I had the wonderful opportunity to meet in person Veronica Wicks, the Executive President of Tucano Reps – providing authentic luxury experiences in Peru.  Veronica is an active member of Peru’s most prestigious associations and government institutions.  During our nice chat of the industry and Peru during the Adventure Travel Summit in Chiapas Mexico this week, she opened my eyes to what Peru has to offer with some amazing facts:

• 14,000 years of Peruvian ancient civilizations that developed from small settlements in the high slopes of the Andes, to the greatest Inca Empire
• 84 out of 101 climate zones exist in Peru
• 1,800 species of birds have been registered in Peru and is the second in the world and first for endemic species
• 6,788 meters above sea level, the Huascaran Mountain is the rooftop of Peru and one of the most important destinations for mountain climbing
• 7,000 kilometers long, the Rover Aamazon, which originates in the Cordillera de Chila in Peru is the largest by volume, with a total river flow greater than the next eight largest rivers combined in the world.
• 3,000 religious and cultural festivals are celebrated throughout Peru, manifesting the ancestral Andea, Hispanic, and Amazon cultures demonstrated in the many different and colorful folklore dances.
• 11 UNESCO Heritage sites plus one of the new 7 Wonders of the World – Machu Picchu
• Ride beautiful Peruvian Paso horses (my personal favorite)

I personally cannot wait to visit Peru and participate in one of Veronica’s tour early next year.

Tell us about your company and its story.

The Indochina Trekking Company offers a dazzling selection of adventure travel ideas in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.  Whether your taste runs to biking, trekking, kayaking, multi-activity, nature tours, family adventures or corporate adventure, we have something for you!

Our experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic adventure team can design a tailor-made adventure tour to suit your needs.  We share a passion for the great outdoors and strive to make our tours exciting, challenging, informative and fun.  We are committed to preserving the environment and we incorporate the philosophies of sustainable tourism into all our programs wherever possible.

Tell us about your team and guides.

Mr Le Anh Tuan – Director

Tuan has been at the forefront of The Indochina Trekking Company since 2007.  He is your first point of contact and will reply within the same day to any question or query.  He’s got a great sense of humor and can communicate extremely fluently by email.  His skill lies in his ability to correctly identify your needs and propose a suitable tailor made adventure which could be anything from a three country gentle family adventure to a two week off road mountain biking expedition.  Tuan takes care of the process from beginning to end, liaising with the adventure team to make sure all runs according to plan.  He is satisfied only when he learns from you that the adventure was the experience of a lifetime.

Ngoc Phung – Adventure Travel Consultant

Ngoc used to be a tourist guide.  After 4 years guiding she has finally settled into the office to manage our Sales and Operation work.  Her wealth of experience and ability to empathize with the ups and down of guide life makes her a unique and valuable member of the team.  She is our designated guide mentor.  Ngoc is  a natural leader –  she is calm, wise, has a fun spirit and loves adventure!

Tico – Biking guide

A real adventurer, Tico already had 12 years as a biking guide under his belt.  Tico possesses a great sense of humor, and shares a passion for life.  Tico is now a competent all rounder, you may find him paddling the emerald waters of Halong Bay or pedaling a dirt trail somewhere in remote northern Vietnam.  He’s the guy to watch out for!

Tell us about your most popular/interesting trip – what is unique, challenging and exciting about it?

Cycle Saigon to Angkor Wat is an exciting trip as the ride goes through the meandering Mekong Delta Vietnam to magnificent Cambodia’s famous Angkor Wat. You can discover 2 countries in 11 days!  This ultimate cycling adventure from the mighty Mekong to the mesmerizing temples of Angkor Wat is out of this world.  It’s a jam-packed excursion that covers a lot of ground, including Southern Vietnam’s scenic pathways, friendly candid visits with Cham people and Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage.

What is the best keep secret about your destination?

We work closely as a dedicated adventure team. We research avidly, looking for new routes and improving old routes.  We are pleased to be ahead of the field for all levels of biking in Indochina. We liaise with NGO’s and Environmental agencies to develop sustainable tourism adventures, and are always searching for the unusual, combining biking and trekking with community, culture, environment or study.

