Cambodia Tours & Holidays
Join us on a holiday to Cambodia
From exploring French colonial influences in bustling Phnom Penh to soaking up the vast serenity of Angkor Wat, a holiday in Cambodia is a journey of the senses.
A land of rice paddies and chanting monks perfectly juxtaposed with glittering modern architecture and vibrant cityscapes, this Southeast Asian gem offers visitors a warm welcome.
Drift through the exquisite waterways of Tonlé Sap, home to rare and endangered birdlife, and learn more about the lifestyles of the locals living in this extraordinary aquatic setting. Explore the colourful market town of Siem Reap, the gateway to the Lost City of Angkor Thom, and home to the Angkor National Museum. Marvel at the four giant heads and countless other faces carved into the rock of the astounding Bayon temple. Spend time with a family at a local village and learn about their lifestyle, traditions and cuisine. Visit riverside Battambang, Cambodia's 'second city', home to colonial-era buildings and quaint neighbourhoods, or perhaps embark on a scenic sunset cruise on the Mekong River.
Travel with Newmarket Holidays on our expertly tailored Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia tours and experience the world-famous landmarks and hidden treasures of this stunning part of Asia.
Our featured Cambodia tours
See the River Kwai, the vast serenity of Angkor Wat, and the palaces and museums of Phnom Penh on our incredible tours to Cambodia.
- 8 Excursions Included, 27 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 2 Airports
- 24 Dates - May 2024 - Nov 2026
- 9 Excursions Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 2 Dates - Oct 2023 - Nov 2023
- 13 Excursions Included, 25 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 5 Dates - Sep 2024 - Nov 2025
- 8 Excursions Included, 30 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 8 Dates - Oct 2024 - Nov 2025
Things to do in Cambodia
In a country of remarkable temples and palaces, jungles and waterways, you will find an abundance of things to do on your Cambodian holiday. If you’re planning a trip to the country, here are just a few of the unique experiences you can enjoy:
Explore Angkor Wat
The world's largest religious monument, Angkor Wat is a Buddhist temple complex dating back to the 12th century. Wander through its various buildings, enjoy a Cambodian sunrise here, and see the glittering saffron of the monks’ robes stand out against the ancient structures.
Enjoy a cruise on the Tonlé Sap
Board a traditional wooden boat and set sail on a cruise of the Tonlé Sap Lake. Immerse yourself in the enthralling atmosphere of the floating and stilted villages of the local people who still earn a living from the freshwater lake - the largest in Southeast Asia.
Head to Siem Reap
Head to Siem Reap, and explore the gateway to the incredible Angkor Thom complex and the home to the Angkor National Museum. Enter the huge stone gates and paths flanked by statues of gods and giants to discover the Bayon at the heart of Angkor complex.
Things to see in Cambodia
Discover a country that enchants its visitors with landscapes of rice paddies and awe-inspiring temples. A beautiful blend of old and new, there are ample camera-worthy sights here. In need of a little inspiration? Here are just some of the must-sees for Cambodia tours.
Cambodia tour highlights
Things to see and places to visit on your escorted tour of Cambodia
Angkor Wat
An archaeological complex so legendary it has made its way onto the Cambodian flag.
Siem Reap
A city with a charming small-town feel, Siem Reap is the gateway to Cambodia's most spectacular temples and ruins.
Phnom Penh
Home to ornate palaces, bustling markets and serene temples, Phnom Penh is the epitome of Southeast Asian charm.
Food and drink in Cambodia
Known as Khmer, Cambodian cuisine has a long, rich history, with a focus on simplicity, freshness, seasons and regions. Cambodian delicacies rely on the abundant use of rice and herbs, and the harmonious combination of contrasting flavours, textures and temperatures. A rich bounty of seafood and freshwater fish from the Mekong and Tonle Sap are key staples on the Cambodian menu, while kroeung, a distinctive spice paste, is the foundation of many Khmer dishes.
You’ll find yourself eating rice repeatedly in Cambodia; it is often a part of every meal. Expect rice porridge for breakfast and plain white rice as an accompaniment to soups and vegetables for lunch and dinner. Rice snacks, including deep-fried rice cakes, are available from street vendors. Cambodian cuisine differentiates itself from the many other styles of food from its neighbours, as dishes move away from hot spicy flavours in neighbouring India and Thailand, and shift towards a concentrated focus on fresher tastes.
