imagine waking up to the cambodian sun, ready for another day of adventure. after a leisurely breakfast, you can bask on the stunning beaches and dive into the refreshing, clear waters. fuel up with a hearty breakfast or an early lunch, because around 1 pm, an unforgettable boat trip awaits.
exploring koh rong: snorkeling and sunsets
the boat will glide past koh toch island, renowned as a prime spot for snorkeling amidst vibrant tropical fish and both soft and hard corals.
this is your chance to witness the underwater beauty of cambodia firsthand.
as the sun begins its descent, you'll participate in a traditional fishing experience, casting your line and hoping for a catch. afterward, the journey continues to long beach, a remarkable stretch of pristine white sand spanning nearly 5 kilometers.
unwind on the beach or wade in the crystal-clear, shallow water while a delicious barbecue is prepared, featuring the fresh catch of the day.
indulge in the barbecue, savor the tropical fruits, and sip on a cold beer while witnessing what many consider the most breathtaking sunset on koh rong.
as the day concludes, you'll return to the hotel, where you can unwind and prepare for the next day's adventures.
a free day in paradise: koh rong island
day seven is yours to relish the paradise that is koh rong island. with the sun shining and the beach beckoning, this day is completely free for you to enjoy at your own pace.
whether you prefer swimming, sunbathing, exploring hidden coves, or simply relaxing with a good book, the choice is yours.
from koh rong to kampot: a change of scenery
after breakfast on day eight, it's time to bid farewell to the island and journey to kampot.
at a pre-arranged time, a boat will take you back to sihanoukville, where a transfer will be waiting to transport you to kampot. upon arrival at your hotel in kampot, the remainder of the day and evening are yours to explore and enjoy as you please.
the tour guides will provide valuable insights and recommendations on local attractions and activities.
if you're interested, the group can gather for a communal dinner, providing an opportunity to bond and share experiences.
discovering kampot: countryside tour
welcome to kampot! day nine begins with breakfast, followed by an exploration of the city's enchanting surroundings.
embark on a memorable countryside tour, immersing yourself in an authentic cambodian experience unlike any other.
the tour includes a visit to an ancient temple-cave, offering a glimpse into the region's rich history and spiritual heritage. you'll also experience the charm of traditional village life, wandering through picturesque landscapes and interacting with the warm and welcoming locals.
discover the hidden gem of the secret lake, a stunning oasis nestled amidst the lush countryside.
a highlight of the tour is a unique pepper tasting experience at a local plantation. kampot pepper is renowned for its exceptional quality and is highly sought-after by culinary enthusiasts worldwide.
you'll have the opportunity to discover the rich flavors and aromas that make this pepper so special.
after experiencing the true essence of rural cambodia, the rest of the day and night are yours to enjoy at your leisure. whether you choose to explore more of the city, relax by the river, or sample the local cuisine, the possibilities are endless.
kampot by bicycle: unseen sights
on day ten, the exploration of kampot continues with a bicycle tour that reveals the "unseen" parts of the city.
this tour provides a unique perspective on the local culture and way of life.
the itinerary includes a visit to a lotus farm and a rice mill, offering insights into the region's agricultural practices. you'll also cycle through vast fields of paddy, witnessing the beauty of the cambodian countryside and greeting the friendly local villagers.
the tour guides are knowledgeable students, many of whom have lived in kampot their entire lives, providing valuable local insights.
after the bicycle tour, the remainder of the day is free for you to relax, unwind, and pursue your own interests.
perhaps you'll choose to visit a local market, indulge in a massage, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of kampot.
from kampot to phnom penh: the capital city
day eleven marks the departure from kampot and the countryside as the group heads towards phnom penh, the capital of cambodia.
a transfer will take you to sihanoukville airport for a flight to phnom penh.
upon arrival in phnom penh, the rest of the day is yours to explore and enjoy as you wish. the tour guides will provide recommendations on local attractions and activities, and the group can gather for dinner if desired.