We place a great emphasis on safety and spend a great deal of time training our adventure guides.  Our guides, leaders and office team deliver on-the-ground practical advice 24 hours a day to make sure your adventure goes smoothly.  Whether it be biking, trekking or multi-activity, we use only the highest quality internationally approved equipment for your comfort and enjoyment.

What are people surprised by when they come to your country?

The beautiful landscape, and friendly and hospitable people.

If I’m arriving early or staying after a few days, what’s nearby that I should add on to my itinerary?

A beach break or spa or culinary experience can be arranged if you are arriving early or staying after a few days.

What’s the food like on your trips?

We provide tasty picnic lunches when riding and trekking in remote areas.  Clients will taste traditional food of the local country. Meals in town will be arranged in reputable traditional restaurants with local character and ambiance.

What is the one place you would like to go?

The far north mountain provinces of Vietnam by motorbike.

Have you received any awards or recognitions that Avids should know about?

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20100901-on-your-bike-lonely-planets-top-10-cycling-routes/2

What do you love the most about AvidTrips?

The helpful team.

AVIDTRIPS RELEASES RESULTS OF “TOP ADVENTURES” SURVEY
Galapagos Islands Takes #1 Spot as the Most Desired Adventure Travel Destination

July 6, 2011, New York – AvidTrips, an innovative website that empowers adventure travelers to discover and book adventure trips directly with the world’s leading adventure tour operators, today announced the results of its first ‘Top Adventures’ survey. Fielded on June 25, 2011 at this year’s Adventures NYC in Central Park, the largest outdoor travel exhibition of its kind, AvidTrips surveyed more than 150 adventure travelers. The results reveal the world’s top three adventure travel destinations as The Galapagos Islands, the South Island of New Zealand, and Machu Picchu respectively.

“AvidTrips is dedicated to solving travelers’ growing frustrations with finding and booking adventure travel experiences online,” said Sanem Eruçar, Founder & CEO of AvidTrips. “The launch of our annual ‘Top Adventures’ survey is part of our ongoing efforts to bring the world’s most amazing adventure trips to travelers, direct from the world’s leading adventure tour operators. It is exciting to see not only where adventure travelers are headed next, but also where we can expand and deepen our network of leading adventure tour operators.”

The ‘Top Adventures’ survey included 60 domestic and international adventure destinations, and respondents were asked to select up to three places they most want to visit. Results revealed differences in desired adventures by age and gender. The South Island of New Zealand emerged the top pick among female adventurers, followed by Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. Male adventurers picked the Galapagos Islands first, followed by Patagonia and Yosemite National Park. Travelers in the 18-34 age group would like to visit the South Island of New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu, whereas adventurers in the 35-54 age group selected Bora Bora, French Polynesia, the Galapagos Islands and Yosemite National Park as their most desired adventure destinations.

AvidTrips features a rapidly growing inventory of the world’s most amazing adventure trips from the world’s leading adventure tour operators. Travelers who book with AvidTrips benefit from authentic adventure experiences that have been selected for their uniqueness and quality, and by booking directly with the tour operator leading the trip, typically save hundreds of dollars off the same trips offered through travel agencies or resellers. To learn more, or to find and book an adventure trip yourself, visit AvidTrips.com.

Media Contact
Sanem Eruçar, sanem@avidtrips.com

On Saturday, June 25^th, we were pleased to partake in the 7th annual Adventures NYC in Central Park. Thanks to everyone who came out! There were roughly 35,000 attendees and it was great to see so many adventurers come together to share their love of the outdoors. The sun was shining and luckily the rain held off for all the excitement. There was live music, a rock climbing competition, a trampoline acrobatics performance and who can forget our giveaway sweepstakes raffle?  Our lucky winner received $500 off her next adventure booked through Avid Trips!

Check out photos from the day:

Sanem and Paul, spreading the word

Behind the scenes at the Avid Trips booth

Some of our newest Avid adventurers taking our survey

Our summer intern with just a sliver of the 35,000-person crowd

Here is what one of our reviewers had to say about his biking tour experience with Bike & Saddle, recent addition to our operator network.

Cape Town is generally scenic, but on a warm, breezy summer evening, from the seat of a bicycle, the city shows off its beauty.  As a local, I pass through central Cape every day, but the Bikes and Saddles’ Night Culture & Heritage Cycle Tour gave me a few different perspectives on aspects of the city.  Even without this, a pleasant two hours of gentle cycling beneath Table Mountain followed by champagne and snacks overlooking the Yacht basin can’t be a bad way to spend an evening.

