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active 13 hours ago

Steve Lidgey

As general manager, I oversee our team in handcrafting unique journeys. We believe in letting our guests experience the destination by, where possible, giving them interaction with local people. Fortunately, in Cambodia, people are very open and eager to meet tourists making interaction easier. I believe travelers should also give something back to the place they are visiting - that can include just being friendly and communicating with local people. As a travel agent, we then help on the rest in order to do things in a responsible manner by supporting as many local people and projects as possible.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Cambodia is a small country so we cover the whole country for all budgets. We specialize in personalized travel, listening to our guests and creating unique itineraries according to the interests, budget and other requirements. Where possible we try to include local interaction, be that stopping at the side of the road to try local snacks with vendors to staying at local community homestays."

How did you get involved in travel?

"After I left college I worked in Germany for a hotel that was only open from Apr-Oct. Working hard I was able to save lots of money and travel to see the world. After visiting 50+ countries I decided to get a job that allows me to help others travel. First I worked back in my home country (England) before moving to Cambodia where I set up my own travel company.
The personal desire to travel is still there. However, instead of counting countries, I prefer to explore places I like in more depth and off the beaten track. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Inevitably I should mention Cambodia. I was lucky enough to visit in 1994 and had Angkor Wat almost all to myself. It wasn't a happy time in Cambodia as the civil war was still going on and there was an air of sadness to the country. Many places were off limits and I hired a motorbike to visit the temples. It was educational more than enjoyable at that time.

Fast forward to 2011 when I next visited Cambodia for a tourism trade show. I was able to see the country developing as a destination with friendly, welcoming people. The dangers were gone and the natural happiness of the Cambodian people returned. I decided to look for work in travel and moved later that year to the capital, Phnom Penh."

Steve is part of the following groups: Laos Travel Agents, Cambodia Travel Agents
Woman giving a Buddhist monk an offering
Laos & Cambodia: Luang Prabang Overland to Siem Reap - 14 Days

This 14-day overland adventure explores the top highlights of two distinct countries, from the ethnic minority villages, plus the spectacular waterfalls and bucolic "4000 Islands" of the Mekong River, in Laos, to Cambodia's "floating villages" and the great temple complex of Angkor. Along the way, you'll get to explore by river boat, bicycle, and tuk-tuk, while gaining an immersion and intimate insight into the two nations' diverse cultures.

Performers from Phare Circus in Battambang
Feel Good Cambodia: Responsible Adventures from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap - 14 Days

Contribute to the betterment of Cambodian society on this feel-good 14-day active adventure that engages you with community projects, from an art school in Phnom Penh and an elephant-care project to restaurants that train young disadvantaged Cambodians for brighter futures. Along the way, you'll hike to waterfalls in the mountains, cycle to countryside villages, explore Angkor's temples by tuk-tuk, and visit the "floating villages" of Tonlé Sap Lake by boat.

Sunrise over Angkor Wat
Cambodia History & Nature: Phnom Penh, Mekong Dolphins & Angkor Temples – 10 Days

This 10-day itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking the splendor of Cambodian history, wildlife, and culture. Exploring by pedicab, you'll begin in Phnom Penh for the Royal Palace and National Museum before kayaking the Mekong River in search of Irrawaddy dolphins, then visiting the "floating villages" of Tonlé Sap Lake by boat. Finish your adventure in Siem Reap as you explore the magnificent temples of Angkor by tuk-tuk, accompanied by a local expert.

Spend a day with Cambodia's Asian elephants
Angkor to the Mekong: Temples, Nature & Culture - 10 Days

Experience many of the quintessential highlights of Angkor and eastern Cambodia, from the temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom to the floating villages of Tonlé Sap, the wild elephants of Mondulkiri, and the endangered freshwater dolphins of the Mekong River. Along with a mix of outdoor activities and cultural tours, you'll visit a silk farm, Cham and Phnong indigenous villages, plus pepper and coffee plantations for a well-rounded and fulfilling adventure to remember.

Catch a sunset over Kep Bay
Siem Reap to the Coast: Phnom Penh, Kampot & Kep - 10 Days

This itinerary covers a wide range of must-see places and unique excursions for an authentic taste of Cambodian history and culture. Over 10 days, you'll marvel at exploring Angkor's temples before visiting Tonlé Sap Lake's "floating villages" and spending two nights in Phnom Penh. From here, bicycle the countryside, explore the seafood markets around Kampot, and head to the seaside resort of Kep, where you'll complete the adventure.

Tour Battambang's surroundings like a local
Active Cambodia: Cycle Angkor & Battambang - 7 Days

Perfect for active travelers who enjoy cycling, this 7-day tour of Cambodia winds at an easy pace past the most majestic temples of Angkor and through the rice fields and idyllic countryside around Battambang. You'll learn about local culture and lifestyle, savor traditional Khmer cooking, and enjoy a performance of ancient Apsara dancing.

Recent trip reviews for Steve

Our guides, Len and Chan, and our driver Ky w...
Cambodia | Feb 9 - Feb 20, 2023

K
Karen M.
Mount Pleasant, SC | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

Our guides, Len and Chan, and our driver Ky were wonderful. They all went above and beyond and gave us quite a memorable experience. read more

Our guides, Len and Chan, and our driver Ky were wonderful. They all went above and beyond and gave us quite a memorable experience.

Hotel Reviews
Rambutan Resort - Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh

Great location, nice room. Very friendly and helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nature Lodge
Sen Monorom

Nice rooms, friendly staff. Good food.

The Aviary Hotel
Siem Reap

Nice room, friendly staff.

Soriyabori Resort
Koh Trong

Rustic and wonderful. Be warned there is no ac, but sleeping under a mosquito net feels so authentic on this tiny island with no cars and few tourists!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
If you are looking for modern convenience and sterile environment, stay in Kratie. This is for those looking for a more authentic experience. Loved it!
Activity Reviews
Short cyclo tour to Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh

Great fun!

Tuol Sleng & Russian Market
Phnom Penh
Sunset cruise, Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Royal Palace
Phnom Penh
A full day at Elephant Valley Project (ELIE)
Sen Monorom
Trekking to see a Phnong village & Bou Sraa Waterfall
Sen Monorom
Sunset at the Sea Forest
Sen Monorom

Could have skipped this

Community based activities on Koh Trong
Koh Trong
Sen Monorom to Kratie (local restaurant lunch)
Cambodia
Full day temple exploration by remork (with lunch) - Angkor Thom/Grand Circuit
Siem Reap

A lot to do I n one day!