discovering phnom penh: history and culture
after breakfast on day twelve, you'll embark on a journey to discover the vibrant city of phnom penh.
the tour will take you through the highlights of the city's turbulent history, including the majestic royal palace and other popular attractions.
you'll also delve into the darker aspects of cambodian history with a visit to the tuol sleng museum and wat phnom, gaining a deeper understanding of the country's past.
phnom penh: confronting the past
day thirteen focuses on gaining a deeper understanding of cambodia's history.
you'll visit the killing fields and the genocide museum with a guide, learning about the atrocities that occurred and paying respect to the victims. this experience provides a somber yet important perspective on cambodia's past.
the afternoon is free for you to enjoy your last day in phnom penh as you wish.
you might choose to do some last-minute shopping, visit a local market, or simply relax and reflect on your experiences.
in the evening, the group will gather for a special farewell dinner on a sunset cruise. this is an opportunity to reminisce about the past days, share laughter, and socialize with newfound friends.
after dinner, you're welcome to join for a farewell toast!
departure from phnom penh
day fourteen marks the end of the tour. after breakfast, everyone will depart from the hotel to their next destination or home.
if you require a transfer to the airport or another location, the tour operators can assist you. they can also provide assistance if you wish to extend your stay in cambodia.
experiencing cambodian cuisine
consider exploring a local market and learning to prepare your own meal using traditional cambodian recipes.
this is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the local culture and savor the authentic flavors of cambodia.
is this trip right for you?
this tour is designed for individuals who enjoy having fun, making friends, and embracing new experiences, regardless of age.
the key is to approach the trip with a relaxed and open mind, ready to create unforgettable memories. if you're considering inviting a friend, it's essential to ensure they understand the nature of the tour and are enthusiastic about participating.
the goal is to foster a positive and relaxed atmosphere for the entire group.
a traveler who is reluctant or disinterested can negatively impact the experience for others. this trip is about meeting new people, forming lasting friendships, and sharing incredible adventures.
who will be on the trip?
two experienced gay tour hosts will accompany you throughout the journey, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
you'll also be joined by fellow travelers who share a passion for travel, adventure, discovery, and meeting new people.
the age range of travelers is diverse, contributing to a vibrant and engaging group dynamic.
the tour guarantees a fun and welcoming atmosphere, and you're likely to depart with a new circle of friends. couples or friends traveling together will have their own private room with either a double bed or two single beds. solo travelers will share a twin room with another traveler of the same sex and, ideally, a similar age.
if you prefer a single room, a single supplement will be required.
travel insurance requirements
all travelers are required to have comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage for the duration of the tour.
the insurance policy must also provide coverage for covid-19 related incidents.
early arrival or extended stay
you are welcome to arrive in cambodia earlier or extend your stay after the tour concludes. however, you will be responsible for your own arrangements until the official start of the tour or after its completion.
the tour operators can assist you with pre- and post-tour arrangements, such as booking accommodation or transportation.
tour pricing and additional information
the tour price is per person, based on double occupancy.
intra-tour flights are not included in the price. prices are quoted in eur and are subject to change until confirmed. there are no additional charges for bank transfer payments.
contact happygaytravel for more information, including specific dates, availability, and booking details.
a personal perspective: aaron's story
in phnom penh, the tour group connected with aaron, a local gay friend who spent his childhood living on the streets for eight years before building a successful life for himself and his family.
his story is one of resilience, determination, and hope.
interview with aaron: gay life in cambodia
aaron shares his experiences and insights into gay life in cambodia. he provides a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the lgbtq+ community in the country.
aaron's background and journey
"hi boys.
my name is darun un, nickname, aaron. i'm 36 years old, and originally from sihanoukville. i moved to phnom penh with my family when i was 10 and grew up there. i have been working and living in phnom penh since then.
there was a period in my life when i lived on the streets because of a breakdown in family relations since my father died but with the help of the tree alliance i have picked up my life to become a successful businessman in the gay scene of phnom penh."
professional life and coming out
"i've had several jobs throughout my life, but what i am most proud of is managing some of the most prominent gay bars in phnom penh as well as performing the occasional drag show for my guests.
