About Us:
We are a small licensed driver service in the town of Siem Reap. We have a
lot of experience with tourists, and we can be your drivers during
your stay in Siem Reap and the Angkor Wat Temples. We speak several
foreign languages and are helpful, friendly, and very knowledgeable
about local culture and we charge very reasonable rates for
sightseeing around the area.
We are a small group of drivers, and we can arrange transport with Motorbikes, Tuk-Tuks, air-conditioned Cars or Vans. We will pick you up for free if you make a reservation with us. Tour guides, Hotel and Guest House can also be arranged at your requested. You can contact us using the contact form or you can call me (Mr. Ret) directly using the telephone number (855) 979 330 300 or please see on the contact page.
Introduction to Cambodia:
Welcome to the Kingdom of Cambodia; a country of immense cultural and historical contrasts.
The ancient Khmer Empire ruled much of Southeast Asia for centuries and gave Angkor Wat to the world.
Its artistic and architectural influences can still be seen in the corresponding forms of its regional neighbors.
Many people only know of Cambodia in terms of these two periods but there is far more to this country than ancient
temples and past tragedies. Its topography and climate are as varied as its culture. The Tonle Sap Lake is the
heart of Cambodia. It is one of the richest freshwater fishing grounds in the world and is home to a variety
of migratory birds. In this
region animism is still practiced and indigenous, tribal peoples continue to follow a centuries old way of life.
Cambodia has its own unique and much underrated cuisine and produces delicious, organic meat and fruit.
The Khmer from origins times:
If one is to believe the legend, the ancient dynasties of the Khmer empire were derived
from the union of a Hindu prince, Prah Thong who had been banished from Delhi by his father
with a "female serpent-woman", the daughter of the Nakaraja, who was sovereign of the land.
She appeared to him in radiant beauty, frolicking on a sand bank where he had come to make
camp for the night. He looks her as his wife, and the Nakaraja, draining the land by drinking
the water that covered it, gave him the new country, called it Kambuja and build him a capital.
A variation, revealed on an inscription at Mison in Champa (mid Vietnam) and reproduced in various descriptions of Cambodia, substitutes for the prince the Brahman Kaundinya, who "married the nagi Soma to accomplish the rites" and throwing the magic lance with which he was armed, founded at the point of its landing the royal city where Somavamsa, the race of the moon, would rule.
Another popular tradition, though less widespread, gives as the origin the coupling of the maharachi Kambu and the apsara Mera, whose union of symbolic of the between the two great race, solar(Suryavamsa) and lunar (Somavamsa). This survives particularly in the word Kambuja-son of Kambu from where derives the name "Cambodian" by which were now call the present descendants of the ancient Khmer.
Whichever version one takes, the mythical implication is undeniable and the truth remains that the Khmer people are born of a joining of two distinct elements; Indian and Native. They are not as some would believe, just people of purely Indian or Hindu origin who had come, following migration, to settle in a region devoid of any inhabitants, or where the indigenous race had been eliminated by mass deportation.
Siem Reap Town:
Siem Reap Town is where you will stay during your visit. The area has been receiving foreign visitors to
the old temples for more than 100 years. The town is actually a cluster of old villages, which originally
developed around individual pagodas. Now Siem Reap offer a wide range of hotels including several 3-5 star
hotels, Guest House, Restaurants, Souvenirs shop, Super Market and Night Market.
The Cambodia Fact file:
- Country Name: The Kingdom of Cambodia, In Khmer Language( Kampuchea)
- Capital City: Phnom Penh
- Motto: National Religion King
- Language: Khmer, some speak English and French.
- Ethnic: Khmer 90-95%
- Government: Multi-party democracy under a constitutional monarchy
- Tourist Destination: Siem Reap Province, Battam Bong Province and Sihanouk Ville.
- Lakes/River: Tonle Sap Lake, Mekong River, Bassac River
- Bordering Countries: Vietnam, Thai, Lao
- Religion: Buddhism 95%
- Population: 14.2 million
- Land area: 181,035km2
- Currency: Riel (R)
- Voltage: 220v/50Hz
- Time: GMT+7hours
- Country Code: 855
- Siem Reap Province area code: 063
- Working Hour: 7:00-11:00, 01:00-05:00 Close Saturday afternoon and Sunday
- Internet: You can find internet in your hotel, Guest House, Restaurant, Bar and Many
internet Cafes in town, one hour less than $1.
- Taxi: Motor Dup(for one person), Tuk Tuk(for two person), Car (for three person),van (6-8 person)
- International airport: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
- Food: Many Local and foreign restaurants
- Climate: Cambodia has two distinct seasons, the rainy season (May-October) and the dry
season (November-April). We divide these two seasons to four small seasons as:
1. December-February, cool/dry. 2. March-May, hot/dry.
3. June-Ausgust, hot/rain. 4. September-November,Cool/diminishing rain. During the hot season,
the hot day rarely climb above 40°C and the cool season may push the mercury as low as 18°C.
The monsoons rains follow a fairly regular pattern-clear in the morning with 1-3 hour and
rain in the afternoon. The country-side and temples of Angkor are particularly picturesque during the wet season.
