Kimkim Trip Reviews for Cambodia

I've never enlisted the help of a travel planner/agent and generally enjoy the process of researching and planning trips myself, but this trip has made me a believer! Steve was phenomenal from start to finish, and took all the stress off of us--from arrival at the airport to drop off at the end of the trip, I felt that everything was handled and we could just enjoy ourselves. He planned an itinerary with events that we would never have been able to find on our own and was consistently available to answer questions and help us made adjustments before and during our trip. Our tour guides were incredible--knowledgeable, courteous, flexible, and very proud to show us around their amazing country and teach us about its history and culture. Cambodia is a remarkable place and I'm so happy that we made the choice to visit--I'm recommending it to everyone I know.

Our fifth trip with Kimkim was again a success! Everything went smoothly and according to the plan, so we like to praise everybody involved! Here are some more details:
- planning phase went quite quickly and smoothly: we started with one existing template on Kimkim and Steve was really helpful and flexible by tuning final trip plan to our preferences. The only problem was that we did not find space on internal flight for the preferred day, so we have to prolong one day in Siem Reap and shorten one day in Phnom Penh. At the end this change was not so bad at all.
The pace of the trip was more relaxed, but trip still was really attractive; this is what we like when we travel with Kimkim.
We liked quality and locations of all hotels involved. When we travelled with Kimkim in some other countries, description of hotels in Trip plan usually included also links to hotel's web pages; we recommend that in future this would be included also for hotels in Cambodia.
All activities were well picked and we liked them all. If we have to highlight few, the most memorable were: temples and Vespa foodie tour in Siem Reap, Waterfall excursion in Koh Kong and Sunset cruise in Phnom Penh.
There were no mistakes on execution level of the trip: all local guides were very knowledgeable, passionate and helpful; all events and transfers were on time and according to Trip plan.

Lynn and Sokin were superb guides. They were passionate about their country and provided a lot of highly interesting stories and facts. They clearly spent a lot of time studying their history, architecture, and culture. We could not have asked for better local guides. They were both friendly, curious, and professional. They engaged in real conversations with us.

Hotel Reviews

Treeline Urban Resort

Siem Reap

One of the best hotels I have ever stayed at. The aesthetic was divine, as was the service. The food was also outstanding. Great coffee in the room too.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel was designed by a Cambodian architecture and was sublime.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Phnom Penh

The location could not have been better. It was an oasis in the busy city. The pool was beautiful!!! The food was also outstanding, especially the breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Soriyabori Resort

Koh Trong

Staying on the island of Koh Trong was a superb experience. We biked around the circumference of the island, which only got electricity five years ago. The agrarian practices appear to be very traditional from what we saw, and the homes were also traditional. Felt very local. The resort was very pretty, and also quite an oasis. The pool was refreshing and very much needed as there is no A/C. I wish the resort put more effort into flavoring their food, as it was the blandest food on our trip. The staff was young and inexperienced. It was hard to get a clean towel for the pool and the basket overflowed with dirty towels most of the day. The one area where improvement would be most welcome is to upgrade the mattresses and pillow in the rooms. The mattresses were very hard and our bodies ached during the night. The mosquito also need felt dirty. The tone of the resort was cool, but the comforts were lacking, especially for the price.

Authenticity & Character

The resort had an authentic feel, but it could have been much more comfortable. Please add A/C, better mattresses, more flavorful food, and it would be perfect!

Location

The island of Koh Trong was magical!

Staff

They were young and inexperienced.

Cleanliness & Comfort

There were cobwebs in our room and the mosquito need was dirty. Very hard to get clean towels for the pool, which was essential because it was so hot!

Activity Reviews

Champey Academy of Arts

Phnom Penh

Do not miss this activity. The kids were adorable. It was a very authentic local experience. We were the only people in the audience. The kids invited us to dance with them, after dressing us in the sari-like pants.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Koh Trong to Siem Reap with kayaking to see dolphins (shared tour)

Cambodia

This was the absolute highlight of our trip. Our guide, Ben, was superb. The river was gorgeous. We saw the Irrawaddy dolphins, who can very close to our kayaks multiple times, and Ben know how to find them.

Quality of Experience

The Mekong is an amazing river! Loved every minute of it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ben was superb! He was professional and fun and knowledgable.

Transport

Central Market

Phnom Penh

The market was cool, but not one of the greatest. I would recommend going to the wholesale market, Orussey, for a more local experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Royal Palace & National Museum

Phnom Penh

Definitely a must see.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phnom Penh to Mekong Island of Koh Trong via Kompong Cham

Cambodia

Super cool island. Go for a day trip, if you are staying in Kratie, to ride around the island. The ferry is a super local experience. We were the only "barang" on our return trip to Kratie.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The ferry was unpredictable and smelled of fumes. But it was very memorable and local.

Historic Rickshaw (pedicab) tour

Phnom Penh

Not to be missed!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Angkor Wat morning visit by remork

Siem Reap

One of the wonders of the world!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a really memorable trip to Cambodia. Steve and his team took time to understand our travel wishlist, schedule and dietary constraints and crafted a wonderful itinerary for us. We were exposed to so much more in terms of local cuisine and culture and are so grateful for it!
Our local guide Sann greeted us at the airport and was flexible enough to work through our schedule to maximise what we could do. We loved the hotel that we stayed at as well.

A wonderful experience to the magical Angkor wat complex of sites thanks to Steve whose airport arrival to departure planning and execution greatly added value to the experience ! The local guide he arranged,Mr.Som Sorn was both articulate and knowledgeable.

