CAMBODIA TEMPLES AND BEACHES – 7 DAYS

1.The best time to visit Cambodia

• Enthusiastic travel agents will tell you there is never a bad time to visit Siem Reap. Which is sort of true, as long as you are flexible with how you spend your precious time once you get here? Ignore the climate stats at your peril or you could well find yourself unable to do the very things that made you want to come to Siem Reap in the first place.
• Cambodia is a nature-blessed country with the tropical climate which has warm temperatures throughout the year. Dry and wet are two distinct seasons in Cambodia. While the dry season in Cambodia runs from October to April with average temperatures range from 24°C in the cooler months of October, November & December, the wet season starts from May until September, with the heaviest rainfall generally in August & September. There may certainly be some rainfall in October but it usually comes in short showers. The highest temperature can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius during midday
• Due to lack of rainfall, from October to April is perfect for escaping to the beaches of Sihanoukville unless you’re in remote areas with bad roads traveling. The wonderful months to visit Cambodia are December and January, with dry weather and lower humidity levels, temperatures reach a comfortable mid-20 degrees Celsius, skies are clear and evenings are cool, it’s nice to see the rice paddies and tropical foliage at their most green and lush during these months. However, this is also the busiest time of year so expect some crowds and higher prices.
• In addition, you can plan your trip when national holidays happen to immerse in Cambodia’s culture. Khmer New Year – the biggest holiday in Cambodia is held between April 14th and 16th based on the Buddhist calendar, marking the end of the harvest and the welcoming of the rainy season. Pchum Ben holiday is a 15-day religious festival in veneration of the dead which is celebrated in September or October. You might find that ancestral altars and temples are especially vibrant and lively during this holiday.

2.Passport & Visa

• You will need a valid passport and a Cambodian visa to enter Cambodia. Tourist and business visas are valid for one month from the date of entry into Cambodia. Cambodia offers online visa processing.
• The Cambodian visa now may also obtain at the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and at all major border crossings. Cambodian immigration officials at airports now collect fingerprints upon entry using an inkless, electronic process. The visa on arrival is valid for a 30-day stay and issued at a cost of US $30 per tourist and US$35 per business traveler.
• You must prepare:
  + A passport valid for at least 6 months from the expiry date
  + 02 recent passport-sized (4cm x 6cm) photographs
• Some nationalities are required to get a visa in advance at Royal Embassy of Kingdom of Cambodia in their country: Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Nigeria.
• On the other hand, the nationals of the Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia do not need a tourist visa and may stay in Cambodia for 21 and 30 days respectively.

3.International flight

• Our offer does not include international flights between your country and Cambodia for two reasons:
• International flights from your country are more expensive if purchased in Vietnam. It is therefore more beneficial for you to buy them from a ticketing agency in your country.
• The payment and booking conditions for international flights are strict while it is difficult for us, a local agency, to apply the same conditions to you (full payment before travel). Since international financial transactions give rise to significant bank charges, you will be led to pay unnecessary surcharges.

4.Best foods in Cambodia:

• Cambodian (or Khmer) food is not really well known internationally but there are some unique traditional Khmer foods we discovered whilst eating our way around the country. Dishes like Amok are unique to Cambodia and others like Beef Lok Lak are influenced from its neighbour: Vietnam.
• 8 Best Dishes in Cambodia
• Fish amok (steamed coconut fish in banana leaves)
• Samlor machu trey (sweet and sour soup with fish)
• Char kroeung sach ko (stir-fried lemongrass beef)
• Twa ko (Cambodian sausage)
• Nom banh chok (Khmer noodles)
• Bai sach chrouk (grilled pork and broken rice)
• Kuy teav (noodle soup)
• Lok lak (stir-fried beef in brown sauce)
  

5.Customs in Cambodia

• Under a kingdom regime, social status of people is much more concerned than others. Cambodians usually ask your personal questions. It is when they want to establish your rank and the most appropriate way to talk to you.
• Like other Indochina countries, the collective needs are far more important than individual needs. And public image is essential as well. It is always better to avoid making Cambodian publicly lose their face.