- Visas: One month visas are available at arrival of the international airports in Siem Reap
and Phnom Penh, at Cambodian embassies and at most border crossings with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
Business visa: $25.00, Tourist visa: $20.00.
- Airport Tax: International: $25.00, Domestic: $6.00
Money:
Cambodian riel (R) is the official currency in Cambodia, but
Visitors can pay U.S. Dollars anywhere in Cambodia, you should change large bills at banks,
hotels or exchange places. Many places at the temples or country-side will not have change for
small purchases. Almost all currencies can be exchanged in the town.
Banking:
There are many national and international banks in Siem Reap where you can change or withdraw money.
Banks working hours are 8:00Am-3:30Pm, from Monday-Friday. All banks will accept Visa, Master, JCB
card, American Express, Cheques ...etc and all kind of currencies. To get cash from credit cards and cheques
you will need identification (passport) to copy. The ATMs machines are available in Siem Reap town 24 hours.
Emergency Services:
Hospital: Siem Reap Provincial Hospital 200m from the old market. Rudimentary facilities, Tel: 063 963 111.
You can find many Clinics services 24 hours. Pharmacies are available on day time only.
Tourist Police: The police station is located opposite the main entrance station to the Angkor Archaeological Park, Tel: 012 40 24 24.
Fire: Tel: 012 78 44 64.
Temple Ticket:
Passes are sold in one-day $20, Three-day $40 and seven-day $60. A regular admission ticket is
not required to visit Phnom Kulen, Koh Ker and Beng Melea, but there are separate entrance
fees of $20, $10, $5, respectively. You can buy passes at Check-Point on the way to Angkor Wat.
How Long to visit Siem Reap:
One day visit you can see the highlights of the most famous temples only. Three days is sufficient to visit
all of the major temples. Seven days is enough time to visit.
Time to see temple:
Sunrise: 5:00Am leave from your hotel or Guest House. You can see sunrise at Angkor Wat temple and Srah Srang.
Normally tour guide and driver do the extra-charge $5.
Sunset: 4:30Pm climb Phnom Bakeng (Bakeng Hill) to the top to see sunset, or you can see at Pre Rup temple and Tonle Sap Lake.
Phnom Kulen (Kulen Mountain): is the best water-fall, more than 50km from Siem Reap. You can go there by Motor-Dups,
Car, Van and drive-up time is until 12:00Pm only. You can't go-down before 12:00Pm.
You can ask your driver or your company to buy the ticket for you before you go there.
Some restaurants are available there for your lunch. The price of transportation is double charge.
Kbal Spean: is the small water-fall on the hill, more than 40km from Siem Reap and it will close at 3:00Pm.
There are many restaurants are available for your lunch. Most of the temples are close at 5:00Pm except sunset place.
The price of transportation is extra-charge.
Beng Melea Temple: It is open from morning to 5:00Pm. Two ways (go and back) is 150km from Siem Reap Town.
The price of transportation is double charge too.
Bird Watching:
The Prek Toal bird sanctuary on the Tonle Sap Lake. There is much kind of birds for visitors to see during
their stay in Siem Reap. Prek Toal is the most popular with birds watching of year for viewing is the dry
season in (Dec-May). You ask your driver to arrange a trip to Prek Toal or do it through your tour company.
The first you need a taxi driver to bring you from Siem Reap Town to Phnom Krom/Chong Khneas (boat station),
and then you rent the boat to Prek Toal Environmental Research Station starting at $50 return, and $20 for
entrance fee and $30 for a guide boat tour of the sanctuary. You can come back or stay there a night to see sunset and
early morning viewing hours.
Countryside Tour:
If you are enchanted by rice paddies and water buffalo, houses on stilts and little villages.
You will find a tour through the Cambodian countryside truly worthwhile.
War Museum:
A limited display of guns, mines, tanks and other military hardware. Open from 8:00Am to
5:30Pm. Entry costs $3 and it is located on Road No.6 on the way to airport.
Mine Museum:
Founded by Mr. Akira, a former soldier and demine, this museum is a fascinating testament
to Cambodia's violent past, and to Akira's personal survival. The museum is home to several
young landmine victims taken in by Akira and his wife. The museum is open from
7:00Am to 6:00Pm. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted and much appreciated.
It is located on the right hand side of the road to Banteay Srey temple.
Balloon Rides:
The balloon station is one kilometer to the west of Angkor Wat. The balloon rises 200 meters in the
air on a fixed wire and provides amazing views of the temples and landscape. Sunrise and Sunset are
the most popular times for a ride. The ticket price is $12 for adult.
Massage and Spas:
After climbing around temples ruins a long day, a relaxing foot massage or a
reinvigorating afternoon at the spa can be just what the doctor ordered. Massage
for health and relaxation is a time honored tradition throughout Southeast Asia
with Cambodia offering its own distinctive traditions in massage therapy. Siem
Reap has several massage shops and spas catering to visitors.
Tour Guide:
Even you use your guidebook but it is not easy to fine the bas-reliefs, hire a tour guide is essential for the main temples.
