Cambodia Holidays

Little can rival the South East Asian authenticity of a Cambodia holiday; this remarkable country offers a simple, unspoilt way of life. Bound by the traditions of Buddhism, imposing mountains, fertile soil and wild, sultry rainforests form the surroundings of the good-natured people of Cambodia. Prepare to be captivated by the ornate pagodas, vivid green rice paddies and wonderful wildlife.

The best time to visit Cambodia is the cool season of November to February, with pleasantly dry warm temperatures, when the countryside is still verdant after the heavy monsoon rains. The heat then builds up until April and May, when it could become quite humid. From May onwards, with the help of monsoon rains (mainly in the afternoons or at night, especially in August and September), the heat easies up. By the end of October the rain almost disappears and temperatures go back to normal.

It is always a good time to travel to Cambodia. Apart from the peak holiday time, prices are quite moderate and with little variance between dry and rainy season. Best value can be found in Siem Reap during the rainy season, but this shouldn’t stop you from exploring this stunning country. At this time of the year the landscape is more verdant and luxuriant and, on the plus side, there will be fewer crowds around the Angkor Complex than in peak season and you could get that same stunning pictures for a bargain price.

The hottest time of year is between March and October when temperatures soar up to the high 30s°C and there are higher chances of scattered heavy showers.

Cambodia's tropical climate is characterised by warm weather year round and seasonality only depends on the annual monsoon winds. The cool dry season is November to February with temperatures in the mid to high 20s°C, with December and January the ideal time to travel. The hot, dry season (March to May) sees some scattered showers with temperatures soaring to the mid to high 30s°C. From June to October, the monsoon season, temperatures remain high with some heavy rain (mostly in the afternoon and at night lasting no more than a few hours). Rivers and lakes are full, at this time of year, while the landscape is lush and verdant, making the Summer months perfect for an adventure.

JANUARY – Victory over Genocide’s Day
FEBRUARY - Meak Bochea Day
APRIL – Cambodian Khmer New Year
MAY- Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony
JUNE – Children’s Day
SEPTEMBER – Festival of the Ancestors; Constitution Day
OCTOBER – Water Festival
NOVEMBER – Independence Day

There are a number of carriers offering flights to Cambodia from the UK.

Direct Carriers: There are no direct flights to Cambodia from the UK.

Indirect Carriers: Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Etihad Airlines and Air France offer indirect services to Cambodia.

Departure Taxes: An international departure tax of USD25 must be paid at Cambodian Airports.

British Citizens are required to have a visa to enter Cambodia, which you can apply from the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in London. Alternative electronic visas are available online through the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Cambodia. Please contact the Royal Embassy of Cambodia for up to date country and visa information on 0208 451 7850.

How to obtain a visa
If you need a travel visa for your upcoming trip, Hayes & Jarvis are pleased to offer our customers the expertise and experience of CIBT, the Global Visa and Passport Professionals. CIBT UK Ltd specializes in fast, dependable visa application services. Don’t wait until the last minute, for an application form and discounted pricing. Call 0844 800 4650 or visit http://www.uk.cibt.com/hayesandjarvis

Hepatitis A, B, Polio, Typhoid and Malaria immunisation are recommended. All travelers should be up to date on routine immunisations. If arriving from an infected country Yellow Fever is recommended. Please contact your GP for further information.

Angkor Wat, temples and palaces: In a class of its own, Angkor Wat represents a true marvel to behold, one of the Wonders of the World. Built by the Khmer Kings that ruled between the 9th and 13th centuries, this is a must-see site during any holiday to the Far East. The size of the complex is truly awe-inspiring and one is never truly prepared to comprehend the enormous size of Angkor Wat or its majestic beauty. But Khmer and Cham ruins, ornate pagodas and royal palaces literally abound everywhere in Cambodia.

Siem Reap: This once humble village in Cambodia's North West lying close to the Angkor complex is now a thriving city with a full range of hotels available to suit all tastes and budgets as well as fantastic eateries and a nightlife second to none in Indochina.

Stunning Scenery: On the shores of the Tonle Sap, the greatest fresh water lake of South East Asia, you can visit the interesting floating fishing village where most of the houses are built on stilts. The fascinating trip down the lake from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh in a motorised fishing boat will add a sense of adventure to the experience. Further afield lie national parks, misty mountains with hill tribe minorities and jungle trekking.

History: Despite a troubled recent history, Cambodia’s resilient people are friendly souls, likely to share with you real life tales and traditions now almost disappeared. A visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Prison Museum, constant reminders of Khmer Rouge’s atrocities, is a must and a truly moving experience.

Phnom Penh: Cambodia’s capital city since 1492 lies at the confluence of 3 bodies of water: the Mekong river, the Tonle Sap Lake and the Bassac River. A small compact city, here you will find echoes of Cambodia’s more recent and troubled past. Visit this city on foot and discover the impressive Archaelogical Museum and the interesting Royal Palace, and within its grounds, the impressive Silver Pagoda, with over 5,000 silver tiles covering the entire floor.

British Embassy in Phnom Penh
27-29 Street 75
Sangkat Srah Chak
Khan Daun Penh
Phnom Penh

Website: http://ukincambodia.fco.gov.uk

Office Hours:
GMT Mon-Thu: 0130-0800 (lunch break 0430-0600); Fri: 0130-0500
Local Time: Mon-Thu: 0830-1500 (lunch break 1130-1300); Fri: 0830-1200

085114, 085102, 050091, 085064

Visa Required

Step back 1,000 years on a Cambodia tour. See where Lara Croft - Tomb Raider was filmed at Ta Phrom, with the temple walls and huge Banyan tree roots and limbs intertwined as if one. Visit the amazing Angkor Wat complex, the largest temple in the world, stroll along the Elephant Terrace at Angkor Thom and explore Banteay Srey with some of the most intricate stone carvings to be seen. Experience the Kmher culture and sample the Kmher food, curries that burst with flavour, not heat. Your Cambodian touring holidays begins in Siem Reap but will never end in your memory.

Hepatitis A, B, Polio, Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Malaria immunisation required

None

Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Etihad Airlines and Air France

December - January

March - October

November - February

21°C - 35°C

GMT +7 hours

Riel, US Dollar

Khmer, English

16hrs (London Heathrow to Siem Reap)