Hotel Review

The Aviary Hotel

Siem Reap

Authenticity & Character

Well maintained and excellent service

Location

City centre, everything in walking distance

Staff

All of them

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very good housekeeping

Activity Review

Full day temple exploration by remork (with lunch) - Angkor Thom/Grand Circuit

Siem Reap

A magical holiday whose value was greatly enhanced by the excellent management by Steve Lidgey

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a truly enriching experience in this trip. The service level was of level we have never seen before. Our guide Dy met us at the airport and was with us for every single activity all the way to seeing us off at the airport. She was very very nice, knowledgeable and easy to converse with. Our itinerary was just right, although we really wish we had (at least) one more day in Siem Reap. Every single thing was taken care of in the package, the guide with the transport of the day would meet us at our hotel at exactly the scheduled time and drop us back for our free time when the scheduled part ended. The car (a Lexus SUV) was very nice and comfortable, and the tuktuk and the tuktuk driver we used on one of our days was also very nice. Dy is also an expert cyclist and guided us very gently on our cycling tour of the temples. The kayaking team was also super-nice and ensured we had an amazing day even when it was so hot. They think of everything - there's always cold water to drink, cold towels to freshen you up. Our 'dine with the locals' activity was truly special and we are so happy we could interact with a Cambodian family in their own home. Our driver 'Yaya' was also very sweet and would buy us different snacks while he waited.

The quality of rooms and the service at hotel Sokkhak Boutique was also beyond words. I have never had such warm and courteous and thoughtful service anywhere I have been.

Cambodia (Siem Reap/Angkor) as a destination itself was a whole other fabulous experience. I don't think I can write so much here. Only that everyone MUST VISIT and just do that with this travel agency.

All in all, we are simply out of words (other than a string of superlatives) to describe our experience.

Steve did a really nice job planning our trip to Cambodia. We had a few conversations with him to describe what we were interested in doing/seeing and he came up with a suggested itinerary and made all the arrangements. We were really pleased with the accommodations and the guides were professional, friendly and knowledgeable. Drivers were available when we arrived at destinations so we did not lose any time waiting or trying to figure out transport.

Perfect travel, Steve gave amazing advice and made sure everything was organised to perfection. The guide we had in Siem Reap , Dee, was really knowledgeable and engaging, especially with the kids. Will definitely recommend Steve to our friends and anyone who reads this reviews.

Hotel Reviews

Shinta Mani Angkor

Siem Reap

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Royal Sands Koh Rong

Sihanoukville, Koh Rong

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Phnom Penh

Hotel needs to be a bit revamped. Service was average, breakfast really average. Not a 5 star hotel

Authenticity & Character

I’m

Location

Staff

Need more training

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room too dusty

Activity Reviews

Lunch at Eleven One Kitchen

Phnom Penh

Food was average and we didn’t know what we were eating. Different dish was given to my daughter for some reason

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

HAVEN Restaurant

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat A , reserved seating)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Angkor Wat morning visit

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ta Phrom with optional sunset

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Angkor Thom (morning) by remork

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Destination dining at Villa Chandara

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Royal Palace

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuol Sleng & Russian Market

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Apopo Landmine detecting rats (private tour)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Artisans of Satcha

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

I’m

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Historic Rickshaw (pedicab) tour

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Central Market

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were very impressed with the ease of working with Steve and his quick response to our needs as he put together a 3 week trip through Cambodia. Our guide in Siem Reap Sokin was great. She was knowledgeable, energetic and flexible to our needs. The temples of Angkor of course are amazing!
The next section of our trip took us to Koh Ker which was beyond words. We progressed east to Stung Treng and the Mekong River activities to the most memorable morning. We had breakfast floating down the river on a bamboo raft. Definitely a surprise and delight event!!!
The next stop was treking to see gibbons and walking with an elephant in the jungle, also fantastic although a very hot hikes. Our guide from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh was Mr Tea who was willing to adapt to our changing needs due to the heat. Our final leg was from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Van Sreylen was our guide for this final portion. She was fun, informative and flexible with the itinerary as we toured Phnom Penh and Battambang. A final highlight was the bamboo train!
Our lodging varied from beautiful Farmhouse Resort to a minimalistic Bambu hotel. We loved the Aviary Hotel in Siem Reap with its location, facilities and wonderful staff.
And a final word about our driver Mr. Ya who went above and beyond to make our trip as safe and comfortable as possible and always did it with a great big smile. We can't say enough good things about him! He's a gem!

Hotel Reviews

The Aviary Hotel

Siem Reap

Great facilities and a wonderful, attentive staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Soriyabori Resort

Koh Trong

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nature Lodge

Sen Monorom

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Phnom Penh Katari Hotel

Phnom Penh

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Farmhouse Resort & Spa

Sameakki Mean Chey

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bambu Hotel

Battambang

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were hard and had loud music next door in the evening

Koh Ker Temples Garden Hotel

Srayang

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mekong Bird Resort

Stung Treng

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Artisans of Satcha

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional dance performance and dinner

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Angkor Balloon (morning)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day temple exploration by remork (with lunch) (Angkor Wat a.m/Angkor Thom p.m)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Siem Reap to Srayang via Beng Mealea & Koh Ker

Cambodia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayaking late afternoon on the Mekong

Stung Treng

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Koh Trong to Sen Monorom with dolphin spotting and local lunch

Cambodia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset at the Sea Forest

Sen Monorom

Quality of Experience

Transport

A full day at Elephant Valley Project (ELIE)

Sen Monorom

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ta Phrom, Banteay Samre, Noodle Village, Banteay Srei,

