Siem Reap 4 days / 3 nights

Siem Reap 4 days / 3 nights intro

Southern Cambodia 6 days / 5 nights

Image taken from the movie "Shoot 'em up"

Phnom Penh, the magnificent Royal Palace which still serve as resident to the highly respected Royal family and His…

Phnom Penh - Siem Reap 4 days / 3 nights

Image taken from the "Invaders"

Begin touring the charming capital of Phnom Penh by visiting the magnificent Royal Palace which still serve as resident to…

Search

Home

Cambodia

Travel Tips


General Tips 1. Climate Cambodia is influenced by the tropical monsoon climate with three distinct seasons: cool season from November to February (18-27 Celcius), hot season from March to May (28-38 Celsius) and rainy season from June to October (27-35 Celcius). 2. Currency The Riel is the local currency. However, the US Dollar is accepted everywhere (4,000 Riel to one U.S.D, September 09) and it is best to carry small denominations. Credit cards, Traveler's cheques and foreign currencies are accepted in major hotels, souvenir shops and banks. Newly installed Credit Card Teller distribution machines are now available in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. 3. Shopping It is better to go shopping at the local markets than in tourist shops. All prices should be bargained and special attention should be paid when buying jewelry. 4. Airport Taxes USD 25, per outgoing international passenger for flights from Phnom Penh. USD 25, per outgoing international passenger for flights from Siem Reap USD 6 per outgoing domestic passenger for flights from Phnom Penh and from all other domestic airports 5. Religion The majorities of the Khmers are Buddhists and follow the doctrine of Theravada, the Small Vehicle. The Cham minority, migrated from the former Kingdom of Champa in todays Central Vietnam, is Muslim and some hilltripes in the northeast still practice some forms of animism. Elements of Hinduism are still incorporated into important ceremonies involving birth, marriage and death. 6. Passport & Visas For USD 20, most travelers can obtain a tourist visa valid for 30 days upon arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports (passport valid for six months beyond your visit and one ID-sized photo are needed.). For travelers joining an Asian Trails Cambodia tour departing from Bangkok, visas can be arranged there within two working days in Bangkok. Visas are available upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport and at the following border checkpoints: Poi Pet, Pailin, O’ Smach, Anlong Veng, Koh Kong (border to Thailand); Kham Samnor (border to Chau Doc by Mekong River, Vietnam), Phnom Den (border Chau Doc by road Vietnam); Bavet (Border to Moc Bai, Vietnam) and Dong Krolor (border to Laos). You can also get a visa on arrival via Prek Chak border (Hatien border to Vietnam). Trapeang Phlong border (Xa Mat border in Vietnam) opened officially recently and tourists can get Cambodian visa on arrival but Vietnamese visa is still not available. Electronic-visa can also be obtained online for Phnom Penh International Airport only. All the visitor need is to complete the application form and pay with credit card USD 25 per person. They will get their visa approved within 3 business days. How to apply? Go to the website, http://www.mfaic.gov.kh. Complete the online application form. Make online payment with your credit card. Upon approval, receive your e-Visa by email 7. Health Requirements No vaccinations are required to enter Cambodia. Travelers should check in their relative countries regarding medical protection against malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B. 8. What To Bring Along It’s highly recommended to bring a pair of sunglasses and some sunscreen lotion. Comfortable shoes are a must, especially for the visit of the temples. During the rainy season, a raincoat or an umbrella can be very useful. Further we recommend bringing mosquito repellent, a hat, a torch and light clothes. Photocopies of passport, visa and tickets can be very helpful in case of loss.	Getting around On foot Most of the sights in Siem Reap can be seen on foot. For the foot-sore and sun-weary, you'll have plenty of offers from locals on motorbikes. Only the longest rides should be more than US$1 though prices go up at night. Simply agree a price and hop on the back. By bicycle: Many guesthouses and hotels provide bicycles free for "round town" use. It's also a good way to see Angkor - the terrain is flat and most roads are decent - but leave early to avoid the mid-day heat. As of 2008, the electric bicycle renting agency is no longer in business. By motorbike Some motodops may be able to provide you with a helmet if you request one in advance. The rental of motorbikes to tourists in Siem Reap is prohibited. However, foreigners can ride motorbikes they've rented elsewhere. By Tuk-tuk Tuk-tuk drivers can be hired to take you wherever you like, they will arrange meeting places with you or wait where you tell them to. They are a great way of see the surrounds without the barrier of a car window! You will not find it hard finding a Tuk-tuk, as you will be offered the service everywhere you walk on the streets, especially in the touristy areas such as Pub Street. A word of advice, pay them for their services after everything you have arranged is completed. For example, if you arrange for a later trip to the airport and pay them, chances are that you will have to find another ride. You can also bargain on the fees beforehand. By car Indochina Partner Travel usually arranges a driver and car for you; this works out at about US$25-30 per day and is a good way to visit the temples if time is short. By rickshaw Unlike Phnom Penh, bicycle rickshaws are almost non-existent.	