GREEN PEARLS® – curated for sustainable impact
There are moments that only the night can offer. When the sun goes down, the air cools, and the sky fills with twinkling stars, a special magic unfolds that makes you forget everyday life. This is where Astro Travel begins: Sustainable journeys where you consciously…
You can experience Cambodia through all your senses, especially through food. Just one bite reveals the country’s eventful history. Chinese, Indian, and French influences have shaped traditional Khmer cuisine, yet it has retained its unique character. Here, Cambodian chef “Ms. Veasna” from Canvas & Orchids…
Have you ever been to Cambodia? If not, then you’ve really been missing out. We’ll show you exactly what you’ve been missing with our new-old partner, the Canvas & Orchids Retreat!
Tucked away in the heart of the Botum Sakor Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounded by untouched nature—including rainforests, mountains, mangrove forests, and the gently flowing Tatai River—you will find a unique glamping experience: floating tent villas on the river.
The term glamping is used almost inflationary today. It seems like every other camping bed in the hardware store is called that… But at Canvas & Orchids Retreat, you’ll experience what luxurious camping really means. The floating tent villas offer the comfort of a boutique hotel – with large beds, elegant bathrooms, private terraces, and views of the river, while also giving you the feeling of being close to nature.
However, the tents are built on floating platforms rather than solid foundations. Meaning, these “non-permanent structures” can be completely dismantled without leaving a trace. This ensures that nature remains untouched, even when you are staying in the middle of it.
A trip to Canvas & Orchids Retreat allows you to immerse yourself in the nature and culture of Cambodia. The country fascinates with its eventful history, centuries-old temple complexes such as Angkor Wat, and impressive scenic diversity. However, few venture into the remote southwest, where Cambodia shows its most pristine side.
The journey itself is part of the adventure: the resort can only be reached by boat. You glide gently along the Tatai River, past lush greenery, and find yourself in the jungle landscape below the Cardamom Mountains. The landscape is lush, vibrant, and fascinating. And suddenly they appear – floating tent villas, elegantly and quietly nestled in the landscape.
Inside, stylish comfort awaits, tempting you to stay and relax. But as soon as you open the tent flap, the rainforest beckons. The Cardamom Mountains’ protected area begins right outside your terrace — a biodiversity hotspot, home to rare animal species, and full of mysterious sounds and smells.
The waters of the Tatai River invite you to swim directly from the jetty, or you can explore the winding paths of the mangroves by kayak, accompanied by a local guide. If you like, you can try your luck at traditional fishing or simply soak up the peace and quiet.
Info: When is the best time to travel to Cambodia?
Your hosts Valentin and Anna recommend: December to February – right after the rainy season. It’s pleasantly cool (which in Cambodia still means around 77°F), dry, and ideal for exploring the Botum Sakor Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoying activities on the river. However, January is also the peak tourist season, which means attractions such as Angkor Wat are at their busiest. Outside of the peak season, May and October are also attractive alternatives if you don’t mind high temperatures or a little rain. Find out more in this detailed insider report on the best time to travel.
Guest favorite – nighttime firefly tour
As our host Valentin tells us, the “Firefly Tour” (glowworm tour) is a highlight for guests. As the sun sinks behind the treetops, you climb into a longtail boat and glide almost silently across the river. Once darkness falls, it becomes quiet – and then the spectacle begins: suddenly, thousands of tiny lights flicker along the banks. Fireflies dance like little stars between the branches, seemingly in perfect synchronisation.
This night-time boat trip is not only a quiet, almost meditative moment, but a true wonder of nature. A fleeting spectacle that cannot be captured – except in your heart.
Sustainability at Canvas & Orchids Retreat not only means environmental awareness, but also social responsibility. Throughout the construction of the 2,500-square-meter platforms, local expertise was consistently relied upon. More than 60 people from the region used simple hand tools to build the resort from start to finish.
Many of them are still an integral part of the team today: tour guides, service staff, cooks – more than 20 locals ensure that you feel welcome. One of them is the deputy hotel manager: she started as a cleaner during the construction phase and took on a management position just two years later.
