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Cambodia tour, Cambodia tours at Cambodiatraveltours.net

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Intro: In a nut shell, there are perhaps three reasons why Cambodia is the new top destination in Southeast Asia.

Intro: In a nut shell, there are perhaps three reasons why Cambodia is the new top destination in Southeast Asia. One it sounds pretty adventurous and still is to a degree, second it's close to Thailand and finally it contains one of the greatest wonders in the world - Angkor. Beaches such those around Kompong Som (aka. Sihanoukville) are below par against the high regional standard, better in Thailand and less crowded in South Vietnam (although some of the surrounding areas are very beautiful). Getting around can be a major a pain (in the arse - literary in most cases) and there is not too much to do of real interest that the rest of Asia (outside SE Asia) can't offer. However, few places in the world rival Angkor and it alone is motivation enough to head to Cambodia.

Highlights: The temples of Angkor and learning something about the country's murderous past.

Lowlights: Road travel, package type tourists and massive development at Angkor and new 'I am the hardest traveller' type backpacker crowds. The jury is out on Sihanoukville (Cambodia's beach destination). A bizarre little place. Just a line of beach bars all offering pretty much the same thing. The cleanliness of the water is very questionable, but is to tempting to resist. Location certainly isn't idyllic, but is fun to relax for a couple of days. As with all of Cambodia's tourist hot spots, quite a bit of hassle.

Dangers: Nowadays, you're not really likely to get blown up sticking to the tourist trail, but do take care the country still has thousands of undiscovered landmines. The north and east can be lawless if you spend the days getting there. Watch out for sun-burn riding on the roof of the boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Bag snatching continues to be a problem in Phnom Penh. Visa strategy:

Available on arrival or easily arranged in Bangkok, were the cheapest agencies who will do the leg work for you are quoting around THB1000 plus one ID photo. A one month visa starts from date of issue. A 45 days visa can also be obtained for the same price but in 2 working days. It seems however possible to have the 45 day visa starting later than the date of issue. The cost at the Embassy (254 6630, just north of Lumphini Park on Ratchadamri Rd) is about $20-25 (you are required to return the next day or same day ($9 extra)). This embassy is usually busy and open for applications from 9 to 11am only.

In an effort to boost tourism, you can now also apply for a single entry tourist e-visa on line, by filling out a form and paying by credit card. You'll need a JPEG or GIF photo and won't be able to use an e-visa on every crossing point. More details here.

There are now six full international border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand; all are open 07:00-20:00 and Visa on Arrival is available at every single one, official tourist visa price is US$20 (you have to pay in USD notes to get this price) but in practice you're likely to have to pay more in Baht notably at Poipet and Koh Kong where officials like to inflate the price. At the airports of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, the cost is US$20 plus 2 photos. See Laos for Cambodia to Laos border crossing details.

Hot/cold, wet and dry: Normally very hot, avoid May-July. Christmas is the best and most crowded time to visit weather wise.

Typical tourist trail: From Bangkok to Siem Reap which is the gateway town for Angkor, then by boat to the capital Phnom Penh (PP) and sometimes onto the coast, often onto Saigon/HCMC (or the reverse).

Costs: Cambodia is cheap. Nonetheless, it is getting more expensive in places and there some foreigner pricing (for example would be the boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap), coupled with the entrance pass to Angkor (around $40 three days, $60 for longer (still worth every penny) - but this is bound to rise) costs do mount up. With the great in flux of tourists more and more western treats are found for sale. However a can of diet coke in the jungle won't be any cheaper than in a pricey corner store in your home country despite the fact Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia. Away from the beaten track life gets very cheap, but quality drops like a stone. On the whole certainly cheaper than Thailand, perhaps more expensive than Nepal/Laos. Hotels are good value. Consider US$20-30 per day excluding entry fees.

Money: You can now find a few international ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, but it is advisable to take cash - USD or THB. Traveller cheques can be cashed with normal ease when in either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. If heading away from larger cities, stick with cash. USDs are widely accepted.

Guide book: Lonely Planet widely used, good Angkor section, available for around US$10 in Siem Reap, but not really needed. Other good just Angkor guides available on site; an outstanding guidebook for Angkor is "Ancient Angkor - by Michael Freeman and Claude Jacques" very informative with suggested itineraries, tips for the best places for sunrise and sunset, and easy to follow to navigate the ruins on your own . The local kids all sell copies of the guide books - well worth the investment!
For a full list of regional guides and other reading please click here.