Banteay Srei & Ta Phrom (same day as sunrise)
Siem Reap
Phnom Penh to Sen Monorom
Cambodia
Mechrey floating village with cruise to Prek Toal
Siem Reap
Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat B - open seating in the rear half of the middle seating area)
Siem Reap
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

Dear Karen,
Thanks for taking the time to share your comments about the trip. It was lovely to meet you in Siem Reap and also receive a lot more feedback. Fantastic to see you had a great time.
BTW noted the comment about the hotel in Koh Trong. I think I found the way to add a note to warn future guests that there is no a/c, but that it is also not required. It should be seen in the hotel description now. Soriyabori is lovely, and far better than anything across the river in the town itself.... read more

Dear Karen,
Thanks for taking the time to share your comments about the trip. It was lovely to meet you in Siem Reap and also receive a lot more feedback. Fantastic to see you had a great time.
BTW noted the comment about the hotel in Koh Trong. I think I found the way to add a note to warn future guests that there is no a/c, but that it is also not required. It should be seen in the hotel description now. Soriyabori is lovely, and far better than anything across the river in the town itself.
Thanks for travelling with Travel Asia a la carte and kimkim. As mentioned, when you plan you next time please contact Kimkim. Almost certainly they will have an expert for that destination. And for Cambodia please tell them to contact me via kimkim also.
Best regards from sunny Siem Reap,
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Great extended family trip
Cambodia | Feb 5 - Feb 15, 2023

S
Shayla M.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2023

Steve managed to organize a short family trip for us down to Cambodia that was a trip of a lifetime. He was able to answer questions from each family member, at all times of the day, helping us prepare for the trip (from currency, to clothing, to flight recommendations). While we were there, he always made sure we were well taken care of, checking in on us and even went above to help with delayed baggage.
Regarding the trip itself, he managed to find a way for us to learn about the... read more

Steve managed to organize a short family trip for us down to Cambodia that was a trip of a lifetime. He was able to answer questions from each family member, at all times of the day, helping us prepare for the trip (from currency, to clothing, to flight recommendations). While we were there, he always made sure we were well taken care of, checking in on us and even went above to help with delayed baggage.
Regarding the trip itself, he managed to find a way for us to learn about the Cambodian history (the Khmer Rouge & S21 were very humbling to learn about), experience and understand the Cambodian culture today (the cyclo tour was such a fun experience), and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the Angkorian temples.
I appreciated that most of what we did, involved supporting the locals. Be it via Jaan Bai (delicious food), the Phare Ponleu Selpak (those kids had SO MUCH POSITIVE ENERGY), or even Tonle Sap (seeing the entire community drying the fish was really fascinating).
Sarrun as our guide was also amazing. Cambodia has very little English speaking, and he was able to help teach us the basics of Khmer language, help us on the day trips (reserving a spot for us to see the bats, buy us the local hacky sacks that we loved seeing people play with, communicate with the driver(s), etc). He also was great at helping us understand how much to expect for a TukTuk ride for our free nights, and how safe it would be during the night.
One thing to mention, if you do not know humidity, be prepared for lots of humid days, and pack accordingly!

Hotel Reviews
Maisons Wat Kor
Battambang

Everyone here was so welcoming. It was the perfect mix of feeling at home, yet being part of the Cambodian culture. The breakfast portions were massive, but delicious. The pool was great to cool down after biking / walking around in the morning.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Slightly out of the town, but still a simple tuktuk drive to / from
Staff
Generous and kind hearted individuals. From the cleaners to the servers, to the owner.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Aviary Hotel
Siem Reap

Clean, and fun rooms / layout. Did the trick, and perfect way to end our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Coming from Maison Wat and seeing different parts of Cambodia, this was definitely more on the touristy side. It was a great way to end the trip, but doesn't highlight the Cambodian culture authentically.
Location
Perfect walking distance to Pub street / local restaurants & the post office.
Staff
Very kind and generous.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Poulo Wai Hotel and Apartment
Phnom Penh

Perfect walking distance to the market, and great street food just outside. The hotel itself did the trick, and had a great selection for breakfast. The beds were hard (common throughout Cambodia), but the rooms were clean and well air conditioned.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hot water in the showers was hit-and-miss.
Activity Reviews
Afternoon introductory Phnom Penh City Tour
Phnom Penh

This was a fun experience and great way to start the trip. At first you are a little nervous being cyclo'd around on the busy roads, but within 2minutes you feel comfortable and at ease throughout.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
National Museum & Royal Palace
Phnom Penh

It is a great way to learn about the royalty and their history (quite fascinating and to an extent different than other monarchies). That being said, it was quite long. It could have been done in a shorter amount of time, or almost given free time with no guide so we could do it at our pace.

Lunch
Phnom Penh

Each dish was amazing. The portion sizes are massive, but was delicious. Even if you are not a fan of seafood, it was all delicious.

Tuol Sleng & Killing Fields
Phnom Penh

This is a MUST on the trip. It is disturbing how recent it was, and the torture that occured, but humbling and helps you appreciate Cambodians that much more. I would have spent more time at S21 over the Royal Palace any day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Ondong Rossey
Cambodia

It was really cool to see how the pottery is made, and perfect distance to stretch the legs between Phnom Penh & Battambang.

Dinner at Jaan Bai
Battambang

One of our favourite meals. The shrimp dish was amazing, and so many shrimp! Massive portion sizes.

Food
Half day countryside local industries cycling
Battambang

This was probably my favourite parts of the entire trip. Just learning about different ways the locals cook with rice and make a living was really well done. Biking the roads and enjoying the calmness of the daily living was great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bamboo train ride
Battambang

Going at sunset instead of midday was the best decision made (in terms of weather and the scenery). The sunset was beautiful, and I think it would be even more beautiful during wet season, with the rice paddies being more green. However, the only time I felt bombarded / guilted on this entire trip was at the shops at the end of the ride. You go for about 10min, then you get off and there are a couple little shops. The kids all know how to say they're hungry and are poor, though none look malnourished. The parents also try to push that on you. And the only way for you to leave is back on the train, but the train driver is related to the shop owners, so they are in no rush. This probably would be the first thing I would remove if I were to re-do this trip.

Phnom Sampeau sunset
Battambang

This is one of the areas, that highlights how helpful a guide is. Sarrun helped us get a truck transportation up the hill. Even though we are a fit family, even we would not be able to walk the mountain in the heat. Also, having a spot saved for us at the bottom to see the bats leave was perfect. This was the first spot we saw the monkeys in Cambodia, and it was a humbling experience understanding the history of what became of the cave during the Khmer Rouge.

Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang
Battambang

Definitely top 3 items on the trip to Cambodia. The performers had SO MUCH ENERGY throughout. Even if they did a little mess up, they wanted to do it again and everyone (including other cast members) would always cheer them on. It is only an hour, but it was really such a positive experience. Some of the tricks they do is at a level that international buskers strive to complete, so it was really cool to see.

Walking tour in Battambang
Battambang

I wish I had more time walking around Battambang. It is such a cool place, and has more of a hip / artsy feel to it.

Dine with the locals, Ms Chanlon
Battambang

It was cool to go to the market, get some of the ingredients, then actually cook those ingredients. The portion sizes are massive, and don't forget with every meal, you will get a massive bowl of rice. Very little english is known, so having a bit of french and the very basics of Khmer helped. The food was delicious, and it was really cool to actually learn to cook the Cambodian way (from cleaning the bananna leaves for the fish amok to mortar & pestle the spices to using the clay pot stove we saw in Ondong Roussey). It was such an amazing experience, and great to then taste our feast at the end. To top it all off, we were allowed to walk the gardens and they were so accomodating. We even asked what a specific fruit was (milk fruit), and they pulled one down for us to try, just because! Such a beautiful and fun experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ta Phrom (afternoon by remork)
Siem Reap

The remork was a great way to get around and get some fresh air. Ta Phrom is a great temple. It was not too busy, and allowed us to take some great photos, but do prepare for some crowds at some of the main photo spots.

Siem Reap After Dark Nightlife & Foodie Adventure by Vespa (private tour)
Siem Reap

This was chaotically, hilariously, fun! It was a fun time, and they definitely are pushing the beers on you. But it was fun.

Kompong Khleang, life on Tonle Sap Lake
Siem Reap

Seeing the fish drying / smoking was really cool. It's a nice and pleasant drive / boat ride out. It also is a nice change of pace.

Sunrise (and return to hotel for breakfast)
Siem Reap

I think out of all the temples, this was actually our least favourite. Be prepared for crowds during the sunrise. It is beautiful, but everyone talking and walking around (luckily not in front of the water / temple) takes away from the experience. Walking around Angkor Wat afterwards was still beautiful, but I enjoyed Angkor Thom, Ta Phrom, Banteay Kdei, and Pre Rup more.

Additional airport transfer
Siem Reap

The airport is closer to the hotel than you think. But great to have this additional transfer

Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

Hi Shayla,
Thanks for taking the time to share such detailed comments. It's really helpful.
A couple of points:
Angkor Wat - I was there a few days ago for sunrise. Perhaps 500-800 people total. However, it was relatively quiet and I felt still manageable. However, we are expecting Asian tour groups, especially Chinese, to return before too long. So its going to get a lot busier, and we will probably stop offering sunrise at Angkor Wat to guests, as we did pre-Covid when things were just too... read more

Hi Shayla,
Thanks for taking the time to share such detailed comments. It's really helpful.
A couple of points:
Angkor Wat - I was there a few days ago for sunrise. Perhaps 500-800 people total. However, it was relatively quiet and I felt still manageable. However, we are expecting Asian tour groups, especially Chinese, to return before too long. So its going to get a lot busier, and we will probably stop offering sunrise at Angkor Wat to guests, as we did pre-Covid when things were just too busy.
Bamboo train - I haven't visited for a year or more now. Sorry, to hear the families there are being a bit persistent in trying to sell t-shirts etc. They are not rich, but also not poor, and make money from growing crops in the fields. We will ask our guides to be a bit more insistent on them not going over the top with their selling. The ride is still beautiful, and yes, early morning/late afternoon is best as there is no shelter from the sun whilst on the bamboo train.

I'm glad you had a little 'up to you' time to see other temples such as Banyeau Kdei. There are so many more you could explore but others may just get 'templed out'. My personal favourite is Preah Khan, which is a quieter version of Ta Phrom.

Thanks again for travelling with us, and also for all the feedback when I will reread again.
Best regards,
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Tour Guide, Driver & Down Time
Cambodia | Feb 5 - Feb 15, 2023

C
Corrie K.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Feb 19, 2023

Our guide and driver made our trip comfortable and fun. Both our guide and driver made us feel a part of the communities that we were visiting.

Mr Sarun was responsive and more often proactive. For example, when we were purchasing souvenirs he was right with us interacting with the seller and us to make sure we understood the cost.

Sarun taught us key Khmer phrases such as, Sour Sdei for Hello, Orkun Chroeun for Thankyou. Often when we used these phrases the Khmer people asked if we... read more

Our guide and driver made our trip comfortable and fun. Both our guide and driver made us feel a part of the communities that we were visiting.

Mr Sarun was responsive and more often proactive. For example, when we were purchasing souvenirs he was right with us interacting with the seller and us to make sure we understood the cost.

Sarun taught us key Khmer phrases such as, Sour Sdei for Hello, Orkun Chroeun for Thankyou. Often when we used these phrases the Khmer people asked if we knew their language. These phrases helped us feel connected to the community.

Our driver, Thaulm (please correct spelling), was welcoming and helpful. He always had the tour bus ready for us and greeted us at the door.

One suggestion, build a bit more down time into the schedule in Phonm Penh while the day time market is open. And, allow for some more down time in the morning or earlier in the evening while in Battambang. My husband and I like to take our time walking around the city, eating street food and exploring local shops/markets. We finally got this time in Siem Reap on the afternoon of our last day and the extra day we added to our trip. We would have liked some more down time (not in the heat of the day) to explore Battambang and Phonm Penh.

Hotel Reviews
Poulo Wai Hotel and Apartment
Phnom Penh
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maisons Wat Kor
Battambang

Setting, atmosphere, people and food were delicious! The food was some of the best we had on the entire trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
It may have been nice to have at least one brighter light in our room. And, the pamphlet in our room said that we could get coffee anytime of day. I was waking up at about 4am to finish edits to an academic journal article that is being published and like coffee while I write. Since our host and hostess have a full day of work from about 6:30am until about 9:00/10:00pm, it may be nice to have a French Press coffee pot with some ground coffee in our room to substitute for the times when the kitchen is closed. Please know the food we had here was some of the best for the entire trip.
The Aviary Hotel
Siem Reap
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed service and constant attention to provide clean towels each time we left our room was amazing. One suggestion, check the shampoo and body wash a bit more regularly because we ran out the second day.
Activity Reviews
Additional airport transfer
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon introductory Phnom Penh City Tour
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
National Museum & Royal Palace
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lunch
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuol Sleng & Killing Fields
Phnom Penh

Powerful experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Ondong Rossey
Cambodia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner at Jaan Bai
Battambang
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Intro to Battambang
Battambang
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half day countryside local industries cycling
Battambang

It may help some travelers to have a bit more information about traditional homes and being culturally immersed in this experience. At moments it felt as if we were on a humanitarian tour not a holiday.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Glad we rode bikes. If it’s possible to start this bike outing an hour or 30 minutes earlier it would have helped me. My skin is very light and there have been times that heat and sun exhaust me. I did fine. But, decided to stay indoors for the rest of the day and part of the next morning to make sure I didn’t have heat exhaustion. I got a Khmer massage at Maisons Wat Kor and loved it!
Relax around midday in Battambang
Battambang

It was such a hot part of the day they only thing that seemed good to do was be poolside or indoors.

