Cambodia family vacations: jungle escapades and ancient temples

During my time in Cambodia, I enjoyed evenings at a local restaurant with friends and their children, where we would fully embrace this beautiful nation's welcoming culture and delicious cuisine. The wait staff was more than willing to watch the kids as they raced about the restaurant's patio while the grownups appreciated the flavorful regional dishes. The kids would play football or other unscheduled activities with the wait staff while we were eating. This is typical for the course in Cambodia; kids are never a problem. Including this charming Cambodian culture in your Cambodia travel guide will enhance your vacation to the country.

Family rooms and rooms with linked doors are typical in Cambodian hotels, reflecting this mentality. Thanks to your knowledgeable guides, Tours may be entertaining and educational for kids and stimulating for grownups. Traveling nationwide with a driver and directions allows you to see everything at your speed.

A note on how to travel

Hiring a private vehicle and driver is the way in Cambodia since automobile rentals are only available to anyone possessing a Cambodian passport. The convenience of having a driver who is familiar with the area allows you to stop whenever you choose.

Siem Reap

Despite having an international airport, this market town has maintained its village atmosphere and expanded substantially over the years because of its closeness to the Angkor temples. To beat temple weariness, spend a day exploring the local markets and taking in the constant bustle along the Siem Reap River's banks. Siem Reap is primarily a gateway to the surrounding attractions, but you will only spend a little time there.

The temples of Angkor

Angkor complex's prang, or tiers of towers, stand above the forest only ten minutes from Siem Reap. At its heart is Angkor Wat, Earth's most considerable religious structure.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Thom

Our guide was an integral aspect of our family's Angkor Wat trip. As he explained the temples' significance and background to the adults, he led the kids on a treasure hunt, telling them to find things in nature and pointing out features in the sculptures.

The best part about visiting the temple is touching the sculptures inside. Additionally, you may ascend the tallest, bulbous tower, which may seem impossible from afar. The steep climb is better left to older kids, but I've been up there more than once as an adult, and I still find it thrilling each time. At the peak, you can see for miles into the distance, not just the temple below but also the forest and rivers below.

Angkor Thom

The former Khmer capital, Angkor Thom, is now in ruins, but five gigantic gates to the Bayon temple protect it. The temple's towers have approximately 200 Buddha faces, each smiling from the rock. Our tour guide filled us in on the history of the temple and its former worshippers by describing the scenes depicted in the bas-relief sculptures.

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm

Angkor has three significant temples, and Ta Prohm rounds off the set. Its appearances in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Tomb Raider have helped boost its profile. Unlike Angkor Wat, it has been almost unchanged since its rediscovery in the late 1800s, even down to the strangler fig tree roots that crawl over the masonry. The walls are covered with creepy-crawly spring-green moss, and the hallways are littered with broken pieces of stone. The place exudes an air of mystery and eerieness as the trees above play with the sunlight. I must admit that I felt a twinge of Indiana Jones the first time I came here.

I recommend visiting these sites around dawn or sunset to avoid the crowds and get the finest light for photography.

Outlying temples

There are a lot of crowded temples in Angkor, but if you take the time to see some of the outlying temples, you won't have to worry about that. The following temples are within a half-hour drive of Angkor; it will take you at least that long to tour them all.

Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea

Scrambling through Beng Mealea will transport you to 19th-century France, when French explorers first saw the temple. Nature has taken over completely, with thick vines pushing through the stones.

Beng Mealea is also huge and encircled by a deep moat; it has the same layout as Angkor Wat. The ground is covered with scattered stones, and the trees have grown into the structure in some spots.

Kbal Spean

There is no way to reach Kbal Spean. This mountain temple is accessible only after a half-hour hike through the forest with the help of an odd Hindu sculpture.

As you cross the Stung Kbal Spean River, you'll come across a naturally occurring sandstone bridge adorned with linga, Hindu symbols representing heavenly energy, and depictions of deities. The locals consider it a fertility temple. My guide informed me as we ascended to the site. The water is blessed with fertility as it flows into Siem Reap, infused with good energy as it passes over the linga.

Banteay Srei

I concur with my guide, who discussed Banteay Srei as the Angkor Art Gallery. Despite its miniature size, this temple site enthralled me upon closer inspection.

Intricate elephants and fantastical animals creeping over the walls are just a few examples of exquisite carvings that need careful inspection. Columns of symmetrical pillars and fluted filigree frame each item. Male guardians, known as dvarapalas, and female spirits, known as apsaras, guard the doorways.

Phare Circus

Phare Circus, Siem Reap

The Phare Circus in Siem Reap uses acrobatics, dance, and music to portray the tale of Cambodia. Phare Ponleu Selpak is a nonprofit organization that trains underprivileged children and adults in the performing arts and runs the circus.

I suggest getting there early to sample the handmade ice cream at the circus café before the hour-long performances—which take place under a swaying circus tent.

Family-friendly food tour of Siem Reap

If you're familiar with the area, dining on Cambodian cuisine might be an adventure. I recommend going with a local passionate about cuisine to show you the best restaurants in Siem Reap. To sample some unusual fruits, such as dragon fruit, longans, and the stinky durian, you'll go to Psar Chas (Old Market) in the late afternoon.

Market stall, Siem Reap

Featuring kid-friendly fare, you'll stop by mom-and-pop eateries and food stands to sample dishes like ho mok, a fragrant coconut curry, and sach ko ang jakak, a famous street snack.

Family-friendly hotels in Siem Reap

The Shinta Mani Shack is perfect for families because of its linked rooms, friendly staff, and thoughtful details like poolside ice cream deliveries.

A seven-course Khmer tasting menu is available in addition to continental fare. The cooks are also more than willing to accommodate special requests. With its convenient location in the heart of the French Quarter, this hotel offers easy access to the Old Market and Royal Gardens.

