Discover some of Cambodia’s best kept secrets during your stay in this remarkable part of Southeast Asia. Whether you want to enjoy the country’s spectacular scenery with a trip to Tonle Sap Lake or soak up some culture at ancient temples, read on to explore some of our best recommendations for what to do in Cambodia.
Tonle Sap Lake Trip
As a day trip from Siem Reap a visit to Tonle Sap Lake is highly recommended. Original Travel organises trips away from the usual tourist traps so you can jump into a canoe with a guide and paddle through the mangroves to further-flung floating villages such as Kampong Phluk or the remote bird sanctuary at Preak Toal.
Explore the Lesser-Known Angkorian Temples
Look beyond the Angkor Complex and explore some of the lesser-known temples, such as the UNESCO protected city of Koh Ker, located about 60 miles north-east of Angkor (but with far fewer visits). A highlight here is Prasat Thom, a seven-tiered pyramid with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside from the top, or explore jungle clad Beng Mealea, often described as the blueprint for Angkor Wat, just 25 miles away.
Explore the Cardamom Mountains
Discover the beauty of the Cardamom Mountains, which form one of Southeast Asia’s most pristine expanses of wilderness. Trek through the mountains with a local guide to admire the lush greenery while taking in the sights and sounds of the jungle and stopping off at various waterfalls along the way. This area is also home to a range of wildlife including elephants, tigers, gibbons, clouded leopards and more.
Explore Modern Day Phnom Penh
Spend a day exploring Phnom Penh by cyclo with a local architecture student to explore the city's post Khmer Rouge resurgence. Discover some of our favourite hidden gems in this multifaceted city as you weave through the colourful streets and soak up the city's architecture, from French colonial buildings to the post-independence New Khmer Architecture, which combined influences from the Angkor Empire with the use of new materials like concrete.
