village.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take warm clothes for the Plain of Jars - it's cold at night.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. We were able to buy some textiles directly from the women in the village.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.
Reviewed 12 Oct 2008 by Katie Bezant
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our time spent in Battambang. Our guide, Ro, was excellent. He was entertaining, friendly, professional, very helpful and his personal input of his own experiences of life in Cambodia were very moving and helped put the sights we were seeing into context.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take more clothes than I did!!! You get very dusty and dirty on the motos. And ride the bamboo train in Battambang if possible, it was a really fun experience and a lovely surprise as it was not on our itinerary.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, we visited the Homeland project in Battambang to see the direct results of responsible tourism. We were also taken to some remote villages where tourists hardly ever go so know the money we spent there really befitted local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.
Reviewed 03 Nov 2008 by Robin Ball
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
After a hectic Saturday and Sunday, the temples at Angkor Wat were almost devoid of tourist on Monday. We left the guide behind and gently wandered through the ancient temples on our own, experiencing first hand a 1,000 years of religion and history. Priceless!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Despite what it says in all the guidebooks, this part of Cambodia runs on US$ and the visitor should take a stack of low value notes to spend. There is little need to convert money into the local currency.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. We directly benefited local people through the employment for a week of a highly skilled and knowledgeable local guide, and local driver. We could see that our tour was directly benefiting them and their families, and allowed them to have the money to send their children to school. Our tour at Ankgor Wat clearly benefited the environment thought providing (through entry fees etc) the money necessary for the authorities to maintain the ancient temples.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was a genuine "once in a lifetime" experience. To travel so far to visit these temples built over 1,000 years ago was a great privilege. And because the maintenance of the temples is so sensitive, and because we had a great guide, we felt that we learnt about history, religious beliefs and culture in a way that films on the TV can never convey.
Reviewed 03 Nov 2008 by Jane Marriott
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing Ankor Wat.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I would recommend it. The hotel (Days Inn) was lovely and in a good location - it certainly isn't worth paying any more for the more expensive hotels. Having a local guide means that maximise the time that you have there.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Using local guides and drivers was of benefit to those individuals.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.
Reviewed 09 Dec 2007 by Lai Loni Ketterman
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the whole of the Angkor Wat complex with breathtaking temple architecture. It was amazing to see and experience all of it!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We took along small US bills but didn't take enough so had to get change at our hotel and were fortunate that they were so agreeable about giving us their small bills so we could tip the guides, tour drivers, tuk-tuk drivers, and hotel staff everyday.
Make sure also to ask what might be involved when visiting a local village regarding eating and purchasing items for other people in the community.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I am not sure about the reduction of the impact on the environment as the amount of people touring the temples and climbing on them (myself included) was astounding (and we were not in the height of the tourist season yet). One of our guides told us that the government is geared totally for the tourism aspect and was not yet too concerned about the effect of the numbers of people on the temples themselves. Financially, it would appear that some of the people are definitely benefiting as they have gotten jobs and earning money that they might not have had otherwise.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a fabulous time on our tour and really enjoyed being there with the chance to see all of the temples and meeting some of the people.
Reviewed 04 May 2007 by Brian Eaton
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Angkor Wat and other Temples were very impressive and well worth the visit - so was the lake and floating village. Time was not wasted by the local guide on useless shopping trips. We did visit the stone and wood artists in Siem Reap which was excellent and we did make purchases. However no attempt was made to take us to jewellery outlets which really gets my back up.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Tips - just go with the flow and enjoy yourself - I found Siem Reap quite safe and we wandered freely round the markets. Do have a massage after a hard day round the temples - recommend the four hands body massage ( nothing seedy about it - but very relaxing). Stay at a small hotel like the Mont Royal - very friendly and excellent service. Try the Fish Amok - white fish cooked with lemon grass in a coconut milk and mountain greens. I liked it so much - I ate it for lunch and dinner. Suggest a local guide is essential when visiting Angkor Wat - otherwise you're just looking at ruins and will not fully understand the fascinating history of the place.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Benefits to locals - yes, in terms of employment to guides, car drivers, restaurants, massage staff and so on. I believe responsible tourism is vital to underdeveloped countries.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall rating **** (4/5) +. Guides were excellent, hotel Mount Royal we loved. Everything went smoothly without a hitch. I would use this operator again without hesitation and recommend to friends.