Kratie

Irrawaddy dolphins, Kratie

Kratie is a tiny hamlet on the banks of the Mekong River, about four hours east of Siem Reap. It might be a convenient pit stop on the way to or from Siem Reap, but it also deserves a visit.

Irrawaddy dolphins congregate in the area because of the river's depth. You may go on a boat ride in the morning hoping to see them; they often swim nearby, sometimes raising their heads out of the water. This local endangered species will benefit from your donation toward conservation efforts.

Family-friendly hotels in Kratie

Rajabori Villas are a cluster of traditional Khmer-style stilted villas situated on the little island of Koh Trong. On-site amenities include a pool and a modest restaurant.

You may rent bicycles and pedals around the island, home to little fishing villages and trees bearing exotic fruits. The island's unreliable power supply and one tuk-tuk driver give it a small-town vibe.

Sen Monorom

Cambodia Rural Life

It takes four hours to travel from Kratie to Sen Monorom, the capital of Montulkiri province, which is on the border with Vietnam. It is the most populous province in Cambodia, although the pace of life here is leisurely and rustic. Waterfalls and the sites of minority settlements dot the steep terrain, mostly a mosaic of tropical woods and pine forests.

The Elephant Valley Project and the Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment (E.L.I.E.) are listed here. Elephant trekking is a popular question, but E.L.I.E. provides a natural experience while helping elephants. Domestic elephants are rescued and prepared for reintroduction into the wild as part of this conservation effort.

You will be greeted by a project representative who will tour you. We encourage the elephants to act generally by extending E.L.I.E. across a vast stretch of densely forested jungle.

You won't find any stunts or shows here. Instead, you'll trek into the woods to see the elephant herd as they meander through the underbrush. While it is possible to see elephants coming up to say hello, it is not assured, and the main point is to see the creatures in their habitat.

In addition to providing medical treatment and education, E.L.I.E. also helps the local Bunong people. Native to Mondulkiri, the Bunong live in small, close-knit communities. When my guide and I visited a few communities, we were welcomed with open arms. The kids in the community welcome visiting kids and let them play with them.

Unwinding with loved ones in Koh Kong, Cambodia

4 Rivers Floating Lodge, Koh Kong

The 4 Rivers Floating Lodge is located in the heart of the rainforest on a bend in the Tatai River in the province of Koh Kong, which is in the southwest of Cambodia and is known for its beachfronts.

Guests may enjoy a stay in safari-style tents with sun decks on platforms above the water after a boat voyage from a dock upriver in Tatai Village, accessible by a four-hour drive from Phnom Penh.

Paddleboards are available at each resort so guests may explore the river and mangrove forests in the area. One night, while paddling, I saw a swarm of fireflies illuminating a single tree like a string of fairy lights. Several secluded spots exist to relax and swim in tranquil, protected waters.

While families seeking more adventure may explore the lush Cardamom Mountains, this place is perfect for those who like to kick back and relax. You may discover secret glades and waterfalls with the help of the hotel's guides as they lead you down paths deep into the jungle. This rainforest is the second-largest in mainland Southeast Asia.

Phnom Penh

The journey to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, from Koh Kong takes about five hours by car. I recommend spending a few days here to round off your vacation unless time is of the essence; in that case, you may fly home immediately.

Perched on the banks of the Mekong, this city bustles with the constant flow of river traffic, all framed by the spires of temples and buildings dating back to the French colonial era.

Royal Palace's

The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum are popular destinations for travelers interested in the Khmer Rouge. Unfortunately, the displays are somewhat graphic so I wouldn't suggest them for small children. However, our professionals can advise whether these exhibitions suit knowledgeable teens.

Alternatively, a visit to the Royal Palace is a great experience. The palace, which serves as King Sihamoni's formal home, is an aesthetically pleasing complex of buildings with Khmer roofs and well-kept grounds. Sitting atop a massive pyramid of gilded platforms and altars, the Emerald Buddha (though it is probably made of jade, according to the name) resides in the Silver Pagoda on the complex's southern side.

You'll see the Emerald Buddha adorned in woven gold garments corresponding to the season whenever you come. The statue is surrounded by many luminous figures, one of which is a life-size solid-gold Buddha adorned with diamonds and weighing 90 kg (14 stone).

Visiting Kien Svay for a picnic by the riverfront is an ancient Khmer ritual you should try if you have a weekend in Phnom Penh. Kien Svay is a small village on the banks of the Mekong River, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of the city. There are bamboo platforms across the river that are designated for picnics. By the water's edge, I've spent many an afternoon lounging in a hammock attached to one of the platforms.

Kids may run around and play in the open area, and you can buy fruit and milkshakes from local vendors. Among the options are spiky durians—a fruit so stinky it's typically barred from hotels—slices of jackfruit (related to the fig), and scarlet rambutans—fruits that resemble more fish than fruits.

Eating with your family in Cambodia

Fruit stall, Phnom Penh

Cambodia has diverse cuisines to explore, and most hotels include complimentary continental breakfasts. Local cuisine is usually primary, well-cooked, and seldom spicy; there are many options for kids to sample. Amok, a mild and creamy curry often served on a banana leaf, and beef lok lak, a stew with rice and eggs, are staples at every restaurant.

Those with a daringer palate may get deep-fried insects and spiders. Skun is a little village on the road south from Kralie to Phnom Penh, where you may see vendors grilling spiders on streetside grills. Surprisingly good, albeit I can't put my finger on a flavor profile to describe them.

Prahok is a fermented fish dish that the locals highly regard; even if you're not a fan of fish, you should taste it simply for its aroma. My guide shared my disbelief about the Western obsession with blue cheese; I just don't get it.