We are pleased to welcome David King as the new Operations & Adventure Manager of Exotissimo Cambodia. David was originally from Ireland and possesses extensive knowledge of adventure travel in Southeast Asia through his previous living and working experience in Vietnam. Based in Siem Reap, he can be contacted at david_king@exotissimo.com.

Exotissimo Cambodia recently appointed Sibylle Rotzler as the new Product & Internet Sales Manager. Based in Phnom Penh, she is responsible for developing new itineraries and promotional packages as well as overseeing internet sales in Cambodia. Sibylle grew up in Germany and graduated with a degree in Travel Management. Her background in the travel industry includes work experience in online marketing and MICE events management for European tour companies. She can be contacted at sybille@exotissimo.com.

In April, Miles Gravett was appointed as Adventure Department Manager of Exotissimo Cambodia while maintaining his position as operations manager in Siem Reap. He will remain based in Siem Reap and can be contacted at miles@exotissimo.com.

During the rainy season, Exotissimo cruises on the Tonle Sap Lake will set off from Kampong Tkov instead of Chong Kneas. This will provide a more private and pleasant experience as the port town of Kampong Tkov is less frequented by tourists. From there, it is a 30-minute cruise to Kampong Phluck with its beautiful stilted huts and impressive submerged mangrove forests, or a 1.5-hour cruise to Kampong Kliang, the largest community on the lake. During the dry season, both villages can be reached by road, with Kampong Phluck and Kampong Kliang a 30-minute and 1-hour drive respectively from Siem Reap. Cruises on the Tonle Sap can be combined with a visit to the Roluos Group temples or activities such as ox-cart rides and meals or homestays in local houses for a taste of rural Cambodian living.

With the improvements in road travel in Cambodia, overland travel is emerging as a popular option and as a result we have added stops in Battambang to many of our recent products. The town and its surrounding countryside offer a diverse selection of touring options such as Angkorian ruins, Khmer cooking classes and rural tours to unique villages. La Villa Battamabang, a 7-room colonial style building, is our preferred hotel in the city. For a sample of our programs which include Battambang, click here: Grand Tour of Cambodia; Crossing Cambodia.

Exotissimo Cambodia now offers luxury camping at unique temple and nature sites. Depending on guests’ preferences, exclusive safari tents can be set up on river shores, mountain tops, in the jungle or within the grounds of an ancient temple. Meals will be prepared by a private chef in comfortable dining set-ups. For discerning travelers seeking a truly exotic experience in Cambodia, a luxury camping getaway makes a good choice. Contact cambodia@exotissimo.com for more information.

In Siem Reap, Exotissimo Cambodia now offers a unique touring vehicle – an original M151 MUTT Jeep. Besides providing a rugged and adventurous way to explore the famous Angkor temples, this 1970s jeep also offers a scenic and fun ride to outlying temples such as Beng Mealea and Koh Ker or the hilltop sites of Phnom Kulen and Kbal Spean. Contact cambodia@exotissimo.com for more information.

At Phnom Penh’s Meta House, Exotissimo Cambodia offers a range of talks by emerging and established artists who will give insights into their work and on contemporary Cambodian culture. Meta House also provides private movie screenings with on-site catering as well as walking tours through Phnom Penh’s developing arts scene, including visits to ateliers and interesting galleries. To find out more, contact cambodia@exotissimo.com.

One of our favorite hotels, La Residence d’Angkor will be closed from 20th May 2008 to 31st July 2008, to renovate and re-equip for the upcoming high season. Affected bookings will be contacted directly by Exotissimo Cambodia.

In Siem Reap the crowds are easily escaped by just heading 10km out of town. Take a wonderful bicycle ride to Roulous Temple group and onwards to Kampong Phluck and enjoy a cruise through traditional floating villages before heading back to Siem Reap.