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Grand Circuit morning tour

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat B - open seating in the rear half of the middle seating area)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sandbank breakfast

Stung Treng

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day visit to Jahoo with zoologist

Sen Monorom

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Royal Palace

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner at Farmhouse Resort

Kampong Chhnang

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hill temple visit

Kampong Chhnang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bamboo train ride

Battambang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half day countryside local industries cycling

Battambang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner at Jaan Bai

Battambang

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Champey Academy of Arts

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Short cyclo tour to Wat Phnom

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Central Market

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phnom Penh to Farmhouse Resort via Udong

Cambodia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset cruise, Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour of Farmhouse Resort & Spa

Kampong Chhnang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kelly arranged a wonderful trip for us. She was extremely helpful in making sure everything was perfect. She was very responsive to all requests. Our tour guides throughout our trip were great. They all had a very good knowledge of the history of the area we were seeing and spoke very good English. Thong on our northern Vietnam portion of the trip went above and beyond what we expected, and he always had a wonderful smile on his face. Tommy on the central Vietnam portion of our trip and Vuong on our southern Vietnam portion of our trip were also very good. Savy in Cambodia made sure we saw everything in a way that was comfortable for my older husband with some mobility problems and encouraged me to visit some to the areas impossible for my husband to manage while he remained him. He was always waiting for us when we came down from our hotel room no matter how early we were. The drivers were also very good throughout the trip. In central Vietnam our driver always had ice cold water waiting for us when we returned to the van and in Cambodia they had ice cold water and ice cold towels every time we returned to the van. The trip was everything we expected and more.

I was flabbergasted that our whole trip went off without a single hitch. So many details to coordinate, so many different tours and guides, and all were great! Kim Kim did a super job (thank you, Ha!) with managing all these items. We were always picked up from the airport by a friendly smile and cold water, every morning when we met our guide for the day he/she was always early, and they always explained what would happen. They went above and beyond when we needed help (to find a lost phone, to visit the pharmacy)—really a great experience. A friend recommended I use Kim Kim, and now I will recommend it for others!

Everyone was wonderful, especially Horn. He was always available and helped us a lot.

Hotel Reviews

Penh House

Phnom Penh

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sokkhak Boutique Resort

Siem Reap City

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Champey Academy of Arts

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Royal Palace

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Central Market

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Spean Praptos, Santuk for lunch & Skuon

Cambodia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ox cart ride, Village Activities & Sunset drinks in the rice fields

Siem Reap

Transport

Hidden Temples Cycling (half day)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon at leisure (guide and driver at disposal)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuol Sleng & Russian Market

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Late afternoon until evening foodie tour

Phnom Penh

Food

Angkor Thom (morning) by remork

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

HAVEN Restaurant

Siem Reap

Food

Sunrise (and return to hotel for breakfast)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Siem Reap City Tour with Apopo HeroRats & Artisans of Satcha

Siem Reap

Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat B - open seating in the rear half of the middle seating area)

Siem Reap

Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Airport (for Christian & Vanessa)

Cambodia

A morning with the elephants at Kulen Elephant Forest (transfer by car to/from starting point in Siem Reap town)

Siem Reap

Foodie Tour at 3 of Siem Reap's best restaurants

Siem Reap

If I could give Steve more than 5 stars, I would. He is probably the best travel specialist I have ever worked with. The accommodations selected for us in Cambodia were amazing. Our guides, Barang and Sreylen were excellent.
Steve was super responsive, even booking restaurant reservations for us.

I had the opportunity to spend six weeks in Southeast Asia going to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Hien did an excellent job of planning and providing support for the whole trip. She was quick to respond to my questions and patient with me throughout the planning process. She met with me in Hanoi and showed me around a bit, which was very kind.
* The places that I visited were terrific! I had the opportunity for some input, and I appreciate the way my ideas were infused with the ideas of someone who knew the area.
* The guides often took my interest into account and made minor adjustments in my itinerary, which I really appreciated.
* I felt the price was very reasonable!
* Hotels overall were very good.
* Breakfasts were also very good . I loved the lunches and dinners I ate during the trip also.
* There were a few long days, but it was necessary to have these in order to accomplish the itinerary.
* The whole itinerary flowed smoothly. On one occasion, my ride was not there to pick me up at the airport. I contacted Realistic Asia. They were immediately able to help.
* I would highly recommend this trip and this company!

My family's trip to Cambodia was absolutely wonderful
From the first contact with Steve to the fairwell at the airport we could not fault the professionalism the willingness to help for one minute. Our guides Len and Horn where "the best" and our driver "Mr.T" was an absolute gentleman.
We all agreed that Cambodia was our favourite country as the people where so welcoming and kind and not jaded.
Cambodia is an absolute gem and my heart is full of joy when my mind goes back there.

Hotel Reviews

Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Phnom Penh

Palace gate Hotel was an oasis, an absolute delight to come home to at the end of the day. Loved the roof top bar and the poolside restaurant where a highlight

Authenticity & Character

The decor was cool and cambodian/old time colonial

Location

Very central

Staff

So friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was spotless

Canvas & Orchids Retreat (formerly 4 Rivers Floating Lodge)

Koh Kong

Loved the boat ride to reach the island was a relaxing experience Extremely warm welcome and felt relaxed the whole stay Our overwater bungalow was wonderful I particularly loved the wooden shower overlooking the river The well looked after orchids where absolutely stunning and where everywhere

Authenticity & Character

"Island life"

Location

Stunning location Loved diving off our balcony in to the river Swam over to the neighbours for a visit

