Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is new ? What is not ?
2. When is the best time to travel ?
3. Is it safe to travel ? Are there places to be avoided ?
4. Do's and don't's
5. What money should i take ?
6. What are the visa requirements and custom formalities ?
7. What language will they understand ?
8. How about my health ?
9. What food will they serve me ?
10. How is the shopping and what do I tip ?

1. What is new ? What is not ?

Besides the unmissable classic sites already visited, these are some NEW places to REDISCOVER !

The secluded Bantey Chmar temple is located 70 km north of Sisophon, a town close to the border to Thailand and is dating back to the 12th century. The rarely visited temple has been built by Jayavarman VII and dedicated to his sons killed in a battle repelling a Cham invasion in 1177. These Angkor-era temple ruins beyond Sisophon town are the only ones in Cambodia, outside of the Bayon at Angkor Thom and the Preah Khan in Preah Vihar, that has the large four-face monument that Bayon is famous for.

Sambor Prei Kuk, a pre-angkorian temple site dating back to the 7th century, was known as Ishanapura, the capital of the Chenla kingdom. Probably the most interesting temples predating Angkor, the complex is composed of four groups of temples. These are among the most ancient surviving examples of Khmer architecture. The site is located only 30 minutes by car north of Kompong Thom.

Preah Vihear, the temple complex built on a crest of the Dangkrek Mountains at an altitude of 730 m at the Thai-Cambodian border and now accessible from the Cambodian side as well as from the Thai side is to be seen. The excursion from Siem Reap will be done in 2 days via Along Veng as it takes more than 6 hours to reach Preah Vihear. This amazing site is only accessible by 4 wheel drive and the view from the top of the mountain is simply beautiful and peaceful.

The complex of Koh Ker in the Preah Vihear province in northern Cambodia is propably the most remote temple site in the kingdom. Built in the 10 th century by Jayavarman IV, Koh Ker was the capital of the Khmer empire for less then 15 years, before Harshavarman I moved it back to Angkor. It is now possible to reach Koh Ker by car from Siem Reap within three hours. A recently renewed red soil road connects the two former capitals. The temple site is nestled in lush tropical forest and waits to be discovered.

The south coast of Cambodia offers pristine and unspoiled beaches and many small islands scattered in the Gulf of Siam. The most famous coastal towns of Kep and Kompong Som (Sihanoukville) are the perfect places for travelers who wish to finish their visit to Cambodia by a relaxing stay. White sand, blue water, tropical climate, and fresh seafood will welcome those who can either choose to relax on the beach, take a boat trip to the nearby islands or experience snorkeling and scuba-diving. The new Sokha Beach Resort opened its doors and a golf resort project on Occheuteal beach is under development.

Our program to Battambang starting by boat from/or to Siem Reap, is also interesting by road from Phnom Penh via Pursat, a charming and colonial architectural town along the Stueng Pousat river.
The boat trip between Siem Reap and Battambang takes about 5-6 hours from August to March (during the low water period from April to July the boat journey is not possible due to the low level). It is an excellent way to discover the countryside and to observe the daily life along the river, the floating villages and the wildbirds of the Tonle Sap Lake.

NEW ! Asian Trails has decided to support and to became the partner of Phare Ponleu Selpak, a non profitable association with the aim to give the opportunity to young khmer children from poor or disabled families to have access to the culture via different artistic activities. The association located in Battambang welcomes daily the children to the centre to draw, play music, practise circus acts and partake in various extracurricular activities. The organization performs for visitors an unforgettable circus performance.

Asian Trails is working in partnership with Osmose with the aim of protecting the biosphere and developing ecotourism in the area. Osmose is a non profit organisation working for sustainable development in Prek Toal village, Tonle Sap through an approach linking conservation, education and ecotourism. Our guides have been trained by Osmose and are certified guides. They followed in June 2003 a training program in order to be able to make you discover the flooded forest, fish and fishing techniques, waterbirds and floating villages.

Not new but still original : The inundated forest of the Tonle Sap - a fascinating excursion from Siem Reap only accessible by boat - the forest is flooded from the month of June to March and is the natural habitat of numerous wildbirds.

NEW ! In Siem Reap, some new properties, such as Le Meridien, Hotel de la Paix (5 star), Angkor Village Resort and the Sokha Angkor Hotel (4-star) will open their doors this year. The Shinta Mani, the Angkor Palace & Spa Resort and the Borei Angkor Hotel have recently opened their doors and are ready to welcome guests.
Besides that there are more than 10 new hotels under contruction which should be completed within 1 year.

The FCC (Foreignor Correspondance Club) in Siem Reap comes new with 13 stylish furnished rooms built behind the main building, a pool & spa and new boutiques. Another 20 rooms are planned for 2005.

In Phnom Penh, the Bougainvillier Hotel has opened its doors end of 2003 and is ideally located on the riverside of the capital.

In Sihanoukville, the Sokha Beach Resort (4 star) opened in April 2004 and some new projects of development are under discussion such as a golf resort at Ochheuteal Beach.

NEW ! Malaysia Airlines operates now flights between Kuala Lumpur and Siem Reap three times a week. First Cambodia is linking destinations like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur und Guangzhou with Phnom Penh since March this year and Royal Khmer Airline is the name of a new carrier running domestic flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. There are no more flights between Phnom Penh and Battambang due to the good condition of the newly paved road.

