Home to a rich culture and incredibly welcoming people, Cambodia is a destination that rewards with a truly authentic experience. EXO’s community-focused Siem Reap experiences go beyond the famed temples to connect with the people, places and culture that make Cambodia so special.
Siem Reap is most famous for its proximity to the Angkor Archeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, EXO’s approach to visiting the town delves deeper, aiming to forge a connection between guests and the local communities through engagement with the Cambodian way of life.
Through these experiences, travellers can participate in local customs, learn about the country’s chequered past and better understand the present. These interactions include market walks, opportunities to chat with local residents and witnessing artisans and craftspeople at work.
EXO’s commitment to responsible, impactful tourism ensures that these encounters are respectful and beneficial to local communities. Guests not only leave with unforgettable memories but also contribute positively to the areas they explore.
Read on to learn more!
‘My meeting with the family running the smokehouse was one of the most beautiful moments of my inspection. This is what I want our travellers to discover’.
Rural Villages Community Walk
This EXO favourite takes guests to a local community near Siem Reap for a morning walk filled with discovery and interaction. Recently revamped, the experience is better than ever with a focus on Ta Brak village.
Starting in the early morning, guests will first visit a family home for a chat then take a walk through the colourful fresh market. Continuing on foot, guests will explore the village, observing scenes of daily life, then pop into a fish smokehouse to learn about this traditional village industry. The experience wraps up with a special blessing performed by Buddhist monks.
‘My meeting with the family running the smokehouse was one of the most beautiful moments of my inspection’, explains Sophie Chan, EXO Cambodia Product Manager. ‘I was touched by their kindness, the warm welcome, their passion and their know-how which is passed down from generation to generation. This is what I want our travellers to discover’.
Meet with weavers, learn more about this traditional Khmer craft with a hands-on activity and support a social enterprise working to improve the lives of local women.
Traditional Handicraft: Hyacinth Weaving
Cambodia has deep rooted cultural traditions that touch many aspects of local life. Among them are incredible artisans, who use techniques handed down by their ancestors to create music, performances, crafts and more. To witness these artisans at work is to understand more about the country.
EXO has arranged a special visit to a special workshop, where the artisans use the traditional methods of their ancestors to weave items from water hyacinth. This invasive plant species can be found throughout the country’s waterways. The stems, through an extended drying process, transform into a robust material used to create everything from hammocks to carpets.
This visit provides guests the opportunity to meet with weavers, learn more about this traditional Khmer craft with a hands-on activity and support a social enterprise working to improve the lives of local women.
Cycle along back lanes to hidden villages and temples resulting in a memorable experience that is equal parts adventure and immersion.
Temples and Countryside by Bicycle
Cycling around Siem Reap is a memorable way to explore the rhythms of rural Cambodian life. EXO’s Temples and Countryside by Bicycle travels along back lanes to hidden villages and temples resulting in a memorable experience that is equal parts adventure and immersion.
Starting in the morning with a transfer out of town, guests hop on the bikes and pedal through the pastoral Khmer countryside.
Stops are made at a local Buddhist temple, where a monk shares his personal insight as well as a blessing, and a historic reservoir for a rest, swim and a picnic lunch. The ride continues through rural villages, pausing to sample local snacks, before returning to the hotel.
‘Bringing our guides into the field so that they can inspect experiences again and learn about any changes is a great opportunity to share ideas’.
Developing products that truly connect
EXO is passionate about sharing the culture of Cambodia with our guests. And to do so, we work with local communities and our guides to ensure these experiences foster cross-cultural understanding in a way that is valuable to everyone involved.
EXO Cambodia Product Manager, Sophie, spends a significant amount of time out in the field to inspect, improve and update our experiences. With immersive products such as these, it is very important that we check-in with the villagers and other stakeholders and listen to their feedback.
To that end, Sophie explains. ‘Bringing our guides into the field so that they can inspect experiences again and learn about any changes is a great opportunity to share ideas. I am very grateful for their dedication and thank them greatly for their active participation in the middle of the high season.’
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