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Welcome to Cambodia
Cambodia Travel Guide
For many the name Cambodia (or Kampuchea as it was formerly known) conjures images of war, famine, Pol Pot, the notorious ‘Killing Fields' and political instability. True, these events have all been a part of this nation's history, and a number of the places you will visit (particularly around Phnom Penh) are reminders of Cambodia's tragic recent past. However, northwest of the capital near the town of Siem Reap, visitors will see one of mankind's greatest architectural achievements. The magnificent temples of Angkor - of which Angkor Wat is the most famous – are permanent reminders of the incredible skill and dedication of the Khmer civilisation as it existed from the ninth to the fourteenth centuries. Forgotten and buried under dense jungle for hundreds of years, restoration of this ‘lost city' only began in 1908. Angkor Wat is truly one of the great achievements of human civilisation.
Information herein was correct at the time of preparation, however the rapid development of tourism in Cambodia has the potential to make some of the information in this guide irrelevant. This information is intended as a guide only and Vietnam Royal Tourism is not responsible for any inaccuracies. This document does not, in any way, alter the booking terms and conditions in our small group journey brochure. Please contact us with your comments if you find during the course of your travels that the information in this guide is incorrect or out of date.
VISA REQUIREMENTS & DEPARTURE TAXES
Getting your Cambodian visa is a simple and efficient process. Tourist visas for most nationalities can be obtained on arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airports for 20USD cash. A visa form will be issued to you on the airplane or on arrival. You will also need one passport photo to accompany your visa application. It is your responsibility to ensure all visa and entry requirements are met prior to arrival in Cambodia. Travellers on the Mekong River Trip linking Vietnam and Cambodia Tours' our customers can get their Cambodian visa on arrival at the Kamsamna border post on the Mekong river on the day of the boat crossing from Chau Doc (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh. This is a straight-forward process. Please allow 25USD per person for international departure taxes, and 6USD per person for domestic departure taxes.
If you have arranged an arrival transfer you will find a representative from Vietnam Royal Tourism waiting to meet you outside the airport. Please look carefully for a Vietnam Royal Tourism sign with your name on it (not a hotel sign). If you cannot see a sign with your name please call our local office contact number (at the bottom of this document and on your detailed itinerary) and our duty officer will adviseyou what to do.
You must be comprehensively insured as a condition of travelling with Vietnam Royal Tourism. Insurance should include coverage for personal accident, medical expenses, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. We will ask you to confirm your insurance details as part of our travel registration process at the start of your journey. If you do not have appropriate insurance we will insist you obtain insurance. We reserve the right not to provide the services booked with us until insurance is purchased. Note that travel insurance may be ‘attached' to your credit card, although usually such cover is effective only if your travel arrangements have been purchased with the card. Insurance cover from credit cards often does not include payment of medical expenses. Please check your policy carefully. You must have adequate insurance to cover you in the event you suffer a medical problem while travelling.
The official unit of currency in Cambodia is the riel. Current approximate exchange rates are:
• Riel 6,700 equals 1GBP
• Riel 4,000 equals 1USD
• Riel 2,500 equals 1AUD
• Riel 2,500 equals 1CAD
• Riel 2,000 equals 1NZD
United States dollar cash is accepted everywhere and can easily be used instead of riel. As you will accumulate riel as change from payments you make in USD, we recommend you change either nothing or very little (eg. 10USD) into riel upon your arrival in Cambodia. We advise you to carry a mix of USD cash and travellers cheques.
Please be aware that costs in Cambodia are significantly higher than in neighbouring Asian countries. The cost of meals, transport, and shopping often takes tourists by surprise. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) can be used in only a limited number of shops and restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. From late 2005 a number of ANZ Royal ATMs were installed in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Cash advances can also be obtained using Visa and Mastercards at exchange booths and banks in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. We suggest you allow approximately 7USD per person for a main course meal at a nice restaurant.
There are two main seasons in Cambodia. From November to March temperatures are slightly cooler with little rain. From May to October, the rainy season, average temperatures in the day range from 24 to 35 degrees Celsius. During this period it rains for a short time in the afternoon, temple moats are full, the scenery is greener, and there are fewer people at the temples. Many people prefer to travel at this time of the year.
Please ensure that your luggage is of a standard size (preferably soft bags) as backpacks or soft cases are only permitted on our journeys. It should be clearly labelled and not exceed the airline's own limitations. Any flight booked through Vietnam Royal Tourism (both domestic and international) has a luggage limit of 20kg per person. If you have made your own flight arrangements, please check the luggage allowance directly with the airline. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. Vietnam Royal Tourism is not responsible for any excess luggage fees that may be incurred due to bags that exceed the airline limitations. If you are doing a lot of shopping during your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the city where your tour concludes, or ship purchases directly home.
Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and comfort, and the comfort of your fellow travelers. Please note you may be required to carry your own luggage at times. Porterage is not included in the cost of your journey. Please ensure you pay porters around 1USD per person for carrying your luggage. Should you wish to avoid such payments, please carry and take responsibility for your luggage.
Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi tropical climates – packing one set of smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive. We suggest you include:
• Flat walking shoes and sandals
• Hat & sunglasses
• Jumper/coat/thermals - if visiting in winter
• Bathers
• Money belt
• Raincoat or umbrella
• Basic first aid kit (see below)
• Insect repellent
• Alarm clock
• Small torch
• Swiss Army pocketknife
• Power adapter
• Women's sanitary products
• Ear plugs and eye patches for the train
Please note that airlines insist all sharp items (knives, scissors, nail clippers etc.) are packed in your ‘check-in' luggage.
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The electrical standard in Cambodia is 220 volts at 50Hz. Electrical plugs of the two rounded pin type are the most commonly required. You may want to bring a small hair dryer – not all hotels provide one.
Travellers to Cambodia should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. Some of the diseases known to exist in Cambodia include malaria, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, diphtheria, tetanus, and HIV/ AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. We are a travel company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information appropriate to your individual needs. We recommend you consult with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for up to date health information on vaccinations and medicine for your trip, at least one month prior to departure. Medical facilities are limited throughout the country (even in the capital Phnom Penh) compared to western standards.
We suggest you bring a simple medical kit. Your doctor should advise you what to include, however as a minimum we suggest you bring:
• Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
• Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)
• Cold and flu tablets
• Something to stop diarrhea
• Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting
• Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)
• Insect repellant
• Antiseptic and bandages
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)
As part of our travel registration process at the start of any journey with Vietnam Royal Tourism, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical conditions or allergies
Each Small Group Journey in our brochure has a ‘grading' to assist you in choosing a holiday best suited to your level of health and fitness. A guide to the gradings is as follows:
Easy: These tours avoid the more arduous road travel by flying between major cities. They are suitable for travellers of all ages and levels of fitness. However, an average level of mobility and agility is required as these tours still include some walking in often hot and humid conditions, as well as getting on/off boats and walking up/down flights of stairs. Accommodation is generally comfortable by international standards.
Moderate: These tours involve some long distance overland/overnight travel and can include one or two nights of basic accommodation in more remote areas. The tours are suitable for most travellers of average fitness and mobility with a spirit for ‘soft' adventure. Clients will be expected on occasions to carry their own luggage for short distances.
Adventurous: These tours involve some long distance travel and at least 2 nights in very basic accommodation. On these tours there may be nights when clients will sleep out on boats, on trains, in a hilltribe village or in other basic accommodation. A client should be quite fit and be prepared for travelling in remote parts of developing Asia to get the most out of an ‘adventurous' tour. Clients will be expected on occasions to carry their own luggage for short distances.
Minimum Fitness Levels: It is essential for good group dynamics on our Small Group Journeys that a less able client does not significantly impact on the enjoyment of the rest of the group during the touring days. We ask you please to consider the above tour gradings and think carefully about the Small Group Journeys most appropriate for your level of health and fitness. As a minimum requirement for our tours graded Easy, you should ask yourselves the following questions:
• Am I able to walk 2-3 kilometres comfortably in hot and humid conditions?
• Am I able to walk up 4 flights of stairs without losing breath?
• Am I able to walk along rough and unstable surfaces?
• Am I able to board small boats, trains etc?
• Am I able to carry my own luggage?
If, upon commencement of a Small Group Journey, our Tour Leader takes the view that a client's physical capabilities are not to the standard set out in by the above criteria (also stipulated in the ‘Fitness Form' which is required to be completed upon booking) then, in the interests of the client and fellow travellers, we reserve the right to prevent the client from participating in the tour. In such instances, we will assist with onward travel arrangements. Cancellation penalties will apply. You should therefore ensure that you are physically capable and prepared for undertaking our journeys.
Cambodian cuisine is closely related to the cuisines of neighbouring Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. There are however, some distinctly Cambodian dishes. Rice is the principle staple. Hot sour soup with freshwater fish is a common dish, as is stir fried pork with morning glory and lashings of fresh ginger. Breakfast is included each day on our tours and is usually a buffet/ continental style mix. You should only drink bottled water, available everywhere for purchase.
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides, drivers and your tour leader, a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across Vietnam Royal Tourism destinations. As a general guide on Small Group or Special Group Journeys, please allow 2USD to 3USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide, driver and tour leader. If your tour is private, please allow 3USD to 5USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide and driver. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Should you be dissatisfied with the services provided by your local guide, driver or tour leader, please let us know.
