Easier Travel
28 March 2008
There is little doubt that, in recent years, Cambodia has become one of the world’s “hottest” destinations – winning several accolades, such as “Favourite Long Haul Country” at the prestigious Guardian Travel Awards in 2007.
However, this gem of a country still has a number of hidden secrets and there is only one tour operator - leading Asia specialist, Travel Indochina - able to unlock them!
With an opportunity denied to other visitors, Travel Indochina’s knowledgeable tour guides are able to gain exclusive access, for their customers, to the eastern entrance of the mesmerising Angkor Wat – where a “once in a lifetime” experience awaits them. Participants in the 7-day “Inside Cambodia” small group journey, will have a unique opportunity to approach this “wonder” of the world via a short tuk tuk ride, before a torch-lit approach through the sheer darkness of Angkor’s jungle enables them to soak up the atmosphere of dawn in time to watch the sun rise over the temple – one of the world’s most breathtaking spectacles!
Having witnessed this beautiful vista from the edge of one of the ancient library pools, the “Inside Cambodia” guide will lead the group deep into the central chambers and upper terraces of the world’s largest sacred monument. A ride in a fixed cable balloon enables customers to view the marvel below from a height of 200 metres, where the sheer scale of the Angkor Wat and the incredible realisation of the ancient Khmer civilisation become apparent.
Unlike with other tour operators, Travel Indochina’s customers also benefit from the rare treat of being taken to some of the more remote, yet equally enchanting, temples outside the Angkor Thom city. A breathtakingly scenic ride through Cambodian countryside will lead to the unforgettable King Suryavarman II’s eleventh century Boeng Mealea Temple – a prototype for its more famous neighbour. Isolated during Cambodia’s civil war, Boeng Mealea was under the control of the Khmer Rouge for decades and stands almost forgotten in the jungle, despite being the largest temple outside the main Angkor complex.
Although the temples of Siem Reap often dominate the Cambodian itinerary of most tour operators, Travel Indochina recognises the interest and appeal of Cambodia’s other treasures, which often get overlooked by the attractions associated with its ancient history. As General Manager, Chris Orme, explains: “We pride ourselves in offering tours which enable our customers to experience the diversity of Cambodia – whether this be a visit to the ancient temples, a cyclo tour around the constantly self-reinventing city of Phnom Penh or an invigorating massage from one of the country’s renowned blind masseurs.”
“Inside Cambodia” group members are taken on a dusk cyclo (local pedi-cab) tour of Phnom Penh’s tree-lined boulevards, passing pagodas, markets and crumbling colonial buildings on the way. A truly unforgettable experience. For those travellers with energy to spare, there is also the chance for self-exploration of this intriguing city – perhaps including a visit to the highly-recommended “Friends” restaurant.
Not only does this restaurant offer food to tempt any palate, it is run by former street youths in training as part of a programme for street children, their families and the community. All profits generated go back into the Friends’ programme and students are rewarded an income.
For the less adventurous, there’s an opportunity to indulge in the ultimate luxury – a massage from one of Cambodia’s famous blind masseurs. Relax, unwind and get completely lost in the atmosphere of this enchanting country, before further exploration as a new day dawns.
Prices for the 7-day “Inside Cambodia” small group journey start from £550 per person and include accommodation, all road transportation, all sightseeing, Western tour leader and local English-speaking guides, arrival and departure transfers and a daily breakfast and one lunch.
Travel Indochina has 15 years’ experience in operating small group journeys to “the real” Asia and unlike many other travel companies limits its group size to a maximum of 15 people. The smaller groups enable travellers to gain the best from both worlds - greater access to the local culture and plenty of opportunities for independent exploration.
For more information, visit Travelindochina.co.uk.
28 March 2008
There is little doubt that, in recent years, Cambodia has become one of the world’s “hottest” destinations – winning several accolades, such as “Favourite Long Haul Country” at the prestigious Guardian Travel Awards in 2007.
However, this gem of a country still has a number of hidden secrets and there is only one tour operator - leading Asia specialist, Travel Indochina - able to unlock them!
With an opportunity denied to other visitors, Travel Indochina’s knowledgeable tour guides are able to gain exclusive access, for their customers, to the eastern entrance of the mesmerising Angkor Wat – where a “once in a lifetime” experience awaits them. Participants in the 7-day “Inside Cambodia” small group journey, will have a unique opportunity to approach this “wonder” of the world via a short tuk tuk ride, before a torch-lit approach through the sheer darkness of Angkor’s jungle enables them to soak up the atmosphere of dawn in time to watch the sun rise over the temple – one of the world’s most breathtaking spectacles!
Having witnessed this beautiful vista from the edge of one of the ancient library pools, the “Inside Cambodia” guide will lead the group deep into the central chambers and upper terraces of the world’s largest sacred monument. A ride in a fixed cable balloon enables customers to view the marvel below from a height of 200 metres, where the sheer scale of the Angkor Wat and the incredible realisation of the ancient Khmer civilisation become apparent.
Unlike with other tour operators, Travel Indochina’s customers also benefit from the rare treat of being taken to some of the more remote, yet equally enchanting, temples outside the Angkor Thom city. A breathtakingly scenic ride through Cambodian countryside will lead to the unforgettable King Suryavarman II’s eleventh century Boeng Mealea Temple – a prototype for its more famous neighbour. Isolated during Cambodia’s civil war, Boeng Mealea was under the control of the Khmer Rouge for decades and stands almost forgotten in the jungle, despite being the largest temple outside the main Angkor complex.
Although the temples of Siem Reap often dominate the Cambodian itinerary of most tour operators, Travel Indochina recognises the interest and appeal of Cambodia’s other treasures, which often get overlooked by the attractions associated with its ancient history. As General Manager, Chris Orme, explains: “We pride ourselves in offering tours which enable our customers to experience the diversity of Cambodia – whether this be a visit to the ancient temples, a cyclo tour around the constantly self-reinventing city of Phnom Penh or an invigorating massage from one of the country’s renowned blind masseurs.”
“Inside Cambodia” group members are taken on a dusk cyclo (local pedi-cab) tour of Phnom Penh’s tree-lined boulevards, passing pagodas, markets and crumbling colonial buildings on the way. A truly unforgettable experience. For those travellers with energy to spare, there is also the chance for self-exploration of this intriguing city – perhaps including a visit to the highly-recommended “Friends” restaurant.
Not only does this restaurant offer food to tempt any palate, it is run by former street youths in training as part of a programme for street children, their families and the community. All profits generated go back into the Friends’ programme and students are rewarded an income.
For the less adventurous, there’s an opportunity to indulge in the ultimate luxury – a massage from one of Cambodia’s famous blind masseurs. Relax, unwind and get completely lost in the atmosphere of this enchanting country, before further exploration as a new day dawns.
Prices for the 7-day “Inside Cambodia” small group journey start from £550 per person and include accommodation, all road transportation, all sightseeing, Western tour leader and local English-speaking guides, arrival and departure transfers and a daily breakfast and one lunch.
Travel Indochina has 15 years’ experience in operating small group journeys to “the real” Asia and unlike many other travel companies limits its group size to a maximum of 15 people. The smaller groups enable travellers to gain the best from both worlds - greater access to the local culture and plenty of opportunities for independent exploration.
For more information, visit Travelindochina.co.uk.
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