Explore Our Cambodia

Cambodia is a kingdom of temples, history-lovers will find endless enjoyment on a holiday in Cambodia. Marvel at ancient Angkor Wat, a vast temple complex unmatched in size and splendor. One of the most important architectural sites in south-east Asia and UNESCO protection ensures it will remain just as magnificent for years to come.

Don’t miss a visit to the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh and whilst their visit the spectacular Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. A darker side of this city’s history is a visit to the S 21 Detention Centre where thousands were imprisoned, tortured and killed by the Khmer Rouge, this center demonstrates the country tragic past which not long ago.

The rural countryside in Cambodia stretches far, green and wide and offers a different pace to the cities. Enjoy the rhythm of rural life in the most enchanting colonial towns like Battambang, as well as hopping from paradise island to paradise island on any one of the Koh Rong Island’s off the coast of Sihanoukville.

 

3
World Heritage Sites

21
Ethnic Minorities

26
Cities

Cambodia Highlights

Suggested Cambodia Itineraries

Explore our Cambodia sample itineraries to inspire your travel planning. The itineraries can be easily customised and adapted to your personal interests and preferences.

Giảm giá!
Giảm giá!

Khmer Culture – the integration of Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous animistic beliefs
Cambodian culture is much associated with religion. Over thousands of years, people in the golden land have developed their own Khmer Culture, which is the convergence of Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous animistic beliefs. Still, nowadays, more than 80% of Cambodian people are Theravada Buddhist followers.

Traditional costumes
As Cambodia is an agriculture-based country, their traditional costumes must be comfortable and convenient enough to wear to the farm. The images of Cambodian people are often tied with krama – a cotton carve to wrap around the heads to prevent the heat.

Besides, the national garment of the country is said to be Sampot, which has appeared since the Funan era. Sampot is a form of sarong that both male and female Cambodian would wear. More than just a cloth, this sarong is a tool to display the wearer’s social class, basing on the variations of colors and patterns.

Apsara Dance
Dating back to the 7th century, Apsara is the traditional art form of Cambodia. Mythology has it that Apsara is performed by the beautiful fairies who come to Earth to entertain the gods.

The dance features slow-pace moves, most of which are hand gestures. Research indicates that there are more than 1,500 distinct gestures that hold different meanings. In 2008, UNESCO designated Apsara Dance as a World’s Intangible Heritage thanks to its cultural significance.

Special cuisine
Cambodian cuisine might be less popular than the exquisite dishes of the neighbor Vietnam and Thailand, yet it is still quintessential. It is an excellent combination of different cuisines like Indian, Chinese, French, Vietnamese, and Thai.

Fish and rice are two staples in their meals. There are many scrumptious dishes made from these two ingredients. If you are a foodaholic, do not miss trying the specialties of Cambodia when stepping into this land.

As Cambodia is rich in culture and religion, several traditional festivals take place all year round. The country is among the list of nations that have the highest number of holidays and festivals in the world.

Cambodian festivals are much associated with Buddhism. The tradition has been so strong that even the western colonization and Khmer Rouge regime in the 19th and 20th century cannot quash the practice of these events. These days are a great time for the locals to unite and rejoice.

Additional to the major religious festivals, there are also fascinating occasions for tourists to participate in such as Water Festival with boat racing on Ton Le Sap, the joyful Angkor Festival, and the Sea Festival by the coastline. These events are extraordinarily joyful and would definitely worth your time.

There are quite a number of national holidays in Cambodia. Some of the holidays are to memorize the important periods and limestones of the nation’s history, while some holidays are religious occasions that have their roots from Buddhism and Khmer culture.

Beside the western calendar like other countries in the world, Cambodia has another traditional Chhankitek calendar, which is based on the movement of the moon. Consequently, many of the holidays do not have a fixed date in the western calendar because they depend on the lunar calendar instead.

There are 20 national holidays in total. The most important holidays in Cambodia are said to be Meak Bochea in February, when all the monks gather to listen to Buddha’s teachings, Khmer New Year in April, National Day of Remembrance to commemorate the massive killings during the Khmer Rouge in May 20, and Pchum Ben (between September and October) – the Buddhist holiday to pay tribute to the ancestors.