Touristed areas in Cambodia are safe by world standards, but the usual commonsense safety precautions should be adhered to. Tourists should stick to set travel arrangements and avoid unknown areas. It is not safe to walk the streets of Phnom Penh at night where street lighting is poor. We recommend you keep jewellery to a minimum, and leave items of value in your hotel's safety deposit box. Always keep a photocopy of your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers, and a detailed record of your encashed travellers cheques.
International mail generally takes seven to ten days to reach its destination. Prices are equivalent to western postal charges. Reverse charge (collect) calls are not possible from Cambodia. International phone and fax fees on LAN lines are expensive and vary between 4USD and 6USD per minute. In both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap there are now numerous internet cafes providing email services and internet phone call services. Using these internet phone services is the cheapest way of calling overseas (or locally).
Print film, such as Kodak, Konika or Fuji is widely available and costs approximately 4USD per roll. Cambodia has good and fast processing facilities. A roll of 24 exposures can be developed for approximately 4USD. Slide film and Hi8/V8 video cassettes are not widely available in Cambodia. The x-ray machines at all airports are film-safe. There are now a number of photo shops in Phnom Penh which can burn digital images on to a disk.
The hotels we use have private western style bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, satellite television, IDD telephones, laundry, and other facilities. Generally they have swimming pools. Where possible we endeavour at passenger request to accommodate couples in double rooms. Please note however that on occasions during your journey, this may not be possible and a twin room will be provided.
Check in and check out times can vary but most hotels in Cambodia require guests to check out by 12 noon and do not allow check in until 2pm . Many hotels may allow an earlier check in or later check out subject to availability on the day.
Many countries in Asia are deservedly renowned for their massage techniques and the quality and value for money of these services. Unfortunately, many massage parlours including some in otherwise 'reputable' hotels are also linked to the paid sex industry. We advise you to check carefully before using massage services in Asia.
When travelling by road we generally use Toyota Camry's or air-conditioned minibuses. We always use the best vehicles available. Larger vehicles are used for bigger group sizes. Sedan cars are used when there are only one or two people in the group. Planes used on domestic routes are generally modern and well-maintained. Sometimes schedules change and this can result in alterations to your flight times and tour arrangements. There is only a limited railway network in Cambodia and use of the train is not recommended for safety reasons.
Providing the group tour reaches a minimum of seven passengers a western tour leader will guide your entire journey through Cambodia. All our tour leaders have an in-depth knowledge of Cambodia and an enthusiasm for the country that is contagious. Your tour leader is your link with Cambodia and is there to ensure the smooth running of the trip. Your tour leader will also try – wherever practicable - to cater for your individual interests. Local English speaking guides also accompany you on your tour. They impart local information about history, customs and culture that can only come from living in the area. Generally we have a different local guide for each city or region we visit and so local guides are usually only with the group for one to two days.
Cambodia is:
• 7hrs ahead of GMT
• 3hrs behind Australian Eastern Standard Time
• 5hrs behind New Zealand
• 12hrs ahead of Canada Eastern Time
• 15hrs ahead of Canada Pacific Time
• 12hrs ahead of US Eastern Time
• 15 hrs ahead of US Pacific Time
Our Small Group Journeys provide you with a good balance of group activity and personal discovery. Travellers need to be aware of certain personal responsibilities when travelling with a group. Simple things like being ready at agreed times and keeping to schedule will ensure the smooth running of the programme. Furthermore, the traditions and culture of the country you are visiting should be respected. Correct behaviour includes wearing the appropriate dress when visiting religious sites and refraining from making comments or acting in a manner that would be viewed as unacceptable by your fellow group members or by the local people in the country you are visiting. Please ask your tour leader for further clarification of the issues mentioned above.
The official Cambodian language is Khmer and most westerners will have a very difficult time trying to understand written or spoken Khmer. French is sometimes understood by the older generation but English is becoming more widely spoken throughout the country, especially in tourist areas.
IMPORTANT DATES AFFECTING TOURING, AND COMPULSORY MEALS
01 Jan 2006 - International New Year's Day: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. The Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace will likely be closed. Other touring will be unaffected.
07 Jan 2006 - Victory Day: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
08 Mar 2006 - International Women's Day: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
3 days in Apr 2006 (dates not yet announced) - Khmer New Year: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. All sites in Siem Reap will be open. Some sites in Phnom Penh will be open in the morning, and closed in the afternoon. Phnom Penh will be particularly crowded during the three days of the new year.
01 May 2006 - International Labor Day: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
1 day in May 2006 (date yet to be announced) - Royal Ploughing Ceremony: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
01 June 2006 - International Children's Day: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
18 Jun 2006 - Queen's Birthday: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
24 Sep 2006 - Constitution Day: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
3 days in Oct 2006 (dates yet to be announced) - Pchum Ben's Day: Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. There may be crowds of people in the afternoon in Phnom Penh, and this may affect traffic flow.
23 Oct 2006 - Paris Peace Accord: Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
31 Oct 2006 - King's Birthday: Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. There will most likely be crowds in Phnom Penh in the afternoon, and this could affect traffic flow.
