Budget Trip Below RM1000 to Siem Reap, Cambodia

As a student, there are moments when our mind and body need nothing but an escape from the overload of assignments and stress, at least for the holidays. Thinking that we might never have as much time and chances to travel as we do when we’re in college. So, why not quench the thirst for adventure? During the mid-semester break in second year of university, I decided to embark an adventure with my bestie Karen! We selected Siem Reap because of the cheap air fare offered by AirAsia. Siem Reap is one of the top tourist destinations in SouthEast Asia.

A 4 days 3 night trip to Siem Reap.

All-in-return fare to Siem Reap costs RM365.30 for each person.

Our travel itienerary.

We stayed at Lud d Backpackers Hostel. The cost is around RM100 for 3 nights (Ladies dorm with 10 beds). Extremely cheap! The hostel is only 5-minute walk to the famous Pub Street, short walk to the Siem Reap River and old market + night market. Airport is just 20 minutes away as is the legendary Angkor Wat.

We booked 3 tour packages through Klook. The online booking process is simple and provides you with ticket upon purchased. Each package includes join in tour with English-speaking guide. The cost is RM181 for each person.

Things to do in Siem Reap

Temple Run

Siem Reap is a city famous for awe-inspiring and mind-blowing collection of ancient temple ruins. We’ve visited Angkor Thom complex which consists of several temples. Besides visiting the largest Buddhist temple on earth named Angkor Wat, we also explored the fascinating beauty of Bayon Temple and the world-famous Ta Prohm Temple (The temple where Angelina Jolie film Tomb-Raider). As Karen and I struggling our way through the stone-structured archways, climbing up the marble stairs, we enjoyed viewing those religious monuments through the temple tours which are absolutely mysterious and mesmerising. Our tour guide was very informative and told us stories about the temples which made the tour interesting.

By keeping an open mind when travel, you’ll meet different people from all around the world that you would never usually encounter back home.

Ta Prohm Temple, where ancient stones and massive tree roots are locked in battle. These ruins overgrown with trees made the atmospheric backdrop for scenes in the 'Tomb Raider' movies strarring Angelina Jolie. The mystical Bayon Temple, adorned with hundreds of smiling faces carved into the sandstone.

Explore Night Market & Pub Street

We walked to Pub Street almost every night to get our dinners. This long walking road is surrounded by neon signs, bars displaying bucket drink specials, clubs that are open late and groups of backpacker travellers every corner you turn. Pub Street can fill up your beer belly with draft beers are literally everywhere.

    Indulging in Cambodian food and exotic snacks is a cultural   thing to do in Siem Reap. In Cambodia, local people eat fried insects as tasty snacks. You can easily found hawkers serving scorpions, grasshoppers, crickets, bugs, crocodile, frog leg,snakes (cooked or uncooked). If you are adventurous and like to challenge yourself, you can try grilled snakes and other exotic delicacies at only $1. Even taking photo of these exotic foods will cost you money. Some tourists are even scolded by a young kid selling insects when they were taking pictures without buying. I managed to take picture of the food without noticing by the street vendors.

Expenses Summary for 1 pax

Flight: RM365.30

Accommodation: RM100

Tour Packages: RM181

Food+Transport: RM300 (estimate)

Total: RM1000+

Cambodia Travel Tips

- Bring portable fan and umbrella as the weather is extremely hot.

- The best currency to use is USD. It is widely accepted at restaurants and shops.

- Beware of drugs and alcohols.

- Cross the road like it’s your father’s road despite the heavy traffic and nobody care the rules (At your own risk) Just kidding! Always wait and prioritize safety first.

- Ladies are required to cover up to enter the temples, it is recommended to wear long pants and a shirt with sleeves or bring something to wrap around your body.

- Some parts of the temples/monuments are not allowed for people to lean/sit/stand on due to religious reasons. Always be careful and ask your local guide if you want to take photographs.

#Cambodia #SiemReap #Travel #Backpackers