Quality of Experience
I imagine all of us on this family trip do not all agree about the pace of the days. I speak for myself and know that at least one other person also sat out of activities on this evening after the bike outing. Some family members wanted to have the day packed full of events. So, it’s a challenge to provide feedback that seems reasonable based on what I experienced and what the family members booked with KimKim. Having said that, it is my sentiment that we did too much each day. But, other family members wanted to have each minute of everyday packed with scheduled activities. The down time around the pool seemed to be another schedule activity. Whereas I prefer a mix and better balance of planned events and open time to experience the local environment. My point, I am sharing my feedback and know that my feedback on this item may not represent feedback from the others on this family trip.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bamboo train ride
Battambang

Great fun! Felt as if we were doing something that the locals do. The weather and sunset were fabulous.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang
Battambang

I did not attend. Don and I completed a rating for this on the paper feedback form we submitted.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phnom Sampeau sunset
Battambang

I did not attend this. Don and I completed ratings for this on the paper feedback form. He enjoyed it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2023

Dear Corrie,
Thank you very much for taking the time to write detailed comments, and complete every part of the feedback form. It is very helpful, and the more detail, the better!
I'm glad our guide made you feel part of the community, and also you got to learn a little Khmer and practice it. It's always guaranteed to generate a smile from the lovely Cambodian people!
Thanks also for sharing the comments about the tour programme and down time. It's very hard to gauge when planning a trip as... read more

Dear Corrie,
Thank you very much for taking the time to write detailed comments, and complete every part of the feedback form. It is very helpful, and the more detail, the better!
I'm glad our guide made you feel part of the community, and also you got to learn a little Khmer and practice it. It's always guaranteed to generate a smile from the lovely Cambodian people!
Thanks also for sharing the comments about the tour programme and down time. It's very hard to gauge when planning a trip as so many guests are trying to cram as much into their itinerary as possible and don't want to 'waste a second'. If you plan your next trip with Kimkim please do share such info in advance so the expert can take that into account and maybe add in half a day free in suitable locations. Anyhow, I'm glad you had a more relaxing time in Siem Reap and had a bit of rest there. Your tour was private and I hope the guide was as flexible as possible with the schedule.
It was also nice to meet you at the hotel in Siem Reap and learn the reason for the family of 8 coming together and arranging the visit to Cambodia. As I mentioned, it's hard in busy lifestyles to get time to travel together so I'm very glad it all worked out.
Thanks again for travelling with Travel Asia a la carte and Kimkim and hope to see you again.
Best regards from Siem Reap,
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

The kimkim platform is a great tool to help m...
Cambodia | Jan 6 - Jan 22, 2023

S
suzanne s.
Windsor, CA | Reviewed on Feb 01, 2023

The kimkim platform is a great tool to help match travelers directly with local specialists. We wanted to create an itinerary for Cambodia that was an authentic, personalized and responsible travel experience. Steve provided excellent service for the pre, during, and post travel journey. We were happy with nearly everything that was planned and he matched our travel intentions well with local guides and resources. For the one snag that did take place - Steve worked expediently with the... read more

The kimkim platform is a great tool to help match travelers directly with local specialists. We wanted to create an itinerary for Cambodia that was an authentic, personalized and responsible travel experience. Steve provided excellent service for the pre, during, and post travel journey. We were happy with nearly everything that was planned and he matched our travel intentions well with local guides and resources. For the one snag that did take place - Steve worked expediently with the local hotel to provide us with a solution that went above and beyond our expectations.

Without a doubt, we would recommend kimkim and Steve's management service for SE Asia to our friends and family.

Hotel Reviews
The Aviary Hotel
Siem Reap
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palace Gate Hotel & Resort
Phnom Penh
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cardamom Tented Camp
Trapeang Rung
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Passion by Achariyak
Koh Rong Sanloem
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full day temple exploration by remork (with lunch)
Siem Reap

Our guide was extremely knowledgable about the history of the temples and made the experience comfortable with refillable water bottles and a kind remork driver. He also used a terrific book that showed visual illustrations of what the temples looked like historically as compared to today. We ended up purchasing several as gifts for friends and family.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Basket makers, rice noodles & ancient trails cycling tour
Siem Reap

Wonderful way to see truly see local people and families and the crafts and foods they make for their income.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A morning with the elephants at Kulen Elephant Forest
Siem Reap

This is a wonderful program that is very experiential. You prepare and feed the elephants and learn about their personalities and have a chance to touch their trunks with careful instruction. Great guide, great lunch.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day Cardamom Tented Camp (Trekker & Explorer Packages)
Botum Sakor National Park

This is a must-do for travelers that like the outdoors and want an off the beaten path cambodian experience. Great bird watching, beautiful and clean river, very kind staff and guides, delicious food. The 'glamping' set-up was very modern and comfortable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phnom Penh Half day, Royal Palace & Central Market
Phnom Penh

Our guide Pich was so wonderful. Knowledgable, fun, and the absolute perfect pace for touring.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Late afternoon until evening foodie tour
Phnom Penh

This was such a fun experience. We tried the most delicious street food and then ate a local restaurant. We even stopped for a cocktail. This was made truly excellent by our guide, Pich, who participated in eating with us. It was like having a friend show you around the food scene of Cambodia. SO FUN

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2023

Hi Suzanne & Bryce,
Many thanks for your kind words, which will be helpful for future travellers when considering Cambodia.
We love to plan bespoke travel and treat each request individually. It was great to know your interests to help match with what we could offer in Cambodia. It worked perfectly except for the beach hotel which has gone downhill in recent weeks. Thanks for all your honest comments there which have been shared and hopefully the hotel will return to the good level of... read more

