Cambodia holidays

Cambodia Holidays and Cambodia Tours

Cambodia, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country of South East Asia bordered by Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. For some time, holidays to Cambodia were off limits after the terrible years of the Khmer Rouge rule. Today, however, it is testament to the Khmer people that, despite three dark decades of civil war, there is a pervading feeling of optimism and courage wherever you go – this is what makes holidays to Cambodia such an eye-opener. There is a wonderful range of rewarding Cambodia holidays that give you the opportunity to experience the country’s ancient temples, dense forests, glorious beaches and captivating culture. If you choose to holiday in Cambodia you may find yourself visiting one of the seven wonders of the world at the magical temples of Angkor Wat or absorbing the vibrant atmosphere of the country’s capital city, Phnom Penh, where there are endless things to see and do. You may find yourself on tour in Cambodia to learn about the Colonial heritage of Kep and Kampot, explore the natural wealth of Koh Kong and the Cardamom Mountains, or you may to choose a solitary holiday in Cambodia where you can relax on the southern beaches in Sihanoukville. When you are planning your Cambodia holiday there are a number of Cambodia trips and Cambodia tours that you may choose from, jam packed with exciting things to make the most of your Cambodia holiday. Tours of Cambodia can range from three day trips to Angkor Wat to weeks around the whole country, with options from honeymoons to backpacker adventure. With the blend of delightful people, fascinating history, delicious cuisine and a treasure trove of historical sites, your Cambodia holiday will be truly unforgettable.

Angkor Wat holidays and Angkor Wat Tours

Angkor Wat, meaning 'city temple', is a temple complex in Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II. in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. Listed as one of the seven wonders of the world, Angkor Wat is also the world's largest religious building and has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag. Therefore a trip to Cambodia is not complete without having an Angkor Wat holiday. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Wat contains the surviving remains of more than 100 stone temples of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire. Angkor Wat is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture, and is admired for its grandeur and harmony, making holidays to Angkor Wat a popular choice. Tour to Angkor Wat to see the temples' artistic carvings and stylish walls tower above the jungle and fill you with admiration and anticipation while letting the stone buildings reveal the stories of dynasties and their rule. An Angkor Wat tour will greatly benefit your experience as these large temples, in various states of ruin, are beautiful but you will quickly tire unless you understand their purpose, significance and history. Angkor Wat tours provide you with knowledge on routes, timing and crowd avoidance, nature and photography. The closest city to Angkor Wat is Siem Reap where Angkor Wat holidays begin. Siem Reap has an international airport as well as a wide selection of hotels and backpackers to cater for all guests. Because of the immense size of the site, tours to Angkor Wat are usually a minimum of three or four days which is just about long enough to fit in all the highlights of the Angkor area.

Cycling holidays in Cambodia

A cycling holiday in Cambodia allows you to travel like a local and experience Cambodia as if you live there. The trails of cycle tours in Cambodia take you off the beaten track and into the small villages and farming communities as well as taking you to see the major attractions. A cycling holiday in Cambodia is designed to engage you with your surroundings. Your holiday is enhanced by cycling, and your appreciation of the local environment is heightened by your cycling experience. There is a wonderful range of rewarding cycle tours in Cambodia ranging from 3 days where you may find yourself cycling among a thousand years of Khmer history at Angkor Wat, to 16 days which may lead you to journey across multiple countries of Indochina, from the busy streets of Bangkok to the shimmering paddy fields of Angkor. Depending on your abilities and personal preferences, there is a bike tour in Cambodia for everyone. You may enjoy the challenge of a 500kms cycle through the heart of the lush Mekong Delta in Vietnam and the dry lands of ancient Cambodia or you may prefer a leisurely journey to sample the cultural heritage and scenic highlights. Many cycle tours in Cambodia continue the tradition of pioneering cycle routes. What better way to explore the remote corners of the country than to undertake a cycling holiday in Cambodia.

Photography holidays in Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the most atmospheric and photogenic countries in South East Asia and a photography holiday in Cambodia is an excellent way to explore the best of what the country has to offer whilst learning more about the art of travel photography. When undertaking your photography holiday in Cambodia, you will find it is not hard to practice good photography in Cambodia. Firstly the iconic status of Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples is an obvious place to start but it is the juxtaposition of Cambodia's overlapping new and old worlds in the same frame that makes so many photographic scenes intriguing. There are a wonderful range of photography tours in Cambodia where you have the opportunity to capture the back drop of magnificent temples, the clutter of an urban environment trying to find its feet again or engaging portraits of people in a travel environment. Photography tours in Cambodia help participants understand the nature of good light, good composition and good subject matter in order to improve the over all strength of their Cambodia photography. You will also learn functions of the camera needed to make photography in Cambodia easier and more creative during and after your photography holiday in Cambodia.

Want to know more about Cambodia before going on holiday?

Find out more about Cambodia by reading these Cambodia articles.

Find out about Cambodia from someone who has been. "In one day, one can watch sunrise at Angkor Wat, have lunch at a butterfly café, visit the magnificent Bayon and Ta Phrom, climb the hill on elephant back to watch the sun set, and eat dinner while watching a performance of the royal dancers." Read the rest of this Cambodia article 'The human rights trail' by Laureen Gillam.