Staff

Warm and friendly Nothing a problem

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bambu Hotel

Battambang

Only thing that stopped this hotel being 5 stars was that on the nights they have the night club, situated next door, going if there is room put guests in the downstairs rooms as upstairs rooms where quite noisy. Our group where there on a weekend and one has downstairs and the other had an upstairs room, didn't hear a thing downstairs. Just a suggestion ... Anyway we absolutely loved this hotel. The pool was a welcome relief and the poolside bar and restaurant where wonderful, very chill 😎

Authenticity & Character

Felt instantly relaxed. Old world Cambodia

Location

Centrally located

Staff

Friendly and relaxed

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Aviary Hotel

Siem Reap

What an absolute plstaying at the Avery Loved the pools, the roof bar, the coffee and our room was spacious with a cool balcony. The decor was funky and light filled

Authenticity & Character

Plenty of character

Location

Staff

Incredibly friendly and helpful Genuine and engaging

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dinner at Jaan Bai

Battambang

Absolutely brilliant food and service Terrific cocktails and amazed that so professional for a training school The staff will go a long way if this is their start.

Quality of Experience

Best place

Food

Food was 10 out of 10

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half day countryside local industries cycling

Battambang

Loved visiting the rice paper, fried banana, fruit plantation, rice wine and sticky rice business What a great group of producers Very interesting to hear their stories and see how it is done

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat B - open seating in the rear half of the middle seating area)

Siem Reap

This was fantastic Must see

Quality of Experience

Very funny and talented performers

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phnom Sampeau sunset

Battambang

The caves and the temple along with the bats migrating out of the cave was a great sight

Quality of Experience

Royal Palace

Phnom Penh

Loved hearing about the royal families past

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuol Sleng & Russian Market

Phnom Penh

The genocide museum was shocking. It is a credit to the people of Cambodia to not be full of hate. Found it very informative as we had a great guide

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Champey Academy of Arts

Phnom Penh

We all absolutely loved the dancing and seeing the kids creating their art We felt privileged to be at their performance and also lived being involved Please visit and support these great kids as they are keeping their beautiful Cambodian culture alive with this new generation What an absolute delight. A huge highlight ✨️

Quality of Experience

Very genuine

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner at Canvas & Orchids

Koh Kong

Absolutely delicious and the service was great

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Hanuman Shooting Range, Udong & Ondong Rossey

Cambodia

Very professional Safety was five star Weapons where excellent

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional dance performance and dinner

Siem Reap

Very nice evening The performance was impressive and dinner was delicious

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A morning with the elephants at Kulen Elephant Forest

Siem Reap

Very professional operation but still felt personal and the staff and keepers where very accommodating

Quality of Experience

Loved being able to move around the elephants a get some great photos

Food

Delicious lunch, plenty of food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dinner at Chanrey Tree

Siem Reap

Very nice evening, quite special event Venue was beautiful in amongst the garden area Food delicious

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Service top shelf

Tatai Waterfall (private excursion)

Koh Kong

Beautiful swimming spot and highlight was sitting under the waterfalls

Quality of Experience

Food

Cooked lunch on the boat, delicious Enjoyed the whole experience Don't miss out

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was super informative as to local species of vegetation

Transport

Ta Phrom with optional sunset

Siem Reap

Must see

Quality of Experience

Short cyclo tour to Wat Phnom

Phnom Penh

Absolute blast !!! Best way to see the city, amongst the thick of it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunrise (and return to hotel for breakfast)

Siem Reap

The sunrise at Ankor Wat is an unforgettable experience. Our guide's knowledge of the temple and the best vantage point to view the sunrise was so beneficial to our experience.

Quality of Experience

Unparalleled scenery.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Expert knowledge and experience in relation to the temple. Our driver was so helpful in finding one of our party who became separated from us.

Transport

Our driver was extremely helpful.

Banteay Srei & Apopo Hero Rats (same day as sunrise)

Siem Reap

Banteay Srei is a unique temple with beautiful stone work. It's quite isolated which means there are no crowds. The setting is lovely. The hero rats experience was fantastic. Learning about the problem of land mines and other explosives in Cambodia was fascinating, as was the demonstration of the rats at work. Great to be able to support such a wonderful organisation.

Angkor Thom (morning) by remork

Siem Reap

The scale of Angkor Thom was quite incredible. Definitely worth visiting as part of any trip to Siem Reap. The ride out and back in a remorque (Cambodian Tuk tuk) was a lot of fun.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guides explanation of the history of Angkor Thom and surrounding settlements enriched our experience of Angkor Thom.

Bamboo train ride

Battambang

The ride was loads of fun. Great to be out in the countryside watching the rice fields slip by.

Quality of Experience

Being out in the countryside, almost like a (noisy) magic carpet ride.

Countryside walk & Village Activities

Siem Reap

A beautiful experience. Watching the sun set over rice paddies while sipping a gin and tonic was truly memorable. The hospitality of our hosts was wonderful and felt truly genuine.

My mother had wanted to see Angkor Wat in person for 70+ years--ever since she wrote a middle school paper about it. Time flies and it seemed like she might miss her chance. But then in early 2023 we found KimKim and Travel Asia A La Carte. Steve quickly responded to my inquiry and created an interesting trip in Cambodia for us that would accommodate an 82-year-old who struggles in the heat, walks very slow, and needs help getting up and down steps. All throughout the planning process, Steve was quick to respond, friendly and accommodating. He organized a fantastic trip for us that included enriching experiences that highlighted Cambodia's history and culture. Ra was our driver throughout the trip, Pich was our guide from Phnom Penh to Battambang and Siem Reap and Kin was our guide throughout our time in Siem Reap and back to the airport. These people are outstanding and made our trip The Best. The activities, accommodations and meals were all super--loved every one of them and everyone we met--but what made the trip great was Steve and his team--Ra, Pich and Kin--and the care they gave to us and especially my mother throughout our time in Cambodia. They were always friendly and respected my mother's slow walking pace, accommodated her when she needed to stop and rest, and never tried to rush her. They helped her up and down steps and in and out of boats and challenging seats and strategized ways to get her to see as much as possible without having her walk more than necessary or miss anything interesting or important. Any they were always friendly and joyful about it. This trip would have been impossible without these wonderful, loving people. Thank you to all.

