I wrote recently that I didn’t want to pick a favourite tour destination as each one shines in it’s own way. In addition to that, what makes all EVA tours special is the hands-on nature of the give back and community engagement that we do. As well of course as having a fabulous holiday! I’m going to explore all our destinations over the coming weeks- both the existing tours as well as the 5 new tours being added in 2026.
Cambodia is a very special for me for a variety of reasons. Up to last year all my adventures had been as part of a group tour - mostly with former Bamboo operators who I was supporting at the same time that EVA was coming into existence. So my trip to Cambodia was the first time I ever ventured on my own as a solo traveller. There is such a sense of support and friendship in small groups, I was very apprehensive about every aspect of travelling alone. All the things you worry about; money, language, transport, safety weighed heavily.
But I surprised myself at how easy it was to navigate Cambodia. I loved it from the moment I arrived. I stayed at the most amazing hotel- the Pavilion in Phnom Penh. It's basically an art gallery with swimming pools, spas, amazing food and wonderful staff. Gorgeous big room with the pool right beside it and close to the Royal Palace. I wandered over to the Palace on my second day and was enthralled! I had a wonderful guide and he answered all my questions of which there were many. The murals in the grounds chart the mythological history of Cambodia and it was fascinating to see remnants of the same murals in Angkor Wat a few days later. The journey to Siem Reap was another first for me- the Great Ibis bus between cities. Reasonably priced, very comfortable seats and plenty of comfort stops on the way.
In Siem Reap I met up with EVA friends- Anita and her sister Charlotte along with Marina and Jacky. I stayed in the Khmer Mansion Boutique and was made feel like the most honoured guest that they'd ever had. I'm so pleased that we are planning to stay there for our tour in October, I feel I'll be returning to visit friends. It's a charming hotel and right beside everything you might need from laundry to a wonderful spa, restaurants, Pub Street and a host of Tuk Tuk drivers.
I spent a lot of time thinking about our give back and while I had always intended checking out the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, (home to Kavaan, the loneliest elephant in the world) my mind was open to other opportunities. The day we went to Angkor Wat, there were some musicians playing at the entrance to one of the temples. I went back to put some money in their bucket and it was only then I noticed that this plaintive, beautiful sound was coming from a group of men missing either arms or legs. I read the sign beside them and was pretty shocked to realise they were all victims of landmine explosions. Up to that point I was vaguely aware of landmines- The Halo Trust being one example- but I had no idea that it was a present threat and danger over many parts of the world.
This encounter led me to find Metta Karuna in Siem Reap, run by 2 of the most extraordinary people you will ever meet. Sr Denise Coghlan is an Australian nun who has dedicated her entire life to helping refugees and displaced people. It was through this work that in Cambodia that she met/ rescued Tun Channareth who lost both legs to a landmine on the Thai/Cambodian border. Full of humour and positivity, this wonderful pair run this oasis of calm and creativity in the centre of Siem Reap. Reth designs and makes wheelchairs in the workshop and they help to find meaning, mobility and purpose in the lives of landmine victims. Reth accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 on behalf of the International Campaign to ban landmines, a problem that persists and indeed still expands to this day.
And finally, why go to Siem Reap or indeed Cambodia without a visit to Angkor Wat? It was an early and chilly start as we tuk-tukked noisily through the foggy dawn to get our tickets then travel on to the complex. I almost don't want to describe Angkor Wat as it's something you really have to experience to fully appreciate it. The size, the intricate art, the dark mysterious trees and grounds- the whole visit was so very powerful. We were there on a cloudy morning so didn't get one of those iconic sunrise photos, but it didn't matter; just watching the clouds change colour and slowly give way to the entirety of the view was enough. I spent a day in Angkor Wat but I was unprepared for the sheer vastness of it, the various temples, the monkeys! A day isn't really enough and I am really looking forward to my return to Cambodia in November.
I've been to other parts of SE Asia, but there's something about Cambodia that sets it apart. Not just the friendly people, the amazing food, the sincerity of everyone you meet but a feeling that this troubled land is finding its feet and the welcome you receive is completely heartfelt.
As I write today, the tour for this year is now full but we'll be back again next year in February so if you want a taste of authenticity in South East Asia, this is the trip for you. There's an option to spend 5 days in Laos, so you really get to experience the very best this region has to offer.
Have a look and if you have any questions you can use the contact sheet here on the website and I can give you direct answers. Hope to see you!
https://www.evatravel.uk/cambodia