Hi Suzanne & Bryce,
Many thanks for your kind words, which will be helpful for future travellers when considering Cambodia.
We love to plan bespoke travel and treat each request individually. It was great to know your interests to help match with what we could offer in Cambodia. It worked perfectly except for the beach hotel which has gone downhill in recent weeks. Thanks for all your honest comments there which have been shared and hopefully the hotel will return to the good level of service it used to have.
Hope you plan your next trip with Kimkim and I'm sure there will be an expert ready to assist.
Best regards from Siem Reap,
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Cambodia Honeymoon
Cambodia | Dec 14 - Dec 18, 2022

Kelsey
Kelsey S.
Lindenwold, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 12, 2023

Siem Reap was incredible! Angkor Wat is simply breathtaking. The mountain bike tour through the temple complex is the way to go. And sunrise is definitely worth the early wake-up call! Our tour guide for the week, Bun, was super friendly and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed him. And the hotel was beautiful! read more

Siem Reap was incredible! Angkor Wat is simply breathtaking. The mountain bike tour through the temple complex is the way to go. And sunrise is definitely worth the early wake-up call! Our tour guide for the week, Bun, was super friendly and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed him. And the hotel was beautiful!

Hotel Review
The Aviary Hotel
Siem Reap

Gorgeous grounds and beautiful pool. Our room was huge! Staff was super friendly. Also great location. Perfect stay!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cycling the back roads of Angkor (full day)
Siem Reap

Biking the temple complex is definitely the way to go!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Honeymoon Surprise, courtesy of kimkim
Siem Reap

Thank you so much for the incredible dinner!!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise (and return to hotel for breakfast)
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half day cookery class
Siem Reap

The chef and his restaurant were incredible. This was a highlight of Siem Reap for sure!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Apopo Landmine detecting rats
Siem Reap

Great learning experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat B - open seating in the rear half of the middle seating area)
Siem Reap

The show and performers were super funny and friendly! Great show.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trekking at Phnom Kulen
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2023

Hi Kelsey,
Thanks for the glowing review! It was great to meet you and Jon during the honeymoon trip.
Lovely to hear all went so well and you appreciated the guide, hotel, biking through the Angkor complex etc etc! Keep up the beautiful Instagram work which I enjoyed watching. Not just Cambodia, but also Vietnam and Thailand!
Hope you can make it back one day and show you more of Cambodia.
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

A wonderful trip to Cambodia. A really great ...
Cambodia | Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2022

A
Alison H.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2023

A wonderful trip to Cambodia. A really great itinerary was planned before hand which went very smoothly. The choices and timings of itinerary were well suited for my friend and I. The guides and drivers were all very kind and helpful. They were also knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A really great trip which made for a lovely experience and memories, with highlights such as the Angkor temples and beach time at Koh Rong Samloem island. Many thanks for an excellent trip. read more

A wonderful trip to Cambodia. A really great itinerary was planned before hand which went very smoothly. The choices and timings of itinerary were well suited for my friend and I. The guides and drivers were all very kind and helpful. They were also knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A really great trip which made for a lovely experience and memories, with highlights such as the Angkor temples and beach time at Koh Rong Samloem island. Many thanks for an excellent trip.

Hotel Review
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
Siem Reap
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2023

Dear Ali & Vicky,
Thanks for the wonderful review. It was a pleasure having you travel with us in Cambodia. I can see the itinerary ticked all the boxes for you, and I'm glad it went so smoothly. Thanks also for the appreciation of our guides and drivers. Last, but not least, it was nice to meet you during the visit to Apopo HeroRats in Siem Reap.
Wishing you both a fantastic 2023!
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

A perfect trip for seekers
Cambodia | Dec 17 - Dec 23, 2022

P
Priti P.
Switzerland | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2023

I had very memorable and cherished travels during a week long trip to Cambodia over December 2022. From planning to execution, Steve's support and advice was perfect. He understood what I was looking for as a solo traveler and kept my suggestions in mind. I am grateful for the attention to detail and very quick response time nearly always. After two months of planning, it was time to meet Steve before I wrapped up my journey, which was great!

The guides during my trip, both Sreypich and... read more

I had very memorable and cherished travels during a week long trip to Cambodia over December 2022. From planning to execution, Steve's support and advice was perfect. He understood what I was looking for as a solo traveler and kept my suggestions in mind. I am grateful for the attention to detail and very quick response time nearly always. After two months of planning, it was time to meet Steve before I wrapped up my journey, which was great!

The guides during my trip, both Sreypich and Sophoan, were kind and patient with me. They were knowledgeable and answered my many questions on Cambodian culture and history. In addition, the people who drove me around, and those who worked at the places I stayed, were most courteous and professional.

The local specialist and guides are highly recommended anyone planning a trip to the country. With such a layered political history and world famous monuments, Cambodia deserves careful planning and time.

It is helpful to communicate clearly at the time of planning the trip, in putting together a personalised travel plan. Thank you, Steve and colleagues for this refreshing break.

Hotel Reviews
Sambor Village
Kompong Thom
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Phnom Penh Katari Hotel
Phnom Penh
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Residence Wat Bo
Siem Reap
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sosoro Museum
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Short cyclo tour to Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lunch at Eleven One Kitchen
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Food
Banteay Srei & Ta Phrom (same day as sunrise)
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day temple exploration by remork (with lunch) - Angkor Thom/Grand Circuit
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sophoan is very knowledgeable and excited to share her country and culture with visitors. Grateful for her kindness and expertise.
Transport
Tuol Sleng & Killing Fields
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phnom Penh to Kompong Thom via Skuon & Santuk Silk Farm
Cambodia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kompong Thom to Siem Reap via Kompong Khleang
Cambodia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sambor Prei Kuk afternoon visit
Kompong Thom

Magical place. Highly recommended. Do not skip this in favor of more famous landmarks.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise (and return to hotel for breakfast)
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Riverside Walk Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat C - free seating in the two side sections)
Siem Reap

Refreshing introduction to contemporary Cambodia after being steeped in history!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning at leisure (car & guide at disposal)
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023

Dear Priti,
Thank you so much for your wholesome review! It's lovely to see that Cambodia more than satisfied your interests. I'm personally also pleased that you appreciated a couple of interesting places, Sosoro Museum and Sambor Prei Kuk, that many visitors do not have the time to visit.
It was also lovely to catch up with you in Siem Reap during your 'morning at leisure'.
Take care, and look forward to welcoming your family one day!
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Amazing Honeymoon in Cambodia!
Cambodia | Dec 14 - Dec 18, 2022

Jon
Jon P.
Cherry Hill, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 19, 2022

kimkim did it again, putting together the perfect itinerary for us during a 5-day visit to Cambodia. We especially appreciated our guide, Hout Bunhak, who made the trip extra special and made us feel like family. The travel partner, Travel Asia a la cart was excellent! Our hotel was perfect for our preferences. We hope to return to Cambodia in the future and will certainly utilize kimkim to arrange our next Cambodian adventure! read more

kimkim did it again, putting together the perfect itinerary for us during a 5-day visit to Cambodia. We especially appreciated our guide, Hout Bunhak, who made the trip extra special and made us feel like family. The travel partner, Travel Asia a la cart was excellent! Our hotel was perfect for our preferences. We hope to return to Cambodia in the future and will certainly utilize kimkim to arrange our next Cambodian adventure!

