Ultimate Cambodian Adventure Reviews

Had travelled with G Adventures in Cambodia before (river cruise to HCM City) and enjoyed it. This trip had good and not so good features. Note, I travelled solo, on a room share basis. Angkor Wat was really worth the return visit as we got to go up to the top level as it was no so crowded as when I was there in Jan 2020. The tour gives you a real feel read more for the countryside as opposed to just seeing Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The country towns (except Kratie, which we didn't see any of) were really interesting, each with its features. It was nice to visit businesses with a community emphasis eg silk farm and restaurant as part of the tour and the La Plantation pepper farm (by tuk tuk).

It is worth spending a few extra days in Phnom Penh as there are quite a few places to see that are not included on the tour. Koh Rong island is a good place to relax with a nice beach (very clean, warm shallow water) and a lovely walk to the next village. Food options on the island were very good. Hotel there was very basic for the price (price on booking site 2-3 times the other hotels we stayed in). Our G Adventures CEO was pleasant and helpful with good English. He took us on a tour of his childhood home and small village, showing us the local rice wine factory, etc

That said there are a few downsides to the tour. I chose this trip over Intrepid as it had more free time. However, optional tours took up almost all the free time (total cost about US$250) and there was pressure to do these by both the CEO and other participants. Hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, whilst good, were poorly located (about 2km from city centres). I didn't mind the walk but was not comfortable doing it after about 7pm alone. This was a pity in Siem Reap as the city comes alive at night (in PP it was not such an issue as I had extra days there in a more centrally located hotel). Also, the hotel in Siem Reap was not the one listed in the final itinerary and CEO said it had not been used for sometime (it is still on their itinerary on the website). Hotel in PP was surrounded by motor bike repair places and CEO said there were no recommended eating places nearby (so group had to get tuk tuks into riverside area).

Hotels in other locations were basic but adequate, except Kratie. Tour went to Kratie to see the endangered dolphins. We did this on motorised boats, which simply meant chasing the poor things around making a lot of noise (only 2-4 people per boat) and risking injuring then with the small propellers. This was all we did in Kratie as hotel was on edge of town and it was after a long day's travel. Hotel was really basic as was the food provided (many had cold meals that should have been hot, even though we had to order in advance).

Single supplement is about the same as paying as you go for a separate room (should be half that). Booking with Global Journeys is always easy and this trip was no exception. Tracey even went to the effort of providing the address and contact numbers for the hotels, as GAdventures did not. I would I go with G Adventures again - only to a country I was not confident getting around by myself. If you are a couple you could probably hire a car with driver and stay in better hotels for the price of this tour.

Wonderful trip, well organised with an excellent guide Bernie who ensured we all meshed together and thoroughly enjoyed every moment in Cambodia. Angkor Wat temples were amazing and our day at the beach with scuba diving was another highlight of the tour.