9 independent reviews for Cambodia vacations, including Angkor
Reviews for Cambodia vacations, including Angkor
Jane Pendock review 9 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The visit to the Angkor Wat area and in particular the extra visit in the evening before the official 3 days to see a temple( Banteay Kdei ) bathed in the evening light and total quiet. Meeting a survivor of the Security Prison 21 at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The river boat journey across the Tonle Sap from Siem Reap to Battembang and seeing two Pelicans land in front of us.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for a lot of poverty and uneven pavements in Phnom Penn. To pack light. Note the Foreign Correspondents Club is now permanently closed but there is a super bar across the way with great views of the river. The homeward flight home is longer than the inbound flight, I would consider a night flight home as time goes very slowly.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good. The hotels were all good with amazing swimming pools . Many meals are included and varied in style. The balance of touring the Angkor temples was excellent with early starts and then time to recover before an afternoon visit, the guide was very good at ensuring we were at the correct place to make most use of the best light.Dave Wilson review 9 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing local way of life2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Nothing specific3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Tourism benefits locals. No env. UNESCO funding for A Wat.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very enjoyable.Hilary Bourne review 4 Mar 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Boat trip2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
There are some very early mornings. I expected this but others might not.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It benefited local people as, because of the Coronavirus, the Cambodian tourist industry has been badly affected by fewer people traveling. The operator tried to reduce environmental impacts by providing water on the mini bus for the majority of the trip so we could refill our water bottles without having to constantly buy plastic water bottles.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was an interesting trip. Excellent local guides. Unfortunately, I had bad stomach problems for most of the trip so my enjoyment was curtailed as a result. The group and guides were very supportive though.Alison Fernandes review 28 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It would be difficult to identify a single point or aspect of my vacation as being the most memorable as the entire trip was unforgettable. The openness and friendliness of the Cambodian people was heart warming and this was evident in every exchange, from buying stamps at the post office to waving at the children on the Sankhang River, both on the floating villages and the riverbanks. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy our passage past their homes and I suspect we may have constituted their day's entertainment!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared to shower and change several times a day, particularly at the beginning/end of the rainy season as humidity is high. Remember that local wages are very low and that a thoughtful tip is most appreciated. Do respect local culture and customs and try to learn a few words of Khmer :)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, not only were we supporting local businesses, including but not limited to hotels and restaurants, but the cost of our 3 day tickets to see Angkor Wat and the other temples goes in part to the ongoing preservation and restoration of temple sites.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I would rate the vacation as superb. The itinerary was extremely well planned, the administration and planning from hotel transfers to arrivals, stays and departures at the three different hotels we stayed in was seamless. The tour leadership and tour guides made what was already a memorable vacation into an unforgettable one.Chris Harnby review 5 May 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole immersion in another culture was educational and we loved it all.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Probably not go near monsoon although there were less tourists then.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely, although not sure about the large outlet selling a variety of crafts. My friend spent quite a lot and the manager/owner asked why I did not purchase anything although we were told there was no obligation. Not sure if the craftsmen benefitted much.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A thoroughly wonderful vacation though we were lucky to be the only three on the trip which gave us comfortable journeysRead the operator's response here:
We're delighted that you and your friends had such a positive experience of Cambodia. It certainly is a fascinating country. A word about the craft center. We presume you are referring to Artisan's D'Angkor workshop and boutique. We have chosen to include this organisation as they train underprivileged children to make handicrafts, however we appreciate it can be seen as pricey for the region. As you say, there was no obligation, and we regret that you were made to feel under pressure. This should not have been the case.
Vivian Munn review 5 Jan 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The S-21 site in Phnomh Penh, all the temples at Siem Reap and the boat journey between Siem Reap and Battambang.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
While the physical demands are not great, considering the heat etc, there are some areas especially around the temples, where a certain amount of determination and robustness is required. This trip is not casual.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the visit to the village industries around Battambang, the stops on the boat trip (for drinks and to see the hyacinth weaving) between Siem Reap and Battambang and the use of the local guides including the Butterfly company in Battambang.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent! We felt that the time in Battambang could have been better used as the (new) bamboo railway was rather more of a fairground ride than we anticipated, although it did seem to appeal very much to the Cambodians riding with us! It was a good 3 hours that may have been better used. Otherwise, the whole trip was well thought out and covered many aspects of Cambodian life. Our guide Nak was perfect! The hotel in Battambang was unfortunately a bit disappointing compared to those in Siem Reap and Phnomh Penh.Thamar Smit review 8 Dec 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Because we were a small group, we were able to change the itinerary and instead of visiting one of the main temples, we went 'off the beaten track' and travelled to a temple way out of Siem Reap without any tourists there. It really felt like we made our own discovery! The journey down the river was also great and showed how some Cambodians still lived, which was quite an eyeopener2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go with the flow, keep an open mind and drink lots of water...it's hot and humid in November3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think it definitely benefited local people, we stayed in Cambodian owned hotels, ate at local restaurants and visited (and shopped!) at local villages. Not sure about the amount of water bottles though as that is not very sustainable but on the other hand difficult to avoid.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Had a great time and feel like I have a better understanding of both the country and its people.Andrew Whitrow review 14 Mar 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Experiencing Cambodia moving on from the horrors of its recent history and meeting its charming people.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
A reasonable degree of fitness might aid enjoyment since there is some walking around the historic sights in hot weather.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Tourism is an important employer in Cambodia so our staying in small hotels and using local guides, river boats, the bamboo train etc were all supportive.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Anna Bradley review 26 Jan 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
So many things, it was crammed with experience, but probably the trip up river from Siem Reap to Battambong across ton le sap and past the front rooms of so many families scratching an existence from the river and surrounding landscape. Beautiful landscapes and such fundamental issues with sustainability. But Cambodian resilience seems to win out. A privilege to get so close to people's lives.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We were not at all sure about doing a small group tour, but we had underestimated the impact of traveling with a guide with a plan. We absolutely packed in the experience and really felt we had seen Cambodia in all its aspects by the time we left. IF you don't have as much time, this is a great way to learn lots.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
undoubtedly. whether it was small, local hotels or cycle tours to see rural businesses, this tour was mostly about local entrepreneurship and it was the better for it.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic window into cambodia. we needed a few days on a thai beach to assimilate it all.Holiday Reviews
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