09 Nov 2006 - Independence Day: Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
3 days in Nov 2006 (dates yet to be announced) - Water Festival: Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. There will be significant crowds during the day and night, in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. The Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace will likely be closed. Other touring will be unaffected.
10 Dec 2006 - Human Rights Day: Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
24 Dec 2006 - Christmas Eve: Not a public holiday - no effect on touring. There will be compulsory dinners at a number of hotels in Siem Reap, as follows:
• Day Inn Angkor, Siem Reap, 20USD (approx. only, based on 2005 prices)
• Victoria Angkor, Siem Reap, 100USD
• La Residence d'Angkor, Siem Reap, 60USD/pax (approx. only, based on 2005 prices)
• Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Siem Reap, special board and meal package between 29 Dec and 3 Jan
• Sofitel Royal Angkor, Siem Reap, 40USD (approx. only, based on 2005 prices)
31 Dec 2006 - International New Year's Eve: Public holiday – banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. There will be compulsory dinners at a number of hotels in Siem Reap, as follows:
• Day Inn Angkor, Siem Reap, 20USD (approx. only, based on 2005 prices)
• Victoria Angkor, Siem Reap, 100USD
• La Residence d'Angkor, Siem Reap, 120USD/pax (approx. only, based on 2005 prices)
• Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Siem Reap, special board and meal package between 29 Dec and 3 Jan
• Sofitel Royal Angkor, Siem Reap, 40USD (approx. only, based on 2005 prices).
There is a wealth of reading about Cambodia, although not all of it is easy to find outside Asia. Many of the books below are available as photocopies in markets in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, or as originals in good bookstores in Thailand (Asia Books, Bookazine, Kinokuniya). Publishers can vary according to the country of printing and the edition, so we have not listed publisher details. Many titles focus on the Indochina War years or on the Pol Pot era; it is much harder to find good titles on other themes. A cross-section of our recommended titles is as follows:
Guide Books
• ‘The Rough Guide to Cambodia', by Rough Guide Publications - This is the pick of the guidebooks on Cambodia. Full of relevant detail, good coverage of history and places, and easy-to-read maps.
• ‘ Angkor, an Introduction to the Temples' (Odyssey), by Dawn Rooney. Excellent lead-in to the wonderful temples and to ancient Khmer history. Several brief but illuminating pages on each main temple, with good colour photos.
The War Years
• ‘Cambodia, Report from a Stricken Land', by Henry Kamm - Based on the author's career experiences as a journalist in Cambodia from the 1970's, and numerous interviews with Khmer Rouge leaders and Norodom Sihanouk. The book provides a concise account of the steps leading up to the rise to power of the Khmer Rouge, and its four year reign. Harsh words from the author about the inaction of the international community during these times, and about the refugee era created in the aftermath of the 1979 Vietnamese invasion.
• ‘Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon and the Destruction of Cambodia', by William Shawcross – a comprehensive and highly controversial account of the USA's complicated role in Cambodian political and military affairs in the 1960's and 70's.
• ‘First They Killed My Father', by Loung Ung – One of the better of a series of moving books about surviving the killing fields war years.
• ‘The Gate', by Francoise Bizot – True story of Francois Bizot, the French ethnologist who was captured and imprisoned by the Khmer Rouge. Eerie recounts of the author's interrogation sessions with Comrade Duch, the man who would later become the head of notorious Tuol Sleng concentration camp.
General
• ‘Gecko Tales', by Carol Livingston, - A fine and humorous read based on the author's experience covering the United Nation's supervision of elections in the early 1990s. Some astute comments about the role and effectiveness of the United Nations and its administrative, military, and support personnel.
• ‘ River of Time', by Jon Swain - One of the best introductory reads into the trauma of the Indochina war era. Swain writes of his personal experiences as a journalist and resident in Phnom Penh and Vietnam, and recounts some soul destroying stories from Cambodia's lost decade, the 1970's. He was one of the last foreigners to evacuate Phnom Penh in 1975, from the grounds of the French embassy.
• ‘The Honorable Schoolboy', by John Le Carre - Often appearing under 'Laos' reading lists because of its reference to the Constellation Hotel in Vientiane, this book fits better with Cambodian titles for its dynamite action account of the Khmer Rouge invasion of Phnom Penh in April 1975.
• ‘National Geographic, May 1982' - A series of interesting articles on Cambodia which researched the effects of the Khmer Rouge occupation on the temples of Angkor.
History
• ‘A Brief History of Cambodia' by David Chandler - A heavy but highly detailed read for the person with an avid or academic interest in Cambodian history, from its early beginnings to the present. Consider reading the chapter on Jayavarman VII (the 'temple builder') in isolation from the rest of the book, for a good overview of arguably the most significant of Angkor's kings
