When you hear the name of Cambodia, the first thing that comes to mind is the Great Angkor Wat Temple. As we explored Cambodia for a few days, the country has much more to offer and it’s not just about temples. Whether it is the street foods or the breathtaking landscapes, Cambodia is much more than it seems. However, the scars of its turbulent past are still prevalent. Despite all the hardships, Cambodia has become much more robust than it was many years ago.
We were excited like any other fellow travellers from across the globe. Thankfully, we made it happen in January when we planned to visit Vietnam during the Tet Holidays. Nevertheless, you can plan on any weekend if you have time constraints, just like us. It was a great time to visit this amazing country and get to know the locals in the best possible way.
Meanwhile, let’s take you all on this beautiful journey of Siem Reap (Cambodia), where we will share some essential tips to explore the rich culture of Siem Reap. Also, this will help you plan your itinerary. In case you need any help, we are just a click away!
Let’s begin…
Table of Contents
Best Time to visit Cambodia
The best time to visit Cambodia is the cold season.
1. Winter: November to February is cool and dry.
2. Summer: March to May is too hot.
3. Rainy: June to October is humid and rainy.
You can plan your trip accordingly as per your preference. Winter is the peak season to visit Cambodia. If you can bear the heat, you can also summer to travel.
Things to carry in your backpack
- Lightweight clothing that is light and breathable.
- Walking/hiking shoes.
- Light jacket/ winter wear if you plan for the sunrise tour at Angkor Wat.
- Sunscreen lotion with high SPF.
- Sunglasses.
- First aid kit with essential medicines.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Light snacks.
- Travel adapter (Type A, Type C and Type G plugs for Cambodia power outlets).
- Insects/mosquito repellent.
- Power bank.
- Travel map in case of low network coverage area.
Visa for Foreigners
We would recommend the readers check the visa requirements here for your country. We applied through their website and got it processed within 2-3 working days. The eVisa fee was around 3100 INR per person approx. The online visa process is easy and fast. You will get your e-visa in the inbox within no time.
Travel Insurance
Though travel insurance is not mandatory to enter Cambodia, we strongly recommend getting one as it provides coverage in case of unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies, baggage loss, trip cancellation, etc.
There are many online options available to choose from. Most of them are pretty affordable. You can check out various options at Policy Bazaar. We have taken Care Health Insurance, which was sufficient per our requirement.
Things to keep in mind before you book your Stay
We have chosen our stay considering the below points. Also, for budget travellers, these will be helpful.
- Check out the stay options, which provide complimentary breakfast, as it saves you a lot.
- Do not forget to check out the distance of your hotel from the main tourist attractions and the city centre, of course.
- Staying in hostels can save you a penny if you travel solo.
- Look out for the food options nearby. Also, you can explore various street food options.
- Plan for the travel attractions in advance and book the tickets online. It will save your time waiting in the queues.
Food Options
When it comes to Cambodia, you are spoiled with numerous options. A few of the must-try are:
- Samlor Machu trey (Sweet and Sour Soup with Fish)
- Nom banh chok (Khmer noodles)
- Kuy Teav (Cambodian Noodle Soup)
- Fish Amok (Steamed Coconut Fish in Banana Leaves)
- Twa Ko (Cambodian Sausage)
Local Transport
Cambodia has several local transport options. However, the popular mode of transport is the Tuk-Tuk. You can also book private cabs. The most popular cab option is PassApp and WeGO Taxi.
Tuk-Tuk is very economical and viable option. Bike rentals is not allowed for tourists in Cambodia.
Currency and SIM Card
The official currency of Cambodia is Cambodian Riel. You can exchange your foreign currencies, such as US Dollars, Euros, Pounds, etc., at any money exchanger. Apart from popular money exchangers in Airport you can also convert your currency at Huy Keang Currency Exchange, local Artefacts shops, etc.
We also converted the currency at one such Artefacts Shops on the way to our stay at Siem Reap.
Avoid currency conversion at the airport as they do not provide reasonable rates. If required, convert a small amount to fulfil your immediate needs.
There are various Network service providers from where you can buy a sim. A few of them are: Cellcard Mobile, Metfone Mobile, Smart Mobile, etc.
Now, coming to the most essential part of the blog.…
Budget breakup for the Trip
Stay
One could find stay options of hostel/hotel starting from 500- 2000 INR per person for double bed. You could choose Old Market area in Siem Reap which is around 5-6 kms from the famous Angkor Wat.
To & Fro Flights from Kolkata India to Phnom Penh Cambodia : 25000 – 28000 INR per person
Food: Average meal cost for local delicacies can cost around 500 – 700 INR per person. For more details on what to try in local delicacies , refer to Food Options section above.
This trip cost us around 42000 – 45000/- INR per person for 4 days 3 nights.
Places we visited during our Trip
1. Angkor Wat Temple
Plan a Perfect Trip to the Angkor Wat Temple in 2024 With These Insider Facts
2. Siem Reap Local Attractions (Floating Village and Angkor Museum)
Plan a Day Trip to the Local Attractions of Siem Reap in 2024 With These Insider Facts
3. What kind of help are we going to provide?
Let us inform you that we prepare itineraries not only for anywhere in India but also for Asia. We have been travelling since we were toddlers. So here in our blogs and stories, we will give you a glimpse of our journey and help you plan your trip.
Read about our Uzbekistan blogs.
Read about our Kazakhstan blogs.
Read about our Singapore blogs.
Read about our Vietnam blogs.
Read about our Cambodia blogs.
Read about our Bali blogs.
Read about our Kuala Lumpur blog series.
Read about our Sri Lanka blogs.
Read about our Nepal blogs.
Read about our Char Dham blogs.
Read about our Ladakh blogs.
Read about our day trip to Hyderabad.
Read about our Madhya Pradesh blogs.
Read about our Andaman and Nicobar blogs.
Do follow our Instagram handle @mindfulllofvacations and watch for the next destination story of a new place. For any query related to any trip, drop a mail at @mitkau007@gmail.com.
by mitkau