Time, Distances & Travel Conditions FROM PHNOM PENH TO TIME AND DISTANCE CONDITIONS SIEM REAP (By road) 5-6 Hours – 314 Km Fascinating, reliable and comfortable. From April to July (dry season) it takes 5-6 hours and before reaching the pier in Siem Reap, travelers are transferred to a smaller boat to pass through the floating village, reach the riverbank and walk with their luggage to reach the waiting car. A transfer to Siem Reap town can take up to 45 minutes on a partially rough road. SIEM REAP (By road) 5 Hours – 308 Km The road is paved and in good condition. BATTAMBANG (By road) 4 ½ Hours – 291 Km The road is paved and in good condition. CHAU DOC (By road) 2 Hours – 100 Km Fast and comfortable KAMPONG CHAM (By road) 2 Hours – 108 Km Excellent, tarred road. KRATIE (By road) 5 Hours – 300 Km The portion up to Kompong Cham is tarred and in excellent conditions. The rest is a laterite road. Adventure trips are not recommended for elderly people with health problems PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE (By road) 1 Full day – 416 Km Road from Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom in good condition, then bumpy red soil road up north. KAMPONG THOM (By road) 3 Hours – 230 Km Excellent paved road. KAMPONG SOM - Sihanoukville (By road) 3 Hours – 230 Km Excellent paved road. KEP (By road) 3 Hours – 130 Km Red Soil road in a fair condition. KAMPOT (By road) 3 Hours - 148 Km Most parts are paved. Potholes possible. TAKEO (By road) 2 Hours - 78 Km Paved road in quite good condition. Last portion after the turn-off to Takeo full of potholes (5 km). BAVET (Vietnam Border) (By road) 4 Hours - 167 Km The road has been recently renewed and paved. Some portions still a little bit bumby. SEN MONOROM (By road) 7 Hours - 370 Km Good road up to Snuol, then red soil road to Sen Monorom with bumpy parts. KOH KONG (Thai border to Trat) (By road) 7 Hours – 281 Km Excellent road from Phnom Penh to the turn-off to Koh Kong (143km), then starts a red soil road to Koh Kong (138km). Remarks: There are 4 tricky ferry-crossings, not suitable during rainy-season. Accommodation: The newly opened Phou Mint Koh Kong Hotel & Restaurant provides good services and excellent food. Centrally located, next to Koh Kong Bridge. FROM SIEM REAP TO TIME/DISTANCE CONDITIONS KOH KER TEMPLE (By road) 3 Hours – 160 Km (Via Beng Mealea) The red soil road is still under construction and a 4 WD drive is absolutely necessary to reach Koh Ker. Adventure trip and not recommended for elderly people or people with health problems. KBAL SPEAN (By road) 1 Hour 15 – 55Km Paved road to Banteay Srei, then good laterite road. Difficult in the rainy-season. 1hr climb-up to reach Kbal Spean. not recommended for elderly people or people with health problems. Asian Trails will take the right to refuse the participation of a client if its age or health condition is not satisfactory for this tour. BENG MEALEA (By road) 1 ½ Hour – 60Km Newly built red soil road in good condition. Bring along good footwear. No toilets available on the site. ANLONG VENG (By road) 4 Hour - 169km Red soil road in good condition except the last portion is a little bit bumpy. Restaurants and a guesthouse offer a certain standard. POIPET (By road) 3 Hour - 49km From Siem Reap to Sisophon bumpy red soil road and onwards to Poi Pet in a good condition. BANTEAY CHHMAR (By road) Siem Reap - Sisophon: 2 Hour - 105km Sisophon - Banteay Chhmar: 1h30 / 70km From Siem Reap to Sisophon: bumpy red soil road. From Sisophon to Banteay Chmar the road has been renewed recently but is normally bad after the rainy season. BATTAMBANG (By road) Siem Reap -Sisophon: 2hrs / 105km Sisophon-Battambang: 1hrs / 80km From Siem Reap to Sisophon: bumpy red soil road. Further on to Battambang the newly paved road is in an excellent condition, BATTAMBANG (By road) 5-6 hrs / 150km Comfortable and interesting way to discover the fragile eco-system of the Tonle Sap Lake. Remarks: The transfer from Siem Reap to Battambang by our traditional wooden boat lasts about 5 to 6 hours from August to March. During the dry season-from April to July- the transfer lasts 9 hours due to the low level of water of the Ton Le Sap Lake and the Sangker River. In this sense we do not recommend this trip during this season.

Public Holiday - Festivals and Events Public Holiday 2009 / 10 October 29, 2009 Coronation day of King Norodom Sihamoni October 31, 2009 RetiredKing (Norodom Sihanouk) birthday November 10, 2009 National Independent day November 01, 02, 03, 2009 Water and Moon festival December 10, 2009 International Human Right Day December 25, 2009 Christmas day January 01, 2010 International New Year January 07, 2010 Victory over Khmer Rouges regime March 08, 2010 International Women Day April 14, 15, 16, 2010 Khmer New Year May 01, 2010 International Labor Day May 13, 14, 15, 2010 Birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni May 2, 2010 Royal Ploughing Day June 18, 2010 Queen's birthday September 24, 2010 Constitution Day Festivals and Events November 20, 21, 22, 2010 Water and Moon festival February, 14, 2010 Chinese New Year April 14, 15, 16, 2010 Khmer New Year May 2, 2010 Royal Ploughing Ceremony