Dress code

As Cambodia is the sacred land with numerous temples, it is important for tourists to dress properly when visiting this country. It is better to pay much notice to your dress code, especially when you are women. Nowadays, people might be acquainted with wearing shorts and skirts everywhere you go. In addition to the fact that Cambodia is a holy land, the people in Cambodia are quite conservative, and they would never thumb up if seeing you wearing revealing clothes. Hence, try to cover your skin as much as possible.

It is better to be culturally respective, so put on a long pant or dress that below your knees and avoid tank top/ strapless/ spaghetti top when coming out, especially when you go to the temples.

Special religious etiquette (exercise gratitude, etc.)

Showing respect and gratitude towards the locals is a great way to gain trust and friendship. Cambodia people feel lucky for everything they have, and there is almost no complaint no matter how worse their situation is.

Additionally, you should show respect to elder people and the religious practicers (like monk and nun). Just a prayer-like gesture is enough.

Face-saving etiquette

Not only Cambodia but other Asian countries values face-saving etiquette. It is considered unacceptable to lose one’s face in front of other people; hence, avoid criticizing or shouting at others when you are in public.

It is never a wise thing to lose your temper. Try to keep calm and hang on your smile to make people respect you.

Notice your hand and feet

These are little yet important protocols to practice when traveling to Cambodia. The locals consider the head as the most sacred part of the human’s body, so don’t touch it. In contrast, feet and left hand are believed to be the dirtiest; thus, do not use your left hand to shake other’s hand or point your feet at them. Remember to remove your shoes before going to sacred places like temples and sanctuaries, also.

In order to avoid cultural offense and show respect to the local culture, it is important to dress properly. Followings are some tips that travelers should notice:

Take off your shoes and headcovers when entering a sacred place

Leave your shoes, sandals, and hats behind if you are about to enter the temples. If you feel putting on and off your sneakers waste too much time and effort, use flip-flops instead. You will walk a lot and need to remove your shoes quite often, so try the most convenient one to put on.

Riel (KHR) is the official money currency in Cambodia. 01 US Dollar would have an equal value to approximately 4,000 riels. The exchange rate fluctuates on a daily basis, but this rate is largely accepted all over the country.

Even though riel is the official note, the United State Dollar is widely used throughout this nation. While people use riel for small purchases like in a convenience store or a restaurant, USD is preferable when conducting larger transactions. A fun fact is that most ATMs in Cambodia would allow you to withdraw USD rather than riel.

In border areas with Thailand and Vietnam, Thai Bath and Vietnam Dong are acceptable. In case you travel to Cambodia from Vietnam, for example, you can use the leftover Vietnam Dong notes on your wallet to buy things at the airport or at a local market

E-visa/Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Tourists need to have a valid passport and a Cambodian visa to cross the border. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months prior to your entry or you won’t be able to obtain a visa. If your passport is damaged or have a page missing, the Immigration Office might refuse your entry, also.

The traditional way to get a visa is to obtain your visa at the Cambodian Embassy or Consulate in your country before you travel. You can also apply for an E-Visa in advance via its official government website.

Another way is to obtain a tourist visa upon arrival. Most tourists can get VOA at Cambodian International Airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. For land crossings from the neighbor countries like Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, the International Check Border points are where you could get your visa.

Please note that these three options are not available for all travelers. People from Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Nigeria are required to get a visa in advance at Cambodian Embassy in their country.

It costs $30 for a single-entry tourist visa and $35 for a business one.

A single-entry visa would allow you to stay in Cambodia for maximumly one month. A passport-sized photo is a must-bring item if you don’t want to get fined. In case tourists want to extend your visa, it would take a couple of days to arrange at the Immigration Department.

Visa Exemption
Travelers with Southeast Asian nationalities (including Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia) are allowed to enter Cambodia without a visa.

