Asia Adventures Cambodia Blog

The past decade has seen a tourism boom in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. High on everyone’s lists are destinations like Cambodia’s Angkor temples, Laos’s Plain of Jars, and Vietnam’s Hoi An and Hue cities. Those sights are fantastic. By all means see them. But much of Indochina’s best still remains off the radar, while many old favourites have begun reinventing themselves since they were first thrust under the spotlight. CNN has listed its Top 10 places to visit in Indochina and Kampot features high on the list, described as:

Oozing French colonial charm, this scenic town nestled on the east bank of Kampot River is Cambodia’s most under-rated destination. If the crumbling French architecture, shady boulevards and riverfront dining aren’t cause for love at first sight, visits to Kep beach resort, the ancient Funan Empire-era temple ruins or a hike in Bokor National Park will ensure you’re permanently endeared to this Cambodian beauty spot.

To visit the CNN website follow: http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/none/indochinas-top-10-hot-destinations-064669

For excellent tours of Kampot contact: info@asia-adventures.com

The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism has stated that international flights are set to link Siem Reap with Indonesia and Brunei in order to boost tourism. The Director General of the Ministry, said that Cambodia would launch connections with the temple complex site Borobudur in Java, Indonesia in April this year, with Brunei flights to follow later.

“If the plan is successful, we believe that more and more tourists will come to visit Cambodia. We hope that tourist numbers will increase around 10 percent in coming years. We are now discussing technical matters in order to facilitate the flights,” he continued. Cambodia is trying to create direct flights with all ASEAN countries in an attempt to make tourist travel easier. So far, routes have been set up with Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos, and in late 2009 Cambodia announced that it would directly link flights with the Philippines.

Ang Kim Eang, president of Cambodia’s Association of Travel Agents, said that Cambodia is an attractive destination for tourists, as the country offers appealing cultural sites and ecotourism. But he added that the nation has international flight links with too few countries in the region.

For wonderful tours of Cambodia contact: info@asia-adventures.com

Edited from the Phnom Penh Post 8-2-10

In an effort to increase tourist access and prevent further damage to the magnificent pre-Angkorian temple in the far north of Cambodia on the Thai border a staircase has been built adjacent to the ancient stone steps. Om Phirom, chief of the Preah Vihear Heritage Police explained, “We will have this wooden staircase along the old one for tourists to walk up to Preah Vihear temple”. He added: “Tourists, especially foreign tourists, like to do adventure travel, so they will be excited to walk by the ancient staircase.”

Chuch Phoeung, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said the idea for the staircase had come from UNESCO, which in July 2008 approved Cambodia’s application to make Preah Vihear temple a World Heritage site. The deputy governor of Preah Vihear province, said that he believed tourists would appreciate the different views afforded by the new approach. “When this stair construction is finished, it will give tourists a chance to see new views, and it will help attract more tourists to the site”.

For tours which include a visit to the magnificent Preah Vihear contact: info@asia-adventures.com

Edited from the Phnom Penh Post 21-10-09

Pandaw has recently announced an exciting new itinerary for late 2010. In October and November the RV Tonle Pandaw will make just four 10 night expeditions into the little visited northern reaches of the mighty Mekong River region in Cambodia. The destination being Kratie and beyond - exploring a lost Cambodia.

Highlights on the way to Kratie include the great Mekong Delta, a day at the lively capital of Phnom Penh, and several stops at small towns and villages to discover Cambodian rural life. Once at Kratie, an interesting French colonial riverside town passengers will continue by expedition boat to the dolphin sanctuary close to the Laos border. Also planned are road trips inland to see the rarely visited temples at Sambor, plus much more…

For more details about Pandaw Mekong cruises contact: info@asia-adventures.com

The unique 4 Rivers Floating Ecolodge, an ecotourism resort floating on one of Cambodia’s remote clear water rivers, has recently opened in Koh Kong province, offering the first luxury eco-tourism experience in the Kingdom.

The 4 Rivers Ecolodge is situated 22kms from Koh Kong town on a bend in the Tatai river. The rivers clear waters flow down from the pristine and little explored Cardamom Mountains. The 18 luxury tented bungalows stretch out either side of the reception area, gourmet restaurant, and river water swimming pool, and are surrounded by mangroves, palm trees and dense forest.

The 45sqm rooms exude luxury with 4 poster beds, flat screen TVs, a DVD player, minibar, and even in room WiFi. The decoration is enhanced by the scent of freshly cut local flowers. Outside is a private balcony with large sun-lounges where you can while away the hours gazing over the river into the forest beyond and listening out for the calls on wild animals and birds.

If you are looking for more action, boat trips and kayaks are available to further explore the river and its nearby waterfalls, or go trekking into the forest in search of wildlife.

The resort is attempting to keep its carbon footprint as small as possible and has made use of many environmentally friendly non-forest products in its construction. It makes use pf solar power but has a back up generator fuelled by bio-fuel, and the resort comprised a sophisticated waste management system. In addition local people have been hired and trained to work at the resort.

The resort makes a perfect base for further exploring the Koh Kong area which includes the pristine Cardamom Mountains, stretches of untouched mangrove fringed coastline, various ‘virgin’ islands. For the more active staying at the 4 Rivers Ecolodge is a great treat before and after spending time trekking and mountain biking around the small community of Chi Pat where you can stay a few nights in the much more basic local homestays or even sleep in the jungle on multi day adventures.

For more information please contact: info@asia-adventures.com