Cambodia is a fascinating country with a tragic past and is now emerging as one of the must-visit destinations in South East Asia. With the world-renowned Angkor Wat being the country’s most visited destination, I thought I’d write a blog to try and shed a bit of light on a few of the less visited parts of the country.
In order to get the most of your trip, I’d suggest using the services of an experienced high- end tour operator. Through Exotic Voyages Cambodia luxury tours, you will have destination experts facilitating your trip from start to finish and basically take the hassle out of the tour organisation and ease the language barrier.
I have visited the 3 Cambodian destinations below and although touched by tourism, they have still retained their original character and have not become overrun with tour groups and the like.
- Kampot – Situated in Southern Cambodia, Kampot is best known for its pepper plantations and salt fields. Widely regarded as the best pepper in the world, Kampot pepper can be found in fine dining establishments across the world from Paris to Perth. With many buildings dating from the colonial era, this sleepy town is blessed with a charm that seems to emanate from a different time. For nature lovers, the Preah Monivong Bokor National Park is a must-visit area, with a cool climate and an abundance of flora and fauna, this park is good for a day trip or longer if your itinerary allows.
- Ratanakiri – Situated in the far north east of the country, Ratanakiri province is amongst the most isolated areas of Cambodia. Bordering Laos to the North and Vietnam to the east, this mountainous region is the least visited area in Cambodia, in part due to its remoteness. Occupied by the highland Khmer Loeu people, this region can be a very rewarding experience for those who make the effort to get there. If you are looking for a Cambodia that is as far removed from the 21st century as it possibly could be, this destination could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
- Koh Rong – Situated off the coast of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong has so far escaped the perils of mass tourism. Although a pristine beach, crystal clear waters and a relatively untouched jungle do attract some tourists, the island still retains a relaxed atmosphere where you can relax and unwind at your leisure. There is something of a party scene in some beach areas but with over 43 miles of coastline it’s easy to retreat from this if you want to.
So, there you have it, 3 destinations in Cambodia that are certainly not on the usual tourist trail. As Cambodia develops its tourism infrastructure, the destinations featured above will obviously develop as well. My recommendation would be to get there quickly before the big tour groups do, you won’t regret it and who knows you may find that perfect vacation spot you’ve always dreamed of.