The tour leaves from the Cape Grace (a hotel seemingly frequented by millionaires over 75) and takes few turns through the Waterfront with the classic front on view of Table Mountain dominating the city.  From there it’s along the Greenpoint Promenade past the lighthouse (which I found out was lit by a whale oil lamp 150 years ago – no wonder a ship or two have ended up on the rocks), and the spectacular new stadium built for the World Cup.  A few twists and turns take you into the middle of the city – where the original gardens are (Cape Town started its life as a vegetable garden for ships rounding the Cape of Storms).

Parliament faces onto St Georges cathedral from where Desmond Tutu led his opposition to the apartheid laws which were being created 50 yards away across the oak line avenue…next, the back entrance to the High Court, where a memorial to Whites Only benches still stand…up into the scenic and colourful Bo-Kaap community which has housed the centre of Cape Towns Muslim community for the last 300 years.  The community was founded by the Malay slaves brought from the east by the Dutch.  Then a slight downhill, back to the Waterfront and a waiting glass of champagne.

Well worth a few hours.  All the bikes were touring type bikes, all in very good condition and very comfortable to ride.  Everything went very smoothly.

Tell us, very briefly, who you are and what your company does.

We are one of the largest off-road travel companies in the world, Specializing in self-driven 4×4 tours. This unique company is operating tours in fascinating destinations such as Morocco, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Himalayas plus many other stunning places. Traveling by self-driven off-road combines the fun of driving an all-terrain vehicle with the chance to reach out-of-the way places, traverse less charted territory and discovering ravishing landscapes. Traveling this way naturally brings you closer to colorful local culture and its people – something that always promises authentic, unforgettable, and often moving experiences. All of our routes include a modern and fully equipped self-driven 4×4 vehicle or option to bring your own 4×4.

What is the most memorable adventure experience you have had and why?

On one of our new routes it was just me and a few guides searching for new routes in the Montenegro vastness. The thrill of the un-chartered plains and the unknown was extremely exciting.  This was followed by rafting down the Tara River where the waters were both slightly challenging in some points but when we got to the quiet waters I was and still am awe-stricken by the mirror like qualities of the water and the surrounding peaks and greeneries.  After we beached we were treated to a bbq of freshly caught fish and local brandies. We then did more challenging off-road and route finding till we reached our 4* hotel for the evening. Although I have been on many tours I will never forget this day and the experience alone will always stay in my memory as a reminder of why I love my job and the outdoors.

Check out this amazing trip here

What is the one place you would like to go? Why?

Kirgizstan – The reason being we hear a lot about the warmth of the people and the authentic culture plus the routes are said to be tremendous for a true off-road experience. We just hope that soon the current political situation calms down so we can approach and tour there.

Tell us about your team.

Our team consists and is combined from variously experienced guides, excellent sales and promotional team, and friendly managerial tasks. Our guides in particular have had numerous years experience in every corner of the world, plus every route we take has one of our guides that is more than equipped for their own area and spends most of his working life within that country with the locals and bringing money into some of the places for the local in regard to business thus helping the local economy.

Tell us about a specific trip – what is unique, challenging and exciting about it?

Georgia – within the Caucasus Mountains is a very special and quite rare tour that we do. This place is unique because of the untouched nature, vast plains, green forests, empty country, hospitality of the people second to none and all the remote areas give every customer a real sense of adventure as if they are discovering this place for the first time.  This specific tour every customer will experience also some of the best by-ways in Europe using top of the range 4×4 equipment and we are often touring here and never see another tourist along the way.

Interested in a sample itinerary for this rare tour click here

What is the best keep secret about your destination?

Always the food. We took years to find and sample the best restaurants, local houses, cafes and hotels that ooze with delicious delicacies to add to the authentic side of our tours. My favorite place to eat is often at a shepherds house as local katuns.

What are people surprised by when they come to your country?

People are surprised that after a sometimes rugged day on the road that at the end of the day they experience pampering and extreme comfort in our carefully selected 3-4-5* hotels. Also the thrill of exploration.

What type of physical training do your trips require?  Any tips or recommendations?