Hotel Reviews

Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Phnom Penh

Loved it!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maisons Wat Kor

Battambang

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Treeline Urban Resort

Siem Reap

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Afternoon introductory Phnom Penh City Tour

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Airport (for Christian & Vanessa)

Cambodia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phnom Penh to Battambang via Ondong Rossey & Floating Villages

Cambodia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional dance performance and dinner

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bamboo train ride

Battambang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunrise (and return to hotel for breakfast)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phnom Sampeau sunset

Battambang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner at Jaan Bai

Battambang

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

National Museum & Royal Palace

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat A , reserved seating)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner at Eleven One Kitchen

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tuol Sleng & Killing Fields

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Banteay Srei, Landmine Museum, Banteay Samre & local noodles

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half day countryside local industries by remork

Battambang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ta Phrom (afternoon by remork)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Additional airport transfer

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We went to Cambodia for two weeks and the trip was exceptionally organized by our local operator, Steve. All the transports were flawless, the experiences (especially with the local families) amazing and the hotels very nice: The guides were great and we’ve loads of fun together. Couldn’t recommend it more. Cambodia is a great and highly undervalued country which really deserves a visit outside of Angkor Wat.

Our family of four (parents and two adult sons) had an amazing trip to Cambodia thanks to Steve and his team. While we have traveled in Asia before, this was our first time in Cambodia and Steve was enormously helpful in crafting a trip that worked for our family and gave us an incredible introduction to the culture, history and beauty of Cambodia. We will definitely be back! We began with 3 days in Siem Reap where our guide Ms. Sokin shared her in-depth knowledge of the beautiful temples of Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom & Banteay Srei. We enjoyed the traditional Apsara dancing one night and had delicious meals there and at Haven restaurant. Having a guide and driver from the moment we landed at the airport made the trip so much easier. We traveled by boat to Battambang, which was a long trip (@7 hours) but definitely worthwhile as we saw the floating villages and beautiful countryside along the way, and the boat was comfortable and a fun experience in itself. We stayed 3 days in Battambang with Ms. Sokin continuing as our guide - highlights included making lunch with the locals, where we harvested local ingredients and prepared delicious local cuisine as well as the bike tour, where we toured a number of local home-industries. Also the bamboo train was a fun experience and the visit to Phnom Sampeau for sunset should not be missed. We then traveled by car to Phnom Penh, stopping along the way to visit a pottery maker and the market, where we tried some local delicacies (some of us more adventurous than others!). We spent 3 days in Phnom Penh. Our guide there Ms. Sreyhouch led us through the beautiful central market, where you can get anything from fresh food to housewares to jewelry. We also visited the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields, important to understanding the history of the Khmer people. All-in-all, our trip was amazing (but slightly exhausting) - the hotels were all comfortable and accomodating, and we felt that we were really able to see the local experience (particularly in Battambang). The knowledge and support of our guides and driver deepened our experience, allowing us to focus on the experience rather than worrying about whether we were missing something or how we were going to get to the next place. We would highly recommend Steve and his team!

Hotel Reviews

The Aviary Hotel

Siem Reap

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maisons Wat Kor

Battambang

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Phnom Penh

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Angkor Thom (afternoon) by remork (tuk tuk)

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional dance performance and dinner

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Angkor Wat morning visit

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

HAVEN Restaurant

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bamboo train ride

Battambang

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I cannot speak highly enough about Steve and his exceptional team at Travel Asia A La Carte. Our recent two-week trip to Cambodia exceeded all expectations, thanks to their meticulous planning and unwavering commitment to ensuring our family of four had an unforgettable experience.

From the moment we started discussing our preferences with Steve, it was evident that he and his team were dedicated to tailoring the perfect vacation for us. Our family, including two children, has specific dietary needs, and Travel Asia A La Carte went above and beyond to accommodate them. Every meal was a delightful culinary adventure, showcasing the diverse and delicious flavors of Cambodia.

What truly set this experience apart was our desire for an authentic vacation with a touch of adventure. Steve crafted an itinerary that perfectly balanced cultural immersion with thrilling activities, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Whether exploring ancient temples in Siem Reap, cruising along the Tonle Sap Lake, or engaging in hands-on experiences with local communities, every moment felt like a unique adventure.

The attention to detail in the itinerary was impeccable, ensuring that our family's interests and preferences were seamlessly integrated into each day's activities. The accommodations selected were not only comfortable but also reflected the charm and character of Cambodia.

Steve's team (Horn and Mr Tee in particular) demonstrated unparalleled professionalism and a genuine passion for showcasing the beauty of Cambodia. Their local knowledge, combined with a personalized approach, made us feel like we were in the hands of true experts.

