Ethical Experiences & Activities
Beyond the temples — meaningful things to do in Siem Reap
Siem Reap has so much more to offer than temple tours. This page brings together our favourite experiences — from ethical wildlife sanctuaries and art galleries to hands-on workshops and cultural centres. Every single one has been personally visited and recommended by our team.
Book all of the experiences below directly at reception. We are happy to help with timing, transport, and availability.
Kulen Elephant Forest
Ethical Sanctuary
This is one of our absolute favourite experiences to recommend — and one of the most meaningful things you can do during your stay in Siem Reap.
In the past, these elephants worked hard carrying tourists at the temples. Since 2020, they have been retired to a beautiful 530-acre forest where they are free to roam, socialise, and simply be elephants. No riding. No chains. Just elephants living the life they deserve.
This is an observation-based experience. You will watch the elephants in their natural forest environment, feed them their favourite snacks (that you can help make beforhand), and walk with them through the jungle. It sounds simple — and it is deeply moving.
Why book through Babel? We have a direct partnership with the sanctuary. Booking through us is easy, reliable, and supports both the elephants and our local team.
Practical information:
Daily tours: Morning and afternoon
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for jungle paths
Bring sun protection, mosquito spray, and extra water (and snacks if you are going with children)
Vegetarian food provided — vegan food not available
Booking: During high season (November–March) this sells out very fast. To make sure you don't miss out, we highly recommend pre-booking by email before you arrive: babelsiemreap@gmail.com
During low season, simply book at reception when you arrive. Ask us for current pricing and availability.
ACCB: Wildlife Rescue & Conservation
Located at the base of Kbal Spean, 50km from Siem Reap, the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) is not a zoo. It is a professional centre dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing Cambodia's endangered wildlife back into the wild.
A visit here is a meaningful experience for families and nature lovers. A professional guide will take you to meet native primates, colourful birds, and reptiles — and explain exactly how each animal ended up at the centre and what happens next on their road to freedom.
This is an excellent educational stop for older children and adults who want to understand the real challenges of conservation in Cambodia.
Tour times: Daily at 9:00am and 1:00pm sharp. Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours. Please arrive 10 minutes early — the centre is closed to visitors outside of tour times.
Entry (donation — goes directly to animal care):
Adults: minimum $5
Children 5–12: minimum $2.50
Under 5s: Free
Transport from Babel: $40 by tuk tuk | $60 by car
Important — Advance Booking Required It is not possible to visit ACCB without a prior booking. Please come to reception at least 24 hours before your preferred visit date and we will arrange everything for you. Walk-ins are not accepted by the centre.
Insider Tip: ACCB is right at the entrance to Kbal Spean. Combine both visits in one trip — wildlife centre in the morning, jungle walk and river carvings in the afternoon.
APOPO Hero Rats
Meet the rats that are saving lives — one sniff at a time
Only a short tuk tuk ride from Babel, APOPO's Visitor Centre gives you the chance to learn about Cambodia's landmine history and meet the HeroRATs — specially trained African pouched rats that are literally saving lives.
These remarkable animals are trained to sniff out buried landmines. At the visitor centre, you can watch them work in a live demonstration — sniffing out buried items, scratching the surface when they find something, and collecting their well-earned treat. They are surprisingly charming and the whole experience is genuinely fascinating.
Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. A visit here puts that history into context in a way that no museum can. Highly recommended for adults and older children.
Ask at reception for current opening times, pricing, and transport.
Theam's House
Art Gallery & Studio
One of Siem Reap's most beautiful hidden gems
Theam's House is the private home, workshop, and gallery of Cambodian artist and designer Lim Muy Theam. Born in Cambodia and trained in Paris, Theam returned to his home country to dedicate his life to preserving and reimagining Cambodian artistic heritage.
The house itself is extraordinary. A giant banyan tree stands at the centre of a serene tropical garden. You wander through beautifully curated rooms filled with bold lacquer pieces, Buddhist imagery, and handcrafted objects. Artists and artisans work in the studio behind — you can watch them at work and ask questions.
The colourful lacquered elephant has become one of Siem Reap's most iconic souvenirs. Please avoid buying cheap copies in the market — they are poor quality and take income directly away from Theam and his team. Buy the real thing here.
A peaceful, inspiring, and completely unique experience. Easy to combine with a temple visit as it is located just a few kilometres from the main Angkor complex.
Ask at reception for directions, opening times, and transport.
Khmer Ceramics Centre
Ancient traditions brought back to life
The Khmer Ceramics Centre is a remarkable place that revives ancient Cambodian pottery traditions that were nearly lost during the Khmer Rouge era.
You can watch the potters at work, see the full process from raw clay to finished piece, and take a class yourself — getting your own hands in the clay and creating something to bring home. The range of finished pieces is beautiful, from simple everyday bowls to intricate temple-inspired designs.
Everything here is made entirely by hand, using techniques passed down through generations. One of the best places in Siem Reap to buy a meaningful, handmade souvenir — and one of the most satisfying hands-on experiences in town.
Ask at reception for current class times, pricing, and transport.
The Living Art Village
by Artisans Angkor
Opening November 2026 — watch this space!
One of the most exciting new cultural destinations in Siem Reap is currently under construction — and we cannot wait.
The Living Art Village is a $5 million project that will transform the existing Artisans Angkor workshop near the Old Market into a full 1-hectare immersive cultural hub. Artisans Angkor was founded in 1992 to revive Cambodia's ancient crafts — silk weaving, lacquerwork, stone carving, silver — after they were nearly wiped out by the Khmer Rouge. Today the organisation employs hundreds of artisans, the majority of them women, and exports Cambodian craftsmanship around the world.
The Living Art Village will bring all of this together in one extraordinary space when it opens in November 2026.
In the meantime: The current Artisans Angkor workshop near the Old Market is open daily 7:30am–6:00pm and is well worth a visit. Free entry. Ask your tuk tuk driver to take you there — it is a great stop before or after a day at the temples.
Our Commitment to Ethical Tourism
Every experience on this page has been chosen because it does something good — for animals, for the environment, for local communities, or for Cambodian culture and heritage.
When you choose any of these over a mass-market tourist activity, you are making a difference that lasts well beyond your visit.
Come and talk to us at reception. We are always happy to help you find the right experience for your group — whether you have one hour or a full day, whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, or with a family.
We hope you leave Siem Reap having seen a side of Cambodia that most tourists never find.
