Leading Halal Tour Package and Travel Guide in Cambodia
Halal Tourism (Cambodia)
Phnom Penh, March 22rd, 2023 —
There is much more to Cambodia, the welcoming heart of Asia, than only the famed Angkor Wat temples, though.
This nation condenses all that Southeast Asia has to offer into a manageable size. It is ringed by stunning beaches and tropical islands, sustained by the Mekong River, shrouded in some of the region’s last remaining emerald wildernesses, and home to the ever-welcoming Khmers, whose contagious optimism makes a trip to Cambodia an adventure as much as a vacation. The top ten activities to do while you’re here are listed below.
1- Witness sunrise at Angkor Wat
Few experiences on earth can compare to the moment a visitor first sets eyes on Angkor Wat, the pinnacle of Khmer creativity. As a result, out of all the contestants at Angkor, the mother of all temples is the best place to watch the sunrise.
It is simply one of a kind, a remarkable synthesis of spirituality and symmetry, and a timeless illustration of humanity’s adherence to its gods. Consider arriving early to locate a more peaceful location and avoiding the crowds by using the “back door,” or eastern entrance. The sun rises directly over Angkor Wat’s central tower on the equinoxes in March and September, which is a very popular time to visit.
2- Walk with the herd at Elephant Valley Project
Visit the trailblazing “walking with the herd” project, which works directly with local mahouts to rehome their overworked or injured elephants, if you’re looking for an ethical and sustainable approach to observe these magnificent pachyderms. This 1500-hectare (3706-acre) sanctuary in Mondulkiri, northeastern Cambodia, is a superb method to promote long-term conservation in this outlying region. It functions as a sort of retirement home for elephants.
Elephant riding is completely forbidden in this area; instead, you can just walk beside the elephants and watch them in their natural habitat. Along the way, you get knowledge of the environment of the forest, native Bunong culture, and elephant behavior. Because of its high demand, reserve far in advance to avoid disappointment.
3- Ride the bamboo train in Battambang
The Battambang bamboo train, one of the world’s most unusual rail rides, has been the subject of numerous obituaries throughout the years, but despite the beginning of railway service on the route from Battambang to Phnom Penh and Poipet, it is still operating.
Each bamboo train, or “norry” in Khmer, is made up of a 3 m (10 ft) long wooden frame that is coated longitudinally in thin bamboo slats and supported by two barbell-shaped bogies that are connected to a small engine by belts. The famous Netflix series Travels With My Father provided an enjoyable experience for actor and comedian Jack Whitehall.
4- Spot freshwater dolphins at Kratie
The freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin, known in Khmer as the “trey pisaut,” is a rare species found only in dwindling numbers in Bangladesh, Burma, and Indonesian Borneo as well as small pockets along the Mekong in Cambodia and Laos.
Around 15 km (9 miles) north of Kratie, in the Mekong River, is Kampi Dolphin Pool, one of the best spots in the world to see these friendly cetaceans. The best way to get there is by boat; a kayaking journey will take you through remote sandbars and eerie flooded forests before ending at the dolphin pool, where you can get up close and personal with these stunning but endangered species without disturbing them with engine noise.
5- Paddleboard through the “Green Cathedral” in Kampot
On a stand-up paddleboard, the stunning Tuek Chhou River is the ideal place to explore (SUP). The river features some of the most breathtaking sunsets on the South Coast as it meanders past tiny palm-fringed islands, mangrove forests, and traditional fishing settlements in the shadow of Bokor National Park.
The “Green Cathedral,” a tiny waterway that forms a beautiful circuit through mangroves and aquatic palms and is popular with both domestic and foreign tourists, is home to numerous small guesthouses and resorts that serve as rest stations along the way. Paddleboards may be hired from numerous hotels and resorts, and it is about 4 km (2.5 miles) out of town on the river.
6- Go beachcombing on the island of Koh Rong
Koh Rong, one of Cambodia’s biggest islands, is surrounded by some of the most picturesque beaches in the nation. The longest uninterrupted beach on the island, Long Beach is a 7 km (4.3 mi) stretch of tropical pleasure that hugs Koh Rong’s western shore. It served as a significant setting for filming the well-known US television series Survivor and is still unexpectedly undeveloped for several kilometers.
On the south coast of Koh Rong, there is a beautiful expanse of sand known as Long Set Beach, which is also creatively referred to as 4km beach. There are a few hostels and small resorts here, but the area is still rather tranquil and connected to Koh Tuch and Natural Beaches by short roads.
7- Sign up for a Cambodian cooking class
Unlike the culinary colossi that are its neighbors Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is not that well known in international food circles. But Khmer cuisine is also pretty special, with a great variety of national dishes, all with a unique Cambodian twist.
To learn some tricks of the trade, sign up for a cooking course. This is a great way to introduce your Cambodian experience to your friends back home by knowing your teuk trey (fish sauce) from your prahok (fish paste). There are popular courses available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang and Kampot.
8- Spot rare water birds at Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary
Prek Toal is home to the best-known bird sanctuary in Cambodia. It’s an ornithologist’s fantasy, with a significant number of rare breeds gathered in one small area, including huge greater adjutants, milky storks and spot-billed pelicans.
During the peak season (December to February), visitors will find the concentration of birds like something out of a Hitchcock film. Even the uninitiated will be impressed, as these birds have a huge wingspan and build enormous nests. Trips to the sanctuary also bring you up close and personal with the fascinating floating village of Prek Toal, a bustling crossroads (…crossrivers?) between Siem Reap and Battambang, where everything from shops to schools floats on water.
9- Explore the remote temples of Preah Vihear
Take a road trip deep into Northern Cambodia to visit the most remote temples in the country, Preah Khan Kompong Svay, the largest jungle ruin in all of Cambodia, and the pyramid temple of Prasat Thom at Koh Ker. Preah Vihear is the king of the mountain temples and is stunningly perched atop the Dangrek Mountains.
Plan on spending a few days on these remote roads, some of which resemble the ancient Angkorian roadways, with a 4WD or, for those with experience, a dirt bike.