However, the duration of stay for each nationality is different. With a normal passport, people from Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore can stay up to 30 days within Cambodian borders. Tourists from Thailand, Myanmar, and Brunei can stay for 14 days, while 21 days is the longest stay that Philippine people are allowed to stay there.

Custom Regulations
Generally speaking, Cambodian Custom Regulations is not so fierce. Only with the importation into or exportation from Cambodia of items like drugs, firearms, antiquities, or ivory do the customs authorities enforce its strict rules.

You are entitled to bring along a “certain amount” of duty-free items when arriving in Cambodia. However, things like tobacco, cigarettes, or liquor are sold in cities at prices that are as low as duty-free rates (sometimes it’s even lower), so there’s no need to pack along so many.

In addition, your money should be clarified on arrival, but for most of the times, the officers won’t ask about it.

Loose as the rules might be, there’s one thing you need to bear in mind: never take any stone sculptures from the ancient heritages out of Cambodia. It’s illegal.

DO’s

Dress Modestly

It is absolutely fine to get dressed up comfortably, or even sexily if you are about to go to a pub in Siem Reap or at a pool party at a luxury resort. However, things are not the same if you are about to visit the heritages. Leave your shorts, miniskirts, and any other clothes that are above your knees or reveal too much skin at home. Put on a long pant or a long dress, instead.

Show cultural respects

It is necessary to show your respect for the Cambodian people and culture. Social class is quite notorious here, so pay attention to your etiquette when meeting the elderly or the monks.

Bargain

That Khmer people are hospitable and honest does not mean you won’t be overcharged when shopping in their markets or shops. Bargaining is a must-do in almost all Asian countries, not just Cambodia.

DON’Ts

– Give money to children and beggars on the streets. Many of these people are forced to do that job and would get nothing even when you give them money. All would come into the wallet of their “boss” instead.

– Talk about sensitive topics. It is never a should talk about politics or war with Cambodian people. Especially, they really hate mentioning about Khmer Rouge period, so do not bring them to your conversation.

– Be culture offensive. Many things sound to be exceptionally unrespectful to Cambodian people such as touching someone’s head, using the left hand to give and receive things, pointing your feet to other people or to Buddha’s images, pointing your index finger to others, complaining about their country, and so on.

– Show affection in public. Cambodia is still a conservative society and they tend to avoid interacting with people of the opposite gender when they are in public. Holding hands, hugging, and kissing is unacceptable, too.

– Drink tap water. Tap water is not clean, so avoid drinking it. You can use bottled water instead.

Q&A

Cambodia is one of the safest and most fascinating destinations in Asia. The country is blessed with a rich history and a variety of cultural heritages, making it a paradise for historians, archeologists and everyday people wanting to see some of the many wonders of the ancient world.

Bordering Thailand to the west and Vietnam to the east, Cambodia offers visitors many unique experiences ranging from visiting the tribes of Ratanakiri to exploring the vast wet land of Tonle Sap Lake. There are also countless ancient temples and impressive natural scenery, including pristine beaches, mighty rivers and remote forests.

Far removed from its turbulent past, Cambodia is now open to visitors from around the world who wish to admire the grandeur of Angkor Wat and Thom, and the colonial capital Phnom Penh. Moreover, sea lovers can head for the empty beaches in Sihanoukville on the southern coast, which is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun.

Get ready to enjoy a trip of a lifetime with us!!

Custom-made itinerary

When choosing a budget tour, travelers tend to have to follow a fixed itinerary that has been used for several tours for years without any updates. In contrast, with Cambodia Luxury Tours, every detail is designed based on your requests. You can add any wanted destinations to the plan and adjust the schedules and times to fit your own timetable.

Premium services

Tourists who take Cambodia luxury tours will get served with premium services. You get what you pay for, so once you have paid quite an amount, you are deemed to receive the equivalent services. You will be staying in luxurious accommodation, having scrumptious delicacies, renewing yourself with top-notch massage services, and so on. The excellent services that luxury tours would offer could satisfy even the most discerning travelers.

Unique Experiences

Rather than traveling the same routes and seeing the same things as other tours, Cambodia luxury tours would offer you authentic experiences all throughout your trip. Our travel experts work non-stop to find new things to add to the program, promising to make your trip one-of-a-kind.