The retreat relies on innovative solutions for its energy supply. Instead of cutting down trees for solar panels – as one supplier had suggested – the team opted for its own floating solar platform in the middle of the river. This provides the retreat with clean electricity for around twelve hours a day.
During the remaining hours, a generator takes over the supply – in the most resource-efficient way possible. It runs on biodiesel, which is obtained from used cooking oil, among other things. This is delivered to Naga Biofuels, a local initiative that produces environmentally friendly fuel from waste oil – a well-thought-out cycle that avoids waste and reduces emissions.
The ecological commitment is also evident on land: plants grow on the property that are used as natural drinking straws or for decoration. Water is served in glass bottles, cosmetic products are available in refillable dispensers, and waste is carefully separated. Everything is designed to bring nature and comfort into harmony – while leaving as small a footprint as possible.
A stay at Canvas & Orchids Retreat offers you an unforgettable vacation full of adventure and tranquility – surrounded by nature, close to the local culture and far away from mass tourism.
What is special about Canvas & Orchids Retreat in Cambodia?
The retreat is located on the Tatai River in the middle of the rainforest and offers floating tent villas with hotel comforts – ideal for travelers who want to combine nature and luxury.
Is Canvas & Orchids Retreat sustainable?
Yes, the retreat was built with local materials and labor, uses solar power on a floating platform, and relies on plastic-free alternatives, biodiesel, and zero-waste principles.
How do you get to Canvas & Orchids Retreat?
The resort is only accessible by boat – part of the special experience and nature-filled getaway.
When is the best time to travel to Cambodia?
The most pleasant time to travel is between December and February. Then it is dry and not too hot – ideal for exploring and activities on the river. However, the rainy season is also fun and particularly good for taking photos and observing wildlife. Read more about this in our article on traveling during the rainy season.
What does glamping mean at Canvas & Orchids Retreat?
Glamping here stands for a luxurious nature experience: comfortable, stylishly furnished tent villas with bathrooms and electricity – right in the middle of the river and without harming the environment.
What activities does Canvas & Orchids Retreat offer?
Highlights include kayaking through mangroves, swimming in the Tatai River, firefly tours at night, and rainforest excursions – all led by local experts.
This is an update of our original article on January 7, 2020.
Save this article and hotel on Pinterest for your next trip to Cambodia!
“A dish about one ingredient (onion) across all its lives, inside an ocean of umami.” – Aggeliki Charami
Ageliki Charami, the executive chef at the Paradiso Pure.Living vegan hotel, LA VIMEA and the OMNIA plant-based restaurant, has a penchant for Asian and Japanese cooking techniques, as well as umami flavour. This vegan recipe, which she shared with us, is the most elaborate one on our blog so far and is perfect for special occasions. The noodle dough, which is coloured with a little turmeric, is the easiest part.
The onion-umami filling, on the other hand, requires a trip to a Japanese speciality store. The flavour of the caramelised onion is enhanced by kombu (seaweed), shiro miso (Japanese seasoning paste), umeboshi (fermented Japanese fruit) and rice wine.
Sustainability fact: seaweed is considered the vegetable of the future. It grows without the need for freshwater or fertiliser, and it absorbs huge amounts of CO₂. However, importing it from Japan undermines its environmental sustainability due to the long shipping distances involved. A more climate-friendly alternative is to source seaweed (kelp) from Europe, for example from France or the Baltic Sea.
But the dish is far from finished yet . As we work our way through the recipe, we’ll make our own rosemary oil (it’s easier than it sounds!) and prepare three different onion toppings for more experienced cooks, as well as a seaweed bisque and a lemon potato cream. We’ll then “dab” these onto the dish before serving.
By the way, this is what Aggeliki says about the recipe:
“This recipe is really simple. I created it so that you can easily make it at home, without needing any special restaurant equipment or complicated techniques.”
Well then! Go for it and surprise your guests (or just your favorite person) with this special dish. We hope it turns out great, and enjoy your meal!
PS: If you would like to tell your guests about the creator of this dish when you serve it, take a look at the interview with Aggeliki Charmi here.
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