Reviewed 31 Mar 2007 by Marvin Carlson
My trip to Cambodia was simply marvelous, and I was delighted with your package. The ruins were stunning, even beyond my expectations, my guide, Lucky Jame, was highly informed, enthusiastic, reliable, and a delight to have. My accommodations were very comfortable, and the Cambodian food at the hotel and elsewhere was delicious.
The advance information I received was extremely helpful and your advisors even provided me with excellent advice on accommodation in Bangkok as well. Altogether I could not have been more pleased with your service and I would heartily recommend it to others. I did not find the walking and climbing difficult, but I would advise you to alert those who have some trouble with either that especially in the heat this might be a bit of a strain. As you request, I attach a few pictures.
Reviewed 14 Jan 2006 by Melani Bruner
Just wanted to let all of you at Responsible Travel know how much we enjoyed the trip you referred us to offered by this operator. Debbie and Mark and all their staff were fantastic.
The temples were amazing as were the Cambodian people despite the extreme hardships they have had to endure. I would welcome the opportunity to go back again. My parents joined us from the States on this tour, and they are quite the world travelers, have been to both the Great Pyramids and Machu Picchu and said the temples around Siem Reap were just as awesome.
I heartily recommend this operator to anyone considering traveling to Cambodia. I've attached a few photos from our trip, too. Thanks again.
Reviewed 09 Feb 2006 by Donald Watson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The huge scope of the Angkor Complex is amazing and the overall workmanship is stunning. It rates as one the places you should see in your lifetime.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
a. Go during the cool season because most of your time is spent outdoors. As a Bangkok resident, I can assure you that it wouldn't be quite as much fun when it's hot and humid.
b. Go soon! The powers to be in Cambodia have obviously recognized the tourist potential and seem to be doing a reasonable job of restoring, controlling and developing it. But it probably will eventually suffer from excessive tourism - so get there now if you can!!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, we believe it did. We were able to make some purchases of local crafts for gifts and the tourism pros (hotel, tour guide, driver and food servers) naturally earned some money. We took only photos and left only footprints, as the saying goes.
4. Any other comments?
Take more film and/or digital memory cards than you think you'll need. You'll probably use everything you bring. The flight from Bangkok is a pleasant 30-minute jaunt so it's easy to combine a trip to Thailand with a tour of Angkor Wat.
Reviewed 27 Nov 2006 by Pamela Roller
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the intricate, beautiful carvings at the Angkor Temples was really the highlight of our trip. Priceless and amazing works of art.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The "short walk" through the jungle is more like a 1-hour, heart-pounding hike - even for those in excellent shape. Take sturdy shoes, mosquito repellent, a hat (for the sun), and sun-block. Take comfortable shoes that you don't mind having ruined by dust and mud. Also, bring an extra card and batteries for your camera - it will be difficult to find them in Siem Reap. Do not change money into Cambodian reals. The local people price everything - and prefer - U.S. Dollars. Be sure to bring lots of one-dollar bills. Be prepared for lots of children begging for money or trying to sell you things - and being very persistent. Learn to say "no thank you" in Cambodian along with other common phrases. Take your itinerary with you and be very clear on what charges are included or not in your tour price. There are several inexpensive internet cafes in Siem Reap for checking email and making internet phone calls internationally. Book your flights to Siem Reap early - they fill up quickly. We flew Bangkok Airways from Bangkok and were very pleased with the airline. We did not have passport pictures for our Cambodian visas when we arrived and it turned out not to be a problem whatsoever.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Because we had a local guide and driver and we ate at local food stands during the day, we felt our holiday benefited local people. We also bought souvenirs at the local "central" market in Siem Reap. Although our guesthouse was owned by a Cambodian, we later learned that he lives in Australia and just pops into the guesthouse a few weeks a year. A bit disappointing to hear.
