Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sure maximum time elsewhere. Both offer new primate experiences for those that fancy a
bit of monkey business along the way. Tough choice…can't decide? Flip a coin, if you
can find one in this coinless country.
Head to the south coast. Take your time and consider a few nights in
Kep
or on one of
the nearby islands, and a boat trip from
Sihanoukville
to explore the up-and-coming is-
lands off the coast. Turning back inland, check out
Kirirom National Park
, home to pine
trees, black bears and some spectacular views of the Cardamom Mountains.
Then it's time to go northwest to charming
Battambang
, one of Cambodia's best-pre-
served colonial-era towns and a base from which to discover rural life. Take the proverbial
slow boat to
Siem Reap
, passing through stunning scenery along the snaking Sangker
River, and turn your attention to the
temples of Angkor
.
Visit all the greatest hits in and around Angkor, but set aside some extra time to venture
further to the rival capital of
Koh Ker
, which is cloaked in thick jungle, or
Prasat Preah
Vihear
, a mountain temple perched precariously atop a cliff on the Thai border.
Overlanders can run this route in reverse, setting out from Siem Reap and exiting Cam-
bodia by river into Vietnam or Laos. Entering from Laos, divert east to Ratanakiri before
heading south. Getting around is generally easy, as there are buses on the big roads, taxis
on the small roads and buzzing boats on the many rivers.
