Hidden Gems of Cambodia

Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Magnificent Angkor Wat

The jewel in the Angkor crown, Angkor Wat is inevitably at the top of every visitor’s wishlist. As one of Southeast Asia’s most recognisable sights, it can feel crowded at times – but with the help of our in-the-know guides and carefully curated Signature Angkor Experience, it can still feel magical.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ancient City of Angkor Thom and Bayon

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 your guide, accessing intricate canals and dusty corners of the complex via avenues of stone gods and demons.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Tonle Sap Floating Villages

Just a short drive south of Siem Reap, you’ll reach the northern tip of Tonle Sap Lake – the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.

Tonle Sap is Cambodia’s lifeline, providing food, transport, and homes for millions of people. Although the water levels rise and fall dramatically throughout the year, you can visit the lake in any season (ask us for the most magical times to visit).

Hop aboard a wooden motorised boat and cruise across the open water to take in the lake’s sheer scale. Countless floating villages scatter the surface, where nomadic fishing families live in stilted houses and boats. They grow vegetables in floating garden plots and pots set on rafts, while dogs and pigs (somehow) roam this buoyant environment. This experience offers a rare, eye-opening look into a way of life few outsiders ever see.

You can visit the floating villages on our half-day tour from Siem Reap, either in the morning or afternoon (though the cooler morning hours are your best bet). Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the quay to step aboard the boat.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Phare Circus

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.

Phnomn Penh and The South, Cambodia

Cooking with Chef Nak

Just a short distance from the lively city of Phnom Penh, you cross the Mekong River and arrive at the garden oasis that local celebrity Chef Nak calls home. She will welcome you into her charming antique wooden house and let you in on the secrets of Cambodian cuisine.

Chatting with her as you wander her beautiful home and gardens is an eye-opening experience. 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 settling in, you will either take a gentle walk or hop in a tuk-tuk to the nearby market, where you’ll see where the ingredients come from and how they’re chosen. Then, back in the kitchen, you will cook side by side with Chef Nak as she guides you through dishes like fish amok, traditional beef salad, and crispy fried river prawns.

If you’re even slightly interested in food, this experience is a must. Whether you stay overnight at the homestay or simply join the cooking class, you gain special insights into Cambodian culture, meet brilliant people, and dig into mouthwatering meals in a simply beautiful setting.

Battambang, Cambodia

Battambang Bamboo Train

The bamboo train in Battambang is a unique, clickety-clackety rail journey that’s listed by Lonely Planet as one of the top things to do in Cambodia. As you may derive from the name, the train (which the locals refer to as ‘norry’) consists of a bamboo platform powered by a small motor. The train operates on a bumpy track and is held in place by gravity alone.