Cambodia off the beaten track
06/16/2011 Mention you’re going to Cambodia and chances are you’ll end up comparing notes on the glorious temples of Angkor, among the most awe-inspiring – indeed, mind-blowing – monuments ever conceived by the human mind.
It is hardly surprising that so many travelers from around the globe dream of gazing upon the towers of Angkor Wat, walking through the root-strangled gateways of Angkor Thom, and staring back at the enigmatic smiling faces that have made the Bayon famous.
But Cambodia has a great deal more to offer than its headline sights. Travelers at first drawn by the spectacular temples around Siem Reap often end up enchanted – and determined to return – thanks to the friendliness of the Khmer people, the sublime beauty of the countryside and the botanical exuberance of the country’s still-pristine tropical rainforests.
Parts of Cambodia’s south coast are fairly well-known to travelers. Beaches, nightlife, restaurants and a backpacker vibe make Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s main port, the country’s third-most-popular tourist destination. Kampot, with its run-down French-era buildings and mellow spirit, is popular as a starting point for Bokor National Park and its grand, colonial-era Casino, now an eerie ruin.
But head northwest towards the Thai frontier and you come to Koh Kong Province, an area of breathtaking beauty and incredible biodiversity that was almost inaccessible until the completion of Highway 48 just three years ago. As a result, the one-time smugglers’ port of Krong Koh Kong is transforming itself into a centre of ecotourism.
The deserted beaches of Koh Kong Island are a major draw, as are the mangrove forests lining the coastline and the ecolodges sprouting along the Tatai River. More adventurous travelers can head upriver to the remote hamlet of Chi Phat, home to a pioneering ecotourism initiative, and the truly intrepid can hire a guide to trek deep into the Cardamom Mountains, one of Southeast Asia’s last great wildernesses.
You can also experience untamed wilderness in Cambodia’s far northeast corner, in the highlands bordering Laos and Vietnam. In far-off Ratanakiri Province, the red-earth town of Ban Lung is an excellent place to organize a trek to nearby ‘hill tribe’ villages or to Virachey National Park, home to endangered elephants, gibbons and hornbills. Before you set out, make sure that your guide is both culturally sensitive and ecologically aware (it’s a new industry so, unfortunately, not all are).
Until just a few years ago, the grasslands and forests north of Angkor, up towards Thailand and Laos, were hard to get to in the dry season and virtually inaccessible in the wet. But thanks to a network of new roads – paved in part because of the ongoing military confrontation with Thailand – the superb temples of Banteay Chhmar, the former Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng, the spectacular cliff-top temple of Prasat Preah Vihear and some remote wildlife sanctuaries can now be reached with relative ease and in reasonable comfort. Before heading to potential hotspots such as Prasat Preah Vihear, however, check with local news sources to make sure the frontier is quiet.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Cambodia or heading back for another encounter with Khmer culture, it’s off the beaten tourist track that you’re likely to find some of the kingdom’s best-kept and most enchanting secrets. Not only are you assured of a warm welcome and the kind of adventures that make travel so magical, but by spending time in out-of-the-way villages and remote wilderness parks, you’ll be helping to bring tourist dollars to parts of the country rarely touched by traditional tourism.
Source: Lonelyplanet
About This Author
ActiveTravelAsia (ATA) offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages.In 2006 four outdoor enthusiasts who are close friends, Kien (Tony), Bich (Bobby), Bao and Jimmy, …
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Destination must-see in Vietnam
07/11/2012
VietNamNet Bridge – globalgrasshopper, a popular site for international tourists, has listed the top ten must-see destinations in Vietnam.
1. Son Tra peninsula
Son Tra Peninsula, about 10km from the center of Da Nang City to the north-east, is a special gift of the god... Read More »
Adventure Travel on a Motorcycle
07/11/2012 An exotic, mystical and enchanting land with remote hill tribe villages, ancient ruins, beautiful coastlines and spectacular mountain views. Now imagine how much better it is to be visiting on a motorcycle, with the wind blowing against your face, sights, sounds and smells unmuffled by rolled up, ti... Read More »
ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA kicks off summer promotion 2012 - Book and get 1 night FREE at 3 star hotel
03/02/2012 Accommodation is one of biggest concerns before traveling? It is turning to dust now with ATA’s Summer Promotion 2012
Travelers will get 1 night at 3 star Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter (Calypso Boutique Hotel) for FREE. Double room with luxury equipments and services are designed to ensure tha... Read More »
The expression of Peter about the way he became a pirate of Halong Bay
03/01/2012 Arriving at the pier in Halong Bay to board our beautiful teak Junk was an exciting moment. I felt like I was a pirate boarding a mighty vessel to drink some rum and find me some loot..
