Wild Frontiers

Flight Information

There are no direct flights to Phnom Penh from London. The easiest route is to fly with Thai Airways via Bangkok which takes approximately 14hrs.

Useful Tips

• Watch an authentic Aspara Dance in Siem Reap

• Have a drink at the FCC in Phnom Penh, watching the world pass by beneath

• For getting around the temples hire a tuk tuk and driver, its much quicker

• And chat to your driver before employing him… he may not speak as much English as you first think

• Check out Street 240 Phnom Penh - best place in town for shops, food and even a chic little wine bar

• Alleyway behind Khamer Kitchen, Siem Reap, is great for street food cafes

Recommended Reading

If you want to read up on your destination we recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Bradt Guides, Odyssey Guides, The Rough Guide and Footprint Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the areas you visit.

Good books and maps of Cambodia are available at Stanfords in Covent Garden, London or online at www.stanfords.co.uk

Relevant Reading:
For background into the Angkorian Khmer civilisation we recommend Angkor: An Introduction, by George Coedès.

Mark Standen's Passage through Angkor, is one of the best photographic tributes to Angkor.

David Chandler has written several books exploring Cambodia's history, including History of Cambodia and Brother Number One - A Political Biography of Pol Pot.

Nayan Chanda's Brother Enemy, provides insight into Cambodia and Vietnam's descent into war, and the role played by the international community. And our favourite book on the region, River of Time, by John Swaine is a gripping account of a journalist’s experiences during the regions recent troubled past. The Quiet American, by Graham Greene (1954) is set during the last days of French rule and is probably the most famous Western work of fiction on the region.

When To Go

Cambodia has a climate that is warm all year round, but it does have distinct seasons. The dry season runs from November to May with the first half being cool and the second, March to May, being hot and humid. The wet season is between June and October. The daytime temperature will generally be 30-40 degrees so hats and sunscreen all round!

Packing List

Below is a list of general items you might take with you on a Wild Frontiers trip to Cambodia. With your booking confirmation you will receive a packing list specific to your tour, so please treat this as a general guideline only.

Luggage:
It is best to use a soft bag - rucksack/hold-all/duffel bag - so it can be transported and stored more easily.
On all our trips a small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

Clothing:
In general you should bring clothes you feel comfortable with, so as a guide we suggest a packing list like this:
• 4 x Light cotton shirts or T-shirts, short sleeved and long.
• 2/3 pairs of cotton trousers. If preferred, women can wear dresses and skirts
• 2 x Lightweight jumpers or sweatshirts
• Good quality fleece or warm jumper
• Waterproof jacket or poncho
• Warm nightwear
• Change of clothing for the evenings
• Sun hat or cap
• Swim suit or trunks
• Pair of walking shoes/boots (walking)
• Pair of recreational shoes, adventure sandals, trainers or pumps

Equipment:
The following is useful extra equipment for you trip:
• Travel towel, travel soap and toiletries
• Flip flops/sandals for showers
• Torch (LED head-torch keeps your hands free)
• Pair of good quality sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Plug adapter (see ‘Electricity’ section)

Personal First Aid Kit:
While we do carry a large medical kit on all our group tours, we would still advise that you take some of the basics with you. This should include:
• Any prescription medication required (please inform the tour leader at your pre-departure meeting about these)
• Antibacterial dry hand wash
• Painkillers: paracetamol & ibuprofen
• Rehydration salts (Gastrolyte)
• Malaria Tablets (if necessary)
• Travel motion-sickness tablets if required (e.g. natural ginger tablets)
• Diarrhoea remedies
• Antihistamines
• Cold/flu decongestants
• Mosquito Repellent
• Insect bite cream
• Laxatives
• Plasters/Bandage/Steri-Strips/Blister pads
• Sunscreen (30+ factor)
• Moisturiser/after sun cream/lip balm
• Contact lenses and solution if required
• Tweezers
(A kit with most of this in is available at www.nomadtravel.co.uk)

Optional Extras:
• Ear plugs (if sharing a room / camping)
• Alarm clock
• 3-4 plastic carrier bags are very useful for dirty washing, dirty shoes and rubbish
• Binoculars
• Small packs of tissues
• Money belt or secure pouch for money and passport etc.
• Eye patches if light affects your sleep
• Sewing kit/scissors
• Writing materials
• Spare batteries/camera memory cards
• Swiss Army knife
• Calculator (for currency conversion)
NB: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are rare. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Hand Luggage:
Although it is very rare that luggage goes missing on flights, it has been known to happen and so it’s a good idea to carry a spare top, toothbrush, wash kit, underwear and any other essentials in your hand luggage so that you can at least freshen up while waiting for your bags to catch you up. If you wear your sturdy shoes/boots it will also reduce weight in your luggage and keep them safe.