Top 10 Things To Do In Cambodia

Aug 1

Cambodia | Travel Aimz | www.travelaimz.com

Koh Rong Island

Koh Rong Island is located just off of Sihanoukville and is home to some of the best beaches I have experienced on all of my travels. Crystal clear waters, fine white beaches and no cars, it’s pure paradise. Koh Rong has a buzzing nightlife down by the docks, with a more tranquil vibe as you move around the island.

Inland the island is covered in a dense jungle scattered with waterfalls and coconut trees. Unlike a lot of luxury islands Koh Rong feels untouched, but it won’t stay that way for long.

It takes 45 mins to get to Koh Rong, from Sihanoukville by Ferry, and costs $25 for a return ticket.

If you are going to travel Cambodia properly do not leave this off your list of things to do.

For budget but quality accommodation on Koh Rong check out: Bunnan Bungalows & Naroth Beach Bungalows. For luxury accommodation on Koh Rong check out: The Royal Sands & The Secret Garden

2. Angkor Wat - Temples of Angkor

Some tourists travel to Cambodia purely to tour the Temples of Angkor. Angkor was the capital city of the Khmer empire, and one of the world's most ancient cities. The Temples of Angkor consist of 10 temples around Siem Reap. The most famous of them all, and a seven wonder of the world is Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious building and is considered top of the list by many for things to do in Cambodia.

I highly recommend going at sunrise or sunset for some incredible views, the experience really is enlightening. If you want to avoid crowds, sunrise is your best option. Travel there by TukTuk and enjoy the views on route.

Ta Prohm Temple is also another very popular Temple to visit, and rose to fame after being featured in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Angkor Wat: Times: Mon-Sun - 5:00 - 17:30 | Price: £30 ( $37)

3. The Killing Field and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) Tour

It’s crazy but a lot of people aren’t aware of the Khmer Rouge Regime until they start putting together their Cambodia itinerary. In the space of only 4 year (75-79), the Khmer Rouge executed almost a quarter of the country's population (around 2 million people). One of the mass grave sites is now a monument to those who passed and also serves as a way to educate people on what happened there, and prevent a repeat of history.

As well as Choeung Ek (The main killing field museum), there is Toul Sleng – S-21 Genocide Museum in phnom pehn city, which was the main political prison during the Khmer Rouge reign. Prisons here were either brutally tortured to death or sent to the nearby killing field (Choeung Ek) for execution. Across just 4 years the S-21 prison was estimated to have detained over 12,000 people with only 7 known survivors. When we went we were able to meet one of the survivors who has now written Chum Mey who had written a book on his experience.

I can not press enough how important I feel it is to go and take in this heart braking piece of history. Some of it is really difficult to swallow, and it will be a heavy day but it’s one of the most important pieces of Cambodian history.

You’ll need to dedicate a whole day for both museums, and you can pay a TukTuk driver $15-20 for the day and they will wait for you at each location.

If you want to read up on the killing fields, and the Khmer Rouge before your trip check out ‘First they killed my father’. Angelina Jolie also adapted this film into a book in 2017 that you can watch on Netflix.

Choeung Ek: Times: Daily Tour Departs at 8:00am | Price: £28 ( $35) | Website: The Killing Fields, Cambodia

Toul Sleng – S-21 Genocide Museum: Times: Mon-Sun, 8:00-17:00 | Price: £28 ( $35) | Website: Toul Sleng Museum

4. Grasshopper Bike Tour in Siem Reap

Grasshopper adventures offer a range of bike tours around Siem Reap, that offer a great chance to experience what the countryside has to offer around this vibrant city. The half day tour lasts 4.5 hours and costs only £28. You’ll get taken to local villages, rice paddies and a stunning temple (Wat Atvea).

Group sizes stay relatively small ranging from 1-10 people. You can also opt for a full day cycling tour of the Angkor temples. The tour includes lunch but the distance is about 30 km in total, so you will need a fair level of fitness for the trip.

