Responsible
travel in
Cambodia
Responsible
travel in
Cambodia
We strive to ensure that every element of our company conforms to responsible tourism policy, and we are continually monitoring the social, economic, and environmental impact of our operations.
We are fully committed to and transparent about all standards of responsible travel we adhere to.
Labour laws
TravelED Asia is an ethical company that believes in following the Cambodian Labour Laws by the book to protect and value our staff members.
Read more in the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training official site.
Living wages
Since there is no minimum wage in Cambodia, this can lead to exploitation. At TravelED Aisia. We follow benchmarks set by reputable labour unions/ILO. We are committed to pay a fair and healthy wage to our team so they can best support themselves and their family.
Communities in charge
We believe communities are the experts when it comes to their own needs and priorities. Our experience has shown us that our successful programs are led by the community and we see our role as facilitating this process, offering skills-exchange and working alongside them to assist them with their development plans.
No orphanage tourism
It is natural and right to care about poor and vulnerable children, wherever they are in the world. But what if this support was actually part of the problem, not the solution? We believe that children and families do best when they remain together.
Learn before you visit
History, travel facts, FAQ
Program
location
Program
location
Siem Reap is the second largest settlement in Cambodia and home to the world famous Angkor Temple complex. Siem Reap, literally means “Siam defeated”.
Siam, is an old Khmer word for Thai hordes of invaders who many times attempted to overtake the Kingdom. These days, however, the only rampaging hordes are the tourists heading to Angkor and this once quaint village has become the largest boom tourist town in Cambodia. It’s quite laid-back and all in all a very pleasant place to stay. It’s a nice compromise between observing Cambodian life and enjoying the amenities of modern services and entertainment, thanks to the large expatriate community in Siem Reap.
Expect to receive almost constant offers for tuk-tuk (Cambodian rickshaws) rides, along with everything else which drivers may be able to offer to you.
Historical view
Cambodia’s modem-day culture has its roots in the 1st to 6th centuries in a state referred to as Funan, known as the oldest Indianized state in Southeast Asia. It is from this period that Cambodia’s language evolved, part of the Mon-Khmer family, which contains elements of Sanskrit, its ancient religion of Hinduism and Buddhism. Historians have noted, for example, that Cambodians can be distinguished from their neighbors by their clothing – checkered scarves known as Kramas are worn instead of straw hats (so much cooler).
Funan gave way to the Angkor Empire with the rise to power of King Jayavarman II in 802. The following 600 years saw powerful Khmer kings dominate much of present-day Southeast Asia, ruling much of what is now Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. It was during this period that Khmer kings built the most extensive concentration of religious temples in the world – the Angkor temple complex. The most successful of Angkor’s kings, Jayavarman II, Indravarman I, Suryavarman II and Jayavarman VII, also devised a masterpiece of ancient engineering: a sophisticated irrigation system that includes Barays (gigantic man-made lakes) and canals that ensured as many as three rice crops a year. Part of this system is still in use today.
Modern day
Cambodia
Modern day Cambodia is home to a variety of landscapes and environmental marvels. Rich in diverse wildlife, multicultural in terms of indigenous tribes inhabiting the mountainous areas of the North-east and the Cardamoms.
Cambodia further boasts 435 kilometers of undisturbed coasts and a bustling ecosystem of the Mekong mega river. Outside of the booming tourism centers such as Siem Reap, the Kingdom offers a plethora of lesser known travel opportunities.
Cambodia
fact-sheet
Area
181,035 km²
Population
15,552,211 (60.5% live in rural areas)
Capital
Phnom Penh with 2,281,951 inhabitants
Time
Indochina time GMT+7
Official Language
Khmer | ខ្មែរ
Political system
Constitutional monarchy
Cambodia is a member of
ASEAN, UNESCO, ADB, IBE, ILO, IMF, UNDP, UNICEF, UNEP, UNHCR, WFP, WHO, WTO
Currency
Cambodian riel | KHR | រៀល ៛
Exchange rate at USD 1.00 ~ KHR 4,050.00
While in the process of beign phased out, the United States dollar is in circulation since a dual-currency system implemented during 1993 UN peacekeeping operation.
Religious spectrum
Despite being a chiefly Buddhist nation, Cambodia is a country religious freedom.
97.1% Buddhism
2% Muslim
0.3% Christian
0.5% Other
Main national celebrations
Pchum Ben (the Ancestors’ Day), Water Festival and Khmer New Year
Cambodian people
Khmer people have been to hell and back, struggling through years of bloodshed, poverty and political instability. But we are working hard to prevail, relying on our seemingly unbreakable spirit and an infectious optimism.
