Personalized trips to Cambodia
for independent travelers

Our trip to Cambodia was absolutely exceptional. Everything about the trip exceeded my expectations. We stayed at 3 properties (Palace Gate Hotel in Phnom Penh, Maisons Wat in Battanbang and Templation in Siem Riep); all wereabsolutely wonderful. They were beautiful and extremely comfortable, without being ostentatious or out of place. The staffs at each hotel were helpful and welcoming.

The activities were amazing -- In Phnom Penh, we loved the impressive National museum and perfect Royal Palace. In Battambang, we loved seeing the great artisans (especially the pottery making) and experiences like rice paper making. And, of course, it was unbelievable to be in Siem Reap with the extraordinary temples, including Ankor Wat, but also such gems as Banteay Srei.

We had some fabulous meals and are now big fans of Khmer food. We would especially call out the world-class meal we had at the Embassy (Siem Reap) with chef Kimsan Pol and her all female team. We also had a great meal at the sister restaurant in Phnom Penh, Sombok. We had the requisite cocktail at the Elephant Bar (Raffles), which had great cocktails, but even more enjoyed the Le Moon Rooftop Bar in PHnom Penh.

Our guides were excellent -- knowledgeable, pleasant, and helpful. Pikh in Phnom Penh was one of the best guides ever. She had great knowledge, was very flexible about incorporating our needs, and just a pleasure to know. Arn was also excellent. Steve, our local specialist, did a great job of accommodating our needs and adjusting to the things we wanted to spend time doing. He found us great places to stay, arranged all of our activities, as well as our great guides. He was super responsive.

The people of Cambodia are especially warm and welcoming. This would be worth noting at any time, but given the very difficult history of Cambodia, and even some of the current bombing at the border, this is extraordinary. We felt welcome everywhere we went and loved meeting the people there.

Thank you for an absolutely wonderful holiday. Cambodia has become a place that is near and dear to my heart. Come visit. You won't be disappointed!

Hotel Reviews

Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Phnom Penh

This hotel is perfectly situated and the just the right amount of luxury! It feels like it belongs here and yet is so comfortable, with great food, a wonderful breakfast every day, and incredibly helpful Staff. Also, the pool is absolutely exquisite and a lovely thing to have in such a hot climate.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maisons Wat Kor

Maisons Wat Kor is an amzingly beautiful hotel. The staff are incredibly helpful and welcoming. The common areas are beautiful with amazing plantings. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and so pretty. Everything was perfect.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Banteay Srei

Siem Reap

I don't think that many people go to Banteay Srei, but it was absolutely beautiful and incredible. We loved the place, the intricate and exquisite carvings, the small number of toursists. And the drive there went through some nice villages. It was great!

Quality of Experience

Transport

Destination dining at Villa Chandara

Siem Reap

Awkward concept -- we were not comfortable during this entire event. Going through an impoverished village and then riding an oxcart, while locals zoom by on the motorbikes. Getting off a boat (when the ride was not necessary or appealing) and being offered champagne in a dirt patch by the river in the middle of the afternoon). I could go on from there. But, this was the only low point of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Apopo Landmine detecting rats

Siem Reap

Surprisingly, we loved this. Super interesting. Great tour.

Dinner at Jaan Bai

Battambang

Not super special -- food was mediocre, atmosphere not local, people all tourists, room very hot without ventilation (many had fans, but we did not!)

Quality of Experience

Food

Half day countryside local industries by remork

Battambang

Loved spending the day going to these different places. The family who made pottery was especially great!

Quality of Experience

Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang

Battambang

Wow! The circus was truly extraordinary. We loved seeing these young people perform!

Quality of Experience

Tuol Sleng, Russian Market & Killing Fields in the morning

Phnom Penh

Not to be missed. So very sad, but essential to understanding the history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sunset cruise with tapas and wine, Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh

We loved cruising on the river, seeing the city at sunset and just relaxing after a day of touring. Fabulous!

Quality of Experience

Sosoro Museum

Phnom Penh

This is an incredible museum. We learned a ton about the history of Cambodia and needed lots more time for our visit.

Quality of Experience

Royal Palace

Phnom Penh

The Royal Palace was absolutely gorgeous and impeccably kept up. Great visit!

