Culture and Coast: A Luxury Family Adventure through Cambodia

The jungle surrounding Angkor Wat adds to its otherworldly beauty. Experience the landscape from a different perspective, high above the ground. Close to the temples, families with children aged five and above can traverse the rainforest canopy across a series of interconnecting platforms, soar on ziplines and cross sky bridges. You’ll also have the chance to abseil down one of the tallest trees.

Siem Reap is home to dozens of temples. Explore some of its less-visited monuments by bike. You’ll cycle from Srah Srang to jungle-swallowed Ta Prohm, which featured in the 2001 movie Tomb Raider. Pedal on to Ta Nei, often gloriously free of crowds, and pause for breakfast. The final stop is Ta Keo, known as ‘the mountain with bronze peaks’ due to its five-tiered pyramid structure.

Explore Angkor Thom on a scavenger hunt through its 12th-century walled city. You’ll follow clues, spot carved details and take photographs at each stage to unlock the next part of the trail. Angkor Thom, meaning Great City, was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, with Bayon Temple at its heart. Look out for the huge smiling faces carved into the stone, as well as walls decorated with elephants and scenes from daily life.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is one of several grassroots sports growing in popularity in Phnom Penh. Learn the basic principles with a private lesson from a member of the national Ju-Jitsu team. At the federation’s rooftop training facility, you’ll be guided through positions while wearing a traditional gi, the durable jacket and trousers worn by competitors. Children and teenagers often have fun trying the movements for themselves. Age suitability is best checked in advance.

Phnom Penh’s dynamic arts scene is especially evident in the street murals that brighten buildings and walls throughout the city. Your knowledgeable guide will take you to see more than 30 such works by local and international artists. Afterwards, visit a contemporary art gallery and a smaller space showcasing work by Khmer artists.

Breakfast is a social affair in Phnom Penh. The air fills with chatter and the aromas of specialities like bai sach chrouk (grilled pork over rice, pickled vegetables and chilli) and kuy teav, a noodle soup. You’ll see and taste the city’s morning rituals at small markets and street stalls. Join locals for traditional breakfast dishes and snacks, learning about the history and influences behind each bite.

Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll explore the islands around Koh Rong on stand-up paddleboards. Glide through turquoise-tinted waters and pass stretches of white sand, backed by palm trees and rainforest. As part of Cambodia’s first marine national park, this is a great chance for children and adults to learn about the coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests found around the islands.

Coastal Cambodia’s clear waters and coral reefs make this a wonderful place for snorkelling. On this private tour, head out to prime spots around the southern islands to look for the area’s marine life. You might see barracuda, parrotfish and damselfish. Along with sea turtles or tiny seahorses among the coral.

Witnessing bioluminescence is one of those experiences you won’t forget when conditions are right. On moonless nights, phosphorescent plankton can illuminate the water around Song Saa, creating glimmers of light across the dark sea. On a boat trip from the island, cruise out to see this natural phenomenon up close. You’ll also have the opportunity to swim through the glowing water.