Cambodia

Cambodia is not a large country but it has incredible landscapes, world famous sights, a patchwork of paddy fields and idyllic islands in the south. Despite all its attractions it remains refreshingly unexplored. Highlights include:

• Phnom Penh, the capital city with French influenced architecture. Situated on the banks of two rivers. Sites to see include the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom and the Tuol Sleng genocide museum.
• Siem Reap is best known as the gateway to the sprawling complex of ancient temples including Angkor Wat. The town itself has great restaurants, a laid back ambience and a growing creative sector.  
• No trip to Cambodia would be complete without a visit to the temples of Angkor. Reclaimed by the jungle for hundreds of years these magnificent temples still have an air of the lost world about them. Most breathtaking of all is Angkor Wat but Ta Prohm and Bayon are also a must see.  
• South Cardamon National Park is one of the country’s few remaining habitats for wild elephants, bears, gibbons and tigers. The landscape is one of rainforest clad mountains, waterfalls and pristine estuaries. Stay in river camps and floating lodges.
• Battambang is a laid back town with few signs of entering the 21st century and has some beautiful colonial buildings.
• South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake, Tonle Sap Lake,  drains into the Mekong River in the dry season but fills up in the wet season. Locals deal with this by building their houses on stilts. The lake is a premier birdwatching site.  
• The islands of the Koh Rang archipelago have white sand beaches, untouched jungle and protected reefs. Perfect for a few days at the end of a tour of Cambodia.
• Kep, on the south coast used to be known as the Cote d’Azur of Cambodia where the wealthy had their holiday homes. Now many of the crumbling old mansions are overgrown by creepers and are pock marked with bullet holes. Fantastic fresh seafood abounds.