Quality of Experience

National Museum

Phnom Penh

Extraordinary museum. Great artifacts, beautiful buildings, wonderful experience.

Quality of Experience

Short Phnom Penh orientation tour by cyclo

Phnom Penh

Great way to see the city! So much fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had such a fantastic time. Steve and the local guides were all wonderful and I was struck by how highly they spoke of each other - always a good sign! The hotels were fabulous and our smiling driver ensure everything went smoothly. We believe we received good guidance and made some real connections. And it was wonderful value for money. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to explore this gem of a country. You can do a heap of research or very little and the team will make it work.

Hotel Review

Penh House

Phnom Penh

An oasis of calm in busy Phomh Penh. Beautiful spacious rooms and superb rooftop pool, bar and eating area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Phnom Penh Evening Foodie Tour with local guide

Phnom Penh

Just brilliant! Many delicious snacks and great company. Wann made everything fun and it was great to see how connected he was with the many stallholders we passed by.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Champey Academy of Arts

Phnom Penh

This visit was a highlight of our trip. The children were skilled and cheery and we also purchased some lovely mementos.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hidden Temples Cycling (full day with light lunch)

Siem Reap

Well worth the effort! Cycling up to temples in the jungle is really quite special.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very patient with my inferior cycling skills!

Transport

Angkor Wat morning visit by remork

Siem Reap

Our guide Seyha was incredibly knowledgeable and his insights and love to the temple and its carvings really made our experience very special.

Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang

Battambang

this was so wonderful. Terrific skills and a wonderful atmosphere.

The Artisans of Satcha

Siem Reap

This was the one activity I wouldn't rave about. I think a trip to Made in Cambodia would be better. Unless you are a real art enthusiast, much of the work was impractical to buy being heavy or large in size. Of course there were some beautiful things but I did feel a bit obliged to purchase, not something I sensed elsewhere.

Ta Phrom (dawn)

Siem Reap

This was worth getting up for. Hardly any people so you really felt connected to a very special place.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I was in Cambodia for 8-9 days in late Nov/early Dec 25 and used Steve and his team to have a fully guided trip. I had three great guides and two drivers. All of the the guides and drivers were all accommodating, courteous, fun to be with and always on time. I stayed in a great hotel in Phnom Penh, I was on the third floor overlooking the pool. Breakfast was always good and they staff were friendly. I had a fun time going around PP with the guide who was very knowledgable about all the sites we visited. Next was a car ride from PP to Battambang, this driver was with me for the remaining days. He was a skilled driver which is what you want on the roads of Cambodia! My guide on this portion was also very knowledgable and if I had any unusual questions or requests he went out of his way to help me find the answers. Battambang is a charming town on the river - this was another great hotel (except for the nightly Karaoke at a nearby bar but I think that was beyond the hotel's control) the food here was okay but not my favorite. Again, the wait staff were attentive and helpful. My final leg of the journey was Siem Reap where I stayed in my favorite hotel. The location wasn't great (I felt a little isolated) but here is where Steve and his team really came through for me - I was walloped with "traveler's sickness" and Steve coordinated with my third guide, Dara, on which clinic to go to as well as which pharmacy to go to (apparently some are more reputable than others). Dara (guide) and the driver (Mr Ya) were so accommodating, they rearranged my schedule so while I was down a day, I was able to do most of what I had planned in Siem Reap, they were constantly asking how I was feeling and just looking out for me. The staff at my hotel were amazing, bringing me ginger tea and asking about my well being - at one point someone at the hotel found a thermometer for me, just wonderful caring people everywhere I went. As a solo female traveler, I always felt safe where ever I went and never felt like I stumbled in an "iffy" area the entire time.
I would definitely recommend Steve and his team of guides. When I go back to Cambodia, I will definitely use his team again. I asked to be in non-touristy hotels which he made happen, while I did the typical tourist activities (temples, pagodas, the killing fields etc.) it was always personalized to me and what I wanted to see and do. The activities were well thought out and all were fun. I really loved the circus in Siem Reap and of course the temples were an incredible experience. The pacing was nice with being out for several hours, then returning to the hotel for an hour or two then heading back out again. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip as well as my accommodations and guides.