6.10 things to know before you visit Cambodia

• Cambodia is a beautiful country, rich in culture, customs and religion. Here are a few tips you should know before packing that will help enhance your trip to the Kingdom of Wonder.

Buddhism Rules

• Monks walk through the streets of Phnom Penh.
• By nature, Cambodians are gentle so when you’re walking through the capital inappropriately sporting a bikini top or no shirt for men, don’t expect to be confronted. However, do expect to insult. Buddhism dominates in Cambodia and Cambodians are modest people, so remember where you are and dress appropriately. When entering pagodas, religious structures, temples or palaces, women must cover their shoulders and wear a skirt or trousers that fall below the knees. Several tourists last year found themselves in court after posing nude at Angkor Wat.

Greeting

There’s no shaking hands or waving in Cambodia. The official way of greeting is a sampeah, and there are different ways of carrying this out to show respect. The sampeah is achieved by placing both palms together like a lotus flower in front of the chest. For peers, the level is kept at chest height, for elders or higher-ranking people, the hands are placed at mouth level, and for parents, grandparents or teachers, it is at nose level. For kings and monks it is at eyebrow level, and when praying, it reaches the forehead.

Loss of Face

Cambodians smile at everything. This doesn’t always mean they are happy or that when they nod and smile in agreement that they understand, which can become frustrating. Loss of face is a huge issue in Cambodia, which includes admitting you don’t know something. Often, if the smile is followed by a nervous giggle, it’s best to ask again. So when you order your meal without extra chilli and the waitress smiles, looks slightly baffled and lets out a laugh, it’s best to double check your order.

Keep Your Cool

Getting back to the loss of face, anger gets you nowhere in Cambodia. Shouting or raising your voice will only cause embarrassment to the person you’re directing your anger at and will only further fuel the situation. Remember to stay calm, firmly reiterate your point and try explaining further.

Driving in Circles

Tuk tuks are a common mode of transport across Cambodia.

Most tuk tuk drivers at hotels will have a working knowledge of the city but don’t expect others to, even if they claim to know where they’re going [see above point on Loss of Face]. It’s best to vaguely figure out your route first, or use Google maps to direct you. Don’t be fooled into thinking pointing it out on a map will help because when it’s being read upside down and the driver is vaguely pointing somewhere, you’ll sharp realise many can’t read maps either.

Bartering

Get practicing your haggling skills because unless there’s a price tag, the cost is negotiable. Expect to pay inflated prices because you’re a tourist, but never agree on the first price because it will be at least double. Walking away often helps because they’ll call you back; if they don’t then you know you’ve pushed them too far. Remember to agree on prices for tuk tuks and motorbikes before jumping in to avoid hiked up prices when you try and get out.

Currency

Cambodian currency is the riel but the American dollar rules. Generally, riels are only used for small transactions – under a few dollars – with dollars used otherwise. Small change dominates in Cambodia, so don’t expect to pay for your tuk tuk with a $100 or even a $20 note. Also, remember to keep notes crisp because many places won’t accept torn ones, especially of higher value. Wrinkled $100 bills are also often not accepted.

Don’t Give to Kids

Despite the rising economy and swelling middle-class, poverty is rife across Cambodia and tourist hotspots come coupled with both begging and selling. Kids often sell books, bracelets and trinkets at bars and restaurants throughout the day and night. No matter how cute they are or how convincing they seem, don’t fall into the trap of buying or giving as this only serves to fuel the cycle. NGO Friends International has devised a series of tips for travelers. Visit www.childsafe.org.

Rise Early

Cambodians are early risers so the morning is the best time to see the country.

