Cambodia: The Jewel in Indochina's Crown

Like its neighbors in Southeast Asia -- Vietnam, Thailand and Laos -- Cambodia boats spectacular ancient sites, stunning religious architecture, rugged jungles, wildlife, secluded white sand beaches and colorful local markets, but unlike the other countries, most areas in Cambodia are completely untouched by tourism and offer incredible experiences for the more adventurous traveler.

Essence of China (www.essenceofindochina.com) is a website that offers Singapore Airlines trips to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Its Singapore and Angkor Wat Escape is a seven-day trip run in association with Globo Tours (tel. 800/988-4833; www.globotours.net) that includes round-trip airfare on Singapore Airlines, flights from Singapore to Siem Reap, airport transfers, five nights' accommodations (two in Singapore and three in Siem Reap), breakfast daily and touring. The trip is priced from $1,279 per person based on double occupancy for travel from Los Angeles or San Francisco from now until March 31, 2007. Highlights include a city tour in Singapore, Angkor Wat (including the Khmer temples), Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei temples, the ancient city of Angkor, Angkor Thom, the ruins at Bayon, the Royal Palace, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terraces, the Leper King Terrace, Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevada, Thommanon, the Khmer Temple of Shiva, the three-tiered temple-hill of Pre Rup the Bantey Kdei, Srah Srang Lake and Ta Prohm Temple.

Their eight-day Wonders of Angkor Summer Promotion is available for departures until December 5, 2006. The $1,540 price includes round-trip airfare on Singapore Airlines from L.A. or San Francisco, flights from Singapore to Siem Reap, airport transfers, six nights' accommodations (two nights' accommodations at the five-star Regent Hotel in Singapore and four at the five-star Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel), breakfast daily, a half-day Singapore tour and two full days of touring at Angkor Wat. To book this package tel. 800/742-3133.

Thailand-based Circle of Asia (tel. +66/2-650-8655; www.circleofasia.com) has a selection of land-only Angkor Wat trips. The Le Meridien Angkor accommodation and temple touring package includes three nights' accommodations in a superior room at the luxurious Le Meridien Angkor in Siem Reap (the closest hotel to the legendary temples of Angkor Wat), private transfers, entrance fees and English speaking guide, three breakfasts and three lunches. Highlights include visits to Phnom Bakheng Hill, Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, Banteay Samre, South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Elephant and Leper King Terraces, Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Tasom, Mebon Oriental and Tonle Sap Lake. This package is priced from $516 per person based on double occupancy or $458 for triple share. Rates include 7% tax and 10% hotel service charge. Also if you travel during the Christmas and New Year period, a compulsory Gala dinner on December 24, 2006 ($70) and December 31, 2006 ($110) is additional. Children five to 12 years of age pay 50%. International airfare to/from Siem Reap, the Cambodia visa fee (currently $20 per person) and $25 Siem Reap airport tax are additional. The three-day Holy Stream of Siem Reap tour is priced from $326 per person based on double occupancy for travel from now until March 31, 2007. It includes airport transfers, two nights' accommodations at the Princess Angkor Hotel, two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners, admission fees, a tour of the recently opened temple ruins at Kbal Spean and Banteay Kdei, transportation and a professional English-speaking tour guide.

Adventure Center (tel. 800/228-8747; www.adventurecenter.com) offers a more in-depth Cambodia experience with its 15-day Cambodia Discovery tour. The land-only trip is priced from $920 plus a local payment of $180 with a maximum group size of 18 people. It includes airport transfers, a tour leader and local guides, transportation by public buses, local boats, tuk tuk, local ferry and songthaew, 13 nights' accommodations in simple hotels and one night at a National Park dormitory and optional snorkeling, fishing or diving, jungle hikes and extensive walking at sites. Entrance fees are additional, so allow $20 for a one-day pass for Angkor Wat or $40 for a three-day pass plus $12 for other sites. The tour begins in Bangkok and visits Pailin, Battambang, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Mount Bokor and Trat. The tour departs on December 16 or 30, 2006 and then twice monthly throughout 2007.

Travel Indochina (www.travelindochina.com) features a seven-day Inside Cambodia tour that visits Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Lake Tonle Sap. This trip is an in-depth exploration of the post-colonial capital city Phnom Penh, and the spectacular Temples of Angkor, including time spent at some of the lesser visited temples outside the main Angkor complex. After exploring the fascinating and traumatic history of Phnom Penh, the tour travels overland through the pretty Cambodian countryside to Siem Reap, home of the remarkable Temples of Angkor. The land-only price starting from Phnom Penh and ending in Siem Reap is $945 per person based on twin share or $1,205 single occupancy and includes airport transfers, six nights' accommodations, transportation, English speaking guides, meals and entrance fees. Departures are on December 16, 22 and 30, 2006 and January 5, 2007.

For a unique perspective of the country and a chance to get down and dirty, why not see Cambodia by dirt bike. Dancing Roads (www.dancingroads.com) is an adventure company that specializes in scheduled off-road tours through Cambodia. Tour prices include an English-speaking guide (additional support riders provided to assist with larger groups), ferry crossing fares, itinerary-specific extras such as boat trips and elephant treks, entrance fees, bike and safety equipment rental, bridge and road tolls plus air conditioned accommodation where available (mosquito nets and hammocks or tents as required). The Cardamom Mountains jungle tour is a six-day adventure that starts in Phnom Penh and visits Koh Kong, O' Saom, Pailin and Battambang. Highlights include four river crossings by ferries, colonial villages, wildlife encounters, markets, picturesque rice-fields, pagodas and cave shrines. The tour is priced at $700 per rider and departs on February 25, 2007. The seven-day Northern Temple Circuit goes from Phnom Penh to Kompong Thom, Preah Vihear, Anlong Veng, Banteay Chmar and Battambang. Visit the cliff top temple of Preah Vihear, located in the Dangrek Mountains on the Thai-Cambodian border, the temple of Phnom Santuk with its resident monkeys, the Banteay Meanchey province with its Angkor era ruins of Banteay Chmar, the 11th century hilltop temple of Phnom Banan and the elegant riverside town of Battambang. This tour departs on January 4, 2007 and is priced at $799 per person. There are various other jungle, mountain, temple and coastal themed trips of one- to seven-day durations.

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