TRAVEL SPECIAL...TRIP PLANNER CAMBODIA

TRIP PLANNER CAMBODIA  Ancient temples, white sand beaches, grief tourism... Cambodia has all this to offer, and more. How to prepare yourself before flying out. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS FREE The only free activity is beach bumming and people spotting. PAID National Museum of Cambodia: $3 Royal Palace: $6.25 Toul Sleng: $2 Killing Fields: $2 Angkor Archaeological Park: $40 for a three-day pass and $60 for seven days Beng Mealea: $5 Phnom Kulen: $20 Koh Ker: $10 OTHER SITES Beach: Koh Rong island, Koh Tang, Koh Ru, Ream National Park. Want something truly luxurious? Try Song Saa Private Island off Sihanoukville. Culture: Banteay Chhmar Temple, Battambang. Nature: Kep, Ratanakiri, Kratie, Kirirom National Resort. TRAVEL ESSENTIALS • Carry good quality mosquito repellent.   • You’ll need clothes for covering your shoulders and knees at most Angkor temples.   • Watch out for pickpockets. DON’T MISS... The capital erupts into a three-day frenzy every November for Bon Om Touk, or the Cambodian Water Festival. Falling during full moon and attracting millions every year, it celebrates the end of rainy season and reversal of the flow of the Tonle Sap River, the nation’s lifeline. Expect boat races, concerts, food fests, fireworks, and more, from 16-18 November. THE CAMBODIAN WATER FESTIVAL BEST TIME TO VISIT The country is at its best between November and February. To avoid the crowd, as well as high-season rates, consider a trip at the end of October.     TRIP    TRAIL Here’s a sample seven-night itinerary to get you started. Begin the journey with Phnom Penh, where you can spend two nights to catch the main sights, including Pol Pot’s murderous reign at the nearby Killing Fields. On day 3, take a taxi to Sihanoukville for sand and surf. The typical fare for an air-conditioned taxi is $50. Spend two nights here to visit Kampot and its famous pepper plantations. On day 5, fly down to Siem Reap ($122 per head on Cambodia Angkor Air) and spend the afternoon at the Rolous Group. Space out the next two days for visits to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Bakheng, and Banteay Srei. Consider replacing the crowded Ta Prohm with Beng Mealea. Lastly, fly home from Siem Reap, instead of backtracking to Phnom Penh. BEFORE YOU LEAVE...   AIR FARE On the popular portals, Malaysia Airlines has the best fares, typically 42,300 for open jaw flights. The unrepresented Cambodia Angkor Air has Bangkok-Phnom Penh and Siem Reap-Bangkok at 15,510, while Delhi-Bangkok return flights cost around 21,000. That’s a saving of 5,790 per head. EXCHANGE RATE The local currency is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but US dollars (USD) are as commonly used. At the moment 100 will get you $1.84 and $1 equals KHR 4,000. The good news is that the already affordable Cambodia may become more so if the rupee continues appreciating in 2013. VISA The best option is the e-visa, costing $25. Visit the site www.-mfaic.gov.kh/evisa, pay with your credit card and breeze though immigration at Phnom Penh. If you’d rather save money, not time, get the visa on arrival for $20. TRIP EXPENSE For a backpacking trip, the average daily expense per person (covering stay, food and local transportation) will be $15-20. Estimate $650-950 per head for a mid-range sevennight itinerary, without flights. Luxury breaks of the same duration will cost over $1,200. Keep some KHR notes of small denomination for tips. ACCOMMODATION While you can find guesthouses and hostel beds for as little as $5 a night, shelling out $10-20 will bring niceties like TV and AC. Three-star hotels cost upwards of $50 a night. Our favourite midrange hotel in Phnom Penh is The Pavilion, and Siddharta Hotel in Reap. LOCAL COMMUTE The handiest option is the motorcycle taxis or tuk-tuk that can be hired for $1-2 for short trips within town or for $15 for the day. To travel between towns, say, Phnom Penh-Battambang, buses are the cheapest option. Fares typically range between $6 and $10. Taxis, obviously, are better. Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal ET130211