Temple-free Experiences at Angkor
With a plethora of interesting activities to complement its selection of fine boutique hotels and memorable restaurants,
there has never been a better time to visit (or re-visit!) Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor. If you are easily
‘templed out’, we have listed some alternative activities which you may like to try to mix up your experience in the Siem
Reap area.
Kulen Elephant Forest: The Kulen Elephant Forest was created to offer former working elephants, largely used in the
tourism industry, a relaxed environment in which to live out their later years while continuing to generate enough income
to pay for their welfare and upkeep. Kulen Elephant Forest is located around 40km from Siem Reap near the foothills of
Phnom Kulen and takes about one hour to reach. Afternoon visit to the Kulen Elephant Forest: On this experience you will
be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Kulen Elephant Forest for a half-day program with the resident elephants.
Set off on a 15-minute community forest walk to get into the sanctuary, which is accessed by a long bamboo walkway.
The 14 elephants resident here are free to roam within a large protected area of 1100 acres. Activities include walking
with the herd through the forest, watching them bathe in the onsite lake or river and some feeding activities. This is
operated on a small group excursion with no more than 12 visitors.
Cambodia's HeroRATs: Visit the APOPO Visitor Centre in Siem Reap to learn about Cambodia's HeroRATs. Landmines
and UXO in Cambodia have had a devastating effect on the population. Stopping here today will allow you to understand
more about this situation and the steps being taken to eradicate them. APOPO has trained the highly sensitive,
almost-blind Gambian giant pouched rats (fondly nicknamed HeroRATs) to sniff explosives, which dramatically speeds up
the detection of mines in the countryside. The rats, along with some HeroDOGs (Belgian Malinois), are currently clearing
landmines in Siem Reap province. Your tour will take less than an hour and include a short video and a chance to see the
rats in action as they show their skills in an example minefield-area.
Kayaking on Lake Tonle Sap: Lake Tonle Sap, the Kampot River and the Mekong combined, offer a plethora of kayaking
opportunities. If submerging yourself in local life is for you then our Kayaking on Lake Tonle Sap experience will allow you
to paddle through floating villages, and witness local life on the river, including watching the local fisherman at work,
casting their nets. Or if you prefer early morning bird watching, then the mangroves and wide estuarine waters of the
Tuek Chhou River would be a great spot for kayaking. Alternatively, for something a bit ‘extra special’, you could head
to the Dolphin pools of Northern Cambodia where you will have a peaceful experience, away from the tourist boats, to
appreciate these creatures up close.
Hot Air Balloon at Sunrise: You will be collected from your hotel around 5am and driven to the take-off site which will
depend on wind directions. Take in the wonderful atmosphere of flying over the magnificent temples of Angkor, with the
tropical sun rising in the background. The flight will be around 30 - 60 minutes in duration.
Morning cooking class at Sala Kdei: Discover the secrets of Khmer cuisine with a special Cambodian cooking class in
a private house within the Angkor Archaeological Complex. Start from your hotel at 8am with a visit to one of the local
markets to learn about local produce and ingredients. Following this, continue to Sala Kdei, a traditional wooden house
in a peaceful location outside Siem Reap and learn how to prepare some of the kingdom’s best loved dishes including a
delectable fish amok. The class is run by an expert local chef, and you get to enjoy your creations for lunch.
Full day tour to Prek Toal Biosphere: Depart Siem Reap very early this morning at 5.30am travel to the pristine
biosphere of Prek Toal, home to some of the most endangered birdlife on the planet. Travel by boat from Phnom Krom
to Prek Toal and enjoy breakfast along the way. The immense Tonle Sap Lake is one of the most productive bodies of
water in the world and millions of fish spawn here in the flooded forest. Prek Toal lies on the northeastern shore of the
Tonle Sap, about one hour by boat from the port at Phnom Krom. Prek Toal is a vast area of natural flooded forest that
draws thousands of birds annually to breed during the dry season. This is one of the premier places in Southeast Asia
to see rare birds such as storks, adjutants, pelicans and ibis. Birdwatchers will drift through their habitat and can observe
large flocks of birds feeding on the lake shore, perched in the trees or soaring above the forest. The morning is spent
birdwatching on a traditional wooden boat gliding through the flooded forest with local specialists. After a local lunch,
experience local life in the floating village, learning about different fishing techniques and traditional water hyacinth
weaving. Return to your hotel in Siem Reap late afternoon.
Arts & crafts: A wave of ‘Khmer-cool’ has arrived in Siem Reap and at the heart of this is Kandal Village, home to around
25 cafés, shops and galleries and just a short walk from the centre of town. For a more in-depth experience we can
arrange for you to see an artisan at work at one of the Artisans d’Angkor workshops.
Birding tour of Ang Trapaeng Thmor Sarus Crane Reserve: At 5.30am this morning you will be met at your hotel,
and transferred to Ang Trapaeng Thmor Sarus Crane Reserve, a journey of around 90 minutes. As the name suggests
this is a vitally important place for Sarus Cranes, the tallest and most elegant of Cambodia’s waterbirds. Between January
and the end of March we see up to 350 of these majestic birds as they forage in fields around the man-made reservoir
during the dry season. It is one of our favourite places to go birdwatching as there can always be something unexpected
amongst the many waterbirds. Previously sightings include Black-necked Stork, Greater Spotted Eagle and, during March
and April, Oriental Plover. After bird watching at the reservoir all morning visit the traditional Khmer village of Phnom Sok,
where we can see silk being woven on a traditional loom. This provides additional income for the village and the items
produced are of exceptional quality. After lunch explore more birding sites including Dry Deciduous Forest, home to a
population of Eld’s Deer, reputed to have once fed armies across Asia but now endangered and at risk of extinction.
Later this afternoon return to your hotel in Siem Reap.
Tuk Tuk foodie tour: Take an insider tour of the most interesting art, dining and drinking establishments by private
tuk tuk. You will experience starters, tapas, mains and dessert at handpicked bars & restaurants around town. You can
choose from various offered routes, including ‘Good Cause’ which explores Siem Reaps most socially responsible venues
or the ‘Fine Dining’ route will leave you brushing shoulders with well respected chefs who will cook the most premium,
authentic dishes. See our ‘Tuk-tuk Foodie & Art Tour’ for more information.
Angkor Zip Lining: The ‘Angkor Wat Archaeological Park’ zip line experience, is an absolute must for thrill seekers.
Zoom through the rainforest canopy on a 21 zip-line course with sky bridges and abseils along the way. A unique and
thrilling way to experience the jungle!
Phare - the Cambodian Circus: For an entertaining evening head to Siem Reap's big top to watch Phare, the Cambodian
Circus. Be astounded at the mix of traditional Cambodian dance and modern entertainment. There are nine performances
themed around different topics, including the light-hearted ‘Same Same but Different’ which takes a look at the contrasts
between Western and Khmer lifestyles, and 'Sokha' which tells the tale of a young girl growing up during the Khmer Rouge
regime. At the end of the performance you are welcomed on stage to meet and chat with the performers. All profits go to
Phare Ponleu Selpak social projects, which fund an art centre where disadvantaged youth have the opportunity to study
performing and visual arts and gain employment. A number of artists have gone on to perform in shows around the world.
This is a superb evening experience recommended for adults and children alike.