Hotel Review
The Aviary Hotel
Siem Reap

Great service, perfect location, walkable to many spots in town, nice roof pool.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half day cookery class
Siem Reap

This was one of many highlights on our trip.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cycling the back roads of Angkor (full day)
Siem Reap

This was a great trip and was a nice way to see the temple area.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat B - open seating in the rear half of the middle seating area)
Siem Reap

We really enjoyed this visit. The art program involved is quite unique and we would like to spend more time exploring other activities.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Dec 19, 2022

Hi Jon & Kelsey. Thanks for your visit and for blessing Cambodia with your honeymoon visit. It was also lovely to meet you both on the first evening.
I'll share the glowing feedback with our guide and all the suppliers involved. Thanks again and I look forward to your return!

Read all Cambodia reviews

Cambodia review
Cambodia | Nov 7 - Nov 11, 2022

M
Manjit B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022

This is the second time I have used KimKim, and have been extremely impressed with the whole process of how the itinerary is managed and customised to my requirements .
I found the whole booking process managed very smoothly .
Secondly the guides were exceptionally , knowledgeable and flexible and made it very comfortable for us .
Steve was amazing he ensured we were kept informed , meticulous administration and also put together a list of restaurants that would be suitable to our... read more

This is the second time I have used KimKim, and have been extremely impressed with the whole process of how the itinerary is managed and customised to my requirements .
I found the whole booking process managed very smoothly .
Secondly the guides were exceptionally , knowledgeable and flexible and made it very comfortable for us .
Steve was amazing he ensured we were kept informed , meticulous administration and also put together a list of restaurants that would be suitable to our palate.
The whole trip was excellent and I will definitely be using KimKim again

Thank you Steve and your team for organising and executing this trip for us

Hotel Reviews
Palace Gate Hotel & Resort
Phnom Penh

The front desk were not so accommodating

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Borei Angkor Resort & Spa
Siem Reap
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
National Museum
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuol Sleng & Russian Market
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Banteay Samre & Banteay Srei
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monk blessing
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day temple free and easy exploration by remork (with lunch)
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022

Dear Manjit,
Thank you for the wonderful review and also the excellent feedback. I am so happy you are pleased with the whole process. Also, it's especially encouraging that we chose the correct guides for you. We love to customise trips according to your needs. Thanks for choosing Kimkim and we very much look to giving you a memorable journey in another part of the world!

Read all Cambodia reviews

Two weeks in Cambodia
Cambodia | Jun 24 - Jul 6, 2022

Amir
Amir A.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2022

I had an incredible time in Cambodia. I 100% recommend working with Steve (Travel Asia A la Carte). Each leg of the trip was well organized and accounted for. Our local guides (especially Kanha) showed us unique parts of their country outside of the standard tourist traps. Through this, we felt that our funds spend supported local communities. All of the hotels and experiences exceeded my expectations. This was my first trip to Asia and it has left me wanting to return to explore such an... read more

I had an incredible time in Cambodia. I 100% recommend working with Steve (Travel Asia A la Carte). Each leg of the trip was well organized and accounted for. Our local guides (especially Kanha) showed us unique parts of their country outside of the standard tourist traps. Through this, we felt that our funds spend supported local communities. All of the hotels and experiences exceeded my expectations. This was my first trip to Asia and it has left me wanting to return to explore such an amazing part of our world.

Hotel Reviews
Cardamom Tented Camp
Trapeang Rung

Amazing camp thats sole purpose is to support the wild life that is endangered due to deforestation. A must to visit and support.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Treeline Urban Resort
Siem Reap

The best service Ive ever experienced at a hotel. Amazing coffee shop attached. Great pool and food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palace Gate Hotel & Resort
Phnom Penh

Nice hotel in a good area. Service over all good but lacking in some departments (Can be difficult to get a drink at the sky bar!)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Royal Sands Koh Rong
Sihanoukville, Koh Rong

Hotel was very clean and accommodating. Staff were fantastic and the food was incredible. Lives up to its rating of a 5 star resort. Make sure to bring money for tips/experiences from the mainland as the entire island does not have an ATM. Apart from the hotel Koh Rong offers beautiful natural world. Incredible island to explore by scooter. There is a feeling the area is rapidly changing and being developed. I imagine it will be a very different place in 5 - 10 years.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Phnom Penh Half day, Royal Palace & Central Market
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} via Kompong Khleang, Spean Praptos & Skuon
Cambodia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, Noodle Village
Siem Reap

The best fish noodles Ive ever had. Went for seconds.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phare, the Cambodian Circus (Seat C - free seating in the two side sections)
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day temple exploration by remork (with lunch)
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Late afternoon until evening foodie tour
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrival day at Cardamom Tented Camp
Botum Sakor National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day Cardamom Tented Camp (Trekker & Explorer Packages)
Botum Sakor National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2022

Hi Amir. Thanks for visiting Cambodia and using our services. Glad to hear you had a wonderful time and appreciated the way we provide services that give something back to the destination. It was also great to have a little chat whilst you were in Siem Reap!

Read all Cambodia reviews

An unforgettable experience.
Cambodia | Jun 24 - Jul 6, 2022

Carlos
Carlos E.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2022

Cambodia was incredible. I took this trip with my long time friend and had pretty high expectations. With the help of KimKim and Steve, (our appointed local guide) this trip completely blew them out of the water.

Kahna our guide for the first week was absolutely incredible, going above and beyond to explain the nuances of culture and history to us while still keeping us excited and entertained. We were equipped with the information and understanding to complete the trip knowing how to... read more

Cambodia was incredible. I took this trip with my long time friend and had pretty high expectations. With the help of KimKim and Steve, (our appointed local guide) this trip completely blew them out of the water.

