Disclosure: Advertising – I was invited by G Adventures to Cambodia and this post contains affiliate links. If you book something through these links I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more about my disclosure and affiliate policy here.
Feature image by G Adventures/ Lucas Kschischang
A lifetime ago, I embarked on my first trip to Southeast Asia, which happened to be a small group tour in Cambodia and Vietnam. I started in Bangkok, which I wasn’t too keen on back then (oh, how the times have changed), but I immediately fell in love with Cambodia. I remember feeling so sad learning about the recent tragic history of its people and in awe of how they dealt with it – many with a big smile.
While I was well on my way to becoming a die-hard solo traveler, I still chose a small group tour for Cambodia. Why? After having had great experiences in Morocco, I knew it was the right choice for me – both for ease, comfort, and a sense of safety.
It felt almost serendipitous that I was invited 13 years later by G Adventures, one of the premier small group travel companies in, to attend their annual GX Summit. This year it happened to take place in Cambodia. We not only learned so much about community tourism, the heart and soul of everything G Adventures does, but also got to explore Cambodia like one of their groups would (well, almost; we got a few extra perks…).
Our trip was short and sweet, but it convinced me once again: if you are new to traveling or to the region, a small group tour is a great way to to do it.
Why choose a small group tour in Cambodia with G ADventures?
Why would you choose a group tour in Cambodia in particular with G instead of doing it yourself? Here are some reasons that are even good enough for me, the eternal solo traveler…
Sit back and relax
I love to plan trips. It is my pride and joy (and my ADHD brain), but some countries make it a bit harder than others. The number of times I worry and check and re-check… even if you like organizing and planning, it can get so very exhausting. And once you are in the country, it doesn’t necessarily get much better; travel, as much as I love it, can be taxing at times.
Since I am always in charge (or so I like to think), I really enjoy when someone does the work for me, and all I have to do is show up on time – not a difficult thing for this German.
In Cambodia that means, I don’t have to worry about how to get from A to B or find an alternative when the roads get flooded, where to buy my ticket for Angkor Wat and what to bring to get said ticket, or how to find the best spot to have Amok.
When you book a group trip with G Adventures in Cambodia, you have a team of experts who help you with all the organization before the trip and a designated CEO, the Chief Experience Officer, often better known as your tour guide, to help you during your holiday.
Flexibility built into every trip
What I really like about any G Adventures trip is that they offer a great mix between a set itinerary and free time to explore on your own. While some experiences are included, you can add others at your leisure. This is great if you are traveling on a budget or don’t want to fork out money for something you are not interested in.
They also include some, but not all, meals and give you an indication of how much to budget for the rest. And of course, you can pay extra if you want a room all to yourself.
And depending on the travel style you choose, accommodation, transport, and experiences overall might be more or less exclusive.
Safety in (small) numbers
Some may argue with me, but I think you can consider yourself a solo traveler and still join a group trip. And regardless of semantics, there is no denying that there is a certain safety in numbers – important especially if you are a female traveler.
The nice thing about G Adventures is that they offer small group tours in Cambodia and around the world. This means about 12 to 16 travelers for most trips (usually an average of 10) and no big buses in sight! Still, enough people to make new friends to share a tuk-tuk with, visit a market, and have a Tomb Raider cocktail after an exciting day out.
G for Good
One of G’s core beliefs is that travel can be a force for good when done right. This includes supporting projects with the Planeterra Foundation, welfare guidelines, and much more – summarized as G for Good or through their new motto: Travel your heart out.
Many small group travel companies will take you to Cambodia, but one thing that G does better than most is the focus on community tourism. The focus of any trip lies not only on you, the traveler, but also the communities you will visit. G has realized that both parties are impacted by travel and should benefit from it.
The benefit for you: you can actually meet and support locals! In Cambodia, this can mean a night at a homestay, eating at a restaurant that trains young adults in hospitality, or visiting a silk-weaving community. My favorite was taking a trip with the Tuk Tuk Ladies in Siem Reap, an organization founded by Kim, a single mother herself, that provides jobs for women in need.
Trees for Days
While sustainable travel has become a buzzword for many, G takes it a step further than most. For each day you travel with them, they plant a tree in your name. “Trees for Days” isn’t just about offsetting your carbon footprint; the trees planted also actively benefit certain communities. Trees for Days has planted almost 4 million trees since its inception in 2023, and they nurture each tree to maturity and replace it if it dies.
Of course you should always try to be a sustainable traveler, with or without going on a group trip. But G makes it incredibly easy to travel more sustainably and really dive deeper when it comes to authentic experiences.
All you have to do is book your trip and grab your refillable water bottle!
Can you solo travel in Cambodia?
Yes, of course you can also plan a solo trip to Cambodia. I felt pretty safe, as did many others I spoke to. That said, just be mindful of your surroundings, watch your drink (especially as a woman), and avoid dark roads, especially in Phnom Penh. I would always go book a tuk-tuk with Grab or, even better, book with a Tuk Tuk Lady when in Siem Reap!
That said, if you are planning to cover longer distances and head to the islands or to the jungle, traveling in Cambodia can get a bit exhausting. The infrastructure cannot be compared to neighboring countries yet; heck, a big part of the country is still inaccessible due to landmines.
I am saying this not to scare you, but so you’re mindful. One reason why I enjoy small group trips so much is that someone else can worry about transfers and logistics, and I can just sit back and relax on my holiday.
Additionally, many experiences you would have when traveling in Cambodia with G Adventures are hard to find on your own. Not impossible, but harder to source and organize, since many experiences aren’t available on regular booking platforms. I’ve come to realize these authentic, highly personalized experiences often become the highlight of my trip.
If you want the best of two worlds, book G’s Solo-ish Adventure in Cambodia, made exclusively for solo travelers!
