Things to do in Cambodia

Due to the fact that Cambodian tourism has not yet got to the levels of its neighbouring countries the number of activities on offer is rather limited. This is changing however, but at the moment there is little tourism infrastructure and therefore not many options for backpackers to choose from.

Diving is going to hit the big time in Cambodia that is for sure. There are some spectacular sights off the likes of Ko Kong and the pristine condition of the Marine life is a bonus. However as has been said, the tourism infrastructure is in its infancy and companies which offer trips off to these sites are limited and quite expensive. Dive sites off Sihanoukville are more accessible but of a less impressive nature.

Hiking is an interesting activity to take part in, though at the moment the only areas safe to do this are the North Eastern provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri as these were never mined during the war. The ethnic mix of these regions and the scattered temples are a bonus to some fabulous scenery and wildlife. Other parts of the country do have limited hiking options and as the Mine clearing operation is gaining momentum more and more areas will become open again.

In Phnom Penh, due to the high number of wealthy expats, there is an abundance of activities to keep you occupied. These are not exactly exciting but can help to waste some hours if needed. These include such activities as jet-skiing, boat tours, ten pin bowling and other conventional sports such as Tennis.

Cambodia is an adventure in itself and by setting goals to reach and explore the far out Temples, will more than compensate for the lack of conventional activities.

One such example is Prasat Preah Vihear, a dramatic temple which is set atop some beautiful mountains. Just getting to this temple is hard enough, without the added drama of negotiating a ride with a local Khmer. There is no local public transport to the temple, so you have to use your traveller savvy and the gift of the gab to hitch a lift.

It is now possible to visit Prasat Preah Vihear more easily from Thailand, but many travellers prefer to take the older and harder route to experience the wild of Cambodia's more remote provinces. A new road from Phnom Penh to the Thai border via the temple, has nearly been completed and for the less adventurous this may be appealing.

Places not to miss in Cambodia