We had a tremendously interesting and enjoyable 2 weeks in Cambodia, thanks to Steve & Travel Asia a la Carte. One of their sample itineraries on kimkim.com mostly matched our wish list and Steve tweaked it to accommodate all our requests. He was extremely responsive, replying to queries within a day and offering good advice, even stopped by our hotel to say hello. The itinerary was wonderfully varied, well-organised, and went off seamlessly, at a packed but manageable pace, with great guides & drivers, nice hotels. Steve & his team took much of the stress out of travelling in a developing country and we have no hesitation in recommending them.
Of the places on our route, of course we were thrilled to finally visit Angkor Wat, Bayon, Preah Khan, Ta Phrom & other stunning sites in Angkor park. But we also really enjoyed the Apopo "HeroRats" demo, Phare Circus, Kampot’s shophouses and Old Cinema Hotel, Kep's seafood market, La Plantation, Santuk silk farm, our beach interval on Koh Rong, the heritage tour of Phnom Penh by tuk-tuk & tablet, and driving through the countryside. The food experiences were a riot, from fried tarantula to stuffed frog, nam ben chok noodles to authentic Portuguese cuisine in Kampot!
Best of all was the lovely Cambodian people we met, their ready smiles, openness and sense of humour, despite their horrific recent history that touched almost every family. The children just melt your heart and their families seem happy to engage. Even the persistent vendors were more friendly than pesky. Our guides were highly professional and delightful personalities, especially Ms Dy and Mr Sothea, who made late changes to cater to our interests and comfort. We felt in safe hands with the drivers, especially Mr Ya and Mr Date (sp?), who always aircon-cooled the car before we got back in – we felt thoroughly pampered. All the hotel staff were smiling & obliging, especially Tina, Chanthy and Sophan (possibly the most attentive waiter we've ever met) at Sohkkak Boutique Resort.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Old Cinema

Kampot

Absolute gem of a hotel. Our favourite of the trip. Excellent adaptive reuse of a former cinema building and superbly restored, then beautifully decorated. Aesthetically pleasing details in every corner. Even the breakfast was a visual (and tasteful) delight. Lovely little restaurant/bar. Tiny pool inside but open to the sky. Our superior room with king bed had a small balcony facing the indoor garden, very quiet.

Authenticity & Character

See above

Location

In centre of town, surrounded by French colonial-era shophouses. Walkable to many restaurants, open-air food court and the riverfront promenade.

Staff

Jilly was great, happy to answer questions on history of the hotel and developments in Kampot, and book restaurants for us.

Cleanliness & Comfort

High threadcount linen and firm mattress made for best sleep

Penh House

Phnom Penh

Pretty, greenery-filled hotel in great neighbourhood, near the palace. Lovely, small, rooftop pool with city views. Good breakfast spread with enough Western & local options eg eggs cooked to order, noodle soup, and plenty of assorted fruit. Deluxe room tastefully done with effective aircon & little balcony; unfortunately faint odour of drains in bathroom.

Authenticity & Character

Exhibition of photos of Angkor in lobby

Location

Surrounded by small eateries & cool shops

Staff

Helpful in giving directions, booking tuk-tuk

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean overall but occasional slight sewage odour in bathroom

Sokkhak Boutique Resort

Siem Reap City

Beautifully appointed 12-room hotel. Small pool but great for cooling off in. Very good breakfast choices, cooked to order. Always smiling, helpful staff who greet you with cold towels & tea every time you return, book remorks, recommend restaurants (albeit in the same Chanrey Tree Group), break up US$100 bills, tell you about Sin Sisamouth. Deluxe room not big, no sofa or chair, but has balcony. Very comfortable firm bed. Powerful aircon and shower pressure.

Authenticity & Character

Elegant local furnishings and decor, lotus flower arrangements, lush landscaping in pool area

Location

10 minutes remork ride from town. But just down the road from Apopo visitor centre

Staff

Tina, who obligingly sprayed my husband's legs with the hotel's lemongrass-scented bug repellent every morning! Sophan, super-attentive waiter who remembered our breakfast preferences and just a very sweet guy. Chanthy who brought cold drinks & cold beer to our room

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mattress was firm and very comfy, as in all the hotels we stayed at

Long Set Resort

Koh Rong

Hotel is on a gorgeous beach - turquoise sea & powdery white sand shaded by palms - but there weren't enough sunbeds for guests (and you're warned not to lie on a towel on the sand due to sandflies). Decent beach-facing restaurant/bar serving fun cocktails and okay food. Resort could use a refresh, eg worn cushions, broken sunbeds, misaligned doors. Room just adequate but well-cooled. Occasional very brief power cuts, not really bothersome. Complimentary use of kayaks & SUPs, snorkel mask & fins, small gym.

Authenticity & Character

Typical mid-range beach hotel in the tropics, not luxe but fine for 3 nights

Location

Only half-hour boat ride from Sihanoukville port. Short stroll from pier.

Staff

Lovely, smiley, obliging staff. Runy served us the most - she's a sweetheart. Louise was great about rebooking our snorkelling trip.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfy bed. Good aircon & shower pressure. Toilet paper has to be thrown in a lidded bin, not flushed, but room is cleaned daily.

Vakara Hotel

Kep

Very nice, new, modern hotel, on the edge of a national park and not near Kep town, so better to have your own transport. Our spacious deluxe room (finally with a sofa!) plus large balcony looked down on the huge swimming pool and towards the forested hills of the national park. We saw no other guests (only 7 of the 70 rooms were occupied the night we stayed) so it was extremely quiet. Breakfast, served by the pool, was fine, with 11 set menus to choose from!

Authenticity & Character

Not much character but ideal for families, with chalets on the grounds, kid's playground, big pool and lots of space to run around

Location

Staff

Staff were all smiles and eager to please

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sparkling clean. Comfy firm mattress.

