Top 10 places that Indians must visit in Cambodia

Cambodia’s diverse landscape, natural beauty, ancient temples, gorgeous architecture, shared history and friendly locals are reason enough for travelers from across the globe to visit this beautiful country.

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and Gulf of Thailand coastline. The places to visit in Cambodia attract tourists and travelers with varied interests.

Apart from the history and culture, Cambodia is also urbane, boasting of beautiful Phnom Penh, its capital, and tons of restaurants serving delicious cuisine. Travel across the timeless landscapes of this mighty realm of the Gods by visiting popular tourist spots in Cambodia.

What is the best time to visit Cambodia?

The best time to visit Cambodia is from November to February. The weather is neither too sunny nor too cold and provides the perfect holiday experience in Cambodia.

What is the main food in Cambodia?

Cambodian food is rich in distinctive flavors. Cambodian meals include three to four dishes, including a soup. A lot of herbs, sauces or dips, leaves, edible flowers and pickled vegetables are used in their preparations. Rice is the staple food in Cambodia. Khmer rice comes in a lot of different varieties, sticky rice being the most popular one. Kuyteav or rice noodle soup is the signature dish and is a must-have dish when you visit Cambodia.

Best cities to visit in Cambodia

Although, there is no particular city that’s the best in Cambodia because each one has its own characteristic. However, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are two top cities you must keep in mind while planning your trip.

Best places to stay in Cambodia

The best places to stay in Cambodia that lets you explore this enchanting destination like a local are:

Hotel le Royal, Phnom Penh- the prices start from INR 16,000 per night.
Park Hyatt, Siem Reap- the prices start from INR 13,000 per night.
Heritage Suites Hotel, Siem Reap- the prices start from INR 10,000 per night.
Sofitel Angkor Spa and Golf Resort, Siem Reap- the prices start from INR 12,000 per night.
Phum Baitang Resort, Siem Reap- the prices start from INR 23,000 per night.

Best beaches in Cambodia

Sparkling white sands and exotic views, these are the factors that have been drawing the attention of visitors to Cambodia beaches. The best beaches to enjoy a relaxing holiday in Cambodia are:

Southwestern Beach- This beach in Koh Rong is perfect for peace lovers who would love the serenity and calmness of this place.
Serendipity Beach- A beach with sufficient party spots, travel shops, massage and tattoo parlors.
Otres Beach- A perfect escape for couples, this beach is popular for night market, fish cakes and massage parlors.
Sokha Beach- Recommended for couples, family and photography enthusiasts, you can enjoy massage and spa treatment by the beach.
Koh Pos Beach- You can savor the most delicious seafood here!
Victory Beach- This beach is recommended for party enthusiasts, the key attractions near the beach are Queenco Casino, Step Inn Bar and boat trips.
Coral Beach- This beach offers plethora of activities like snorkeling, spear fishing, kayaking, jungle treks and cliff diving.
Lazy Beach- The key attractions near the beach are snorkeling, pubs and diving. You can enjoy a stay at a tree house near the beach.

10 must see places for Indian travellers

Siem Reap

The ancient Cambodian town, Siem Reap is the base to explore the greatest attraction of Cambodia, Angkor complex- an ancient temple complex depicting brilliant architecture and shared history dating back to the 12^th century. There are many places to visit in and around Siem Reap with Koh Ker temple being one of the best places and a World Heritage Site.

Where to stay? – Our Recommendations

Park Hyatt
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort
Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang
Le Meridien Angkor
Anantara Angkor Resort

Attractions in Siem Reap:

1. Angkor Wat

One of the greatest attractions in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, has been recognized as the largest religious monument in the world and conferred the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. A must visit on a holiday to Cambodia, this place is frequented by millions of travelers each year.

The elegant capital city of the Khmer Empire, Angkor is nestled amid tranquil forests and exotic farmland near Siem Reap in Cambodia. Noted for its grand scale and incredible detail, Angkor Wat is symbolic of Mt Meru and Mt Olympus.

Undoubtedly it is the most enchanting site for every traveler who wants to get mesmerized by the beauty and glory of the grand Cambodia Kingdom. Angkor Wat offers a splendid experience for those who are looking for serenity amidst the chaos of life.

How to reach Angkor Wat?

You can reach the famous Angkor Wat through the province of Siem Reap in Cambodia. Flights to Siem Reap are available from major cities in India. After that, you can hire motos or taxis to reach Angkor Wat.

Important Information on Angkor Wat Complex:

Visiting hours: Angkor complex opens at 5 am for visitors and closes at 6 pm.

Entry Fee: You will need an ‘Angkor Pass’ to visit the temples and sites in the Angkor Archaeological Park. A day pass will cost you INR 2,600 approx.

Angkor passes are available for 3 and 7 consecutive days as well. With these, you can explore other attractions as at the Angkor Complex. Passes are sold at INR 4,400 approx for 3 days and INR 5,100 approx for 7 days.