yes, i am out to all my friends and family. it was, however, quite the journey to get to this stage!
it took a long time for everyone to come to terms with it, of course, but over time, everyone has accepted it and become extremely accepting of me. when i came out to my mother, at first she could not bring herself to accept it and even refused to speak to me for a good 2 years!
but as i said, she grew to accept me and love me for who i am, especially when she saw how happy and confident i have become.
today she is my number one fan and even helps me prepare for my shows by brushing my wigs, cleaning my clothes, and giving me makeup tips!
i love her so much — i'm so humbled to know that someone will always be there to fight my corner in life. she is my rock!
other family members had a period of getting used to it — various aunts, and uncles…but over time, they've grown to love me for who i am."
changing attitudes towards homosexuality
"it has helped that we have more and more lgbtq visibility in the media today compared to when i was growing up.
growing up in the 90s, cambodian society wasn't as accepting and tolerant as it is today. being gay was seen as a taboo, not helped by the fact that there was no positive representation of homosexuality in the press or media.
instead, everything was so heteronormative — homosexuality was perceived as something of an illness.
the internet has helped me connect with like-minded individuals from all around the world who showed me that being gay is not a disease, but something very normal! coming out in my 20s was not a problem.
i am proud that cambodian society has become more accepting of homosexuality over the years.
i never faced any problems from anyone and never experienced any homophobia, although i was never outwardly flamboyant or feminine acting in public. i envy this generation. i never had this growing up!
but i'm also so proud of them because it shows that the leaders of tomorrow will have a more liberal and open-minded outlook towards our lgbtq community.
overall i was ok. there was lots of name-calling and silly toxic masculinity-based teasing at school by the other guys when they saw how rubbish i was at things like football and other sports.
but luckily i never had any issues. i did have one friend at school who was open and very flamboyant in his behavior.
as a result, he was always the target of homophobic bullying by the other boys, so any time another boy even spoke to him, the bullies would accuse us of being his lover.
with hindsight, i can see how sad and silly this was, but at the time it was pretty awful for my friend.
he was however sooooo popular with the girls that the other boys started to respect him over time."
overcoming adversity: a story of resilience
"when i was 12 years old, our house in sihanoukville was destroyed by a fire and we lost everything. my parents got divorced and my mother and siblings moved to phnom penh.
my father did not earn enough money to support us all. so reluctantly, we had to live on the streets of phnom penh. when i was 13 years old, i met the guys from the ngo charity called the tree alliance for street kids to give them an education and basic skills to build a life and career for themselves.
through the schooling offered at the tree alliance ngo, i was able to learn to read, write, and obtain the basic skills to get a job and earn money to support my family.
after 8 years of living on the streets, i had saved up enough to rent a modest flat in the suburbs of phnom penh.
eventually, my brother and i saved enough money to buy and open a gay bar. i urge everyone to please support this company. they do such an incredible job.
they saved my life! i have managed and owned several bars in phnom penh, both straight and gay. at no stage did we ever experience any discrimination or homophobia.
we were always polite to the authorities, abiding by every requirement, and cautious never to breach any licensing laws.
for this reason, we developed a very respectful reputation. the only sorts of problems we ever faced were the usual day-to-day practical problems all bars face, such as a customer that has had too much to drink and causes noise complaints from the neighbors.
i therefore now focus on my drag performances, which is what i love doing the most."
the gay scene in phnom penh
"we have several gay bars in phnom penh, most are within walking distance from each other.
the best ones at the moment to check out are blue chilli, toolbox, space hair salon, and poc. the blue chilli is my favorite gay bar in phnom penh as well as the oldest.
it attracts a mix of both foreigners and locals. they do really fun drag shows on weekends.. i may have performed here a few times!!
a more chilled gay bar to check out is toolbox. it's super stylish, and owned by the very friendly doug from canada. they also have drag show nights and delicious espresso martini cocktails!
this is more the place to come with a group of friends to start the night."