Hidden Gems of Cambodia

The jewel in the Angkor crown, its inevitable that Angkor Wat is at the top of every visitors list and as one of Southeast Asia’s most recognisable sights, it can be quite busy.

Our Signature Angkor Experience has been carefully crafted and is ever evolving to ensure you get the most out of this iconic temple. Whether its entering through a side gate before dawn or visiting as the tour groups go home for breakfast, we’ll tailor your visit to Angkor Wat to suit your style and pace.

Whatever time of day you choose to visit Angkor Wat, our expert guides will shed light on the stories behind the huge facades, explaining how they came to be built in the 12th century.

More than just another temple, the great Angkor Thom is in fact an ancient city, dating back to the 12th century,  that was once the capital of the whole Khmer Empire. The city itself, its Bayon temple and Terrace of Elephants are a must see when travelling to the region.

On our Signature Angkor Tour you’ll explore the vast city walls with you guide, accessing intricate canals and dusty corners of the complex via avenues of stone gods and demons.

Just a short drive south from Siem Reap is the northern tip of the great Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater body in South East Asia.

The lake is the life-source of Cambodia, providing food, transport, communication and homes to millions of people. The water levels vary greatly depending on time of year, but the lake can be visited all year round.

With a wooden motorised boat as transport, you can jet out into the lake and experience its vastness. The lake is also home to countless floating villages. The inhabitants of these villages are nomadic tribes of fishing families, living on boats and stilted houses. Plants and vegetables are grown in floating plots of earth and pots balanced on rafts, whilst dogs and pigs live in environments most people will rarely have witnessed before! The trip is an interesting insight into the fascinating way of life of these people.

Visiting the floating villages is a half day trip from Siem Reap. This can be done in either the morning or afternoon, although it is generally better to avoid the afternoon heat. You will be collected by vehicle from your hotel and driven to the quay where the boats are docking at that time of year.

This is a fun evening with impressive performances that all ages will enjoy, but importantly – it supports a fantastic initiative for young people in nearby Battambang.

At the circus, a traditional folk tale is told through modern theatre, acrobatics, contemporary dance, and live music. It all takes place in a high-top tent where the audience watches in the round while enjoying popcorn, drinks, and beer.

All profits from the circus support the Phare Ponleu Selpak school, set up in 1994 by nine returning refugees from the Khmer Rouge era. Inspired by an art teacher who had helped them through drawing therapy, they decided to found the school to offer other disadvantaged children a similar experience. Phare thus began as an art school before expanding to cover music, theatre, and eventually the circus school. Students can hone their skills at the school and earn a good wage – many go on to perform around the world.

The young performers you see will have been taught at the school, and profits are fed back in to support its current pupils.

Just a short distance from the lively city of Phnom Penh, across the Mekong River and nestled in a garden oasis, is the house of local celebrity Chef Nak, who will welcome you into her home and teach you the secrets of Cambodian cooking.

Upon arrival at this charming homestay, you’ll be warmly greeted by Chef Nak and chat with her as she gives you a tour of her beautiful home and gardens. We won’t spoil it for you, but the story of how she has researched old recipes is a fascinating one and is about much more than just food.

After your introduction to your hosts, you’ll take either a leisurely walk or a quick tuk-tuk ride to the local market to see exactly where your food is sourced from. The rest of the day is spent with Chef Nak as she teaches you how to cook a range of traditional dishes like fish amok, traditional beef salad, and crispy fried river prawn fritters. The class moves at a relaxed pace, and there’s plenty of time to swim in the saltwater pool or take a relaxing stroll through the lush gardens between dishes.

For anyone with even a passing interest in food, we highly recommend spending time with Chef Nak. Whether you stay at her homestay or join her for a cooking class, you’ll get a unique insight into Cambodian culture, meet some wonderful people, and have some delicious meals in a beautiful setting.