There are no recommendation as we can tailor on the spot the routes for the needs of the group, no physical training is required as we spent years perfecting our tours and can suit any age and level of experience.  We run completely universal tours.

What do people forget to bring when they participate? What do you do to help them when they discover this problem?

We have found the only thing that people sometimes forget is swimming gear for the lakes or a warm coat for some of the evenings/days as in the mountains the weather can change drastically and quickly. At the start of the tour we try and eradicate this problem when we start in a city “things a easily bought in the start place if forgotten”

If I’m arriving early or staying after a few days, what’s nearby that I should add on to my itinerary?

We usually start and end each tour in a capital or major city so its easy enough to arrange a few extra days to sample the more urban side of the country or the coast is usually near by also so if you want a few extra days on a beach. Feel free. If we are made aware we can arrange this also.

What’s the food like on your trips?

“As above” our foods are specifically chosen for high quality, variety and to suit every taste and dietary needs. We ask each customer prior to a tour if they need kosher, vegan, vegetarian or any other kind of food, including allergy awareness.

Anything else you want us to know about traveling with your company?

From start to finish you will be in safe hands after years of dealing with every aspect of customer and local we guarantee an amazing, unforgettable and sometimes moving experience for each person in the group.

Tell us about your company

Become Slovakia was founded by two friends Jan and Slavo. We have been to many countries before and couldn`t find a nicer country than Slovakia. So we decided to start a tour operator company to show people the beauty of Slovak nature, rich culture and wonderful traditions and folklore.  Supported by people from our team who have great experience in tourism in High Tatras we started to offer a vital mix of trekking, walking, hiking, mountain biking and cultural holidays as well as snowshoeing and skiing holidays in winter.

What is the most memorable adventure experience you have had and why?

Definitely seeing a bear in High Tatras, our tourist from the UK were amazed. Wildlife in the High Tatras is really vital, you can see many animals such as bear, wolf, lynx and chamois. People are not used to it. Normally it doesn`t happen very often that you can see a bear on a hike so this was kind of surprise.  People were taking pictures and couldn`t believe their eyes. It might look dangerous but usually the bear is quite a distance for you and it doesn`t attack people. Seeing wild animals is what makes your stay in High Tatras special.

What is the one place you would like to go? Why?

Russia. Most of us love fishing and there are nice places for fishing along with rich culture and unusual traditions.

Tell us about your team

Our team is a bunch of friends and family members who have been working in tourism for a  long time. The younger part of the team are two founders Jan and Slavo and our guide Martina. Our manager Stanislav organises the trips and creates different packages suitable for peoples needs. We have a very experienced bus driver Frantisek and also hire external guides( mostly students for the season, also professional climbers )

Tell us about a specific trip – what is unique, challenging and exciting about it?

Most of our trips are complex. You get a picture of Slovakia and neighbouring countries. I would say that we present the culture and traditions in a unique way – rafting ( floating on river Vah ) with rafters dressed in traditional Slovak clothes, local alcohol, local food, the history of Region Spis, wonderful hikes and views in Slovak paradise and High Tatras, that is what makes you taste Slovakia. Our advantage is that we do not only offer hiking/trekking/walking/snowshoeing/skiing holidays, we offer much more.  Maxing out in local aquaparks, many sights of world importance, UNESCO  sights this all will give you no chance to get bored and make your stay as colourful as possible.

What is the best keep secret about your destination?

I would say our wildlife here. You are not able to see animals in the Alps or Pyrenees.  People love animals and love the wildlife so I would say High Tatras are the ideal place. Lynx, wolf, fox, bear, chamois, marmot – all these animals live in the High Tatras. Its a true piece of nature and its unspoilt, not overcrowded and its virgin that is the secret of High Tatras.

What are people surprised by when they come to your country ?

This depends on the country they come from. Most people from Western Europe and USA are surprised how good the country looks like – also the economic development. Most of the people who have never been to Slovakia before, think that the country is poor, with no facilities. Then they come here and are amazed.  Slovakia in fairness doesn`t look like a post communistic country. Things have changed rapidly and with one of the highest economic growth in the EU Slovakia looks like any other European country. And the biggest surprise for people coming to Slovakia are the prices. A beer about  1,2 Euro dinner 5-6 Euro,  so our customers really enjoy going out and have a dinner or a couple of pints.

What type of physical training do your trips require?  Any tips or recommendations?