Once we received the welcome spiel and our complementary fruity drink, we were assigned to our cabins. Our a/c ca... Read More »
02/08/2012 The survey team spent 3 days 2 nights on exploring the jungle Pu Hu by trekking. This marked the first steps to discover and develop the potential tourism in this area.
This is the next step of responsible tourism project called “Protection of the forest and wildlife” implemented by GIZ... Read More »
Vietnam is a land full of adventurous riches
01/12/2012 Vietnam is a place full of adventure - from cultural experiences or mountain treks, there's always some destination waiting to be explored.
According to Lonely Planet, the Southeast Asian nation is a prime location for some adrenaline-inducing thrills.
"Whether you prefer to scale the heights of j... Read More »
Mekong Delta region rated among top ten destinations in 2012
01/03/2012 The Mekong Delta region, famous fruits gardens and romantic waterways, may be host to more visitors this year.
Lonely Planet , the largest travel guide book, has rated the Mekong Delta region among the “Best-Value Destinations for 2012 (destinations where your dollar gets you even further!)&... Read More »
ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA launches New Year Promotion 2012
12/21/2011 Human Christmas and New
Year approaching, ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) sends to all travelers of
the faithful, heartfelt words to wish a peaceful Christmas and New Year
exuberant grace of God. With the approaching of Christmas and New Year
2012, ATA is providing discount up to 7 % for all loyalty... Read More »
12/09/2011 Attractive eco-friendly valleys,
terraced slope attributes as well as tribes nevertheless subsequent
their own historic customs — encouraged in order to Sapa.
Situated 350kms north-west associated with Hanoi, simply timid from
Chinese language the edge may be the Lao Cai Land exactly w... Read More »
Active Travel Asia Explores Pu Hu Nature Reserve In Vietnam
12/04/2011 ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA and GIZ
(Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit in Vietnam) working
together in a survey of responsible tourism project in Pu Hu Nature
Reserve, Thanh hoa province, Vietnam.
The survey trip will be held in middle of December, 2011 by ATA
team with suppo... Read More »
11/24/2011 I
envisioned hiking to remote villages to find mountain hill tribes;
people living in indigenous villages, untouched by outside influences.Instead,
as we pulled into Sapa, in the northern part of Vietnam, a group of
Black Hmong women gathered on the side of the road as our shuttle pulled
i... Read More »
Luang Prabang: the jewel of Indochina
11/09/2011 Just about anywhere else in the
world, a trip to the local Red Cross office would probably be a sign
that your holiday had gone badly wrong. But not in the former Laotian
royal capital of Luang Prabang,
where the unprepossessing wooden structure tucked away behind Mount
Phousi offers a sur... Read More »
11/08/2011 Vietnam
is increasingly becoming a popular destination for travellers each
year. Its large chaotic cities are popular stop-offs for young
travellers, and a great place to spend a few days. However, it can be
nice to get away from the hustle and bustle, and northern Vietnam boasts
fantastic... Read More »
The first expedition to Son Doong Cave with ATA – Unrevealed stories!
10/25/2011 On 28th Sep, 2011, carrying the
eager to explore the grandeur of nature, the first travelers together
with ATA’s product manager – Mr. Tony Tran had launched the discovery to
Son Doong Cave, the biggest cave in the world.
Accompany with the group is Mr.
