A night in the Cambodian countryside

We just love taking you off the beaten track to spend a night in Guatemala glamping in a private luxury Airstream; or to a stay in your own treetop bungalow with the monkeys and birds in Peru’s Amazon rainforest; or to a stunning safari camp in the heart of Zambia.

Now we bring you Banteay Chhmar, a two-tent camp in northwest Cambodia some 64 miles from the border with Thailand.  We like this camp not only for its unique location in the shadow of a temple complex, but also because it is a local, community-based tourism project set up to provide local people with an alternative to farming. This initiative offers workers more opportunity to learn new skills, and presents them with the chance to meet people from other parts of the world. The cooks are on site preparing dishes using fresh ingredients. Everything use local resources and products, therefore contributing to the local economy every step of the way.

What adds to the uniqueness of this experience is that the massive temple of Banteay Chhmar, its satellite shrines and reservoir comprise one of the most important yet least understood archaeological sites from Cambodia’s Angkor period. Built by King Jayavaraman VII in the late 12th or early 13th century, it is one of two sites outside Angkor with the enigmatic face-towers. In addition, its outer gallery is carved with bas-reliefs depicting military engagements and daily life scenes very similar to the well-known ones in Bayon.

Enjoy the experience of staying in the shadow of an ancient temple, free to stroll around the grounds and study the detailed bas reliefs on the temple walls. Imagine the lives of the Khmer people who would have walked these same grounds almost a 1000 years ago. Experience rich cultural traditions and ancient Angkorian heritage.  Then retire to your welcoming tent equipped with comfortable furniture, linens, mosquito protection, mini bar and private bathroom.

Explore this remarkable site and camp on our newest President’s Picks: Cambodia’s Unique Treasures.