Make your family holiday in Cambodia a success: 10 tips to see

Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of the temples of Angkor and especially the legendary kindness of the Cambodians who will have all their goodwill for your children. A family trip to Cambodia is a great adventure full of activities that can please the whole family. To make this family trip to Cambodia a total success, here are our 10 steps and tips for an unforgettable family holiday.

Discover the legendary temples of Angkor

Young and old alike are dazzled by the majesty of the temples of Angkor, a unique archaeological site in the world classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A place where magic happens in the moment. Make this experience even more spectacular by taking a hot air balloon flight over this Khmer cultural treasure. An unforgettable memory guaranteed for the whole family!

Observe freshwater dolphins in Kratie

North of the friendly town of Kratie, take a family boat trip on the majestic Mekong to observe the Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins that spawn in families in the waters of the river. The Irrawaddy freshwater dolphin, an endangered species throughout Asia, is characterized by its bluish-gray skin and its rounded head. Shy, do not expect a spectacle of somersaults and laughter like those of their ocean cousins.

Experience the "bamboo train"

Here is a tourist attraction that will please your children, at least for the most intrepid. The bamboo train, or nori in the Khmer language, is a small wooden platform equipped with a motor and resting on two independent axles, recovered from damaged and abandoned tanks during the civil war, which allows you to cross the Cambodian countryside for a few kilometers through its expanses of rice fields. A handmade train testifying to the art of resourcefulness in Cambodia for the greatest pleasure of travelers.

Enjoy a family beach break

Cambodia offers great opportunities for a family beach break during or at the end of your trip. Sihanoukville, the most popular seaside resort in the country, Kepthe quiet with colonial overtones or our favorite seaside break, Rabbit Island or Koh Tonsay which is located opposite Kep. This magnificent island offers you indolent beaches shaded by coconut trees and bathed by transparent water. A perfect stopover for a sunny lunch with your feet in the water and even to spend the night in the simplicity of a bamboo hut.

Discover Koh Dach, the treasure island

Located at the gates of Phnom Penh on the Mekong, Silk Island is a magical place that perfectly embodies traditional rural Cambodia. With your family, go by bike to discover the little treasures of Khmer authenticity that dot the island, including the work of the weavers who perpetuate ancestral know-how. A few dazzling pagodas, colonial remains, beautiful wooden houses on stilts and a pleasant beach where you can cool off make Silk Island a very pleasant stopover with children and still off the beaten track.

Plan hotels with a swimming pool

Nothing can please your children more than a hotel with a swimming pool to relax and cool off between two visits. Throughout Cambodia, hotels with swimming pools are legion and are often very affordable. From November to May, in the dry season, you will not deny yourself the pleasure of taking a dip in the water with your toddlers. Choosing a hotel with a swimming pool for certain stages can be a wise choice.

Discover a floating village of Tonle Sap

Take a boat trip on the waters of the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, to discover one of the many floating fishing villages. A unique experience of a trip to Cambodia to observe the traditional aquatic life of these lake communities and to admire their incredible ingenuity in adapting their habitat to their environment. It is also an opportunity to observe many birds, including storks, pelicans or herons, and to see that schools can also be floating.

Attend a circus show

You will enjoy seeing a performance of the Phare Ponleu Selpak circus with your family. This troupe whose mission is to create a sustainable artistic community in Cambodia offers you a poetic, funny, spirited and very good show. You can attend a performance in Siem Reap or Battambang. This is an opportunity to support this association that helps underprivileged children.

Meet the elephants in the Mondulkiri region

Meet but don't climb! An authentic mountainous region, Mondulkiri offers superb tropical forests and the jungles of Mondulkiri will allow you to observe surprising fauna and flora and to meet ethnic minorities including the Bunong who have lived for generations with elephants. After meeting the pachyderms, the many waterfalls allow you to have beautiful refreshing swims. It is also possible to sleep at the locals' house to immerse yourself even more in the local culture.

Adopt a slower pace of travel than usual

Build your itinerary by trying not to go too fast during your stay in Cambodia. Take your time, don't rush anything so that your children can enjoy themselves without it being a race. It often is quite that way on a daily basis! We recommend at least two nights for each stage and to avoid transport times that are too long and could tire them out.

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