Eugenio Frasca, Angkor, Cambodia. Flickr photo
A country of low-lying plains, dramatic mountains and enigmatic ruins, adventure tours in Cambodia can’t fail to fire the imagination.
A country of 181,035km2 (69,898 square miles) and 15 million people, Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country that has space for exploration, people happy to share their traditions and geographical landscapes with tonnes of wow factor.
Adventure tours in Cambodia aren’t necessarily full of white knuckle activities – although there are plenty of adventure sports and experiences for those who want that. Rather, adventures in Cambodia are all about soaking up incredible history, stunning natural landscapes and creating your own adventures.
Urban exploration and foodie feasts
Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh marks the perfect beginning to adventure tours in Cambodia. While the Royal Palace and National Museum mark the best of the beaten track, places like the Art Deco Central Market are idea for wandering around without a plan. Get a bird’s eye view of the city from the man-made hill of Wat Phnom, before heading to the riverside for a drink among locals. Food fans have the opportunity to have some incredible food adventure tours in Cambodia. This is at its height in the small town of Skun, where the local delicacy is deep fried tarantula. The seaside town of Kep is also famous for its crab market, with plenty of local crab culinary creations ready and waiting to tuck into.
Historical and cultural wonders
You can’t go to Cambodia without visiting the incredible temples the country is known for. Visit Angkor Wat – the well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site that marks the largest religious monument in the world. See another side of the country by visiting some smaller temples too, such as the brick Lolei temple, also near Siem Reap. A must for all adventure tours in Cambodia is to watch an Apsara dance performance – a tradition that dates back to the 7th century.
Local artisans, industries and countryside
Getting off-the-beaten-track in Cambodia leads curious travellers to meet a raft of fascinating locals. Near Siem Reap, visit Artisans D-Angkor to meet Khmer craftspeople creating enchanting designs. The nearby Puok district is home to a local silk farm where new discoveries await too. Experiencing the country from rural areas is one of the best ways to ensure adventure tours in Cambodia are truly momentous. Kbal Spean is an Angkorian era archaeological site with ancient carvings on the riverbed. The local area is amazing for jungle treks too.
Water-bound
With a great stretch of coastline, adventure tours in Cambodia are not complete without heading out onto the water. From Sihanoukville, diving, snorkelling and swimming in the sea are all great possibilities. Various islands off the coastline await to take you on even more water-bound adventures. Cambodia is also home to the largest freshwater lake in south east Asia – Tonle Sap. The lake is also home to floating villages such as Chong Kneas, providing amazing insight into local life.
Adventure tours in Cambodia are full of exploration and surprises – Mr Linh’s Adventures has a number of Cambodia trips to choose from.