Prices for- Cambodia Cultural Adventures

Cambodia Information

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Cambodia shares borders with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The country is dominated by two topographical features: the Mekong River and the Tonlé Sap (Great Lake). There are three mountainous areas: the south-west (Elephant and Cardamom mountains), along the northern border with Thailand (Dangkrek Mountains) and the north-east corner (Eastern Highlands). An estimated 75% of the total land area surrounding Tonlé Sap is fertile lowland. Much of the country is forested with tropical vegetation dominating the south-west mountains and mangrove forest lining the coast.

The climate is governed by two monsoons: the cool, dry north-eastern monsoon from November to March and the humid south-western monsoon from May to October. Average annual temperatures vary from 21 to 35°C (70 to 95°F).

Khmer architecture reached its zenith during the Angkorian era (seen in Angkor Wat and the structures of Angkor Thom). Many fine examples of Khmer sculpture can be found in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. Cambodia's classical dance is highly stylised and usually accompanied by an orchestra or choral narration.

Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion. Khmer is Cambodia's official language and can often prove difficult for foreigners. For over a century, the second language of choice was French, which is still spoken by many people who grew up before the 1970s. English has recently surged in popularity.

A Cambodian meal almost always includes a soup, which is eaten with the other courses. Fish is the nation's mainstay, and grilled freshwater fish, wrapped in lettuce or spinach and dipped into a nutty fish sauce, is a particular speciality. `Salad' dishes are flavoured with coriander, mint and lemon grass - three flavours which find their way into many Cambodian dishes. The French influence is seen in the bread, baked turtles and frogs legs which are sold in the markets. Sweet dishes include sticky rice cakes and jackfruit pudding. The most popular local drink is soda water with a squeeze of lemon.

The ideal months to be in Cambodia are December and January, when humidity is bearable and it's unlikely to rain. From February on it starts getting pretty hot, with April being unbearably so. The wet season (from April to October) is very wet, but can be a good time to visit Angkor, where the moats will be full and the foliage lush.

The celebrated temples of Angkor are Cambodia's greatest tourist attraction. The 100 or so temples are the sacred remains of what was once a much larger administrative and religious centre. The temples were built between the 9th and the 13th centuries to glorify a succession of Khmer kings. Most of Angkor was abandoned in the 15th century and the temples became cloaked by forest. The site became the source of scholarly interest in the late19th century after the publication of Voyage à Siam et dans le Cambodge by French naturalist Henri Mouhot. Efforts were undertaken to clear away the jungle vegetation that threatened to completely destroy the monuments, and restoration continues today.

Apart from Angkor Wat, two other magnificent temples to visit are the Bayon and Ta Prohm. Accommodation and food can be found in the town of Siem Reap, only a few km from the temples.

 Prices for- Cambodia Cultural Adventures