People vibe:

Locals: Smiling, friendly locals, who have learnt to say 'one dollar' very quickly. This 'give me your American money' attitude can jade experiences - similar to when tourists first came en mass to Vietnam. After all Cambodia is a notable poor country with 50% of the population living on less than a dollar a day.

Other travellers: Lots of package type tourists and Japanese at Angkor. Quite a lot of want-to-be hardcore backpackers with a supercilious attitude towards others who really seem to think they are doings something cool and different. Please, this is South East Asia!

Tourist factor: 7/10, at Angkor expect big crowds

Getting around: Take boats wherever possible, roads on the whole are some of the worst in the region, if not the world. Ferries are normally safe, but overloading can be a problem. Boat traffic is generally frequent enough that at least one boat a day departs for most destinations. However, the three main routes to Phnom Penh (from Siem Reap, Sisophon, and Sihanoukville) are all sealed and in good condition and over the past few years there has been many improvements on other roads, (Phnom Penh to Battambang - 3.5 hours / Phnom Penh to Siem Reap - 5-6 hours). Most other roads are unpaved dirt, most in abysmal condition. The only passenger train travels very slowly from Phnom Penh to Battambang every other day.

Getting there: If you have the spare cash it's recommended to fly in and out of the country (unless you're a sucker for punishment, but note the international departure tax is quite pricey). From Bangkok, KL and Singapore, there are now daily or almost daily flights direct to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. For those who can't/won't afford the luxury of a plane many tourist geared mini-buses operate from the Ko San Road. Although much, much better than in previous years the road from Thailand is still in a bad state. For full details of road transport from Bangkok to Cambodia, you are directed to the excellent detail and images on the Tales of Asia site. Either way, getting to see Angkor is now very easy. The downside is of course tourist numbers compared to the 90's have gone through the roof.

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<h1>Cambodia tour, Cambodia tours at Cambodiatraveltours.net</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Dinh Trung.aspx'>Dinh Trung</a> Intro: In a nut shell, there are perhaps three reasons why Cambodia is the new top destination in Southeast Asia. One it sounds pretty adventurous and still is to a degree, second it's close to Thailand and finally it contains one of the greatest wonders in the world - Angkor. Beaches such those around Kompong Som (aka. Sihanoukville) are below par against the high regional standard, better in Thailand and less crowded in South Vietnam (although some of the surrounding areas are very beautiful). Getting around can be a major a pain (in the arse - literary in most cases) and there is not too much to do of real interest that the rest of Asia (outside SE Asia) can't offer. However, few places in the world rival Angkor and it alone is motivation enough to head to Cambodia.

Highlights: The temples of  Angkor and learning something about the country's  murderous past.

Lowlights: Road travel, package type tourists and massive development at Angkor and new 'I am the hardest traveller' type backpacker crowds. The jury is out on Sihanoukville (Cambodia's beach destination). A bizarre little place. Just a line of beach bars all offering pretty much the same thing. The cleanliness of the water is very questionable, but is to tempting to resist. Location certainly isn't idyllic, but is fun to relax for a couple of days. As with all of Cambodia's tourist hot spots, quite a bit of hassle.

Dangers: Nowadays, you're not really likely to get blown up sticking to the tourist trail, but do take care the country still has thousands of undiscovered landmines. The north and east can be lawless if you spend the days getting there. Watch out for sun-burn riding on the roof of the boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Bag snatching continues to be a problem in Phnom Penh.	 Visa strategy:

Available on arrival or easily arranged in Bangkok, were the cheapest agencies who will do the leg work for you are quoting around THB1000 plus one ID photo. A one month visa starts from date of issue. A 45 days visa can also be obtained for the same price but in 2 working days. It seems however possible to have the 45 day visa starting later than the date of issue. The cost at the Embassy (254 6630, just north of Lumphini Park on Ratchadamri Rd) is about $20-25 (you are required to return the next day or same day ($9 extra)). This embassy is usually busy and open for applications from 9 to 11am only.

In an effort to boost tourism, you can now also apply for a single entry tourist e-visa on line, by filling out a form and paying by credit card. You'll need a JPEG or GIF photo and won't be able to use an e-visa on every crossing point. More details here.