The price of English tour guide is $20-$25/day. During the high season (September-March) you should booking the hotel,
guest house and tour guide at least a week before.
Hotel and Guest House
We can make reservations on your behalf at hotels and guesthouses with
a variety of options: electric fan or air-conditioned rooms, cable TV,
hot water, mini-bar, free Internet, complementary soft drinks and
fruit, breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Five minutes by foot from the old market of Siem Reap, safe, and
comfortable. Please make a reservation with us at least one week
before your trip. Please see in the prices page.
What to Bring:
Please dress a tropical environment warm, sunny, humid. Wear light, airy,
covering clothing to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes. Bring a hat, sunglasses,
sunscreen, note book, Guide book, and flashlight for a serious temple
and wear practical shoes for climbing narrow steps and walking on uneven surfaces.
Siem Reap Bus Station:
The bus station is located at Borey Seang Num east of town center 2kilometers.
Motordups from the station into town price $1.5-$2, Tuk Tuk $2-4. If you depart from Siem Reap,
most of the company arrange free pick-up from your staying place.
Siem Reap Boat Station:
The Boat Station is located at Chong Khneas near Phnom Krom around 16km south of Siem Reap town.
The Boat trip are Siem Reap - Phnom Penh and Siem Reap - Battambang, spend 5-6 hours journey
across the Tonle Sab Lake and it is a picturesque.
You need to arrive the Boat Station at 7:00Am. The ticket price is $25-$35/person.
Motor-dups is $3, Tuk Tuk $5, Car $7 from Boat station to Siem Reap Town.
If you depart from Siem Reap,
most of the company arrange free pick-up from your staying place too.
Siem Reap Airport:
The airport is 7km from town. Passengers can rent Motordups, Tuk Tuk, Car
run the same price as from Boat Station and spend 15mn. Some of the Hotel,
Guest House and Travel agency arrange free pick-up from the Airport.
Traditional Apsara Dancing:
It has been a tradition since the earliest days of tourism in the 19th century
to treat visitors to Siem Reap with an Apsara Dance performance a taste of living Khmer culture.
No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one performance. Traditional Khmer
dance is better described as dance-drama in that the dance are not merely dance but also meant to
convey a story. There are four main modern genres of traditional Khmer dance: 1. Classical Dance;
2. Shadow threaters; 3. Lakhon Khol; 4. Folk Dance.
Old Market:
The Old Market (Phsar Chas) is nearby pub street and night market. Visitors must see when visiting
Siem Reap. They are located in the heart of town on Sivutha Blvd. The Old Market close at 5:00Pm, but
there are some of Souvenir Shop open until 9:00Pm.
Phsar Leu Thom Thmey (Big New, upper Market):
Phsar Leu is the main traditional market for the local and foreign visitor too. You can buy cloths,
fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh meat and local food in the low price. It is located on Route #6
east of Royal Palace 1500m. Open early morning and close at 4:00Pm, Monday-Sunday.
What to buy:
Hand woven Cambodian silks, stone, woodcarving statues and castings, contemporary Cambodian art,
Cambodian handicrafts and traditional musical instruments, temple rubbings, silver areca (betel) containers,
basketry and colored gems are among the most popular souvenirs.
The Distances from Phnom Penh to Provinces:
Phnom Penh to Province |
Kilometers |
Road No. |
| Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat | 321 KM | No. 6 |
| Phnom Penh to Bobkor | 189 KM | No. 3 |
| Phnom Penh to Kirirom | 177 KM | No. 4 |
| Phnom Penh to Kampot |
147 KM | No. 3 |
| Phnom Penh to Kep |
160 KM | No. 3+31+33 |
| Phnom Penh to Sihanouk ville |
226 KM | No. 4 |
| Phnom Penh to Kampong Chhnang C |
91 KM | No. 5 |
| Phnom Penh to Pursat | 185 KM | No. 5 |
| Phnom Penh to Battambang | 291 KM | No. 5 |
| Phnom Penh to Pailin | 394 KM | No. 5+57 |
| Phnom Penh to Banteay meanchey | 360 KM | No. 5 |
| Phnom Penh to Siem Reap | 312 KM | No. 6 |
| Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom |
168 KM | No. 6 |
| Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham |
126 KM | No. 6 |
| Phnom Penh to Prey Veng | 90 KM | No. 1+11 |
| Phnom Penh to Svay Rieng |
125 KM | No. 1 |
| Phnom Penh to Ta Keo |
77 KM | No. 2 |
| Phnom Penh to Kandal | 11 KM | No. 2 |
| Phnom Penh to Kampong Speu |
45 KM | No. 4 |
| Phnom Penh to kratie |
336 KM | No. 6+7 |
| Phnom Penh to Steung Treng |
468 KM | No. 6+7 |
| Phnom Penh to Mundolkiri |
382 KM | No. 6+7+76 |
| Phnom Penh to Prah Vihear |
300 KM | No. 6+62 |
| Phnom Penh to Ratanakiri |
589 KM | No. 6+7+78 |
| Phnom Penh to Koh Kong |
290 KM | No. 4+48 |
| Phnom Penh to Oddor Meanchey |
441 KM | No. 6+68 |
