Your tuk tuk driver for Angkor Wat and Siem Reap

I often get the question from people about all the other things there are to do in Siem Reap. Here are some suggestions if you want a break from the temples or if you have the time and the desire to really experience Cambodia, it's wonderful people and the challenges the country and the people face. This list is in no way complete. If you have other suggestions from your own experience please let me know via our 'CONTACT' page.

* TONLE SAP
There is of course Tonle Sap which offers several things to do (see Canby Publications; Tara Boat; Sam Veasna Center - scroll down to "Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve"). One can also do a tour of the floating villages at Chong Khneas and the stilted villages of Kompong Phluck independently versus on an organized tour. On my most recent trip I also visited the stilted village of Kompong Khleang. It is a bit further away than Kompong Phluck but I think is the most amazing village to visit on Tonle Sap. You can see pictures of it at AngkorTukTuk photo album

* GIVE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
One can spend a half day (or more) making a difference and visiting some small and innovative NGOs (my favorites: The Ponheary Ly Foundation; Journeys Within Our Community; Shinta Mani Community Support Projects; Sangkheum Center for Children; or see the alternative tours run by The Villa Siem Reap - "Day in the Life," and "Treak Village Walk & Talk;" Here's another traveler's great first-person account of the 'Day in a Life' tour).

Please be advised: when visiting an NGO project it is a very nice thing to do to make at least a small contribution. You may find, as I have, that you will want to become a regular supporter of an organization after seeing first-hand the great work they are doing. The ones I have listed here are all ones you can feel comfortable making a donation to as they are all honest and doing very good work. With the tours from The Villa Siem Reap a good portion of the fee goes to the organizations involved.

* KHMER ARTISANS WORKSHOP
You may also want to visit Artisans d'Angkor silk farm and artisans workshop and training center. The silk farm and silk workshop are 12 km out of town and they also have an artisans workshop, training facility and boutique right in town. At both locations they have a very interesting and educational 30 - 40 minute free guided tour.

* STAY ANOTHER DAY
Check out the Siem Reap section of 'Stay Another Day' for many interesting suggestions of activities and shops that in one way or another are socially active and socially responsible.

* VILLAGE VISIT
Many of our guests also spend some time visiting Savuth's village and sharing a meal and/or visiting his childrens' rural primary school. Many drivers and guides are often willing to give you a glimpse into how they and their families live.

* THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Siem Riep has become another non-temple attraction richer with the opening of the Angkor Butterfly Centre. Situated on the road to Banteay Srei it can now be part of a varied day of touring where one can do Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei, the Landmine Museum and the new Butterfly Centre.

* THE LANDMINE MUSEUM
Any visitor to Cambodia will know of the country's tortured and tragic modern history and how the country suffered from the Khmer Rouge and the 2nd Indochina war, better known as the war in Vietnam. During that period Cambodia become the world's most landmined country. On your visits to the temples you will likely come across Khmer musicians who are missing limbs as the reult of landmine accidents. On the road to the Banteay Srei temple and near to the Angkor Butterfly Center, you will find the Cambodian Landmine Museum. This small museum is well worth a visit to deepen your understanding of the country's recent history.

* AND THE BEAT GOES ON
I have heard from many people that Dr. Beat "Beatocello" Richner's free weekly Saturday evening cello concert and discussion about healthcare in Cambodia is quite an interesting experience. Dr. Beat is the founder of several independently run children's hospitals in Cambodia that provide top-notch free healthcare services to poor Cambodians.

* GITTY UP HORSIE (OR OXEN)
One can also do horseback trail rides and horse cart rides with The Happy Ranch. Another company, Buffalo Trails also offers oxen cart rides through the countryside plus a few other alternative experiences including homestays.

* AND THE WHEEL GOES ROUND AND ROUND
You might also enjoy a visit or participating in one of the various hands-on workshops offered by the Khmer Ceramics Center. You can try your hand on the potter's wheel taking home your fired creation. The center offers workshops for adults and for children so this may be a great family activity if you are traveling with your children. As of November 1, 2009, the center has a new location on the road to Angkor Wat.

* OFF-ROADING
There are three companies I know of that offer off-road 'adventure' activities: Hidden Cambodia, Dancing Roads and Quad Adventure Cambodia. One of our past guests enjoyed his experience with Dancing Roads. Beyond that I have no personal experience with these companies nor the degree to which the off-road adventures are envrionmentally responsible (Quad Adventures is a member of 'Heritage Friendly Business' and supports a local orphanage. Hidden Cambodia is also involved in many community support projects).

* THE INNER YOU
Those who may like to give some attentionto the inner self can check out the yoga, meditation, pilates or a chat with a Buddhist monk all offered at the Singing Tree Cafe. And depending on your hotel or guesthouse, no vacation is complete without some relaxed downtime at the pool or enjoying one of the many fine spas the city has to offer.

* SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE
Feel like flying more than what the tethered balloon near Angkor Wat can offer? There is the commercial helicopter tours or you can enjoy some low and slow aerial observation in an ultralight Trike. These ultralight flights got kicked off by pilot Eddie Smith who has apparently become quite renowned in the area since piloting his ultralight Trike as part of the Sydney University led Greater Angkor Project Ultralight Survey project a few years ago. Check out their new website for all the information and you too can soar like an eagle!