Cambodia Photography Tour
A fully-accompanied Cambodia photography tour. Wonderful landscapes include the awe-inspiring jungle-clad temples of Angkor plus Phnom Penh's vibrant streetlife, local markets and much more...
8-day special Cambodia photography tour
Our 8-day Cambodia photography tour, accompanied by one of our professional travel photographers Gary Latham or Jeff Perigois, takes you from the bustling, hectic, but photogenic capital Phnom Penh up-country to the provincial town of Siem Reap and the fabulous and highly atmospheric, jungle-clad temples and ruined cities of Angkor.
Designed for anyone from beginners to experts, our photographers – with their in=depth knowledge of the country – will provide tips and hands-on assistance where required in all aspects of travel photography as well as ensuring, to the best of their abilities, that you get to the ‘right place at the right time’.
The intention is to bring all aspects of travel photography together on the one tour so you’ll spend time shooting both the iconic scenes such as dawn at Angkor and the country’s picturesque landscapes as well as capturing images of everyday life and the friendly inhabitants in the villages, backstreets and local markets.
Phnom Penh street life and eclectic architecture, rural scenes and of course the mysterious jungle-covered ruins of Angkor provide memorable and highly varied subjects on this fascinating, instructive and fun tour.
Note, for those with more time, we offer an extended, 11-day version of this itinerary which includes a boat journey across the unique Tonle Sap Lake and up-river past floating villages to Battambang as well as a tour of local village life before completing a return loop to Phnom Penh.
This one week Cambodia photography tour is also easily combined with neighbouring Vietnam so again, if you have a few more days to spare and want to get the most out of your airfare, check out our Indochina photography tour beginning in Vietnam’s Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and taking you through the picturesque Mekong Delta region before travelling up-river to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.
(Please note, tour price is inclusive of a single room supplement.)
Itinerary
Here's an idea of what you can expect to do and see day-to-day.
Day 1 - Phnom Penh - arrival and introductory walking tour
Arrival in Phnom Penh and check-in to a small, comfortable, downtown hotel. Time to relax (or a dip in the pool) before an introductory walking tour of the old French Quarter and riverfront provides first-hand views of the bustling and colourful street-life while a welcome dinner offers an introduction to the country’s rich but little-known cuisine.
Photo themes: – street scenes, historic buildings; French colonial style and Buddhist temples
Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Walk, Tuk Tuk, Meals: D,
Day 2 - Phnom Penh - city tour
Day tour of Cambodia’s fascinating capital city combining some of the well-known sites – the infamous Killing Fields, the highly moving Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum at Tuol Sleng and picturesque Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda – with behind the scenes views of local markets and everyday life.
Photo themes: – street scenes, markets, portrairs, architecture, historical sites
Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 3 - Phnom Penh - a visit to 'Silk Island'
Morning visit to the narrow and bustling streets of the Olympic Market area before heading off in the afternoon to nearby Koh Dach (Silk Island). Though just a short from downtown, it’s a world away and allows us to experience local village life as well as an opportunity to discover the traditional silk weaving methods still employed on this picturesque Mekong River island.
Photo themes: – markets, street-life, river scenes, villages and handicrafts
Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Minibus, Boat, Meals: B,
Day 4 - Road trip - up-country to Angkor
Overland through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the provincial town of Siem Reap – our base for the next few days for exploring the Angkor temples. Stops include the ‘spider village’ of Skuon, a rarely-visited 11th-century temple plus of course plenty of landscapes and ‘on the road’ scenes. A sunset visit to Prei Rup Temple completes our day.
Photo themes: – landscapes, countryside, villages, rural life, ‘on the road’
Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 5 - Siem Reap - dawn at Angkor Wat
Our tour of this fabulous site – vast, jungle-clad temples and mysterious stone carvings – begins with dawn at iconic Angkor Wat. Return to Siem Reap to escape the midday heat, relax by the pool or maybe explore the local market with your camera. An afternoon walking tour of Angkor Tom includes the Leper King & Elephant Terraces, Baphuon and, last but not least, (we’ll wait until the crowds have gone), the dramatic Bayon with its famous carved faces.
Photo themes: – ruined temples, Angkor dawn, landscapes, flora & fauna
Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 6 - Siem Reap - jungle temples
We’ll begin with a short hike to Phnom Bakheng Temple with its spectacular hilltop vistas, before moving on to Preah Khan. Dense jungle, huge roots and trees and screeching parakeets make this atmospheric temple a regular favourite. After a midday break in Siem Reap the day continues with a short jungle walk to Ta Keo via the remote and rarely visited Ta Nei Temple and a visit to famous Ta Prom – the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’.