Cambodia’s diverse array of foods draws influence from its neighbouring countries, as well as its French colonial past. You’ll find adaptations of dishes from Thailand, flavoured with less coconut milk and fewer hot and spicy chillies. Khmer cuisine also shares many common dishes with Vietnam, from noodle soup comparable to Vietnamese pho and sandwiches similar to banh mi. Of course, there's a national love of good-quality bread, influenced by the French, often served with soup or made into unique sandwiches.
In terms of specific dishes to look out for on Cambodia holidays, a great place to start is with amok trey. Similar to a Thai red curry, though less spicy, it is Cambodia's national dish and is therefore widely available. Another traditional option is lok lak, a stir-fry made with chicken or beef and served with rice and salad. The perfect afternoon snack, num banh chok is a noodle dish featuring a fish and coconut sauce with raw vegetables.
Cambodia FAQs
First trip to Cambodia? You might find these questions (and answers!) helpful....
- Time Zone
- GMT +7
- Avg. Flight Time
- 14.5 hours (Phnom Penh)
- Visa Required
- Visa required
- Currency
- Cambodian riel
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Do I need a visa to visit Cambodia?
At the time of writing, to visit Cambodia you must obtain a visa before you travel. This is liable to change, so please check the latest official advice from the UK Government Foreign Office before you travel. Please note, you will need a minimum of six months’ validity in your passport.
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Is Cambodia a safe country to visit?
Generally speaking, Cambodia is a safe country to visit. As with many other Asian countries, Cambodia does experience some petty crime. However, taking sensible precautions, such as not wearing or displaying valuables, will negate the majority of any risk with regard to petty crime
There are an estimated 3 million active landmines in Cambodia, a devastating legacy of the Cambodian Civil War. The majority of the mines are in rural areas, so always stick to the paths and never ignore the warning signs.
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What currency do they use in Cambodia?
The official currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel. However, US dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia, and often even preferred. Change of less than $10 will often be given in Cambodian Riel, with $1 worth roughly 4,000 Cambodian Riel. For the latest exchange rates, please see www.xe.com.
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Is Cambodia an expensive country to visit?
Cambodia is a very inexpensive country to visit, even by South East Asian standards.
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What language do they speak in Cambodia?
Khmer is the official language of Cambodia. However, English is widely spoken, especially in areas tourists visit. Below are several useful phrases in Khmer, with phonetic pronunciations in brackets:
Hello – សួស្តី (suostei)
Goodbye – លាហើយ (leahaey)
Thank you – សូមអរគុណ (saum arkoun)
Please – សូម (saum)
Do you speak English? – តើអ្នកនិយាយភាសាអង់គ្លេសទេ?
(tae anak niyeay pheasaeaangklesa te?)
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What are the best things to see in Cambodia?
Cambodia is famous for its idyllic, tropical coastline and ancient temples, none more so than the astounding temples at Angkor, near the town of Siem Reap. Here, great temples litter a vast area, which was once the capital of the Khmer Empire, including the famous Angkor Wat, which is featured on Cambodian banknotes, and the atmospheric Ta Prohm, which was the shooting location of the Tomb Raider film.
Capital city Phnom Penh is a French colonial treasure-chest on the banks of the Mekong River, and is home to some sobering reminders of the Cambodian Civil War, including the infamous former prison at Tuol Sleng, now a museum, and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek.
In the south, Sihanoukville is a popular coastal destination, home to several white-sand beaches, with regular ferry services to the popular island of Koh Rong.
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When’s the best time to visit Cambodia?
Cambodia is warm all year round, but like most other South East Asian countries, is subject to a humid, wet monsoon season, which runs from May to October. The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and April, when days are warm and mostly dry.
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What’s the food like in Cambodia?
Generally speaking, Cambodian food is similar to Thai food, although with less chilli and sugar. Rice is a staple part of every meal in Cambodia, with seafood, pork and beef also very popular. Fish amok, a creamy fish curry, is one of Cambodia’s most popular national dishes, as is kuy teav, a vermicelli noodle soup made with pork or beef and topped with beansprouts, garlic and fresh herbs, that is commonly eaten for breakfast.
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