Due to Cambodia’s relentless heat and humidity, the day starts early in Cambodia with most locals rising at dusk and the day moving into full swing by 8am. With any sensible person avoiding the outdoors during the midday heat, the mornings are the best time to take trips to the market, stroll the streets and visit temples. This also means early bedtime, with many local restaurants closing their kitchens at about 9pm.

Learn the Language

We don’t expect you to become fluent in Khmer but picking up a few bits really do go a long way – notice the pleasant surprise on your tuk tuk driver’s face when you say hello.

• Hello: Sou sdey
• Good bye: Li hi
• Thank you: Ah kun
• Sorry: Sohm tou
• How are you?: Soksaby
• Original Passport

LIST OF OUR HOTELS:
The hotels offered by Xuan Son Travel classified from 02 to 05 stars at international standard, comfortable with all the required services.

1. Homestay/local homestay: we have developed fair tourism, through contacts with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with locals and sharing their daily lives. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well assured and with the best possible conditions
2. Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are decent, clean, equipped with bathroom, satellite TV and air conditioning.
3. Superior Category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious and the services and facilities are more numerous.
4. Deluxe category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a wide choice of quality services have swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi
5. Luxury Category: 5 stars. Hotels with excellent comfort and a wide range of excellent services. Swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi…)

CITIES /AREAS	HOME STAY	HOTEL-STANDARD	HOTELS-SUPERIOR	HOTEL-DELUXE	HOTELS- LUXURY
SIEM REAP	Anou Home Guesthouse/Chamraoen’s Home/Sihariddh Angkor Villa	Ta Som Guest House/Mother home boutique	Central Boutique Angkor Hotel/Laniche D’Angkor Boutique/Angkor Holiday Hotel/City River/Treasure Oasis/Cheathata Angkor/Silk Angkor/The Frangipani Villa Hotel & Spa	Saem Siem Reap Hotel/Sokha Roh/Mother Home Boutique/Treasure Oasis Angkor	Hotel Somadevi Angkor Boutique & Resort/Royal Angkor Resort/Angko Micracle/Sokah Angkor/Angkor Palace Resort/Sak Mut Hotel & Spa…
PHNOM PENH	Capital Hotel	Khmer Village Guest House/Brigade Manager Hotel	Cardamon/King Grand Boutique/Town View III/River Home/Asia Tune/The Frangipani Living Arts Hotel	Ohana/Juliana/Harmony Phnom Penh/Kravan/ The Frangipani Royal Palace/Villa Langka/Iroha Garden Hotel & Resort	Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel/Palace Gate Hotel & Resort/Rose Suites/ Raffles Hotel Le Royal
SIHANOUK VILLE	Jully Anna Guesthouse/ Don Bosco Guesthouse/Red House	Pat Pat Boutique	Golden Sand Hotel/Sihanoukville Plaza hotel	Independence Hotel Resort & Spa/Holiday Villa Natava/Serendipity Beach Resort/Moon Julie Hotel	Sokha Beach Resort/

TRAVEL PRICE: CAMBODIA TEMPLES & BEACH 7 DAYS 6 NIGHTS
From…. To… usd /per
Excluding international flights

Inclusion

• 06 nights accommodation with twins share
• Meals mentioned in program (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner).
• Air-conditioned transfers.
• Sightseeing and entrance fees
• English speaking guide
• Bottles of drinking water every day

Exclusion

• Airfare (international and domestic) and airport tax
• Visa services (Visa approval letter/Visa stamp fee/ Visa fast track)
• Early check-in/late check-out/ room upgrade surcharge
• Other meals, drinks, and personal expenses (phone call, laundry, tipping etc.)
• Any services not mentioned in the program
• Optional tours.

Children Policy:

• Child from 0 – 4 Years old is = 50% Adult`s cost.. Sharing the same bed with parents
• Child from 5 – 11 years old = 75% Adult`s cost. Private Bed (extra Bed) within the same room as parents

Child from 12 – up = 100% Adult`s cost. Private Bed (extra Bed) within the same room as parents