Cambodia Expats Online: Forum | News | Information | Blog

Sorry if this isn't the appropriate forum.

I'm trying to hire a driver with a decent vehicle for an 8 - 10 day road trip departing from, and returning to, Siem Reap.

This trip isn't about the usual tourist stuff, I want to go to off-the-beaten-path locations that take me away from the usual tourist bus routes and away from all the usual Lonely Planet backpackers.

I've sent a detailed email to a pile of drivers/guides who I've found via Google, but no one can comprehend not seeing the usual tourist stuff and not a single reply has managed to understand what this (seemingly crazy) westerner wants to do. They can't understand that a dusty bar in the middle of nowhere is what this particular trip is about, not another temple.

If anyone knows a funny, knowledgable driver with decent English and a good vehicle who wants to wander around Cambodia checking out places that might not get much mention in the guide books then please let me know.

THANKS!

Happy New Year.

Dusty bars in the middle of nowhere? In 7 years of riding around Cambodia I've not come across a single middle of nowhere village with a bar.

Drivers will drive wherever you tell them to. If you've got your destinations planned, their comprehension of the purpose of the journey isn't relevant. They just need to know how to get there.

Have you got destinations in mind, or do you just want to wander?

A few years ago, my wife and I hired a driver and his 12 passenger Mercedes van for $60 per day + petrol (I paid when we filled up). Took the family on a trip to off the beaten trail places they always wanted to see. Every day, we just told him where we wanted to go, often directing him by using google maps ("go 5 km, then turn right", etc). Easy, as long as you have a good translator with you. Trying to stick to an itinerary, and getting a driver to plan and think beyond the next few minutes, doesn't work well here.

If you're planning on going off paved roads, make sure you hire a vehicle which can switch between 2wd and 4wd. Always 4wd will cost you a lot for petrol. I'm sure others will be able to give specific recommendations. Lot's of taxi ads on Facebook.

epidemiks wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2017 9:52 am Dusty bars in the middle of nowhere? In 7 years of riding around Cambodia I've not come across a single middle of nowhere village with a bar.

It wasn't a literal request, more a sense of the direction I want to tour to take.

Thanks for your suggestions.

chkwoot wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2017 9:59 am A few years ago, my wife and I hired a driver and his 12 passenger Mercedes van for $60 per day + petrol (I paid when we filled up). Took the family on a trip to off the beaten trail places they always wanted to see. Every day, we just told him where we wanted to go, often directing him by using google maps ("go 5 km, then turn right", etc). Easy, as long as you have a good translator with you. Trying to stick to an itinerary, and getting a driver to plan and think beyond the next few minutes, doesn't work well here.

If you're planning on going off paved roads, make sure you hire a vehicle which can switch between 2wd and 4wd. Always 4wd will cost you a lot for petrol. I'm sure others will be able to give specific recommendations. Lot's of taxi ads on Facebook.

Thanks. It's looking more and more that I'll end up self driving. No big deal, I mostly just wanted a rest from the road but if that's what it takes, so be it. Hopefully I'll meet someone who's into a road trip when I'm in Siem Reap.

All the best to you.

I have a driver who used to drive for an American businessman. He speaks good English and does long trips. Just back from trip to laos with a customer.pm your itinerary and I will forward it to him

pczz wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:58 pm I have a driver who used to drive for an American businessman. He speaks good English and does long trips. Just back from trip to laos with a customer.pm your itinerary and I will forward it to him

Thanks, but I would rather deal with any potential driver directly. If you could PM me his email that would be great. Thanks.

Kananaskis_Country wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:25 pm

chkwoot wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2017 9:59 am A few years ago, my wife and I hired a driver and his 12 passenger Mercedes van for $60 per day + petrol (I paid when we filled up). Took the family on a trip to off the beaten trail places they always wanted to see. Every day, we just told him where we wanted to go, often directing him by using google maps ("go 5 km, then turn right", etc). Easy, as long as you have a good translator with you. Trying to stick to an itinerary, and getting a driver to plan and think beyond the next few minutes, doesn't work well here.

If you're planning on going off paved roads, make sure you hire a vehicle which can switch between 2wd and 4wd. Always 4wd will cost you a lot for petrol. I'm sure others will be able to give specific recommendations. Lot's of taxi ads on Facebook.

Thanks. It's looking more and more that I'll end up self driving. No big deal, I mostly just wanted a rest from the road but if that's what it takes, so be it. Hopefully I'll meet someone who's into a road trip when I'm in Siem Reap.

All the best to you.

Do you have a Cambodian driver's license?

There are a million 'dusty bars in the middle of nowhere' in Cambodia... they're 'side of the road' stores/restaurants (just look for the red coolers). There's usually at least one in each village/hamlet that has a pool table.

Cruisemonkey wrote:There are a million 'dusty bars in the middle of nowhere' in Cambodia... they're 'side of the road' stores/restaurants (just look for the red coolers). There's usually at least one in each village/hamlet that has a pool table.

Yes, there's beer everywhere, but nothing I'd call a bar.