You would be hard pressed to find friendlier people than Khmers as many visitors have said “their smiles and graciousness are one of the best parts about traveling to this part of the world”.
Weather
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate with two primary seasons, wet and dry. Dry season is from November to April and the rainy season is from May to October.
Average daily temperatures vary little from month to month, it’s usually hot and humid, April is the hottest month of the year, with average daily temperatures ranging from min 25°C (77°F) to max 35°C (95°F).
Travel
FAQ
Most common questions about travelling to Cambodia answered.
Travel
FAQ
Most common questions about travelling to Cambodia answered.
The pandemic has caused global interruptions in international travel as means of putting preventive measures in place.
Entering Cambodia, one must present a COVID-free test result issued, signed and stamped by relevant authorities of your country no later than 72 hours from the moment of arrival. Be prepared to undergo a 14 day quarantine in a hotel designated by the government of Cambodia, and cover the costs of your stay.
Visitors who test negative for the coronavirus after the quarantine are allowed to travel freely within Cambodia while observing local, provincial-level measures to curb the spread. These may include curfews, local travel restrictions or prohibition of sales of alcoholic beverages.
Don’t hesitate to contact us to get the latest updates about the Kingdom and the region you wish to travel to.
To prevent any unexpected health problems in Cambodia, we would recommend to read the vaccination advice for Cambodia from the “National Health Service of the United Kingdom”.
We also recommend visiting your general practitioner, ideally 6-8 weeks before you travel. They’re the best person to inform you about necessary vaccinations and give you health advice depending on the length of your stay, what you’ll be doing and your general health.
Having a visa is compulsory for any traveler entering Cambodia. Make sure your passport has a validity of at least 6 months remaining as this is required.
You can obtain an e-visa prior to your arrival. However, please note that these can only be processed at: Siem Reap International Airport, Phnom Penh International Airports, Poi Pet, Cham Yeam, Bavet, Tropaeng Kreal Border Post and Preah Sihanouk International Airport. You can apply for your visa online here.
A single entry tourist visa is valid for a stay of up to 30 days and costs USD 36. These can easily be obtained upon arrival at all border crossings, all you require is your passport and two passport sized photos. Be sure you have the exact dollar amount.
We aim to give all students the opportunity to taste a lot of different Cambodian dishes and we try to vary the menu to cater to all tastes. Group must inform us of any dietary requirements prior to the trip so we can work with our meal providers.
Accommodation can vary from city hotels to traditional rural homestays depending on the trip.
Cambodian year can be divided into two distinct seasons: dry and rain season. However, there are transitional periods, with the best time to visit being between November and January, before it gets extremely hot. The mean temperature between November and January is approximately 28 degrees.
Rainy season also can be a fun time to visit, as there are fewer tourists, and the countryside blooms into healthy hues of green. In the heart of the monsoon swells, typically in September and October, travel to more remote parts of the country can be challenging or impossible because of road conditions.
Cambodia has the most speakers of English among all South-East Asian nations, but don’t expect many Cambodians in the rural areas to speak your language. Instead, rely on smiles and body language to break the ice!
Follow these guidelines to ensure you are a respectful traveler:
Dress code: To be respectful, make sure to covering your knees and shoulders at all times.
Greeting: It’s polite to take your hat off, put your hands together in a prayer position and bow your head slightly. This practice is important when you meet elderly or monk.
Hat & Shoes off – It’s respectful to take your hat and shoes off when entering a pagoda, temple or someone’s home.
Pointing – When having conversation with local, your feet should never be pointed toward someone or objects/things, as this is very disrespectful and using your index finger is consider rude, as this is how people point to animals or objects/things. Instead you can use either your open palm or mouth to point.
Touching Head – The head is the most sacred part of the body in Cambodia, and as such it’s very rude to touch someone’s head, especially of elderly people or monks.
Yes, Cambodians are extremely friendly people who will get out of their way to help you on your travel.
Note that, unfortunately, there is an high rate of poverty in some areas of the Kingdom and you should always mind your possessions as petty theft may be an issue. TravelED Asia staff will always keep a mindful eye on you during your responsible travel itinerary.
CAMBODIA
+855 175 66 393
vichhay@traveled.asia
Taphul Village, Sangkat Svay Dangkum
Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
+855 175 66 393
vichhay@traveled.asia
Taphul Village, Sangkat Svay Dangkum
Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia