Cambodia has long been known for Angkor Wat. What is changing in 2026 is everything around it.
A new generation of luxury Cambodia holidays is taking shape, built less around ticking off monuments and more around genuine access: to landscapes most visitors never reach, to experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere, and to a country that rewards those willing to look past the standard itinerary.
This is not the Cambodia of crowded temple queues. It is quieter, more considered, and increasingly well-equipped for travellers who expect both quality and depth.
The timeless grandeur and spiritual majesty of ancient Angkor.
Why Cambodia Is Emerging as a Luxury Destination in 2026
For years, Cambodia sat in the shadow of its neighbours. Thailand had the infrastructure. Vietnam had the coastline. Cambodia had Angkor, extraordinary, but often treated as a single stop on a longer circuit.
That is shifting. Cambodia is now drawing a different kind of travellers, one looking for deep cultural heritage alongside ultra-luxury accommodation, and a destination where eco-conscious travel and genuine wilderness still exist side by side. Infrastructure across the country has improved considerably, opening up regions that were previously difficult to reach. The sense of discovery remains intact. The quality of what you find when you get there has caught up.
What makes planning luxury Cambodia holidays particularly compelling right now is that combination: a country with thousands of years of history, a growing collection of world-class properties, and wild landscapes that most of Southeast Asia has already lost.
Best Time to Plan Your Trip
Timing shapes what is possible here.
November to April is the dry season, clear skies, accessible trails, and the full range of outdoor activities without interruption. Peak season around Siem Reap means booking well ahead, particularly for smaller properties.
May to October brings the green season. Forests deepen, waterfalls reach full volume, and rates drop noticeably. Fewer visitors, a more alive version of the landscape, and a Cambodia that most travellers never see. Some access roads become more difficult, but for those who plan around it, the trade-off is worth it.
For theCardamom Mountains specifically, dry season for ease of movement, wet season for the most dramatic version of the forest.
Where the river slows, the wild begins to speak.
Top Destinations for Luxury Cambodia Holidays
The Cardamom Mountains
The Cardamoms are the least-known and most ecologically significant region in Cambodia. Covering millions of hectares of primary rainforest, they remain one of Southeast Asia’s last unfragmented wilderness areas — home to wild elephants, clouded leopards, sun bears, and hundreds of bird species that have disappeared from the rest of the region.
For luxury Cambodia holidays centred around wilderness and exclusivity, this is the destination that offers what nowhere else can: genuine remoteness, active conservation, and landscapes that have not been adjusted for tourist consumption. Access requires planning — and that is partly what makes it worthwhile.
Siem Reap
Siem Reap remains the cultural centre of any luxury Cambodia holiday. The Angkor temple complex is the obvious draw, but the city itself has developed considerably beyond it. Private temple access at dawn, Khmer cooking classes, contemporary fine dining, and a growing collection of boutique properties make it a destination worth more time than most itineraries allow.
Phnom Penh, meanwhile, has undergone its own transformation. The capital’s culinary scene has grown significantly in ambition and quality, sitting alongside a riverfront, the National Museum, and a pace of life that rewards those who stay long enough to find it.
The Southern Coast and Islands
Koh Rong, Kep, and the waters around Koh Russey offer a quieter alternative to the mainland. Six Senses Krabey Island – a secluded eco-luxury retreat with private pools and tailored wellbeing programmes, represent the upper end of what Cambodia’s coastal properties offer. This is a part of the country still finding its footing in luxury travel, which means fewer crowds and prices that have not yet caught up with the experience.
Luxury Experiences Worth Including
The most memorable luxury Cambodia holidays are built around experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere, where the setting, the service, and the activity combine into something genuinely singular.
Swimming at The Cistern
A 33-metre pool painted jet black, set above the treetops, filled with groundwater so clear it mirrors the canopy above. The concept draws from the old cisterns once used to store water across the region, functional in origin, reimagined as one of the more quietly inventive swimming spaces in Southeast Asia. The forest provides the shade. The waterfall below provides the backdrop.
Wellness in the Forest
The most considered junglewellness experiences in Cambodia are not confined to a spa building. Stone foot massages by the river, yoga at dawn above the forest canopy, sound bathing, guided breathwork, and facials inside the tent itself, the approach is built around total immersion rather than a fixed treatment menu. The Khmer Tonics spa, nestled among rocks in the tree canopy, handles the more structured sessions. Everything else follows the forest’s lead.
Ziplining Into the Wilderness
Few arrivals in Southeast Asia compare to entering a rainforest camp by a 400-metre zipline over the canopy, a conservation decision as much as an experience, eliminating the need for a vehicle road through protected forest. The practical effect: arriving mid-air, above unbroken treetops, past waterfalls, with a cocktail waiting at the landing zone. See theitineraries page for how this fits into a three to five day stay.
Private Dining in the Jungle
Chef-curated meals served outside the restaregio, picnic feasts above a waterfall, candlelit dinners on the riverbank, or a private tasting menu set deep in the forest. Ingredients are foraged from the surrounding jungle that morning.Experiences like these are increasingly defining what travellers look for in modern luxury Cambodia holidays: privacy, atmosphere, and a stronger connection to place. The setting changes. The quality does not.
Mountain Biking Through Primary Forest
Trails range from accessible to genuinely demanding. An hour from the camp, the Kirirom Reservoir offers a steep climb and a fast descent back through the treeline, the kind of ride that changes what you see of a landscape. Each route is shaped around the guest’s stamina and interest, followed by recovery at the spa or the river.
Anti-Poaching Patrols
Guests join Wildlife Alliance rangers by motorbike for two to six hours: removing snares, moving through active patrol zones, and on better days, witnessing the release of animals caught in illegal traps. It is not a comfortable experience in the conventional sense. It is the kind of thing that does not appear on any standard itinerary and that gap is exactly what makes it worth doing.
A quiet swim, held by the wild on every side.
Where You Stay Shapes the Story
The right base does not just determine where you sleep. It shapes the entire pace and character of the trip.
For cultural depth — Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
These two cities anchor the heritage side of any luxury Cambodia holidays. Siem Reap offers restored colonial properties, Khmer-style villa resorts, and hotels designed around the rhythm of temple exploration, private dawn access, curated cooking classes, and dining that draws from both local tradition and contemporary technique. Phnom Penh adds a different dimension: rooftop bars above the Mekong, landmark heritage hotels with decades of history, and a culinary scene that has grown considerably in sophistication. Both cities reward guests who stay long enough to move past the obvious.
For seclusion — The Southern Coast and Islands
Koh Rong, Krabey Island, and the waters around Kep offer a quieter, less visited version of Cambodia. Overwater villas, private beach access, and eco-luxury retreats that prioritise stillness over programming. This part of the country is still developing its luxury offering, which means fewer crowds, more space, and rates that have not yet caught up with the experience.
For those planning luxury Cambodia holidays around design, conservation, and genuine adventure in a single location, the Cardamom Mountains stand apart from anything else the country offers. Primary rainforest, active wildlife, and a level of remoteness that the coast and cities cannot match.
Shinta Mani Wild is a 15-tent camp designed by Bill Bensley, set inside a river valley in the Southern Cardamom National Park. Every stay is all-inclusive, shaped by a personal Bensley Butler, with a three-night minimum. The property sits 90 minutes from Sihanoukville by road, or 25 minutes by helicopter. For the full picture of what a stay involves, theinside guide to Cambodia’s most exclusive jungle lodge experience is a useful starting point.
And for those looking to experience every side of the country: culture, coastline, wilderness, and conservation — the ultimate luxury tour of Cambodia is one that connects them all into a single journey.
At Shinta Mani Wild, luxury finds its quiet edge.
Travel Tips Before You Go
Book the lodges at least two to three months ahead: Many properties included in luxury Cambodia holidays operate with limited capacity and minimum stay requirements, three nights is common. They fill well before peak season, particularly between November and February.
Pack for two climates: Cities are warm year-round. Forest destinations run three to five degrees cooler at dawn and after dark. Closed-toe shoes with grip, long sleeves for evening walks, and a light layer cover most situations.
Consider the green season: May to October brings fewer crowds, lower rates, and waterfalls at full volume. Temple visits in Siem Reap are noticeably quieter. Afternoon rain is common but brief, most activities are unaffected.
Build in transfer time: Getting between Cambodia’s regions takes longer than a map suggests. The journey into the Cardamom Mountains alone involves a combination of road and river, factoring this into the overall pace rather than treating it as an inconvenience.
Slow the itinerary down: Two destinations done properly will stay with you longer than four done quickly. Cambodia’s most rewarding experiences, whether cultural or wilderness-based — tend to reveal themselves over days, not hours.
Your dedicated Butler is with you every step of the way.
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additional EXPERIENCE
HELICOPTER ADVENTURE
Experience the pinnacle of adventure with a once-in-a-lifetime private helicopter flight above Mustang. From the moment of lift-off, you’ll be treated to the awe-inspiring spectacle of the mountain range unfolding before your eyes, a riveting panorama of some of the world’s tallest peaks, including the iconic Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri.
As you venture deeper into the heart of Mustang, the landscape morphs into a mesmerizing blend of arid desert-like terrain, dramatic cliffs, and ancient rock formations — an other-worldly ambience that will transport you to a distant, untouched realm.
Note: Helicopter Adventure is provided at additional cost. Please inquire at booking.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
ARCHERY
Learn the ancient skill of archery and gain mastery over the bow and arrow. Private lessons are available at a nearby archery field from local Nepalese experts whose families have passed down the secrets of the sport through countless generations.
In this exclusive offering, you will discover not only the technical precision required in archery but also its historical significance and the spiritual aspects of the discipline.
Archery also promotes mindfulness and concentration, connecting the body and mind. Our private lessons are tailored to provide individual attention to novices and experienced archers alike.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
HORSEBACK RIDING
Ride a Mustang horse alongside a local and experience the rhythm and lifestyle of the kingdom that shares its name. These compact yet robust ponies, renowned for their strength and gentle demeanor, have been pivotal to the Himalayan way of life for centuries. Before the modern era, these noble steeds were the lifelines of the region, facilitating travel and trade across the challenging terrain.
Our horseback expeditions range from short, leisurely rides to neighboring villages — perfect for beginners — to more adventurous multi-day excursions into the rugged terrain of Upper Mustang.
Designed for experienced riders, these longer itineraries offer an unparalleled insight into the nomadic lifestyle, as old and untamed as the mountains themselves.
additional EXPERIENCE
HIKING & TREKKING
Mustang’s contrasting landscapes encompass arid deserts, snowy peaks, colorful valleys, and mountain forests. Discover them all with our guided treks, an opportunity to explore remote villages, visit Buddhist monasteries, and encounter wildlife such as blue sheep and yaks. Expect awe-inspiring views of the Kali Gandaki River, glittering glaciers, and the majestic Himalayas around every corner. We offer options to suit every adventurer, from short, daily hikes leaving from the resort to multi-day excursions leading all the way up to the Tibetan border.
Kickstart your day with one of our House Hikes, a pre-breakfast, one-hour trek behind the resort. One of these short adventures rewards you with breathtaking vistas of Nilgiri and the iconic Tukuche Peak, all set against a picturesque backdrop of desert terrain, vibrant trees, and roaring rivers.
Another highlight is a visit to nearby Syang Village, where you may find monks doing their morning chants and meditating in the village gompa. As our guest, you will always receive a warm welcome and an opportunity to experience this tranquil spiritual practice firsthand.
ADDITIONAl EXPERIENCE
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mustang’s contrasting landscapes encompass arid deserts, snowy peaks, colorful valleys, and mountain forests. Discover them all with our guided treks, an opportunity to explore remote villages, visit Buddhist monasteries, and encounter wildlife such as blue sheep and yaks. Expect awe-inspiring views of the Kali Gandaki River, glittering glaciers, and the majestic Himalayas around every corner. We offer options to suit every adventurer, from short, daily hikes leaving from the resort to multi-day excursions leading all the way up to the Tibetan border.
CORE EXPERIENCE
WELLNESS THERAPIES
After experiencing the cultural and scenic adventures of Mustang, a tailor-made wellness regimen will soothe your body and relax your spirit. As part of your all-inclusive experience at Shinta Mani Mustang, you will enjoy a personalized program in our stylish spa overlooking the Nilgiri range.
The experience begins with a consultation with our local Amchi (Tibetan medicine doctor), Tsewang Gyurme Gurung, the 11th-generation recorded Amchi in his lineage of SoRig practitioners. He will review your overall wellness and prescribe specific treatments, drawing from a wealth of ancestral knowledge.
Our spa facilities offer private treatment rooms for individuals and couples, steam and sauna rooms, and massage and beauty treatments with highly-trained therapists.
An extraordinary fusion of nature, culture, and spirituality, Lubra Village is an 800-year-old settlement nestled in the heart of Mustang and one of the last remaining strongholds of the Bon Buddhist tradition, a practice that predates Buddhism. This secluded hamlet, accessible via a picturesque hike along the Panda Khola River gorge, is a testament to the resilience of long-held traditions in the face of time.
From the venerable gompa and intriguing cave monastery to the local cuisine served on the rooftop of an ancient home, Lubra offers a voyage back in time to the roots of Bon Buddhism, set against the majestic backdrop of the Himalayas.
Enjoy a day of trekking through the picturesque landscapes, sampling the unique flavors of traditional Bon cuisine, and gaining a deeper understanding of a way of life that has been virtually unchanged for 800 years.
CORE EXPERIENCE
JHARKOT, JHONG, MUKTINATH, KAGBENI
This tour blends history, culture, adventure, spirituality, and natural beauty for an immersive experience in the Nepalese countryside. Begin after breakfast with a one-hour drive to Jharkot, a tranquil Tibetan village seemingly untouched by time and famous for its historic gompa (monastery).
From Jharkot, a serene hike into the valley passes through age-old orchards to the revered pilgrimage site of Muktinath, which draws both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims from around the world, particularly for the sacred 108 fountains known as Mukti Dhara. According to Hindu belief, bathing in these fountains washes away one’s sins and brings salvation (we recommend bringing your bathing suit to partake in this unique ritual).
From Muktinath you will cross suspension bridges and ascend the opposite side of the valley to ancient Jhong village. Here, you’ll visit a traditional home and enjoy a lunch prepared by the Shinta Mani culinary team at the monastery, against the breathtaking backdrop of 360-degree views of the valleys and mountains.
After the meal, choose between an exhilarating mountain biking adventure down a less-traveled trail or a comfortable jeep ride towards Kagbeni village, the gateway to Upper Mustang. Here, you’ll visit the Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery, an important Buddhist site, to end this exploration of Mustang’s spiritual and adventurous highlights.
CORE EXPERIENCE
WILDERNESS TREKKING
Embark on a trek in the Jomsom Valley, traversing rugged landscapes, crossing streams, and navigating forests while marveling at the dazzling views of the snow-capped Himalaya. The route will be carefully selected based on conditions for an optimal outdoor experience.
Midway through the trek, pause for a mountaineer-inspired picnic, enjoying high-energy foods, a glass of chilled rosé, and the unique experience of dining in the wilderness. Continue your exploration post-lunch, appreciating the serenity and solitude of untouched areas. The trek concludes back at the starting point.
Flexibility is one of the key aspects of our trekking programs. We understand that every guest is unique in terms of skill, experience, and fitness level.
All our treks can be customized, adjusting the itinerary, length, and difficulty to match the capabilities and requirements of our guests. We place great emphasis on safety and enjoyment, so rest assured that your journey through Mustang will be both memorable and within your comfort zone.
CORE EXPERIENCE
MARPHA VILLAGE
Nestled at the southern edge of Mustang, Marpha Village is a hidden gem famous for its beautifully painted Buddhist monasteries, traditional stone houses, and apple orchards where you can sample the local brandy and cider.
This authentic encounter with Nepalese rural life begins with a refreshing, two-hour morning trek from Shinta Mani Wild to Dumba Lake and the iconic Khutsab Terenga Monastery. This route offers transfixing views of the Kali Gandaki Valley, the deepest valley in the world. At the monastery, you’ll be treated to an elegant breakfast picnic under the shade of an old apricot tree.
Post-breakfast, you have the option to either drive, trek, or mountain bike to Marpha. Spend your day strolling down the narrow flagstone streets, shopping for local handicrafts, and absorbing the sights and sounds of this picturesque village.
Lunch is hosted by Mrs. Kamala, a renowned Thakali chef and civic leader who will prepare a traditional meal for you at her kitchen table, offering an authentic taste of local cuisine.
After lunch, delve deeper into the fascinating history and traditions of Marpha Village, from the orchards to the monasteries.
ANGKOR & BEYOND
Phnom Kulen & Banteay Srei
Considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, Phnom Kulen mountain is ensconced in beautiful jungle scenery. The itinerary includes a hike to the Kulen waterfall; good walking shoes and a swimsuit are advisable. The tour also includes a visit to the majestic Banteay Srei temple, known for its exquisitely carved red sandstone.
English-speaking guide
Private vehicle
Duration: 7 hrs.
Price: From US $198*
*Prices quoted are net and do not include temple passes or meals.
Travel along a peaceful waterway while you soak in the history, nature, and culture of the Angkor site. The longboat-style gondola will take you past the great wall of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the Royals’ Secret Path, and the City Guardpost as you enjoy drinks and canapés. Note: Temple pass required.
Private vehicle
Kong Kear boat
Canapés and drinks
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: From US $180*
*Prices quoted are net and do not include temple passes or meals.
This is a fantastic and peaceful way to watch the sunset over Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. Tonle Sap has been designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve due to its high degree of biodiversity. Enjoy drinks and canapés as you float past its natural wonders.
Private vehicle
Boat
Entrance fees
Food and drinks
Duration: 5 hrs.
Price: From US $1,394*
Minimum of 8 people.
*Prices quoted are net and do not include temple passes or meals.
This cluster of remote temples includes Bakong, Lolei, Preah Ko, and Prei Monti, some of which date from the 9th century — among the earliest permanent structures built by the Khmer. It’s a perfect excursion for 7-Day pass holders or repeat visitors to Siem Reap.
English-speaking guide
Private vehicle
Duration: 3.5 hrs.
Price: From US $94*
*Prices quoted are net and do not include temple passes or meals.
This tour takes you to a remote part of Siem Reap Province where not many tourists visit. It includes some hiking and visits the 10th-century Banteay Srei (Ladies Temple), known for its intricate red sandstone carvings, and the spectacularly carved riverbed Kbal Spean.
English-speaking guide
Private vehicle
Duration: 6.5 hrs.
Price: From US $176*
*Prices quoted are net and do not include temple passes or meals.
A fascinating exploration of communities living directly on the water, this tour includes a boat trip on the Tonle Sap lake, passing by stilt houses and a floating school.
English-speaking guide
Private vehicle
Duration: 4 hrs.
Price: From US $118*
*Prices quoted are net and do not include boat ride or meals.
This full-day tour takes in two remote and often unvisited temples that are very much worth the long drive: jungle-covered Beng Mealea and pyramid-like Koh Ker, recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tour is highly recommended for those who have previously visited Siem Reap’s temples.
Please note that Koh Ker and Beng Mealea require separate Temple Passes.
English-speaking guide
Private vehicle
Duration: 8 hrs.
Price: From US $280*
*Prices quoted are net and do not include temple passes or meals.
This tour visits the lesser-known temples outside the central cluster — a deeper exploration of the history of the site and the perfect follow-up to the Small Circuit tour.
English-speaking guide
Private vehicle
Duration: 5 hrs.
Price: From US $127*
*Prices quoted are net and do not include temple passes or meals.
This tour is perfect for one-day Angkor Pass holders as it covers the must-see temples of Angkor. It’s also a starting point for multi-day Angkor Pass holders who can, on a later day, continue with the Grand Circuit or remote temples.
English-speaking guide
Private vehicle
Duration: 5 hrs.
Price: From US $94*
*Prices quoted are net and do not include temple passes or meals.
Siem Reap has become a haven for creative locals and expats inspired by Khmer heritage to fashion a new Cambodian aesthetic. Recommended stops include the studio of Christian Develter, a Belgian artist making boldly colorful portraits; the atelier of Eric Raisina, a Madagascar-born, Paris-trained couturier; and One Eleven Gallery, showing a variety of contemporary artists. We can also arrange a private art tour of the city’s best galleries and studios.