Photo themes: – ruined temples, landscapes, jungle flora and fauna
Precise temple itinerary may vary due to light and weather conditions
Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 7 - Siem Reap - Beng Melea, a remote but spectacular site
Early morning visit to one of the more remote but truly spectacular Beng Melea. This vast, ruined temple complex, overgrown by jungle, is one of the most impressive, atmospheric and photogenic of Angkor monuments and also provides opportunities to capture village and rural scenes en-route. Return to Siem Reap with an afternoon at leisure.
Photo themes: – rural scenes, villages, landscapes, remote temples
Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 8 - Siem Reap - morning at leisure and departure
Morning at leisure in Siem Reap; tour and photography overview and ‘debriefing’ with perhaps some last-minute tips and/or post-production advice before a transfer to Siem Reap International Airport at your convenience.
Photo themes: – post-production, editing, markets
Extra nights in Phnom Penh prior to, or Siem Reap after, your tour are available on request.
Airport transfers are included if you purchase the 'with flights' package. If you purchased your own flights, airport transfers can be arranged.
Overnight: Departure Transport: Walk, Meals: B,
Details
The nitty-gritty, the things you need to know, the answers to your burning questions.
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Highlights
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Map
Departures
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Hotels
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Visa Info & Notes
Just a few of the many highlights
From the bustling street life of the vibrant capital Phnom Penh to the atmospheric and evocative jungle ruins of ancient Angkor
- Hands-on photographic assistance, tips and advice by a hugely experienced, professional travel photographer
- Experience dawn at Angkor Wat - watch the sunrise over the iconic silhouette of the world's largest religious building
- Capture the timeless and picturesque Cambodian countryside; emerald rice paddies, traditional stilt houses, ox carts and village life
- A tour of Phnom Penh; famous sites and behind the scenes with plenty of street life and local markets
- Photograph the jungle-clad ruined cities of Angkor - certainly one of Asia's most evocative and exotic destinations
- Meet the exceptionally friendly and welcoming local people ...and sample the sumptuous and varied local cuisine
Air Departures (UK) *From
Land Departures
Guaranteed Places Left Special Price Solo Traveller Closed
*Air departures are from the UK. Land departures start from Phnom Penh
*Land departure dates correspond to the FIRST day of the itinerary.
We choose our hotels based on a combination of location, comfort and convenience. Here is a *selection of the types of hotel/rooms you can expect to stay at on this tour...
Hotel 252 Phnom Penh view
- Small, boutique-style and low-key
- Quiet but central location near cafes and restaurants
- Garden setting with pool and cafe
Villa Langka Phnom Penh view
- Lush garden setting with pool
- Very convenient central but quiet location
- Helpful, friendly and efficient staff
City River Hotel Siem Reap view
- City River is out first choice in Cambodia's Siem Reap.
- Rooftop pool; spa, riverside location, super friendly staff
- Only a 5 minute walk from the bustling Old Market district
*This list should be considered a guide only, hotels/rooms may change (without notice) depending on availability.
Visa Info & Notes
Visas; For the majority of nationalities a visa on arrival is issued at international airports and all land borders. Visa fees and conditions are subject to change but are usually $30 payable in cash in US dollars although certain land crossings may cost a few extra dollars in random ‘service fees’. A passport photo is required. Tourist visas are issued for 30 days from date of entry into Cambodia.
E-visas (thus cutting down on queuing time at the airport) are now available for many nationalities at this link and cost $36 with a stated processing time of 3 working days. These are accepted at international airports.
When entering Cambodia make sure you get an entry stamp in your passport and keep your departure card.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Cambodia. You may be refused entry if your passport is damaged, in poor condition or does not have at least 2 blank pages remaining.
Tipping: we recommend a kitty system for the smaller, daily tips such as hotel/restaurant staff and local drivers. Amounts inevitably vary with group size but would generally be in the region of $2-3 per person per day. With regards guides accompanying you for longer periods we’d recommend a separate tip of approximately $5 per person, per day though of course, this is always discretionary and performance-related. (Local currency or USD are fine.)
Meals: The excellent cuisine shows both Thai and Vietnamese influences though with plenty of unique dishes too.
Dishes are only mildly spicy and both vegetarians and vegans are very easily catered for.
Accommodation: all choices fall into the boutique-style 3* range and are en-suite and air-conditioned with pools. We have posted a selection of sample accommodation on the lefthand hotel tab but please note that as we try and avoid the larger hotels, availability, in high season particularly, means we use several options in each destination.
Activities: note that no activities are compulsory and that any offered can be tailored for various fitness levels or alternatives suggested.
Further info: more details and photos of ‘Images of Cambodia‘ tour here and suggested reading and viewing on Cambodia at this link
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