Cambodia itineraries with G Adventures
G Adventures offers 3 Cambodia-only trips. Most are small group tours in Vietnam and Cambodia, or start/end in Bangkok. Considering that there are no direct international flights from the US or Europe to Cambodia, this makes a lot of sense logistically. Plus, Cambodia shares quite a bit of history and cultural aspects with its neighboring countries, so it works well to combine two or more.
However, if you are just interested in Cambodia, you can choose between these trips:
Phnom Penh & Siem Reap Hangouts
This short, 4-day adventure is ideal if you only want to see some of the absolute highlights and/or add time on your own before or after the trip. It’s also perfect if you are not sure yet whether a group trip person.
The trip covers a cyclo tour to some of the best sights in Phnom Penh, an adventurous day in Siem Reap, but – most importantly – an overnight homestay in Sambor Prei Kuk. There you will visit the fantastic UNESCO heritage site that is even older than Angkor.
This tour is also great if you are very budget-conscious, as it teams up with Hostelworld and you’ll stay in hostels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
You can also book the same trip with an added night in Bangkok to explore Khao San Road and join a food tour in Chinatown.
Ultimate Cambodian Adventure
If you are new to Cambodia and want a real glimpse of the country, the Ultimate Cambodian Adventure is the trip for you.
It is the perfect 2-week Cambodia itinerary starting in Phnom Penh. From there, you head to Battambang and then Siem Reap. After a few days there, you travel east to Kratie and Kampong Cham before driving south to Kampot and the Bokor National Park. Then you can enjoy some beach time on Koh Rong before your trip finishes in Phnom Penh.
Solo-ish Cambodia
G seems to agree with me that you can absolutely be a solo traveler and join a group tour at the same time, since they have launched their Solo-ish trips. These trips are exclusively for solo travelers. This way you are never the odd, lone one out and already have something in common with the others in your group.
A bonus: all Solo-ish trips are run by a female Chief Experience Officer, aka tour guide, to support women in the travel industry.
The Solo-ish Cambodia trip is 10 days and starts in Siem Reap. From there, you will head to Phnom Penh, visit a local community in Chi Phat and soak up island vibes in Koh Rong, before ending your adventure back in the capital.
Cambodia travel tips
Whether you are booking a group tour to Cambodia or going on your own, here are some tips to make your trip easier!
How to get to Cambodia
Cambodia has 3 international airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. The first two are brand new and well connected to other countries in Asia like Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
That said, if you are coming from the US or Thailand, you will need to plan a layover if your trip starts directly in Cambodia. Good options are Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur, depending on flight prices and airline preference.
Do you need a visa for Cambodia?
Most travelers will need a tourist visa for Cambodia, which you can buy either online before or upon arrival at the airport. The single-entry tourist visa for 30 days costs about $30. Please check your visa requirements before you leave and prepare accordingly, as this is something G Adventures can’t do for you.
How to get around
Your travel logistics are taken care of when traveling with G Adventures – you can even book airport transfers through them! That said, you will probably want to move independently when you have some free time.
In some places that means walking; in other places you can take a tuk-tuk or a remorque (a carriage on a motorbike) to cover longer distances. A good way to book those is Grab or the Pass App – they will connect you with available drivers, show you the different prices, and you can even pay with your credit card that gets saved on the app.
Money matters
Cambodia uses both USD and Cambodian Riel. You can get both from most ATMs, though the fees can be quite steep (I paid $5 at the airport in Phnom Penh). Right now, everyone seems to use an exchange rate of 1 USD = 4000 riel, and you will often get change in riel or a mix of both, depending on what a vendor has available.
Credit cards are widely used, but it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller amounts. A great alternative is the Moreta App. You can transfer money to your account with your credit card or Wise, then use the app to scan QR codes to pay. This is so convenient as businesses, big and small, use QR payments in Cambodia and don’t charge a fee.
What language is spoken in Cambodia?
The language of Cambodia is Khmer, which most people in the country speak. English is spoken in many tourist areas, and you will usually get by. But as always, it is only polite to learn a few words and phrases in the local language.
I also prepare my Google Translate app in case I need to translate a sign or communicate with someone who doesn’t speak English.
Wifi & SIM card for Cambodia
Most hotels have decent wifi these days, but since you probably won’t spend much time in your room, I recommend getting an eSIM. This way you can stay connected when exploring, and it is easy to order a Grab, find a good coffee shop, or have a WhatsApp call with your loved ones at home straight in front of Angkor Wat.
I like the Holafly Asia eSIM, especially if you are traveling to neighboring countries before or after Cambodia.
What to pack for Cambodia?
Definitely don’t overpack and make sure you can carry your own luggage. Roads can be a bit precarious, aka muddy, and you may need to walk short distances. Many travelers take a backpack for convenience, but I had my medium-sized Rimowa suitcase and was absolutely fine. That said, I was glad I didn’t take my large suitcase, as it wouldn’t have fit in a tuk-tuk with me.
While Cambodia is still a somewhat conservative country, you don’t need to cover up too much. An exception is Angkor Wat or any other temple, where you will need to cover your shoulders and knees (and yes, they check). Same goes for the Royal Palace, the S21 Prison, or other important sights.
Most importantly – consider the weather. Umbrellas are your friend for sun and rain protection. Alternatively, get a good rain poncho if you’re coming during monsoon season. You can buy cheap, flimsy ones at most supermarkets and convenience stores, but I recommend going to Decathlon or bringing one from home.
Solid shoes are also important, especially when you are temple hopping. I was happy with my Birkenstocks, though they weren’t happy with me as I was walking through quite a few muddy puddles.
Always important: good sunscreen and mosquito repellent. And of course, make sure that your travel vaccines are up to date, especially for things like rabies.
