7 unforgettable Cambodian adventures – which will you choose?

Cambodia is coming of age with a range of active holidays, foodie tours and unique wildlife encounters. Discover a whole world of adventure beyond Angkor Wat on one of these amazing holidays

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1: Explore Cambodia's forgotten South Coast

Kep crab market restaurants (Dreamstime)

Kep crab market restaurants (Dreamstime)

Venture beyond the wonders of Angkor Wat and discover a totally different side to Cambodia on this 15-day tour of the country’s beautiful south coast with Experience Travel.

Here you’ll discover a world of idyllic tropical beaches, stunning mountains, beguiling colonial architecture and tasty seafood. You’ll spend three nights amongst the restored villas in the sleepy colonial coastal resort of Kep, eating at the famous crab market and wandering through the deserted villas and surrounding jungle clad hills.

From Kep, a boat will take you to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), then Sihanoukville and Koh Rong Samleon, each famous for their stunning tropical beaches and relaxed lifestyle. Finally, you’ll spend three days days exploring the remote waterways and forests of the Cardamom Mountains in the south west.

Trip: Cambodia's Forgotten South Coast

Who: Experience Travel

When: Flexible departures throughout the year

How long: 17 days

How much: From £2,199 (exc. flights)

2: Discover the backroads of Cambodia by bike

Cycling in Cambodia (Shutterstock)

Cycling in Cambodia (Shutterstock)

Discover the best of Cambodia at a more leisurely and intimate pace on this cycle tour from Angkor Wat to the Cardamon Mountains with KE Adventure Travels.

In a country where the chief means of transport is the bike, this tour is the quickest and most enjoyable way to fall into the gentle rhythms of the country and meet it’s extraordinary people. Starting out in Siem Reap, you’ll explore the backroads and village trails amongst the breathtaking temples of Angkor Wat as well as less well-known temples and sacred sites like Kbal Spean. 

Next, rural Cambodia awaits. Your first stop is Battambang, where you’ll cycle through a landscape of rice fields, palm trees and pretty riverside villages. Then a forest ride in the Kirirom National Park, two days cycling jungle trails in the Cardamom Mountains, and finally, a transfer to the beachfront town of Kampot, for some much needed R&R.

Trip: Backroads of Cambodia Bike

Who: KE Adventure Travels

When: Departures Feb, Oct & Nov

How long: 14 days

How much: From £1,345 (exc. flights)

3: Uncover secret Cambodia

Rice farmer and son in Battambang (Shutterstock)

Rice farmer and son in Battambang (Shutterstock)

Looking for a real insight into the culture of Cambodia? This 14 day tour with TravelLocal will take you beyond the average tourist itinerary and introduce you to a side of the country that very few visitors get to see. 

It’s a journey that will see you visiting floating villages and lesser-known Angkor temples and immersing yourself in the real lifestyle in Battambang. The undisputed highlight of the tour is a two day homestay on Phnom Kulen, Cambodia's sacred mountain. Home to jungle clad temples, charming villages and the striking stone guardians of Sra Damrei, this is Cambodia as you've never seen it before. 

Trip: Secrets of Cambodia

Who: TravelLocal

When: Flexible departures throughout the year

How long: 14 days

How much: From £2,360 (exc. flights)

4: Encounter elephants and traditional villages

Elephant at the Mondulkiri Project (Dreamstime)

Elephant at the Mondulkiri Project (Dreamstime)

Be one of the first to visit Cambodia’s ‘Last Frontier’ in Ratanakiri and learn about the conservation of Asian elephants in Mondulkiri on this journey ‘Beyond The Ordinary’ in North East Cambodia with Selective Asia.

Your journey begins with a visit to the country's capital, Phnom Penh, and an essential tour of the magical Angkor temples. Then the magic begins as you head off the beaten track to explore remote jungle-clad temples, visit remote villages and spend a day learning about the region's elephants. A day relaxing at Bou Sraa Waterfalls provides the perfect end to your trip.

Trip: Cambodia: Beyond the Ordinary

Who: Selective Asia

When: Flexible departures throughout the year

How long: 14 days

How much: From £2,360

5: Tuck into a Cambodia Real Food Adventure

Amok steam fish - a Cambodian classic (Dreamstime)

Amok steam fish - a Cambodian classic (Dreamstime)

Forget any resemblance to the cuisines of Vietnam, Thailand and Laos – Cambodia has a unique and ancient food culture all of its own. Travelling from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap you’ll encounter a a startling range of sights, sounds and flavours on this Real Food Adventure through Cambodia with Intrepid.

Using pepper rather than chilli to add spice, Cambodian cuisine is laden with fresh herbs, spices, rice, freshwater fish and condiments. You’ll taste the best pepper in the world with a visit to famous plantations outside of Kampot, sample rural cooking during a homestay in the village of Banteay Chhmar, and ‘Eat for a cause’ in Phnom Penh at a restaurant that not only serves delicious modern Cambodian cooking, but helps the local youth too.

Finally, you’ll head to Cambodia’s south coast where you’ll select your own crab and have it cooked up fresh while you look out across the Gulf of Thailand at the Kep Crab market.

Trip: Cambodia Real Food Adventure

Who: Intrepid

When: Departures throughout the year

How long: 9 days

How much: From £905 (exc. flights)

6: Push the boundaries in active Cambodia

Mekong fisherman (Shutterstock)

Mekong fisherman (Shutterstock)

Combine Cambodia’s incredible beauty, fantastic food and unique culture with some serious outdoor adventure as you hike, bike and kayak your way around the country with Intrepid.

Taking in all the must-sees sites and uncovering some under-explored treasures, you'll cycle through Phnom Penh on a backstreets bike tour, hike and mountain bike through the Angkor Wat complex and kayak through spectacular flooded forests in Kratie. An island homestay on the Mekong gives you the chance to experience local life and culture as well as spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins.

Trip: Cambodia: Hike, Bike & Kayak

Who: Intrepid

When: Departures throughout the year

How long: 9 days

How much: From £796 (exc. flights)

7: Discover Cambodia’s wildlife and culture

Sun Bear (Dreamstime)

Sun Bear (Dreamstime)

Discover Cambodia’s wild side on this tour of the country’s wildlife hotspots with Regent Holidays.

After exploring the bustling capital of Phnom Penh and the impressive spires of the Royal Palace you’ll head to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre and become a bear keeper for the day. There are over 100 rescued Sun Bears at the centre and you’ll have the unique opportunity to get behind the scenes, help prepare their food and learn what exactly it takes to look after them. 

Next you’ll visit the Elephant Valley Project, home to a small community of rescued elephants. Here you’ll take a jungle walk with the herd to a favoured waterfall before helping to bathe them, feed them and learn about the important work the centre is trying to do for these gentle giants.  

Finally, you’ll take to the Mekong in search of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, a critically endangered community numbering less than 100.

Trip: Wildlife & Culture Of Cambodia

Who: Regent Holidays

When: Flexible departures throughout the year

How long: 15 days

How much: From £3,395 (inc. flights)

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