What I'm packing for Cambodia (and a few things you might not think of)
Temple sunrises at Angkor, busy markets and the very real chance of a tropical downpour at any moment. Packing for Cambodia takes a bit of thought. Here's what's going in my bag.
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I spent several months living in Cambodia a while back, and am excited to return for a photography trip and to view Siem Reap through the eyes of potentially running a photography tour there next year. I've been deep in packing mode, and between temple sunrises at Angkor, wandering the markets in Phnom Penh, and the very real possibility of a tropical downpour at any moment, packing for Cambodia takes a bit of thought. Here's what's going in my bag, plus a few items that are easy to forget but make a huge difference once you're on the ground.
The camera kit
Let's start with the important stuff (for me, anyway).
- Leica Q3. This is my main camera for the trip. The fixed lens keeps things simple, and it's the kind of camera that disappears into your hand when you're walking through a busy market or standing in front of a 900-year-old temple. I'd rather carry one camera I love than a bag full of lenses I'll never change.
- Insta360 Luna Ultra. For video, I'm bringing the Luna Ultra. It's a gimbal camera co-engineered with Leica that combines three-axis stabilisation and creative tools in one portable device, which makes it ideal for smooth walking footage through temple corridors and tuk-tuk rides through the city. At just over 200 g, it barely adds any weight to my kit.
- Filters. I'm packing CPL (circular polarising) filters for both the Leica Q3 and the Luna Ultra. They cut glare and reflections off water and wet stone, and deepen those blue tropical skies. I'm also bringing an ND filter for the Q3, which lets me use slower shutter speeds in bright light without blowing out the highlights in my photos. It's perfect for adding motion blur to moving water, crowds or traffic while keeping the rest of the scene sharp. More on why I chose NiSi filters.
There's more on both cameras on my gear page.
My Domke bag and accessories
My Domke is my everyday camera bag for this trip. It's understated, doesn't scream "expensive camera inside," and the canvas softens and moulds to you over time. I'm packing it with spare batteries, SD cards, a lens cloth and a few small extras.
Pack silica gel. Throw a couple of silica gel packets into your camera bag. The humidity in South-East Asia is no joke, and moving between air-conditioned rooms and the heat outside can fog up your lenses in seconds.
Shoes: don't skimp here
If there's one thing I'd tell anyone heading to Cambodia, it's that a good pair of shoes is essential. You'll be clocking thousands of steps a day, often on uneven stone, dusty paths and steep temple stairs. Sore feet can ruin a day faster than anything else.
For this trip, I'm packing two pairs:
- Barefoot sandals. Perfect for the heat, easy to slip off when entering temples or guesthouses (which you'll be doing often), and they dry quickly if they get wet.
- My favourite walking shoes: the KEEN Women's Jasper in Hairy Black. These are my go-to for long days on my feet. They're comfortable straight out of the box, have great grip, and look good enough to wear to dinner. When I know I'm about to rack up the kilometres exploring Angkor, these are the ones I'm lacing up.
Things you might not think to pack
These are the items that don't always make the standard packing lists but have saved me more than once.
- A plastic poncho. Tropical downpours in Cambodia can arrive out of nowhere and soak you through in minutes. A cheap, lightweight plastic poncho is a lifesaver. It covers you and your bag, which matters a lot when you're carrying camera gear.
- An eSIM. Gone are the days of hunting down a SIM card kiosk at the airport. I use a Holafly eSIM whenever I travel. You set it up before you leave, and you're connected the moment you land. Having data straight away makes everything easier, from booking a Grab ride to translating a menu to checking maps when you're lost in the backstreets.
- Travel insurance. Please don't travel without it. I use SafetyWing, but the most important thing is that you have cover, so always go with your preferred provider. Make sure your policy covers your camera gear, medical emergencies and any activities you're planning.
- A lightweight scarf or sarong. Many temples, including Angkor Wat, require your shoulders and knees to be covered. A scarf or sarong is an easy fix when you're wearing a singlet, and it doubles as sun protection, a light blanket on cold buses, or a beach towel.
- Insect repellent. Mosquitoes are a fact of life in Cambodia, especially around dawn and dusk. Pack a good repellent and use it, particularly if you're out for sunrise at the temples.
- Sunscreen. The sun is intense, and good sunscreen can be expensive or hard to find in some areas. Bring your own.
- Small US dollar notes. US dollars are widely used in Cambodia alongside the local riel. Bring small, clean notes, as torn or worn notes are often refused.
- A power bank and universal adaptor. Between the Q3, the Luna Ultra and my phone, I'm charging a lot. A power bank keeps everything going on long days out, and a universal adaptor saves the guesswork with power outlets.
Why I'm not packing an umbrella. Umbrellas are bulky, awkward to carry all day, and pretty useless if you're trying to take photos at the same time. The poncho does the job when it rains, and it folds down small enough to stuff in the pocket of my Domke, so it's always with me without taking up any real space.
Final thoughts
Packing for Cambodia is all about staying light, cool and ready for the weather to change on you. Bring gear you love, shoes you can walk in all day, and a few clever extras like a poncho and an eSIM, and you'll be set to enjoy everything this incredible country has to offer.
I'll be sharing photos and videos from the trip soon, so stay tuned!
The packing list builder has a South-East Asia trip with a fixed-lens camera and video set up already: open it and adjust it to your kit.