Ho Khanh who found the S... Read More »
Mai Chau Homestay Trek Was So Much Better Than I Ever Imagined
10/13/2011 "A buddy and I did 10 days in
Northern Vietnam and wanted to get a few days of hiking in. We opted for
ATA's 4-day Mai Chau Homestay. Mr. Hai picked us up at our backpacker's
hostel with a private car and driver. Mr. Hai was very knowledgeable,
had a great sense of humor, and spoke great Eng... Read More »
Vietnam: ethnic tourism among the valleys with no name
10/06/2011 A typhoon had blown in during
the day. White rain clouds lay like a boiling sea in the valleys,
creating the illusion that the twisting mountain pass was an ocean road.
As our vehicle turned a blind corner we came across a gaggle of
motorcyclists, caped against the rain and gawping over the... Read More »
09/28/2011 The four seasons are distinctly felt in Sa Pa, Vietnam when nature changes her costume.
The four seasons are distinctly
felt in Sa Pa when Nature changes her costume. Spring in the season of
pear, peach and plum flowers. Summer comes blooming with Gladioli,
Pancies, Dahlias, Sun-flowers... Read More »
09/25/2011 On the first day of our bike tour of Vietnam, we took them for a spin to brave the chaotic traffic of Hanoi.
It was pretty intense riding alongside dozens of motor bikes and cars
and other bicycles. Plus the inhaling of constant exhaust fumes kinda
makes you feel like you’ve smoked a p... Read More »
Temple hopping in Cambodia: Stories in stone
09/18/2011 A sigh of relief and excitement enveloped me as the plane touched down in Ho Chi Minh. I didn’t have a concrete plan other than getting to Siem Reap. But I knew I was going to have the grandest time.
I was with my
friends and we were in search of a memorable adventure. We dropped the... Read More »
A very good trip with Active Travel Asia
09/01/2011 Our first trip with Active travel was the Sapa valley trek homestay with ecolodge option. Everything was handled very professionally for this by Active Travel Asia.
We were picked up by an agent at our hotel exactly on time and they
actually escorted us right onto our train for our night trip... Read More »
08/29/2011 The
participants will have a chance to win special out-door trips by
sharing their best holiday experiences in Indochina (Vietnam, Laos &
Cambodia).
ACTIVETRAVEL
ASIA, a leading adventure tour operator in Indochina, has launched a
travel writing contest 2011 for travelers fro... Read More »
Vietnam Cat Tien National Park Recognized Global Biosphere Reserve
08/17/2011 On 30 June 2011, the United
Nations added 18 new sites to its global list of biosphere reserves,
bringing the total to 581 in 114 different countries, the UN
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported.
Cat Tien is the new name of the former Dong Nai Biosphere Re... Read More »
Riding Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh trail
08/08/2011 The mountain paths of the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail offer visitors to Vietnam an adventurous alternative to the well-worn coastal route - especially if you travel on the back of a motorbike
It
was more like a hamlet than a village. A simple collection of stilted
wooden houses perched on the... Read More »
ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA organizes the first trip to discover Son Doong cave for travelers
07/29/2011 At the end of Sep, 2011, the
first trip for travelers to discover SON DOONG, the world’s largest cave
will be implemented by ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA. Mr. Ho Khanh, who is the
first person to find the entrance to cave will be the tour leader of
this adventure group.
The lucky tourist group... Read More »
Tram Chim National Park – a green island of red-headed cranes
06/24/2011
If you visit Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap during the time of day when the highest tides occur, normally from August to November, you can take a motorboat ride through forests rich with plants and flowers and green cajeput trees.
Tram Chim National Park is an... Read More »
Seduced by Luang Prabang, Laos
06/23/2011 We
traveled here for four days: my wife and the girls plus my wife’s mom
and husband, visiting from America. It was the last leg of their
three-week visit to Southeast Asia and it didn’t disappoint.
Speaking with Andrew, the owner (who’s originally from Melbourne) he told me... Read More »
NHK TV to broadcast Son Doong cave reportage - The largest cave in the world
06/08/2011 Japan’s
NHK World TV will broadcast on June 25 a 3D scientific reportage on
Vietnam ’s Son Doong cave, which is classified as the largest cave in
the world.
NHK
TV’s broadcast will reach 60 countries around the world, according to
the Foreign Affairs Department of the... Read More »
06/03/2011 In a country best known for its temples, Jane Dunford finds a floating ecolodge that's a gateway to a pristine environment.