Kahna our guide for the first week was absolutely incredible, going above and beyond to explain the nuances of culture and history to us while still keeping us excited and entertained. We were equipped with the information and understanding to complete the trip knowing how to navigate the country. The accommodations and transportation were great and the organization of the entire trip was completely flawless and spot on.

We can’t express how grateful we are. Certain trips give you something money can’t buy, a reset of sorts, a shift in perspective that alters how you look at life itself. Without the help of KimKim, Steve, and Kahna, we couldn’t have had that experience.

Hotel Reviews
Treeline Urban Resort
Siem Reap

This hotel is awesome. I stayed 3 nights coming straight from LA and could not have been happier with the accommodations and staff. The amenities are top notch and would 100% come back and recommend to any of my loved ones.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cardamom Tented Camp
Trapeang Rung

This place is a gem. Exploring an area that is largely untouched by humans was an experience I won’t ever forget. The camp’s altruistic purpose gives you a sense of connection with its surroundings, all while offering amazing comfort and insight into the jungle.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palace Gate Hotel & Resort
Phnom Penh

Great place, great location. This hotel was perfect for our short stays in Phnom Penh. It had a colonial feel and the hotel helped us with anything we needed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Royal Sands Koh Rong
Sihanoukville, Koh Rong

Incredible resort, amazing staff, world class accommodations.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Full day temple exploration by remork (with lunch)
Siem Reap

This experience was unforgettable and the amount of knowledge and perspective I gained was truly priceless.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2022

Thanks Carlos for the glowing review! It was a pleasure to have you travel with us in Cambodia and it's clear you loved the country and its people. We've shared your comments with our guide, Kanha both in person and online. Please let your friends and family know Cambodia is a very authentic destination with lovely, welcoming people. Thanks again.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Laos and Cambodia for the Holidays!
Cambodia | Dec 23 - Dec 30, 2019

Terri
Terri M.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2020

We had the most amazing experience in Laos and Cambodia thanks to Steve at KimKim travel. He planned everything exactly like we wanted. Luang Prabang was phenomenal. Such an incredible country and our guide Van made it perfect. His english was excellent and he personally made a point for us to have a great time and get a real feeling for the uniqueness of his country. We loved playing games with the locals and eating at "locals only" establishments!
Cambodia was a perfect balance of... read more

We had the most amazing experience in Laos and Cambodia thanks to Steve at KimKim travel. He planned everything exactly like we wanted. Luang Prabang was phenomenal. Such an incredible country and our guide Van made it perfect. His english was excellent and he personally made a point for us to have a great time and get a real feeling for the uniqueness of his country. We loved playing games with the locals and eating at "locals only" establishments!
Cambodia was a perfect balance of temples, history, food and people. We were thrilled with our guide, Mr. Arn. He was very knowledgable about Siem Reep and the history of the country. We asked endless questions and he always had an answer. We really wanted to get to know the people of Cambodia and we were introduced to many locals and tasted local foods and watched the local artisans make their crafts. What a magical country.
Also a shout out to all our drivers. Always on time and having cold water for us to drink and stopping if we saw something we wanted to see or get a photo of! Thank you Steve for an amazing trip!

Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2020

Hi Terri,
Many thanks for the glowing feedback.
It was a pleasure to have lovely guests like you wanting to experience the real destination and 'go local' for authentic experiences. Thanks for travelling with us to Laos and Cambodia.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Cambodia Itinerary
Cambodia | Oct 1 - Oct 15, 2019

Bharat
Bharat P.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2019

It has been an amazing experience visiting Cambodia for a two week period..
To start with a lot of communication was exchanged with Steve and he was quick in understanding what experience we were looking for and he soon suggested the itinerary. With some changes we were assured of a great time and could not wait to get there.
Dy our guide for the Siem Reap circuit and Sreylen for the Phnom Penh circuit were knowledgeable and took care of the plan. The drivers of both circuits were brilliant... read more

It has been an amazing experience visiting Cambodia for a two week period..
To start with a lot of communication was exchanged with Steve and he was quick in understanding what experience we were looking for and he soon suggested the itinerary. With some changes we were assured of a great time and could not wait to get there.
Dy our guide for the Siem Reap circuit and Sreylen for the Phnom Penh circuit were knowledgeable and took care of the plan. The drivers of both circuits were brilliant and made sure the whole itinerary was covered in full but at the same time were flexible enough to ensure the balance between hactic schedule and free pleasure time. All the accomodation were hand picked and were exclusive and luxurious.
A thoroughly enjoyable trip that we will remember for years to come.
Bharat & Hansa

Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
First Hotel - Treeline Urban Resort | Photo taken by Bharat P
Temples of Angkor Wat | Photo taken by Bharat P
Angkor Wat | Photo taken by Bharat P
Photo taken by Bharat P
Prasat Kraho | Photo taken by Bharat P
Battambang Resort | Photo taken by Bharat P
Photo taken by Bharat P
Lake view at Battambang Resort | Photo taken by Bharat P
Ride on bamboo train at Battambang | Photo taken by Bharat P
Rice wine making | Photo taken by Bharat P
Udong | Photo taken by Bharat P
Photo taken by Bharat P
View from hilltop at Udong | Photo taken by Bharat P
Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre | Photo taken by Bharat P
4 Rivers Floating Tent Lodge | Photo taken by Bharat P
Dawn at 4 Rivers Floating Lodge | Photo taken by Bharat P
Water Falls at Koh Kong | Photo taken by Bharat P
Photo taken by Bharat P
Royal Sands Koh Rong | Photo taken by Bharat P
Villa at Royal Sands | Photo taken by Bharat P
White Powder Sand Beach - Royal Sands | Photo taken by Bharat P
Royal Sands | Photo taken by Bharat P
Phnom Penh Airport | Photo taken by Bharat P
View from the River of 4 Rivers Floating Lodge | Photo taken by Bharat P
Sunset at Koh Rong | Photo taken by Bharat P
Hansa relaxing at Water Falls | Photo taken by Bharat P
Battambang Resort Pool | Photo taken by Bharat P
Udong's hilltop stupa | Photo taken by Bharat P
Show 16 more photos
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Oct 18, 2019

Thanks Bharat & Hansa for this glowing review. All at Travel Asia a la carte work hard on every booking to ensure we deliver memorable experiences. I will share your comments with Sreylen and Dy and make sure the drivers and operations team are aware of your satisfaction.
Best regards from a sunny Siem Reap.
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Cambodia Trip
Cambodia | Jun 16 - Jun 22, 2019

S
Sheela B.
| Reviewed on Jun 26, 2019

Steve and his team took such great care of us throughout the trip! Our two guides, Pich and Dy, were wonderful as they helped navigate us around Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Not only did they show us the sites but they were helpful in recommending places to visit as well. The itinerary crafted by Steve was well thought out and was very accommodating to my family since we could only walk a few miles per day. I highly recommend using this agency for any future Cambodia travels!

Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Jun 27, 2019

Hi Sheela,
Many thanks for taking the time to review our services. That really helps future travellers.
We were pleased to welcome you to the Kingdom of Wonder and it seems like both you and your parents have happy memories. Do let us know if you ever plan to return.
Best regards from a sunny Siem Reap in rainy season!
Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Cambodia
Cambodia | Feb 1 - Feb 11, 2019

J
Joyce L.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Mar 11, 2019

It was a beautiful trip and the guides, such as Dao in Laos and Mak in Siem Reap went out of their way to provide us with all the experiences we had hope to have. Going to alms in Laos, having 2 hours with a meditation master in Hanchey Bamboo Resort, and visiting Angkor Thom were some of the highlights. While in Siem Reap we stayed at Jaya House. We have traveled extensively and there are few hotels that we have appreciated as much as Jaya House. Thank you for choosing that hotel. ... read more

It was a beautiful trip and the guides, such as Dao in Laos and Mak in Siem Reap went out of their way to provide us with all the experiences we had hope to have. Going to alms in Laos, having 2 hours with a meditation master in Hanchey Bamboo Resort, and visiting Angkor Thom were some of the highlights. While in Siem Reap we stayed at Jaya House. We have traveled extensively and there are few hotels that we have appreciated as much as Jaya House. Thank you for choosing that hotel. It was such a pleasure to work with Steve, our local specialist, in planning the trip. We had some unusual requests and he definitely listened to us and even provided us with options of which we were not even aware. Will definitely use the services of KimKim again, and if we return to SEAsia, will ask for Steve. Thank you.

Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2019

Hi Joy,
Many thanks for taking the time to review our services. I am very pleased they met your satisfaction. I will share the comments with the guides.
There was nothing too unusual about your requests. All very manageable and we pride ourselves on doing customised tours. We believe that is how travel should be...changed to meet each individuals needs.
Wishing you all the best and it would be a pleasure to welcome you back to the Far East.
Best regards, Steve.

Read all Cambodia reviews

Authentic Cambodia
Cambodia | Feb 4 - Feb 13, 2019

E
Eric R.
Australia | Reviewed on Feb 18, 2019

My wife and I spent a wonderful 10 days in Cambodia in Feb 2019 on a trip designed by Steve to see as much of the "authentic Cambodia" as we could in the limited time we had in-country. In short, to say that we enjoyed the trip would be an understatement. Steve's local knowledge and expert planning made all the difference - we hadn't been to Cambodia before so his suggestions and recommendations were absolutely invaluable. Our guides (Reya in Phnom Penh and Dy in Battambang / Siem Reap) and... read more

My wife and I spent a wonderful 10 days in Cambodia in Feb 2019 on a trip designed by Steve to see as much of the "authentic Cambodia" as we could in the limited time we had in-country. In short, to say that we enjoyed the trip would be an understatement. Steve's local knowledge and expert planning made all the difference - we hadn't been to Cambodia before so his suggestions and recommendations were absolutely invaluable. Our guides (Reya in Phnom Penh and Dy in Battambang / Siem Reap) and drivers were just fantastic, and all trip logistics (transport, hotels, restaurants/cultural events etc) were impeccably handled. Our trip really wouldn't have been the same without Steve's input...
We started the visit in Phnom Penh (to avoid the Chinese New Year tourist crush in Siem Reap) and had a great visit with Reya to the Royal Museum, National Museum, and the S21 Detention Centre and Killing Fields (pretty depressing, but obviously an important part of the country's recent history). Next was Battambang with Dy, in which we experienced the French colonial centre, saw the nearby bat caves at dusk (pretty amazing natural phenomenon), took a ride on the Bamboo train, and did a bike tour through local communities to see how they produce rice paper and other local products. Also saw the Phare circus one evening - definitely recommended.
Then onwards to Siem Reap to see some of the Temples of Angkor, including Angkor Wat. Totally amazing complex and history - with some of the oldest temples in the area dating back some 1,000 years - but the truth is you'd really need months to see everything! We also spent a morning on the Tonle Sap lake, which included a visit to the village of Kompong Khleang (only possible to drive through in the dry season when the lake level is at its lowest). Here we had a really heartwarming experience - whilst checking out the local fish drying process on an extremely hot day, a fortuitous encounter with lots of kids coming out of school and an ice cream vendor lead to about 70 ice creams being handed out to all the kids in town (plus a few adults as well). The cost was nothing but the happiness generated was incredible.
Aside from the sites we visited and the local cuisine, one of the highlights for us was the Cambodian people themselves - incredibly friendly, dignified, hard working. Truly amazing people.
But back to the overall trip - I can't emphasize the value of Steve's local knowledge in making this trip so memorable for us. I would highly recommend - especially for first time travellers to Cambodia - booking through Steve. And as for us, we will certainly be back in Cambodia sometime soon!

Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Feb 22, 2019

Hi Eric.
Thanks for your kind words. We worked hard to give you and Pamela a fabulous trip and it paid off. Of course it does help you told us about your interests and preferences. That makes the planning a lot easier.
I will share your lovely comments with our guides and drivers. They are the hardest working of all.
It would be a pleasure to welcome you again to Cambodia.

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Travelling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh then Siahnookville
Cambodia | Dec 18 - Dec 24, 2018

Jimmy
Jimmy T.
Australia | Reviewed on Dec 27, 2018

This was an absolute pleasure from planning right through to the experience, which raged from navigating the crowded terraces of Angkor Wat to an impromptu game of "hacky-sack" Cambodian style at night on the riverbank in Phnom Penh. Our principle guide, Sarun, was a wealth of historical information and our night food Vespa Adventures tour was a highlight. The local specialists were Travel Asia a la carte and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wants a tailor-made tour. Just make sure you include the Phare Circus - a highlight of our two weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Reviewed on Dec 28, 2018

Hi Jimmy & Sue,
Thanks for travelling with Travel Asia a la carte. It was a pleasure to meet you in Siem Reap and I'm glad to hear that the tour was an 'absolute pleasure'. The information received during the tour planning about your likes and dislikes was exactly what we needed to plan the perfect trip.
Please share with your friends and family the wonders of Cambodia and hopefully they will visit us someday.
Happy New Year for 2019 and thanks again.

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