CULTURAL DISCOVERIES
Pub Street
Think of Pub Street as Southeast Asia’s version of Bourbon Street in New Orleans: several lively blocks lined with bars and clubs that entertain revelers all night long. Officially called Street 8 and just a short walk from the hotel, it’s a spirited destination for having a few drinks, sampling authentic Khmer street food, and watching performances by local musicians and dancers.
Pro tip: Start with dinner at Elia, a Greek restaurant in an old colonial house (try the watermelon feta salad and the Rhodes sausage), before your bar-hopping adventure.
CULTURAL DISCOVERIES
Siem Reap’s Coffee Culture
Coffee is a way of life in Cambodia, and hip young locals have opened a number of charming cafés across Siem Reap, many of them making drinks made with locally grown and roasted beans. A few of our favorites: The Little Red Fox, in Kandal Village, whose beans are all sourced from Southeast Asia; Kambu, in Wat Bo, an adorable Japanese kissaten-style café; and the Muffin Man, on Sumbai Road, where you can pair your espresso with Dieng Dorm’s scrumptious muffins and cakes.
CULTURAL DISCOVERIES
Phare Cambodian Circus
Uniquely Cambodian and daringly modern, Phare offers Siem Reap’s most authentic and energetic evening entertainment. More than just a circus, Phare performers tell Cambodian stories — historical, folk, and modern — with a fusion of theater, music, dance, and modern circus arts. The talented artists are all graduates of Phare Ponleu Selpak, a Battambang-based performing arts school that offers free vocational training to underprivileged children.
Siem Reap’s rising art and culture precinct is nestled in the leafy central neighborhood, just a short walk from Shinta Mani. Concentrated on a block of Hap Guan Street is a vibrant mix of cafés, galleries, spas, and boutiques selling beautiful, made-in-Cambodia housewares and clothing.
This is the place to find unique gifts, superb coffee and specialty juices, strikingly designed lacquer and ceramic curios, eco-friendly delights for home and body, art by both locals and expats, street fashion, jewelry, furniture, and more.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
COOKING CLASSES
Our jungle cooking class begins with a zipline over the river into the forest. There, you’ll forage for ingredients as you make your way to our organic farm and its rustic, open-air cooking sala, which replicates a typical Cambodian village kitchen. After refreshments, you’ll prepare three dishes from the seasonal menu, learn time-honored local techniques — and then feast on the results.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
MIXOLOGY LESSONS
Whether you want to learn about local spirits and juices or just perfect your Negroni-making skills, our bartender can show you the difference between cocktail shakers, the importance of ice cube size and shape, and the secrets of a perfect drink.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
BIRDWATCHING
Hundreds of species of birds live in and around Shinta Mani Wild, and many, many more pass through the preserve during the migratory seasons. Guests can spot six species of kingfishers, 10 different types of drongos, eagles, hornbills, and more.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
BUTTERFLY ENCOUNTERS
Wild is home to over 140 species of butterflies, a kaleidoscope of hundreds of painted Jezebels, magpie crows, and sapphire-colored blue-banded king crows. Head Bensley Butler and lepidopterist Bong Mac will guide you on a hike and share his passion for butterflies with you.
At our new butterfly hatchery, developed in partnership with Conservation International, we breed indigenous species for reintroduction into their natural habitat.
Immerse yourself in the serene, meditative ambiance while learning about the butterfly's fascinating life cycle — then carry a specially curated box of butterflies to an isolated location within the preserve and set them free into the wild!
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Our fleet of yellow mountain bikes awaits riders of all skill levels. A virgin run on forested single-track? A gentle ride through a Khmer village? A challenging uphill to the Kirirom Reservoir, followed by an exhilarating downhill sprint? Our Butlers love getting on two wheels with guests. The best way to rinse off the dirt? Combine a bike ride with your estuary boat expedition.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
HIKING
Wild’s 350-hectare (865-acre) property brings endless opportunities to explore the forest. Deep in the forest, where the birdsong falls away and sunlight barely pierces the canopy, you might spot a rare orchid, a spider's web, a tarantula hole — teeming life where humanity has not trespassed.