As for our trips, it is a mix of different activities with culture and history. Mainly for hiking there are people with different abilities and therefore we can provide a guide for each group – min 4 – if the programme for hiking wouldn’t suite our customers. There are hikes with different difficulties and we tailor cut the hikes according to ones preferences and abilitities. As for cultural trips there are no requirements.

If I’m arriving early or staying after a few days, what’s nearby that I should add on to my itinerary?

People mostly stay in Krakow. We have our meeting point there and it is a beautiful city to see. Rich culture, many tourists and vital night life.

What’s the food like on your trips?

The food is mostly Slovak traditional food. There are national dishes that are very specific and it really depends on the people if they like it or not. So we have picked up Slovak/Central European food that people generally like, it is delicious and it is Slovak – nearly all tourist love to taste some local food.

1. Wicklow

Wicklow (Photo Credit: Tambako the Jaguar on Flickr)

Lovingly known as the Emerald Isle, the island of Ireland is a must-visit for every adventure traveler. Whether you are contemplating traveling Ireland on foot, horse, bike, raft or car, there is adventure everywhere. The country has 31 different long distance paths that are specially earmarked for hiking travelers. Out of these, the Wicklow Way must certainly not be missed. This path takes a hiker from the urban centre of Dublin on an 82 mile journey to the rural areas of County Carlow.

2. Leopardstown

Leopardstown (Photo Credit: stereoroid on Flickr)

If you are a person who cannot be torn off your horse, then you will be happy to hear that there are an incredibly high number of horseback riding pursuits you can indulge in while in Ireland. The areas of Fairyhouse, Leopardstown, Punchestown and The Curragh have their own equestrian competitions which are well-attended by locals and travelers alike. Additional locations where you can find horseback riding trips include Killarney’s Dingle Peninsula, County Donegal, and Silgo.

3. Dingle Peninsula

Dingle Peninsula (Photo Credit: tonyhall on Flickr)
Cycling enthusiasts will find the best places to cycle in the Irish plains. The Boyne Valley, the Dingle Peninsula, and the Ring of Kerry cycling trail make up the best road biking adventures in Ireland. The Ring of Kerry is actually a peninsula on the western side of Ireland that boasts a variety of adventure activities. Hiking, cycling, horseback riding, canoeing, fresh water fishing and salt water fishing are all available on the Ring of Kerry.

4. Connemara

Connemara (Photo Credit: Fergal OP on Flickr)

Another place that you mustn’t overlook when you are on an adventure travel in Ireland is Connemara, which is a fantastic hiking and fresh water fishing destination plush with various rivers, mountains and the beautiful Lough Corrib.

5. Carrauntoohill

Carrauntoohill (Photo Credit: padraic woods on Flickr)

Other great hiking adventure locations in Ireland include mountains such as Carrauntoohill and Croagh Patrick, and trails such as Sheep’s Head Way, Kerry Way, and Beara Way, all in Cork and Kerry counties.

6. Kilmore Quay

Kilmore Quay (Photo Credit: Harrygep on Flickr)

Water adventures are plentiful in Ireland. Some of the best fly fishing and fresh water fishing for trout and salmon is found on the waterways here. Adventure fishing destinations include Cavan, Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Kilmore Quay, and the coastline from Carlingford Lough to Wexford.

7. Kilkee

Kilkee (Photo Credit: PierluigiCo on Flickr)
The best scuba diving location in Northern Europe is also in Ireland, Kilkee. Kilkee has a diverse marine life with a fully equipped diving center recognized by none other than Jacques Cousteau.

8. The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher (Photo Credit: horitzons inesperats on Flickr)

Some other destinations that you must not miss out on include Killarney, Brú na Bóinne and the Cliffs of Moher. For an adventure traveler, these are sights that should be seen when visiting Ireland. Make sure to take your camera, as the photography around these locations is unmatched.

1. Qinghai-Tibet plateau

Qinghai-Tibet plateau(Photo Credit : Bezur on Wikimedia Commons)

Tibet has long beckoned adventure travelers. Once deemed unreachable to all but the most daring adventurer, Tibet is dominated by the Himalayas in the south and cut off by the frigid desert plains of Taklamakan in the north. Still, the forests, lakes, and mountains of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau now offer a variety of activities to the adventure traveler.

2. Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash (Photo Credit : Quartier Latin on Wikimedia Commons)

Tibet features many attractive and rigorous adventure treks at altitudes ranging from 9000 to 18000 feet. The most ambitious adventure travelers will trek to the basecamp of Mount Everest, the highest point on earth. Also inspiring is Tibet’s Mount Kailash, a sacred landscape that has been revered for centuries by Jains, Hindus, and Buddhists. These are strenuous treks but the natural vistas and cultural treasures of Tibet make them well worth it.

3.  Paro Dzong

Paro Dzong (Photo Credit : Stephen Shephard on Wikimedia Commons)

The ancient Buddhist culture of Tibet has survived the centuries in the form of architectural marvels such as the Potala Palace and in the daily devotions of robe-clad monks. Adventure hiking tours to Tibetan Buddhist monasteries of Ganden and Samye will not only challenge the body with altitudes of over 16000 feet but will enrich the soul. Tibet’s iconic ancient forts, the dzongs, are also popular adventure destination.

4. Yarlung Zangbo

Yarlung Zangbo (Photo Credit : Fanghong on Wikimedia Commons)

The fast running streams in the east of Tibet also offer opportunities for the adventure traveler. Adventure kayaking at the Yarlung Zangbo River treats you to a muddy but fast-moving class-2.5 waterway at that is sometimes called the Mississippi of Tibet. The Tolung Chu near Lhasa starts as a class 5 mountain creek but mellows into a swift but relaxing class 3. Kayaking during Tibet’s rainy season from May to September will be especially challenging for adventurers.

5. Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking (Photo Credit: Velaia on Flickr)

There are also a variety of adventure mountain biking trails crisscrossing the Tibetan plateau. April through October is the best time for adventure cycling in Tibet. Explore Tibet’s expansive, sparsely populated landscape and observe the traditional way of life carried on by Tibet’s pastoralist population. Or, pedal along the Tibet highway from Lhasa on the border with Nepal to destinations farther afield, including Qinghai and Sichuan.

Photo Credit: victoriapeckham on Flickr

The popular image of Cambodia is of the overgrown remains of stone temples and palaces, and today’s adventurer finds many tours that show off both the beauty of Cambodia’s well-preserved ecosystems and the strength of its enduring Buddhist heritage. Your adventure tour in Cambodia can range from a few days’ dash to Angkor Wat to a multi-week trek village to village through Cambodian jungle and countryside.

Photo Credit: ScubaBeer on Flickr

Cambodia’s greatest temple, Angkor Wat, meaning “City Temple”, is a popular first or final stop on many adventure tours. Many adventure treks begin in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap near the Angkor complex. After exploring Cambodia’s 1-squre kilometer “City Temple” many adventurers head south to Tonle Sap Lake Wildlife Sanctuary for bird watching. More ecotourism adventures and mountain trekking can be found farther south in the Krâvanh (literally “Cardamom”) Mountains region, where Camodia’s highest peak, the Phnom Aural at 1,813 metres (5,948 ft), is found. Nearby adventurers find the Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia’s home for a variety of avian and terrestrial species.

Photo Credit: victoriapeckham on Flickr

Moving farther afield, adventure trekking in the Cambodian countryside gives adventurers the chance to view village life first hand. Some of the most remote areas of Cambodia are now serviced by local guides who take adventurers village to village through jungle terrain in the most remote areas of the country. Virachey National Park in northeast Cambodia is great venue for adventure treks into the heart of the jungle with a return journey by kayak down the Se San River to add some variety to the adventure tour. Adventurers can also find kayaking trips where the Mekong River flows through Cambodia, especially near Kratie where the Irrawaddy dolphin still thrives.

Photo Credit: jrwebbe on Flickr

Road biking tours take adventurers from Cambodia’s capital Phnem Penh 180 kilometers past Siem Reap to Angkor, doubling back along on the banks of the Mekong and continuing south for a day or two of relaxation at Cambodia’s white sand beaches near the port of Sihanoukville. Even there adventurers can continue their exploration of Cambodia by finding a snorkel or scuba rental and checking out the undersea life of the coral reefs near Sihanoukville: jelly fish, leopard sharks, and giant clams.

Photo Credit: chuck.miser on Flickr

Discover Cambodia: Bangkok To Angkor in 7 days