I am, it's fair to say, in the middle of nowhere. This is the Tatai River, east of Koh Kong, in the southern reaches of Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains. Halfway between Bangkok... Read More »
Vietnam where I saw the most beautiful
06/02/2011 In your eyes, where the place Vietnam
most beautiful? Our questions are foreign photographer responded with
these images upset: the picture angle is so simple that with them –
people from a distance – that’s where most Vietnam features. And more
beautiful images are to carr... Read More »
Active Travel Asia Launches Great Vietnam & Cambodia Summer Promotion 2011
05/29/2011 Active Travel Asia
(ATA) is offering Great Summer Promotion 2011 in Vietnam and Cambodia.
These promotions are guaranteed by luxurious adventure tours, add-on
values and reasonable prices.Active
Travel Asia kicks off Special Summer Promotion 2011 covering all kinds
of adventure tours inclu... Read More »
05/23/2011 I
hunkered in the doorway of an office building as gray clouds moved in,
threatening to break open above me. Piles of luggage were stacked in the
doorway, but I held tightly to my backpack. As a solo traveler making
my way through Vietnam, I had yet to let someone else touch my bag, the esse... Read More »
From the Back Seat: Memories on a Motorcycle in Vietnam
05/15/2011 Riding a motorbike from the North to the South of Vietnam was an amazing experience.
Now, while I didn’t ride the motorcycle on myself (Anthony did an
amazing job!) it is still something that will remain with me for the
rest of my life.
Each day we were faced with new
challenges and a... Read More »
Luang Prabang: The Epithet of Laotian History, Culture and Nature
05/13/2011 Formed at the convergence of the famous Mekong and Kahn rivers in Laos, the town of Luang Prabang
is the archetypal product of when colonial and traditional architecture
collide. Groomed in pristine fashion, one would think he is the first
to discover this exotic landscape.Palm trees line the... Read More »
A Look into Beautiful Halong Bay, Vietnam
05/06/2011 Halong Bay has been
declared a UNESCO World heritage site and it really deserves the
designation. It is one of the most exciting unusual places I have been
to in my life.Halong Bay
-Halong meaning “Descending Dragon”- is named after the thousands of
island with bizarre rock for... Read More »
Sapa ranked among top ten places to walk
05/05/2011 Sapa
Town in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has been voted one
of the world’s top ten spots for walking by popular travel guide Lonely
Planet.
The
other greatest places for walkers are the Grand Canyon in the US,
Aoraki/Mount Cook Village in New Zealand, Lake Distric... Read More »
Journey down the Mighty Mekong
04/27/2011 The
Mekong is one of the world’s major rivers, weaving together the land
and indigenous cultures of Tibet, southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. It’s also one of the best ways to get around in Southeast Asia.
In Laos (http://www.activetravellaos.com/),
a journey dow... Read More »
Trekking in Laos, the Forgotten Land
04/22/2011 Leaving behind overwhelming and often brusque China, we were delighted to find pure, green, untouched Laos awaiting us.
Laos
is a forgotten land. Like most, I didn’t know much about it before
setting foot in the country. I knew it was at one time French occupied
and that it usually earn... Read More »
04/21/2011 In December 2010, my 12-year old son Oliver and I went to Vietnam - the first outside Europe to a destination in a developing country.
The
arrangements were excellent throughout and the planning nothing short
of brilliant. There were no mishaps or last minute changes of plan,
all eight hote... Read More »
Vietnam: A journey from past to present
04/14/2011 If Hanoi is the grand old dame of Vietnam
and Ho Chi Minh City is the brash young floozy, then Halong Bay, Hue
and Hoi An are the alluring mistresses you encounter along the way. Here
landscape, architecture, culture and cuisine work their seduction via
subtle charms rather than sensory over... Read More »
Active Travel Asia promote tours to Sapa - the Cloud city of Vietnam
04/10/2011 Nestled among the
Hoang Son Lien Mountains, Sapa is an excellent gateway to the H'mong and
Dao villages that dot the landscape of VietnamThe first thing travelers should know about Sapa is that it is one of highlands in Vietnam
- 1,600m above sea level. That means a leisurely stroll to the nea... Read More »