There are now six full international border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand; all are open 07:00-20:00 and Visa on Arrival is available at every single one, official tourist visa price is US$20 (you have to pay in USD notes to get this price) but in practice you're likely to have to pay more in Baht notably at Poipet and Koh Kong where officials like to inflate the price. At the airports of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, the cost is US$20 plus 2 photos. See Laos for Cambodia to Laos border crossing details.

Hot/cold, wet and dry: Normally very hot, avoid May-July. Christmas is the best and most crowded time to visit weather wise.

Typical tourist trail: From Bangkok to Siem Reap which is the gateway town for Angkor, then by boat to the capital Phnom Penh (PP) and sometimes onto the coast, often onto Saigon/HCMC (or the reverse).

Costs: Cambodia is cheap. Nonetheless, it is getting more expensive in places and there some foreigner pricing (for example would be the boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap), coupled with the entrance pass to Angkor (around $40 three days, $60 for longer (still worth every penny) - but this is bound to rise) costs do mount up. With the great in flux of tourists more and more western treats are found for sale. However a can of diet coke in the jungle won't be any cheaper than in a pricey corner store in your home country despite the fact Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia. Away from the beaten track life gets very cheap, but quality drops like a stone. On the whole certainly cheaper than Thailand, perhaps more expensive than Nepal/Laos. Hotels are good value. Consider US$20-30 per day excluding entry fees.

Money: You can now find a few international ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, but it is advisable to take cash - USD or THB. Traveller cheques can be cashed with normal ease when in either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. If heading away from larger cities, stick with cash. USDs are widely accepted.

Guide book: Lonely Planet widely used, good Angkor section, available for around US$10 in Siem Reap, but not really needed. Other good just Angkor guides available on site; an outstanding  guidebook for Angkor is "Ancient Angkor - by Michael Freeman and Claude Jacques" very informative with suggested itineraries, tips for the best places for sunrise and sunset, and easy to follow to navigate the ruins on your own . The local kids all sell copies of the guide books - well worth the investment!
For a full list of regional guides and other reading please click here.

People vibe:

Locals: Smiling, friendly locals, who have learnt to say 'one dollar' very quickly. This 'give me your American money' attitude can jade experiences - similar to when tourists first came en mass to Vietnam. After all Cambodia is a notable poor country with 50% of the population living on less than a dollar a day.

Other travellers: Lots of package type tourists and Japanese at Angkor. Quite a lot of want-to-be hardcore backpackers with a supercilious attitude towards others who really seem to think they are doings something cool and different. Please, this is South East Asia!

Tourist factor: 7/10, at Angkor expect big crowds

Getting around: Take boats wherever possible, roads on the whole are some of the worst in the region, if not the world. Ferries are normally safe, but overloading can be a problem. Boat traffic is generally frequent enough that at least one boat a day departs for most destinations. However, the three main routes to Phnom Penh (from Siem Reap, Sisophon, and Sihanoukville) are all sealed and in good condition and over the past few years there has been many improvements on other roads, (Phnom Penh to Battambang - 3.5 hours / Phnom Penh to Siem Reap - 5-6 hours). Most other roads are unpaved dirt, most in abysmal condition. The only passenger train travels very slowly from Phnom Penh to Battambang every other day.

Getting there: If you have the spare cash it's recommended to fly in and out of the country (unless you're a sucker for punishment, but note the international departure tax is quite pricey). From Bangkok, KL and Singapore, there are now daily or almost daily flights direct to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. For those who can't/won't afford the luxury of a plane many tourist geared mini-buses operate from the Ko San Road. Although much, much better than in previous years the road from Thailand is still in a bad state. For full details of road transport from Bangkok to Cambodia, you are directed to the excellent detail and images on the Tales of Asia site. Either way, getting to see Angkor is now very easy. The downside is of course tourist numbers compared to the 90's have gone through the roof.About the Author: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cambodiatraveltours.net" title="Cambodia tours" rel="dofollow">Cambodia tours</a> - <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cambodiatraveltours.net" title="Cambodia tour" rel="dofollow">Cambodia tour</a> : http://www.cambodiatraveltours.net Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Cambodia-tour-Cambodia-tours-at-Cambodiatraveltoursnet_116677.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Cambodia tour, Cambodia tours at Cambodiatraveltours.net_116677.aspx</a>

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