Exploring
Most people are in Siem Reap to explore the incredible temples of Angkor, including iconic Angkor Wat, the enigmatic faces of Bayon and the iconic trees of Ta Prohm. However, beyond the temples in Siem Reap there are lots more experiences on offer, including floating villages on the Tonle Sap, exploring on two wheels, the Angkor Zipline, Phare Circus, Pub Street and so much more. We even have our very own exclusive experiences such as the ‘Celebrity Chef Cooking Class’ and our private dining Salas located in the Angkor area.
Book direct with us for these great benefits:
- Best Rates Guaranteed
- Traditional Monk Blessing
- Daily Fruit Basket
- Complimentary Cocktail
- Village Walk
Cooking Class
This course takes us deep into the Cambodian countryside around Siem Reap where we visit the local market of Roluos, a traditional town far removed from the tourism industry around Angkor.
After browsing the local market for some fresh ingredients, we travel to the beautiful wooden house of Sala Roluos, the architecture of which boasts a contemporary take on a traditional Cambodian design. This was the location where Gordon Ramsay learnt to cook stuffed frog with kreung paste, a delicious Cambodian dish involving lemongrass, turmeric, garlic and more, as part of his Gordon’s Great Escapes series. Guests will learn this dish in the same surrounds using a more traditional meat such as chicken.
Other celebrity chefs have passed through Cambodia and we will take inspiration from their journeys. Kitchen Confidential chef Anthony Bourdain visited Cambodia for his No Reservations show and we will learn how to make delicious fresh spring rolls as he did when in Cambodia. Finally we will look to Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey for inspiration and learn to cook amok, Cambodia’s national dish involving a mild steamed fish curry in banana leaf. Note that the menu can be varied to take into account dietary requirements or individual tastes.
- AM and PM Classes Available
Explore Angkor
Angkor is a vast ancient capital and it is well worth investing in a three-day pass to explore the temples, including the beautiful carvings of Banteay Srei, the cruciform corridors of Preah Khan and the jungle giant of Beng Mealea. Further afield lies the holy mountain of Phnom Kulen, famous for its riverbed carvings and waterfall, and the huge pyramid temple of Koh Ker.
Temple Dinner
For the ultimate exclusive experience to celebrate a wedding, honeymoon or anniversary, enjoy a private catered dinner at one of the majestic temples of Angkor such as Thommanon or Prasat Kravann. You will experience a private temple all to yourselves where you will be welcomed to a unique evening worthy of the ancient Khmer kings.
On arrival at the beautifully lit temple, guests are welcomed with jasmine garlands and Cambodian cocktails. By candlelight, under the stars, guests will dine on royal Khmer cuisine and witness the ancient dance of the Apsaras which dates back to the time of Angkor and the royal court. Experience the art of Cambodian classical dance with a performance from one of the leading dance troupes in the kingdom.
This is an unforgettable evening that a fitting finale to a few days exploring the temples of Angkor.
Explore Siem Reap
Siem Reap is so much more than a base to explore Angkor with world class wining and dining and a flourishing arts and culture scene. There is plenty to do day and night, including the stilted villages of Kompong Pluk and Kompong Khleang, Artisans Angkor workshop, Cambodia Landmine Museum, Made in Cambodia Market, Kandal Village galleries and more.
Sala Kdei & Sala Roluos
Montra has two beautiful salas or wooden houses located within the Angkor area. Sala Kdei is a stunning wooden house overlooking the royal bathing pond of Sra Srang and can be enjoyed for a private meal. Sala Roluos is near the temple of Prasat Bakong and is the location for our ‘Celebrity Chef Cooking Class’ as Gordon Ramsay once cooked here.
Sala Kdei is a beautiful traditional wooden house overlooking the royal bathing pool of Sra Srang. Once used by the ancient Khmer kings and their concubines, this is a celebrated spot for sunrise and sunset. In a serene setting amid the rural village atmosphere of Angkor, Sala Kdei offers a range of original experiences from dining, cooking classes and cocktails to yoga and quiet meditation. Sala Kdei is the perfect private escape from the crowds around Angkor during the heat of the day. Unwind or indulge, it’s the perfect complement to the majestic temples.
Sala Kdei is dedicated to bringing the best of Khmer cuisine to our guests and our menu includes a full selection of popular national dishes, including such favourites as amok, steamed fish with coconut, chilli and lemongrass in banana leaf. We are committed to preserving authentic cooking methods, ingredients and presentation, as passed down from generation to generation. We are proud of our quality ingredients, which are exclusively fresh, organic and locally sourced. We also include some international favourites and a breakfast choice from three continents, Asia, Europe and America. Sala Kdei is adorned with hand-carved wooden furnishings, traditional Khmer silk, as well as traditional art and handicrafts from Cambodia.
Enjoy breakfast in the Angkor area, available between 7am and 9am. Drop in for breakfast after an early visit to nearby Ta Prohm or stop off on the way to far flung sites such as Kbal Spean or Phnom Kulen. Enjoy our traditional Khmer lunch menu at Sala Kdei, an intimate location to eat and rest in the middle of the day while exploring the temples.
Discover the secrets of Khmer cuisine with our Cambodian Cooking Class starting at 9am with a visit to one of the local markets. Learn how to prepare some of the kingdom’s best loved dishes including a delectable fish amok. The class is limited to a maximum of 20 people per day and private classes are available on demand.
Relax and unwind with an afternoon yoga or meditation session, by prior appointment, between 2pm and 5pm. As sunset approaches, Sala Kdei serves up a selection of drinks, including sunset cocktails from 5pm to 7pm. Don’t forget to sample the signature Hanuman cocktail, similar to the Singapore Sling but with an original twist. By night, enjoy a candlelit evening meal, with one of our specialty Khmer degustation menus. Sala Kdei is open for dining between 7pm and 10pm.
Sala Roluos is a beautiful traditional wooden house close to the 9th century capital of Hariharalaya and the rustic Cambodian town of Roluos. In a serene setting amid the rural atmosphere of its regal surroundings, Sala Roluos offers exclusive lunch and dinner encounters, which can be easily combined with visits to the Roluos temple monuments as well as the nearby stilted village of Kompong Pluk and its flooded forest.
Sample our traditional Khmer lunch menu made using locally-sourced organic ingredients where available. Lunch is served between midday and 2pm. Enjoy a private candlelit dinner in this countryside setting, with a specialty Khmer degustation menu. Dinner is served daily between 7pm and 10pm.