Exceptional personal services

Having a luxury tour package, visitors will benefit from the 24/7 personal services from the tour operator. You will be taken care of wholeheartedly before, during, and after your holiday. Our staff is always ready to support whenever you are in need of us.

One-of-a-kind experiences

A luxury Cambodia tour would take travelers to the most distinguished highlights of Cambodia, namely the holy land of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the pristine beaches of Koh Rong Islands, the lush jungles of Mondulkiri, and the mighty Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake. More are ready to be offered, as long as you note with us.

Private luxury transportation

Everything in a luxury trip should be luxurious, and transportation is not an exception. Tourists will transit from the airport to the hotel or from one destination to another all by luxury vehicles. You will not have to share spaces with strange people or worry about the careless driver.

At Realistic Asia, you can request for any means of transportation you desire. We have wide arrays of vehicles, from the standard cars to luxurious vans, cruises, helicopters, and even more.

First-class accommodation

Where you stay is exceptionally important as it would decide the quality of your sleep. With luxury Cambodia tours, you will stay in first-class hotels and resorts that have spacious rooms with full amenities, top-notch services, and superb spa & massage. The travel consultant will do research about every hotel carefully in advance to make sure you will have a wonderful stay without any dissatisfaction.

Delight culinary

A trip to any places can never be complete without sampling the delicacies of this land. Going on a luxury trip, you will be introduced with many appetizing traditional Cambodian foods such as Fish Amok, Khmer Curry, etc. Not only are the dishes heavenly tasty, but they are also of good quality so tourists won’t need to worry about hygiene and food safety.

Top-notch customer service

Everywhere you go, you will be served with excellent customer services. From the sales staff of the tour operator, the waiter at a restaurant, a bellman at your resort, to the guide at the touristic spots, all will welcome you with their nicest smiles. They are always more than happy to be of service, ensuring to make you feel like a King/Queen.

Travel like a local

A tour operator that really knows about the place you are going to fly to might give you the chance to experience the day like a local. A normal tour would only take you to the primary tourist destinations that have been well-known worldwide, but a luxury tour package would include more than that. How about a hideaway at a less-known island? Or a trek deep into the jungles to follow the traces of the elephants? These are not regular things that lots of travelers know to try.

Less prone to scams and fraud thanks to tips, tricks, reviews

Very soon before your departure, the travel consultant would give you essential advice on everything necessary during the trip. This is a treat that you can rarely get when taking a shared budget tour.

Furthermore, taking a Cambodia luxury tour also means there will be a private tour guide accompanying you everywhere you go. The guide must speak your language and Khmer language well in order to make your journey much easier. You will hence no longer need to worry about being cheated or getting lost.

In no rush (flexible schedule)

Unlike backpacker tours when travelers need to rush to follow the fixed and dense schedule, luxury tours give you more time. Even when you are at Angkor Wat and suddenly want to skip the next destinations just to stay there longer for the sunset, that’s ok. Everything is designed to fit your own requirements, so everything is possible to adjust. You don’t have to be afraid of offending other tourists, as it is your tour.

Choosing a reliable luxury tour operator is the key to your trip. Whether your holiday is nice and successful depends largely on who you are going with. Realistic Asia, with 10 years of experience in providing luxury trips to Cambodia, is a worth-considering choice.

Privacy

The first and foremost benefit of booking trips with a luxury tour operator in Cambodia is the privacy you would get. A tailor-made program will be designed for your group only. In other words, it is not a shared tour, so you won’t need to go with any strangers. It would give you a sense of privacy and security.

Personal support 24/24

Our customer service is available 24/24. The customer service staff is ready to support at any time. Should there happen any problems during the trips, tourists can contact the staff directly to get support.

Extensive consultation

Even when you have no idea about the destination you are going to visit, you can definitely have a smooth trip with the extensive consultation from the experienced sales staff and consultants from the luxury tour operator in Cambodia. They understand this country well, thus being a reliable source of information to lay your trust on.