Your Bensley Butler will happily guide you on an adventure of your choosing, from an easy walk on a riverside trail to full-day, hardcore slogs into the Cardamom interior.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
FORAGING
The Cardamom Rainforest is a natural larder, and our wild foragers — most of them reformed poachers and loggers who know how to live off the rainforest — will guide you through the bounty of the jungle.
You may dig up wild potatoes, pick exotic fruits off trees, discover edible mushrooms, and taste some unexpected flavors (including, yes, live red ants). All of it goes in the basket to bring back to our chefs.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
CAMERA TRAPPING
As part of our conservation agenda, Shinta Mani Wild maintains a network of camera traps that capture footage of our resident species and help scientists keep tabs on the area’s biodiversity. Join our resident naturalist on a nature walk to check the camera traps and gibbon stations.
In the past, we’ve found endangered species such as the pileated gibbon, dhole (a type of wild dog), pangolins, and even new species of orchids, macaques, and leopard cats.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
ZIPLINING
Climb Eastern Tower’s 102 steps, strap on a harness, and clip into a double cable for extra safety before flying at upwards of 50 kmph for 400 meters (31mph for 1,300 feet) over the jungle canopy and the river.
Catch your breath at the West Tower before one last zip over the face of Raging Big Sister Falls, arriving at the Landing Zone Bar — where your favorite cocktail awaits.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES / seasonal
KAYAKING
The Southern Cardamom rainforest has some of the highest annual rainfall in Southeast Asia — and all that water drains to the Gulf of Thailand through a massive system of rivers and estuaries that are perfect for flatwater kayaking.
The gentle current will guide you downstream, palm fronds dangling overhead, breeze and birdsong the only sounds. Indeed, this is one of the best ways to birdwatch here, with bee-eaters, black-crested bulbuls, and six different kingfishers all native to the area.
NOTE: This experience is dependent upon the water level; during monsoon rains, the river becomes too high to navigate safely.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
TAILGATE SUNDOWNERS
Could this be the world’s most decadent pop-up cocktail bar? Golden hour drinks on a big flat stone in the middle of the river — its divots acting as nature’s own little ice buckets — with the campfire going is an unforgettable experience. Even better? The tiny toothless fish nibbling at your toes dangling in the water.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
SWIMMING AT THE CISTERN
Unwind with a G&T in hand in our own little swimming hole, a 33-meter (108-foot) black steel pool inspired by the cisterns once used to store groundwater. Here, the water is gin-clear, the forest provides ample shade, and the views of the canopy and the waterfall below are smashing.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
PICNICS
Don’t let the restaurant confine you! All of Wild is yours for an alfresco meal. Our team of Bensley Butlers are ready to whip up a picnic feast perched above a waterfall, ensconced in the forest, or in one of many other dramatic spots.
core experiences
NATURAL WELLNESS
For us, total immersion in nature is the key to well-being. So whether it’s a facial in your tent, a stone foot massage by the river, a yoga session in the forest, or a full-body scrub in the spa itself, our wellness experiences are an essential part of your stay.
The Cardamom Rainforest is one of Asia's most biodiverse places, with populations of rare and endangered wildlife — including Malayan sun bears, pangolins, clouded leopards, and pileated gibbons. But their existence is threatened by poaching, logging, and other illegal activities.
That is why we help fund Wildlife Alliance, a Cambodian NGO whose armed rangers patrol the area, seizing snares, running loggers out of their camps, and confiscating guns and chainsaws.
Here at Shinta Mani Wild, you are on the front lines of conservation, and your presence alone is helping us fight this fight.
Our guests can have the eye-opening experience of joining the rangers on motorbikes for 2-6 hours (depending on your stamina) as they survey and protect the resort’s 350 hectares (865 acres) to ensure the sanctity of this precious habitat. You might help them dismantle a homemade trap — or even rescue and release an animal caught in a snare.
Explore the secret backwaters, scenic rice fields, and golden sand beaches of the upper Srey Ambel Estuary on our custom-designed expedition pontoon, equipped with a full bar, daybeds, toilet, and a top deck with sun loungers. Your Bensley Butler will point out the vivid birdlife, and knows which mangrove-lined channels are best for exploring by kayak, and where to set up a picnic in the wilderness.