Activity Reviews

National Museum & Royal Palace

Phnom Penh

Palace: Besides gawking at the ornate architecture, it was interesting to watch the monks & local devotees. Museum: beautiful French-designed, Khmer-style building around a lovely courtyard, worth visiting even if not too interested in the exhibits, which are mostly pre-Angkorian and Angkorian sculpture and carvings - annotated, including those returned to Cambodia by US, UK etc.

Quality of Experience

Both places evocative - the museum evoking French colonial patronage , the palace the reverence for the monarchy especially former King Sihanouk (who was imprisoned there by the Khmer Rouge).

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mr Bunna was our guide (subbing for Mr Sovann, who was busy that day) - more understandable English than Mr Sovann and very jolly. Tried hard to explain the Sisowath and Norodom royal family trees but we were still confused!

Transport

So cool to have an aircon car waiting for us!

Phnom Penh Heritage Tour

Phnom Penh

Novel way to tour historical sites with narration & old photos/maps on a tablet - brilliant idea, particularly when guide's English is hard to follow. We got off the tuk-tuk to take photos at some stops and also entered a couple of the 22 sites.

Quality of Experience

Fun new way to sightsee

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Always fun to travel by tuk tuk.

Lunch at Srah Srang

Siem Reap

Tasty set lunch at tourist restaurant.

Quality of Experience

Food

Found out there are regional variations of fish amok!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Kompong Khleang, Spean Praptos & Skuon

Cambodia

Very interesting and fun stops on the long drive to Siem Reap. Husband ate a fried tarantula for bragging rights. I tried a fried grasshopper - crunchy. Learned a lot about silkworms at Santuk silk farm, first time we saw up close silk threads produced from the cocoon; bought some silk scarves. Enjoyed the boat ride on Tonle Sap to Kompong Khleang and learning about life on the lake, seeing the kids playing in the water (though surprised there's no treatment of sewage at all before it goes into the lake!)

Quality of Experience

The variety of interesting experiences

Food

Tasty, simple lunch at the silk farm

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mr Sovann enthusiastically and earnestly answered our many questions, and we could understand about 60% but didn't want to keep asking him to repeat himself.

Transport

Safe driving all the way by Mr Ya

Angkor Thom (morning) by remork

Siem Reap

Exhilarating to finally be in Angkor park and then within the Bayon, discerning the differences in enigmatic facial expressions on the towers; having details in the bas reliefs explained by our guide; seeing the actual length of the Terrace of Elephants. The vast size of the park and how green it is dawns on you as you putter around it by remork.

Quality of Experience

The scale, artistry, exactitude (in the 12th century!) similar in jaw-drop factor to Petra (tho that was 1000 years earlier). Apart from the romance of the jungle setting, the sheer engineering involved is mind-boggling & mystifying

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ms Dy's excellent commentary really added value to the experience. She took some fantastic photos for us too.

Transport

Fun to tour by remork, iced water provided too.

Afternoon and sunset at Angkor Wat

Siem Reap

We visited Angkor Wat at midday when it was 33C and remember it through a heat haze. There's no shade on the causeway, no breeze around the wat. Ms Dy valiantly kept us going with rest breaks and fanning as we struggled to pay attention to her detailed commentary. We had no energy to clamber to the top level. That said, the site is breathtaking & baffling (how did Khmers build this in the 12th century?!) and the long bas-relief galleries stunning, especially the Churning of the Sea of Milk which I'd long wanted to see. We did not stay for sunset as my husband was exhausted from the heat and wanted to return to the hotel.

Quality of Experience

see above

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ms Dy’s deep knowledge and patient explanation of the sites, Hindu-Buddhist hybridity, deities, S2 and J7, restoration & conservation with minimal intervention, and much much more.

Transport

Remork driver drove safely, had iced water in his cooler

Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat B - open seating in the rear half of the middle seating area)

Siem Reap

High-energy dancing, acrobatics, juggling, mime, live music on Khmer instruments and drums - with a creative Cambodian angle ... great fun for a good cause.

Quality of Experience

Wonderful experience of contemporary Cambodia and its talented youngsters

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ms Dy met us at the venue, showed us all the food stations, took us to our seats under the tent. Mr Ya waited for us with his car till the show ended.

Transport

Appreciated the door-to-door service, particularly as many people were trying to flag tuk-tuks on the street after the show.

Sunset river cruise

Kampot

Relaxing cruise upriver, passing fishing boats heading the other way out to sea. Typical SE Asian rural scenes of mangroves, coconut groves, fish traps, riverside tourist chalets. Very pleasant as the sun sank behind Bokor mtn.

Quality of Experience

Fun to dangle legs over side of wooden boat

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mr Sothea bought fresh coconuts, beer & snacks for the ride. Friendly boatman, tried to find fireflies for us.

Transport

Kep Crab Market

Kep

Very fun and tasty grazing on bbq squid and deep-fried mini-crabs as Mr Sothea guided us through this seafood market by the beach. Tubs of fresh blue crabs, octopus, squid, shrimp, big pots steaming over wood fires, assorted fresh fish grilled over charcoal - worth coming to Kep for this market, as well as the sun setting behind the surreal giant crab sculpture and seeing local families enjoying themselves on the beach.

Quality of Experience

After a scrumptious meal of crab, fish, shrimp & squid the previous night (less than US$50 for 4 people!) at one of the nearby seafood restaurants, good to see where it all came from.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mr Sothea always looking out for us. My husband the foodie was tempted to sample the fresh local oysters on display in the market but Sothea sensibly cautioned against it as we had a long drive to Phnom Penh ahead of us.