Attractions you can visit with the Angkor Pass:

Bayon
Ta Prohm Temple
Banteay Chhmar Temple

2. Bayon

You will find the structure of the Byon temple in a forested area of the Angkor complex. Bayon was built a hundred years after Angkor Wat yet evokes similar superiority in its architectural designs. Luring international travellers with its aesthetic appeal it was formed with more than 2,000 facial structures in the centre of the city of Angkor Thom. One of these has the significant features of a human face carved out and is referred to as ‘Smile of Angkor’.

3. Ta Prohm Temple

The ethereal Ta Prohm Temple, located in the dense forests of Angkor Wat complex, is one of the largest monuments of the region with 260 statues of gods, 39 towers with pinnacles and 566 groups of residences.

King Jayavarman VII founded this temple in 1186 AD and named “Rajavihara” meaning monastery of the king. Later, the temple was renamed as “Ta Prohm” which means an ancestor of Brahma.

Our advice: Some areas of the temple are impassable and others are accessible only by narrow dark passages. We recommend to follow a route plan with landmarks indicted or to explore with a guide to avoid getting lost.

4. Banteay Chhmar Temple

Nestled within the Angkor complex, Banteay Chhmar or ‘Narrow Fortress’ dates from the late 12^th to early 13^thcentury. Banteay Chhmar portrays the picture of a lost Khmer city with its ruined face-towers, carvings, forest surroundings and birds spotted throughout the temple complex. With beautiful cravings, it’s a wonderful sight to behold.

5. Phnom Penh City

Emplaced at the confluence of the mighty Mekong, Bassac and the Tonle Sap, Phnom Penh is the largest city of Cambodia. The city has its own provincial charm with French colonial mansions and tree-lined boulevards.

The city has quite a few luxurious hotels to stay at, posh restaurants serving authentic regional delicacies, amazing shopping scenario and more to enjoy.

Attractions to explore: Independence Monument, Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace of Cambodia, Phsar Thmei (Central Market), Russian Market, National Museum of Cambodia, Sisowath Quay, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Wat Phnom and Wat Ounalom.

Where to stay? – Our Recommendations

Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Rosewood Phnom Penh
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra
The Great Duke
Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel

What and where to dine?

Mok Mony: typical Khmer restaurant serves a variety of exotic delicacies, try their lemongrass frog legs. They do have vegetarian and vegan options as well.
Sugar Palm: try traditional flavours infused with herbs and spices, including delicious char kroeung (curried lemongrass) dishes.
Metro Hassakan: one of the most popular riverfront eateries, try beef with red ants and tequila black-pepper prawns; steaks and honey-soy roasted chicken

6. Sihanoukville

If relaxing on exotic beaches while enjoying fresh seafood delicacies is your idea of an ideal vacation, head to Sihanoukville for a day trip or two.

Sihanoukville has quite a few luxurious resorts to spend your holiday in style. The beaches are truly stunning. There are facilities for adventure junkies as well. You can try swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving or just sunbathing.

Boat trips are also available to many of the nearby islands. The nightlife is also quite pulsating out there with restaurants and bars kept open till wee hours.

Where to stay?

Sokha Beach Resort
The Beach Island Resort & Beach Club
La Reserve Hotel Sihanoukville

7. Ratanakiri

An amazingly scenic destination, Ratanakiri is a hill station, an eco-tourism hub and one of the must-visit locations in Eastern Cambodia. This stunning holiday hotspot is dotted with hills and mountains, plateaus, crater lakes, watershed lowlands, rivers, forests and waterfalls.

Things to do:

There’s a lot to do in Ratanakiri. Explore Phnom Eisey Patamak, have a swim at Yeak Loam Lake, visit Ceal Rumplan (stone field), take a trip along the Sre San river, visit local villages, visit Norng Kabat forest, take a trip to Andoung Meas (Golden wells), visit Cashew farm coffee orchard at Ou Cheng, Kachanh and Katieng Waterfalls, shop for handicrafts and more.

Where to stay? – Our Recommendations

Ratanakiri- Boutique Hotel
Yeak Loam Hotel
Phum Khmer Resort

8. Kratie

Situated on the banks of the Mekong, Kratie is home to some of the rare sweetwater Irrawaddy dolphins attracting tourists from all over the globe.

With picturesque sandbars, serene islands and French and Khmer style houses, Kratie makes a lovely holiday spot in Cambodia.

Things to do:

The evening scene along the Mekong in Kratie is quite refreshing. Gorge on local delicacies while you enjoy its stunning sunsets.

Where to stay? – Our Recommendations

Rajabori Villas Resort
Mombrocheabrey hotel
River Dolphin Hotel

9. Battambang

The peaceful city of Battambang is situated close to the tranquil Sangker River. The old French shop-houses clustered along the riverbank has its own distinctive charm.

Modern Battambang looks subtly beautiful with boutique hotels, quirky cafes and innovative restaurants while the countryside is perfect for excursions brimming with natural beauty. Cycling around the countryside is quite a charming experience to behold.

Things to do:

There are quite a few Wats (Buddhist monastery or temple), a number of hilltop temples, a small museum with a collection of Angkorian-era artefacts and a scenic lake to explore. One of the more famous hills is Phnom Sampeau (Ship Hill) with the infamous killing caves.

