Maximise Your Free Weekend: Our Top 5 Unmissable Things to Do in Cambodia
As our teams in Cambodia have just wrapped up their free weekend immersing themselves in Cambodian culture and seeing the sights around Battambang and Siem Reap, we thought there was no better time than to share with you our top 5 recommendations for your free weekend on one of our Cambodia Challenges!
Whether you are into culture and arts, enjoy being in the outdoors, or want to learn more about history, there is something to do for everyone!
1. Angkor Wat
Our best recommendation for your free weekend is to travel to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat. Siem Reap is approximately 3 hours from Battambang, so you would have to spend the weekend there to ensure you see everything Angkor Wat has to offer.
Angkor Wat is one of the most incredibly important archaeological sites in South East Asia, and the world's largest religious structure (covering 400 acres)! Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple complexes date back to the 12th century. The complexes contain the remains of various temples, including Angkor Wat itself, the Bayon Temple and Angkor Thom. The temples are covered in sculptural decorations and carvings that depict both Khmer architecture and Hindu symbolism and symmetry.
We recommend travelling to Siem Reap on the evening of your first Friday in Cambodia, staying the night in Siem Reap and joining a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples (we can help you choose your tour, your transport and your accommodation).
2. APOPO Cambodia
Another one for those in Siem Reap, and a personal favourite. The APOPO Foundation in Siem Reap! APOPO focuses on the research and implementation of rat technology for landmine detection! You heard that right, these incredible 'HeroRats' have been trained to detect landmines using their sense of smell and their lightweight, careful footing!
The rats aren't just any rats; they are African giant pouched rats, who are super adorable and even more hardworking! While the foundation works in Tanzania, Mozambique, Thailand, Angola and Cambodia, the foundation does incredible work in Cambodia, especially after the war that littered and devastated the country with landmines that still have consequences to this day!
The purpose of this rat technology is so that the rats can save lives by detecting land mines and returning the land safely to communities who used to live there. The foundation is known for its approach to humanitarian challenges, using low-tech and cost-effective solutions, and then ensuring the rats live long and happy lives after their service!
This one can't be missed. If you don't like rats, you will after visiting APOPO!
3. Phnom Kulen Waterfall
While spending the weekend exploring Siem Reap, you might consider cooling down in the Phnom Kulen Waterfall after a morning exploring Angkor Wat!
Located in the Phnom Kulen National Park, the waterfall offers stunning scenery and a refreshing escape, especially from the sun and heat in Cambodia! You can swim in the refreshing pools below the waterfall and explore the surroundings, which include some ancient temple remains.
There are two main waterfalls in the national park, with the bigger one being more commonly used for swimming, relaxing and even picnicking! These waterfalls are considered sacred sites, so be sure to dress appropriately and remain covered up even when swimming!
You can reach the waterfalls by travelling around 1.5 hours to the National Park north of Siem Reap. To enter the national park, you will need to pay approximately $30 (AUD), which covers the park entrance and the waterfall!
4. Indulge in the Khmer cuisine!
Whether you are staying in Battambang or venturing to Siem Reap, we highly recommend that you step out of your comfort zone and indulge in local Khmer cuisine! Whether you opt for a cooking class or simply explore the local streets, markets and restaurants in search of local food, you are sure to find a new favourite meal!
Amok is one of the most well-known Cambodian dishes, consisting of fish cooked with coconut milk and spicy vegetables, steamed in a banana leaf! You can also opt for a vegetarian option!
Kuy teav is another delicious dish, usually eaten for breakfast in Cambodia. Kuy Teav is a special rice noodle soup made with shrimp, pork and vegetables and is sometimes served over lettuce leaves! Top this with herbs, chillis and soy sauce, and you will be asking for seconds!
Another recommendation is Beef Lok Lak, where beef is cut into small cubes, marinated in a mixture of sauces, sautéed with red onion and pepper and then served with fresh lettuce!
Finally, Khmer Red Curry is a crowd favourite! It is a rich curry made with coconut milk, chicken, eggplant, potatoes and red curry paste called Kroeung. This curry is like the less spicy version of the commonly known Thai red curry!
If you feel like learning how to make these delicious meals to take home with you after your challenge, we recommend joining a cooking class to learn all of the tips and tricks. Or if you are like me, and cooking is not your forte, look out for restaurants and stalls that are selling these delicious meals!
Remember, to minimise the risk of getting sick, buy from restaurants and stalls that are busy with a high turnover to ensure your meal isn't sitting around for long periods of time. Also, ask for food recommendations and advice from the incredible team at the Cambodia Hub!
5. Bamboo Train in Battambang
Finally, if travelling to Siem Reap isn't quite your vibe, look no further than the Bamboo Train in Battambang. Only a 10-minute drive from our Hub, these trains offer a scenic ride over colonial bridges, rural countryside and lush jungle! The train may also stop in local neighbourhoods where you can buy drinks and souvenirs!
These trains are powered by a small motor with a bamboo platform on top! They can only get up to about 40km/h, meaning you will have a slow yet scenic journey!
The tracks were once used in the 1930s when the French built railroads to transfer rice between Poipet and Phnom Penh. During the war, the railroads were targets for bombs, and later removed during the Khmer Rouge. However, after the conflicts, locals were quick to repair the track to transport produce and passengers!
Now, the train is a great way of supporting locals while seeing more of the Cambodian countryside! It is around $8 (AUD) per person, which goes straight into supporting the locals who operate the trains!