Transport

Our route included a couple stretches of really bumpy, rutted, dusty roads that Mr Date handled with aplomb

Grand Circuit morning tour

Siem Reap

We visited 3 more sites in Angkor Archaeological Park this morning. Each had its own character and distinctiveness. Especially enjoyed Preah Khan and the WMF interpretation gallery there. The rectangular symmetrical layout, surprising 2-storey columned sanctum, massive garudas, graceful apsaras, made it special. Also loved smaller-scale Ta Som, its well-preserved four-faced towers and unusual devatas. East Mebon was interesting as a brick-built temple to honour an earlier king’s parents and its stone elephants an irresistible photo op. After clambering around its big laterite steps under a blazing sun we were happy to call it a day.

Quality of Experience

Glad we added an extra day in Siem Reap to see these, particularly Preah Khan, in addition to the more famous wats.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ms Dy again expertly guided us through all 3 sites, explaining what's known about the history, the scholarly theories, pointing out details and distinctive features. In Preah Khan's hall of dancers she demonstrated the hand gestures of the apsara carvings that Khmer dancers still practise today. She also helped us old fogies climb the high uneven steps and led us on easier paths. We could not have asked for a better-informed or more considerate guide.

Transport

Mr Ya waited for us at each stop. Nothing beats an aircon car to ferry you around in the heat!

{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} with La Plantation pepper farm visit

Cambodia

Fascinating tour of a sustainably-run pepper plantation overlooking a lake, enjoyed the pepper tasting in a beautiful old Khmer house. Learned a lot about pepper cultivation and processing, eg that black, white, green, red peppercorns come from the same stem. Bought all our gifts for home at the shop.

Quality of Experience

Admirable agritourism project. Happy to support a social enterprise that funds a school for its rural community and helps other small farmers

Food

Delicious pepper-themed 3-course lunch at the restaurant, trying the various pepper-infused sauces.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Informative in-house guide who welcomed questions

Transport

Mr Date and his 'golden elephant' safely transported us over potholed dirt roads

Kampot Walking Tour

Kampot

Very interesting tour on foot and by car of the French colonial-era shophouses and riverside cinema-turned-Starbucks, Cham Muslim village & mosque, Chinese temple & school, Buddhist monastery, gilded wat & funerary stupas. Many photogenic scenes of monks soliciting alms, entire families on motorbikes, massive durian roundabout, dating couples on the riverside promenade ...

Quality of Experience

Charming laid-back town, less touristed, yet has incredibly good local & European cuisine. At La Tertulia, we had the best Portuguese meals outside of Portugal, so good we ate there both nights.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mr Sothea would tell us the plan for the day so we knew what to expect, then flexibly adjust it along the way depending on our interests. He thoughtfully or humorously answered every question, took us to his favourite eatery for lunch, escorted us across roads safely, just looked after us like family! He made the trip more local and authentic than if we'd done it ourselves, and was great company throughout.

Transport

Mr Date was at our beck and call, always on time, his car spotless, his cooler full of ice water

Tuol Sleng, Central Market & Killing Fields in the afternoon

Phnom Penh

Central Market was worth visiting even though we're not avid shoppers. The building is humongous and houses scores of stalls selling everything, from gems to galangal, plus cubicles where you can get a massage, hair wash, nail varnish. The food stalls section was fun; we snacked on grilled squid there, would've tried other stuff that looked interesting if we knew what it was (our guide didn't come in with us). Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and killing fields were even grimmer than anticipated, but well organised with a set route (no guide necessary) and descriptive boards in English. Glad we dressed appropriately.

Quality of Experience

S21 heightens appreciation of the Cambodian recovery and resilience of its long-suffering people, why they'd rather put up with a dynastic autocracy than oppose it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide could accompany guests into Central Market to help with translation & questions, instead of waiting outside.

Transport

Car & driver was always waiting for us

Apopo HeroRats, Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, Noodle Village, & Ta Phrom

Siem Reap

At our request to avoid heat exhaustion, Steve and Dy rejigged the schedule: we visited Apopo and Ta Phrom in the morning, returned to hotel 12-2pm, went out again at 2pm for late lunch and visit to Banteay Srei, skipping Banteay Samre. This was perfect and we were able to enjoy the temple visits much more. Apopo HeroRats: must-do, fluently narrated by guides who know their stuff. The landmine-detecting demo was fascinating and HeroRats so cute; we "adopted" one for a year for US$100 - an eminently worthy cause. Ta Phrom: very atmospheric to wander around, even with people lining up to take the iconic photo of tree roots gripping the ruins. Ms Dy skillfully manoeuvred us into strategic spots and snapped some great pictures. Interesting to learn about the hollow spong trees. Noodle village: deliciously different nam ben chok rice noodles, eaten with 2 sauces & fresh veggies. Also tried stuffed frog at a roadside stall in Pradak village and almost tried whole roast pig-on-a-spit but it was still roasting. Banteay Srei: must-see, exquisite carvings in dusky pink sandstone, well preserved. A bridal couple in traditional costume were taking photos there, which added to the ambience. The drive there through villages & countryside was interesting too, stopped to buy palm sugar.

Quality of Experience

We loved the variety of experiences interspersed between temple visits

Food

Loved the nam ben chok noodles. Stuffed frog with tamarind paste was a first for us - yummy.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ms Dy was an outstanding guide, flexible, open, chatty, answering questions fully, diligently pointing out details, repeatedly explaining till we got it. We learned a lot from her. Also a born story-teller, with an extraordinary family history of survival and achievement. With our careful driver Mr Ya we felt we were in responsible hands. He was a sweetie too.

Transport

Mr Ya was unfailingly punctual, his car comfortable and clean.