10. Kampong Thom

Kampong Thom is a picturesque town on the banks of the Stung Saen River. The pre-Angkorian Chenla capital Sambor Prei Kuk, the remote temples of Preah Khan and Prasat Preah Vihear, the Sambor temple and Prei Kuk temple are the major attractions in Kompong Thom.

A brief itinerary to Cambodia

Day 1: Arrival at the ‘pearl of Asia’ – Phnom Penh

Begin your holiday with arrival at Phnom Penh Airport. Enjoy the day at leisure. In the evening, walk along the riverfront promenade dotted with shops and cafés. You can even visit Wat Phnom, a scenic man-made hill.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh – city tour

Post breakfast, ride on a cyclo-pousse (a local mode of transport encouraging drivers to lead a life free of tobacco), for a city tour. Visit pristine Preah Borom Reajea Ve’aing, the Royal Palace and Preah Vihear Preah Kéo Morakot or the Silver Pagoda and the sacred Emerald Buddha. Then, admire the thousand-year-old artefacts of the Khmer Empire at the National Museum. Stop at Phsar Thmey to the Central Market to buy souvenirs.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Note: Visitors to the Royal Palace should be dressed formally covering shoulders and knees as well.

Day 3: Visits to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat

Post breakfast check out of the hotel and board your flight to Siem reap.

Or, early morning, check out of the hotel and drive to Siem Reap. On the way, stop at the picturesque town of Skun. Those who love to experiment with exotic delicacies, try the local deep-fried Spiders. You can stop at Kompong Thom town, visit Sambor Prey Kuk Temples nestled in the forest and the famous Naga Bridge.

Upon arrival and checking-in at your hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You can discover the Temple City. Explore its local eateries, check out local markets and so on.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Visit Angkor Wat

After breakfast, set out for Angkor Thom, the famous Angkor Wat and the 172-Avalokiteshvara Multiple-Faced Bayon.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Note: During your visit to the Angkor Temples, visitors should be dressed formally covering shoulders and knees as well.

Day 5: Explore local culture and customs

Early in the morning, enjoy a bicycle trip with the Khmer people, visit a local market and have lunch cooked by the locals in a traditional wooden house.

After lunch, ride on a buffalo cart to the Ta Prohm Temple. Explore the temple and head back to the hotel.

In the evening, enjoy a sunset over the tranquil ambience of Srah Srang Royal Basin.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Morning cruise, flight for Sihanoukville

Early in the morning, embark on a traditional wooden boat for a mini-cruise to explore the floating villages on the Great Tonlé Sap Lake. You will find that traditional fishing techniques are still being used here. The villages are part of a unique biosphere, slightly out of time and might soon be classified as a “natural wonder” by UNESCO.

Board your flight to the coastal city of Sihanoukville. Once you arrive, you will be transferred to the hotel in. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Sihanoukville.

Day 7: Day at Leisure to enjoy the beaches in Sihanoukville

Post breakfast head to the beach to relax, sunbathe or enjoy the various water sports as you wrap up your Cambodian holiday.

Day 8: Begin your homeward journey

After breakfast check out of the hotel. Fly to Phnom Penh International Airport for your flight back home.

One of the most scenic South-Asian countries, Cambodia makes a perfect holiday destination for Indian travellers. Cambodia is well connected with flights from major Indian cities and offers you a visa on arrival for hassle-free holiday planning experience.

When is the ideal time to plan a holiday in Cambodia?

Cambodia is a tropical country, so, if you prefer to beat the heat on your holidays, plan your holiday during the months of October to March while Cambodia experiences winter.

Flights to Cambodia from Indian cities

Travelling down to Cambodia isn’t much of a hassle.
Cambodia has two main international airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airport.
There are flights by Air Asia, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Vistara, Malaysia Airlines and so on flying for these airports.
Flights for Cambodia are available from Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad airports.

How to acquire a visa for Cambodia?

With an Indian passport, you are entitled to avail visa on arrival at the airports in Cambodia. You can stay for a maximum of 30 days after paying the visa fee of UD$30 or INR 2100 approx.

You must have confirmed return air-tickets for India, confirmed hotel vouchers for your stay in Cambodia and a visa letter issued by Cambodia booking agent to show at the concerned department in the airport. Your visa on arrival remains valid for the next 3 months as well.

A vacation is the best way to refresh your mind and body and hence must be planned on your passion and preferences. While planning your holiday in Cambodia lookout for travel companies in your city specializing in customized holidays. We also offer the same. You can get in touch with our holiday specialists and convey your idea of an ideal holiday.

We will help you with a suitable itinerary for you and your family based on when you wish to go on a holiday, your flight and hotel preferences, choices of meals, attractions you wish to explore and more. Itineraries are also prepared to keep a note whether you want a relaxed scheduled or an action-packed.

Cambodia- A country rich in Heritage and Natural Beauty

From ancient temple complexes to pristine beaches, floating villages and crab markets, there is something for everyone here. All those bitten by the travel bug must make sure that they visit these places to visit in Cambodia and have the holiday of a lifetime.

Plan your amazing trip to Cambodia with Flying Squirrel Holidays and make the most out of your trip. Write to us at connect@flyingsquirrelholidays.com or call us at +91-33-4052-5777.