Angkor Wat Extension (start Siem Reap)

Explore Southeast Asia’s great archaeological site Angkor Wat and fascinating Phnom Penh

‘Discovered’ enmeshed in jungle in 1860, Angkor, the ancient capital of the powerful Khmer empire, is one of the finest archaeological sites in the world. Built between the 9th and 13th centuries, the wonderfully preserved sprawling complex of temples and palaces is on a par with any great monument of the world with magnificent towers, sculptures and bas-reliefs. This extension also includes time in Phnom Penh, where you learn about its horrifying recent past and bright future.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Is this trip for you?

Start/end points: This extension is possible before or after our Cycling Vietnam trip. If you are doing this extension before Cycling Vietnam commences in Ho Chi Minh City, this extension starts in Siem Reap and ends in Ho Chi Minh City. The flight from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City is included in the extension.

If you are doing this extension after Cycling Vietnam finishes in Hanoi, the extension includes a flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap, where the extension starts and it will end in Phnom Penh.

Itinerary: There have been incidents of very last-minute flight schedule changes between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Although rare, you should be aware there is a slight possibility of this. We have, however, ensured there is enough free time, so you are guaranteed a full day and a half seeing the Angkor sites, plus a full day in Phnom Penh to explore.

Guides: You are put on a flight in Ho Chi Minh City and met in Siem Reap by your new local guide for Siem Reap. You are guided around the sites in Angkor/Phnom Penh during the day but are left free in the evenings. The two guides are employed (one local guide in Siem Reap, one local guide in Phnom Penh) for these few days as a guide of the local sites and, as such, are not the same as the Exodus tour leader you have on the trip. There is an emergency number provided should you need assistance when he/she is not guiding you at the sites.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Vaccinations and Health

Cambodia

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm your vaccine recommendations and requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Visa

Cambodia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Cambodia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/cambodia
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/cambodia
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cambodia.html

Important advice regarding e-Visas:

Please note, e-Visas are not accepted at all border checkpoints when travelling overland into Cambodia.

This applies to the following borders/trips:

• Tinh Bien,Vietnam/Phnom Den, Takeo, Cambodia border: Thai Indochina Explorer (Trip Code: AOX) and Southeast Asia Express (AOK)
• Xa Xia, Vietnam/Prek Chak, Cambodia (Ha Tien crossing): South East Asia Adventure (Trip Code: FIJ)

You can only purchase a tourist visa on arrival at these borders as e-Visas will not be accepted.

More information can be found at:

• https://www.evisa.gov.kh/
• https://www.evisa.gov.kh/information/port_entry/3

Visa on arrival:

For obtaining a visa on arrival, you will need $30 USD in cash and 2 passport photos. You will be required to fill in a small application on arrival with your personal details including the address of the first hotel you stay at in Cambodia.

Applying for your Cambodia tourist e-Visa:

If you choose to apply for a Cambodia tourist e-Visa before arrival, will need to add in the following information to your application:

Address During Visit (Address in Cambodia):

Baitong Heritage Hotel

Address: Sivatha Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Phone: (+855) 63 966 777

Intended date you enter Cambodia:  The XOV: Angkor Wat Extension (start Siem Reap) commences in Siem Reap, Cambodia on day 1 of your extension itinerary.

Please ensure you allow for any pre tour accommodation you may have booked if you are intending to arrive into Cambodia before your Angkor Wat Extension trip commences.

Supporting documents: You can submit your Exodus trip invoice and/or booking confirmation with your application.

Important Information- Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA)

Applicable for all clients travelling on Exodus trips AOA/AOH/AOL & Angkor Wat Extensions.

As of 1 July 2024, all travellers arriving in Cambodia (via air only) are required to submit a Cambodia e-Arrival Card within 7 days before their arrival. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) is free and is replacing the requirement to complete paper forms when arriving at Cambodia Airports. The e-Arrival card is separate from visa/e-visa requirements.

How to fill out the e-Arrival card online:

1. Visit the official website https://arrival.gov.kh/
2. Fill out the form online or download the app, available or iOS and Android devices.
3. Once the form is completed, you will receive a confirmation email with QR code.
4. Take a screenshot, download or print the QR code.
5. Present the QR code to the immigration upon arrival.

Food & Drink

Food is cheap in Cambodia and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Cambodia’s food is all about the contrasts: sweet and bitter, salty and sour, fresh and cooked. It shares many dishes with its neighbors, and you’ll find noodle soup similar to Vietnamese pho, Thailand’s refreshing salads and sour soups, Indian-inspired curries, and noodles and stir fries handed down from years of Chinese migration. From Cambodia’s days as a French Indochina colony, there’s a national love of coffee, pate, and good bread. Baguettes are served with soup, made into sandwiches, and sold by men riding bicycles carrying baskets of long loaves. Western food is also available in most of the places visited.

Weather

The weather will be hot and humid throughout with temperatures during the day usually between 28C (82F) and 34C (93F). It is only a little cooler at nights. The dry season is late October to May and the monsoon is normally between May and October; though there is an obvious transitional time between those settled periods. The dry season is as it sounds, with hot days and generally clear skies, though you can expect the odd shower.