ANGKOR Expeditions is giving travel consultants a new way for customers to view and appreciate the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Archaeological Park.
The company has recently gained approval from UNESCO and Apsara Authority, which protects and manages the park, to begin Float Angkor – river rafting and kayaking tours down a 1.7km stretch of river that winds through Angkor.
Paula Harrigan, general manager of Angkor Expeditions, which exhibited at PATA for the first time, hopes to begin first tours by early 2015.
“Clients visiting the Angkor complex start feeling the heat by lunchtime, when they’ve already visited a number of temples and taken 300 photos. This is a great option for them to get a break from the heat. The temples of Angkor are highlights, but there are other aspects of Cambodian culture they can learn to appreciate on the tours,” she said.
This includes learning the importance of water to Angkor culture, as well as opportunities to learn more about the local flora, fauna, and wildlife through the naturalists-cum-guides attached to each raft, aspects of the park that are often overlooked.
Each raft will hold a maximum of six passengers with groups sent off in 15-minute intervals during peak season for a more exclusive and private experience with nature and the sights.
Speaking to the Daily, Harrigan said Float Angkor took 18 months to get up and running, and each expedition will last 1.5 hours.
Asked what is next on the agenda for Angkor Expeditions, Harrigan said: “Kayaking, which allows for solo trips and are for people with more experience on the water. In comparison, rafting is more tame. You can paddle if you want to or simply float along. We’re also looking at doing water sports throughout the country.”
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