Temple Passes:
Since May 2000, the private company handling the entrance fees to Angkor Complex, Sokha Hotel, has implemented a new control in terms of visitor-passes to the temples. All visitors must present one I.D.-size picture, the first time they enter the temple checkpoint, and then receive a personal pass with their picture. There is no extra charge for pictures taken on the spot, if visitors do not carry any and the whole process should not takes more then 5 minutes. Visitors buying a one-day Temple-pass do not need to bring along pictures.

The road conditions all over Cambodia have been improved a lot in the past months. The journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap takes only 5 hours and to Battambang 4 hours by car. The portion between Siem Reap and the border to Thailand consists still of a red soil road, but is planed to be renewed in the close future.

Not new, are those travelers to Siem Reap, who think their stay was too short to see all Angkor. Tours are adapted to discover the most interesting temples of the complex but in a very short time, according to their demand. From the general opinion, Siem Reap on its own, deserves at least a 4-day visit!

2. When is the best time to travel?

From November to March, the temperature is cool with an average of 25 degree Celcius and the humidity is low.

3. Is it safe to travel? Are there places to be avoided?

Since the last national election, a new era of peace and political stability is taking roots in the country, giving the chance to travelers to discover the deepest heart of the Kingdom.

However, there are still some places where travelers should not go without an experienced local guide, as the problem of mines is still present in the countryside.

Moreover, soldiers who do not like to be disturbed during their transactions with their neighbors, are controlling some regions sharing the border with Thailand and Laos as well as the Cardamons. We advise you to avoid these areas during your visit to Cambodia.

4. Do's and don't's

- Never drink tap water however, purified bottled water is available everywhere.
- Use an insect repellent against mosquitos and be careful to protect yourself against dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunburn.
- Eating in hotels and local restaurants booked by Asian Trails is safe. Food served in the streets, at the markets and other small local restaurants is best avoided especially for raw food, peeled or cut fruits and ice cubes.
- Wearing shorts and T-shirts is accepted even in the complex of Angkor. Note however that, for the visit of the Silver Pagoda in the Royal Palace (Phnom Penh), visitors are demanded to dress more formally (long clothes). Shoes are always removed at the entrance to pagodas.

5. What money should i take?

The Riel is the local currency but the US Dollar is widely accepted and used in most transactions (4.000 Riel to one U.S.D, July 04). Credit cards, Traveller's cheques, foreign currencies are accepted in hotels and major banks. It is recommended to carry U.S. Dollars in small denomination notes. Credit Card Teller machines are now available in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

6. What are the visa requirements and custom formalities?

It is easy to obtain a tourist visa (validity 30 days fee USD 20.-) upon arrival at the airports of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (with a valid passport of six months beyond your visit and one ID-sized photos).

Visas for Cambodia are available upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap International Airport, Poi Pet (border to Aranyaprathet, Thailand), Koh Kong (border to Hat Lek, Thailand) Kham Samnor (border to Chau Doc, Vietnam) and Bavet (Border to Moc Bai, Vietnam). The visa fee at the Thai border is THB 1000.- and can only be payed in Thai Bath.
Visas are required prior to arrival at the border at Voeun Kam (border to Laos).

Each traveler has to complete immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight or at border checkpoints entering Cambodia and must submit it upon arrival. Tourists and non-residents, carrying over USD 10.000 in cash or its equivalent, must declare it.

Immigration formalities are quicker when travelers already hold their visa. An Asian Trails representative will meet travelers at the airport or at above-mentioned border checkpoints, after immigration control has been processed. For an easy recognition, our representative will display an Asian Trails signboard with the names of the guests or their group. Leaving the country, luggage will be X-rayed in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports and registered to the final destination.

7. What language will they understand?

Khmer is the official language but English is widely spoken in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, followed by French. In the countryside, people speak Khmer.

8. How about my health?

No vaccinations are required for the entry to Cambodia. Visitors are advised to check in their own country regarding protection against malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B.

There is no problem to find a foreign doctor or dentist in Phnom Penh. Siem Reap has a private clinic with international standards.
Foreign medicaments can be easily found in major towns.

9. What food will they serve me?

Khmer cuisine is closely related to its neighboring countries, although it is not as spicy. The Amok (fish prepared with coconut milk and spices) is probably the most famous Cambodian dish. There is a wide variety of dishes such as curries; stir-fried vegetables, noodles and soups. All meals are served with steamed rice. Western food is available only in the major cities although other Asian dishes are widely available.

10. How is the shopping and what do I tip?

Shopping :
Markets are the best place for shopping and all prices can be bargained. Cambodia produces an excellent quality of silk, as well as cotton sarongs. The Krama is the traditional checked cotton (or silk) scarf used by local people. It is also easy to find stones, wood copies of ancient Khmer art, metal work, etc. When buying jewelry, visitors should be careful, as gems are often fake...
The export of antiques is subject to approval by the Ministry of Culture.

Tipping :
Major hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge & tax on bills. If not included in the bill, a 5% tip would be apppropriate if service was satisfactory. For porters, 1,000 Riel per bag is sufficient.

Important Bewares :
Phnom Penh is a nice place to go out in the evening but remember that foreigners are known for carrying more dollars than local people. If you decide to go out on your own at night, it is recommended to ask for a taxi at disposal at your hotel and discuss the price before leaving. Mind dark alleys at night time.