Grasshopper Bike Tours: Times: Daily Tour Departs at 8:00am | Price: £28 ( $35) | Website: Grasshopper Bike Tours

5. Experience a Cambodian Circus

Save a night for the Cambodian circus, an immersive experience of art and culture that is transforming the lives of Siem Reap's youth. Phare, in Siem Reap, is Cambodia's leading circus and what many call Cambodia's very own cirque du soleil.

The show lasts one hour and is hosted in a tent that holds only a couple of hundred people, so anywhere you sit you’ll have a fantastic view.

Phare, The Cambodian Circus: Times: Regular evening performances, 20:00 | Price: £14 ( $18) | Website: Phare Circus Cambodia

6. Khmer Cooking Class

Cuisine is such a huge part of Asian culture, so fill your belly while learning what about Khmer cooking. With popular dishes like Fish Amok, local curries and mouth watering fish salads.

I’d highly recommend opting for a cooking class at a locals house, for a more authentic and intimate experience, with no more than about 6 people in a class. You start the day with a walk around the local farmers markets, picking out your fresh ingredients for the class, before heading back to their home to cook a 3 course meal.

Classes start from as little as £20 and Viator has a range to choose from including the top 10 cooking classes in Cambodia.

7. Kulen Waterfall & 1000 Lingas

Kulen waterfall & The valley of a 1000 lingas are both located in Kulen National park on the outskirts of Siem Reap.

Starting in the north western region of the park you will walk through the valley of a 1000 lingas. This area is part of an Angkorian archaeological site, where the rocks are covered in stone carvings of lingas (phallic symbol of Hindu god Shiva). About a 45 min walk from the Valley of a 1000 Lingas, you’ll find Kulen waterfall where you’ll find locals and tourists going for a swim.

What’s really important about Kulen National Park as a whole, is the jungle area is home to stunning relics and temples that will give the better known temples a run for their money, but often get overlooked by tourists who aren’t going off the beaten track. If you can spend a full day here exploring, definitely do!

Phom Kulen National Park: Price: $20

8. A Night out on Pub Street

If you’re looking for a night out in Cambodia, Siem Reap’s Pub Street is where you’ll find it. Officially called Street 8, Pub Street is full of backpackers ready to party, and a variety of restaurants, bars, and street food that will keep you going for hours. Some places are even open 24/7. Why not party all night and then head straight to Angkor Wat for Sunset…..if you think you think you’ve got the stamina!

If you aren’t feeling a night out Pub Street still has huge to offer in terms of restaurants, with loads of variety to choose from. So you can head over and soak up some of the atmosphere over an authentic Cambodian dinner.

Some of the best bars for you to try out: Angkor What?, Temple Bar & Laundry bar.

9. Ride the Bamboo Train

Battambang, located 3 hrs from Siem Reap is home to Cambodia’s last Bamboo Train.

Consisting of a flat platform constructed of Bamboo that is held on the tracks by two sets of bogie and powered by a small motor often taken out of old cars or motorbikes.

Despite it’s small motor the Bamboo Train can reach speeds of up to 50km/hr, and it’s bamboo platform can often be seen carrying whole families and piles of their belongings. If you meet a carriage coming the other way, your drivers will literally have to dismantle their carriage, remove it from the track and let the other pass before continuing on again.

I’d recommend doing a full day trip from Siem Reap to Battambang to experience the bamboo train, the Bat caves and the many beautiful temples the city has to offer. Battambang

10. Battambang Bat Caves

The Battambang caves are home to millions of bats, and also one of the most unique spectacles you will get to experience. At sunset the millions of bats that take shelter in the caves during the day, swarm out in unison, and fill the skies.

You can either go for an up close experience by heading on a tour to the mouth of the cave, or you can join ranks of other spectators gathered in the bars and stalls that line the street nearby.

If you are feeling brave enough to head to the mouth of the Battambang bat caves, you won’t regret it. The thrill of millions of bats flying so close that you can feel their heat run over you is something you will struggle to experience anywhere else.