Cambodia Tours
 

Hello,

Does anyone have suggestions for an En glish-speaking tour guide and driver for both Angkor Wat and Phenm Penh in Cambodia and what the cost(s) would be?

We are going in January and wonder if we need to set these up in advance?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Lynn

We used Ponheary Ly as our guide in Angkor Wat, after learning about her on this board. We thought she was excellent and have since recommended her to many others, who also thought she did a great job. She may be able to accompany you to PP. If not, I am sure she can organize another qualified guide there for you. I would contact her in advance, because otherwise she may be booked when you get there, and also her service includes free airport pickup.
You can reach her at [email protected]. She will arrange for the vehicle and driver.
We paid $55US/day for a van with driver and her services combined. We wanted the extra space and comfort of the van for our family of 4. I believe that if you hire her with a regular car and driver it is $40US/day.

We also used Ponheary on recommendation from this forum - she was excellent - a charming and knowledgable guide. Her charges are $20 per day for her and $20 for the car - with an extra $5 for the outlying temples. She is well worth contacting and if she is already booked she will recommend another suitable person for you. Give her as much notice as possible as she does get booked up.

The standard rates for a car and driver in Siem Reap is US$20-25 a day (more for the outlying temples), plus another US$20 if you want a guide as well.

If you can't engage Ponheary as a guide, I wouldn't worry. There are lots of excellent guides in Siem Reap. Personally, I'd wait until getting to Siem Reap and arrange for a car and driver and guide there. It's easy to do. I always use my hotel to recommend people to hire.

While peolpe have different preferences, I preferred to see the temples on my own, as I had prepared well for the trip and took along Dawn Rooney's book. Angkor. That allowed for quiet time alone in the temples.

I would def suggest a guide. I am hindu and hence understand many of the engravings in the temple which are drawn from our texts. However, i still felt the guide added a great deal of value. I used an excellent guide, great Eng and very nice guy. Called Ta. His e-mail is either [email protected] or [email protected]. Have unfortunately misplaced his card but will post again if I find it. Jan is pretty busy so I would advise you set up a guide in advance. Gen your guide will have a tie up with a driver too. rates mentioned on this thread are correct and gen they all charge the same. In case u write to my guide give him my ref and say i said hi. Enjoy - Siem Reap is fabulos.

Thank you all so much for your advice. I will start my e-mail requests now.

Lynn

Has anyone ever used Ponheary's brother Dara as a guide?

My husband and I had Dara as our guide last October and really enjoyed him. I originally emailed Ponheary but she was already booked and recommended him instead. Dara is a very kind, considerate and gentle man. He takes time to answer your questions and aims to please.
Ria

This is another plug for Ponheary and Dara Ly.

I used Dara as my guide, thanks to recommendations from people on this board. Normally, I like to go things alone, but I didn't have enough time to research.

There was no problem with English. He is more than happy to work around your needs and will bend over backwards when needed.

I took a taxi to Poipet on my journey back to Bangkok. Because the travel agents were charging US$45 to arrange a taxi, I told Dara that I would hire a taxi from a Sokimex (gas station). He insisted upon accompanying me. The price for a taxi to Poipet is 1000 THB to 1200 THB (22.50 to 30 USD). I paid 1200 THB. Anyway, he checked the car out thoroughly and interrogated the driver and his cronies. He asked for business cards, checked their credentials, and called me on the driver's cell phone while I was on the road. He also insisted the driver call me when we arrived in Poipet and put me on the line.

My point is, these are no ordinary hoteliers/tour guides. Dara took personal responsibility for my safety. You can email me for any more information. I would recommend this family to anyone.

We used Dara for our guide in February 2003. I can second another posters comment "Dara is a very kind, considerate and gentle man. He takes time to answer your questions and aims to please." I would add patient to that too!

Both Ponheary and Dara are excellent, so either way you cannot get better service. If both are busy, be sure to get a recommendation from them because they really know who the best guides in Siem Reap.

I'd highly recommend including Bantrey Srey in your plans--it's a half-day trip, but truly one of the more unique and exquisite temples.

Just returned from Angkor and had the pleasure of having Ponheary Ly as our guide. I recommend her highly.

Another vote for Ponheary here. My husband and I used her services and stayed in her guesthouse in july 2002. You can see her place and read about our trip on our website:
http://www.wired2theworld.com

Hotel, Driver and Guide...

I stayed at the Passaggio Boutique Hotel. The very friendly and hepful owner is Swiss born Peter Lietz. The hotel is well-located, charming and affordable. Contact www.passaggio-hotel.com and [email protected].

In Siem Reap, you should arrange for a driver and a guide which will each cost $20 US a day. I highly recommend my driver, Kim Haw (first name pronounced How). He can meet you at the airport etc. Email [email protected].

My guide was also excellent. Contact Porn Sinath via [email protected]. Both young men speak English and are extremely reliable and helpful.

Use my name if you choose to contact them and Peter: Lisa B. Skip the group tours.