Top 10 authentic experiences to do in Cambodia

Get off the beaten track to approach the soul of Cambodia and make your trip a unique experience. Discover the Khmer kingdom under a different face by taking inspiration from our 10 authentic experiences of a trip to Cambodia to make your stay an unforgettable moment.

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1. Discover a floating village of Tonle Sap

Take a boat 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. It’s a unique experience 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.

2. Explore Silk Island, Koh Dach

Located on the Mekong River at the gates of Phnom Penh, Silk Island is a magical place that perfectly embodies traditional rural Cambodia. While cycling around the island, you have the opportunity to appreciate 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, still off the beaten track.

3. Participate in the Kampot pepper harvest

The Kampot pepper region produces an excellent pepper renowned worldwide for its unique fragrance. Visiting a plantation will allow you to understand the history and special characteristics of this exceptional pepper. Depending on the season, you can even participate in the harvest with the farmers. Kampot pepper is an excellent souvenir to bring back from Cambodia.

4. Cycling in the Khmer countryside

The Khmer countryside unfolds superb landscapes of rice fields bristling with sugar palms, one of the country's symbols. It is very pleasant to cycle through its rice fields and discover the small villages hidden there. It is a great opportunity during your vacation in Cambodia to meet the local populations, observe agricultural activities and get a breath of fresh air in sumptuous settings.

5. Take the bamboo bridge in Kampong Cham

On foot or by bike, take the bamboo bridge from Kampong Cham to reach the magnificent island of Koh Paen bordered by the waters of the Mekong. This little marvel of engineering is considered the longest bamboo bridge in the world at 800 meters long. This bridge is seasonal since it is submerged or destroyed during the rainy season, it is rebuilt and put back into service at the end of it. A unique work to see without hesitation when traveling to Cambodia.

6. Go to Koh Trong Island in Kratie

Here is a very beautiful little island, located on the Mekong just opposite the city of Kratie, which seems truly timeless. You will discover a traditional Cambodia, unchanging as if frozen for eternity. A very nice bike ride allows you to go around this charming island to appreciate its peaceful country life punctuated by the Mekong River. To fully appreciate Koh Trong Island, we advise you to sleep there, a magical moment in perspective!

7. Go hiking in Mondulkiri

An authentic mountainous region, Mondulkiri offers superb hiking opportunities in a wild natural setting of great beauty. Walking through the tropical forests and jungles of Mondulkiri will allow you to observe surprising fauna and flora and meet ethnic minorities including the Bunong who proudly raise elephants. The many waterfalls allow you to have a nice refreshing swim after a good day of trekking. It is also possible to sleep at a local's house, to immerse yourself even more in the local culture.

8. Taste fried spiders

The locals love them, and imitate them! Go to the typical Skun Market 80 kilometers North of Phnom Penh to taste this surprising local specialty: fried tarantula. A unique experience closely related to the traditional eating habits of Cambodians since they are very fond of grilled insects rich in protein and taste.

9. Attend a circus show

You will enjoy seeing a performance by the Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus. This troupe whose mission is to create a sustainable artistic community in Cambodia offers you a poetic, funny, spirited, and very high-level show. You can attend a performance in Siem Reap or Battambang. This is an opportunity to support this association which helps underprivileged children.

10. Explore Koh Kong Island

The sumptuous island of Koh Kong bathed by crystal clear waters offers you superb pristine beaches of deserted white sand. Laze between the ocean and coconut trees or explore its tropical forest with remarkable fauna and flora, the choice is yours! A heavenly stopover in the indolent South is not to be missed during your stay in Cambodia.

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Enjoy your discovery!