Read the operator's response here:
The guesthouse we use is owned by a Cambodian who was evacuated to Canada from one of the refugee camps during the time of the Khmer Rouge. Against all odds, he became a successful businessman, and as soon as Cambodia became safe, returned and invested in setting up the guesthouse. He now divides his time between Cambodia and Canada, where he still runs a business. His son is now the manager of the guesthouse and is living in Cambodia permanently, where he has married a local girl and is raising two children.
Reviewed 08 Sep 2005 by Isabelle Loosli
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Cambodia it's so different from all other countries I have seen. Even if it's one of the poorest countries in the world Cambodia is rich in culture, friendliness and beauty of the countryside.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Both cities Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are worth to see, not only Angkor Wat and the other temples.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I think that with local tour guides and drivers and support of small hotels local people can benefit from this kind of tourism.
4. Any other comments?
First of all it was a very nice trip to Cambodia and I'm very happy that I decided to book this tour. Even though the history of the country is very sad, it is so interesting to learn more about this beautiful place and its people. Unfortunately my trip was only three days but I could gain so many impressions and experiences there that I'm sure that I will come back once.
The boat trip to Siem Reap is very interesting to see the countryside and both cities Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are very nice and just so different from all I have seen until now. Both guides were very nice and friendly and could give me a lot of information. Even though it included sometimes the tragic stories of their own families. On the last day I also had time to visit the children's hospital of Beat Richner in Siem Reap. A very good experience! I just wanted to say that I enjoyed the trip so much. Also both hotels were very special, friendly staff and very well selected. I will definitely recommend this trip to my friends and if possible come back by myself to learn more about Cambodia and its people.
Reviewed 18 Apr 2005 by Roslyn Collins
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We enjoyed every single bit of it!! Visiting the floating village on Tonle Sap Lake and having lunch cooked in a local person's house was fantastic and the people were all so friendly. Also we got caught in a downpour visiting one of the lesser known temples and that was certainly a memorably experience as everything flooded so very quickly!! Angkor Wat is just breathtaking and you could spend several days there just looking around.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring comfortable shoes and clothing and just go with the flow. Cambodia is a fascinating country and we found the people very warm and friendly.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I certainly hope so as the people could not have been nicer, they deserve to get the benefits from tourism especially those in the more rural villages we passed during our travels. We tried to buy products from shops where the profits would be shared among the community.
4. Any other comments?
All in all we had a great time though possibly spent too short a time there, I would definitely love to come back and be able to spend a more leisurely time there. Our guides were excellent and were very accommodating as I slowed things down by taking a lot of photographs.
Reviewed 17 Nov 2005 by Lynne Falconer
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our day on the lake visiting the floating villages followed by our trip in a dug out canoe through the submerged trees on the lake. Just the noise of the oars, the birds, and even some monkeys above us.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you are visiting the temples of Angkor Wat then wear very strong shoes. The sandstone is very hard on the feet and I felt like I'd done a very energetic step exercise class each day - but then I'm not very fit!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
To an extent, yes. We didn't think it was ideal to have so many cars going into the Angkor Wat area each day causing pollution. It would have made more sense if mini buses were laid on from the gate to reduce the traffic.
4. Any other comments?
It was a very enjoyable holiday, albeit only four days long as a side trip from a longer visit to Bangkok. We would have been able to learn more about the people of Cambodia, customs and culture etc if our guide had a more comprehensive understanding of the English language. He was fine talking about the temples but struggled if we wanted to discuss other things.
Read the operator's response here:
I completely agree about the traffic. Angkor is in danger of becoming a victim of its own success - in the last two years, the airport has been expanded TWICE to accompany larger and larger planes, and at any one time no less than ten new hotels seem to be under construction. Every day more and more large groups of tourists arrive. A number of alternatives - including the provision of electric "golf carts" and requiring visitors to wear specially-made soft-soled slippers - have been suggested at various times, but, as unfortunately is so often the case in developing countries, the government see the short term money before the long term benefit of their heritage or environment. I would recommend anyone who agrees that tourism at Angkor should be more environmentally friendly and place more of an emphasis on the preservation of the temples to write to UNESCO.
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