Phnom Penh City Tour & RPG Firing: An Honest 2-Day Review

So, you’re looking at a two-day trip in Phnom Penh that has a pretty unusual mix of activities, you know. On one hand, you get a deep look into Cambodia’s soul-stirring history, which is just incredibly moving. On the other hand, well, you get to fire a rocket launcher, which is definitely not your average tourist activity, to be honest. We went on this exact tour to see what it’s all about, and honestly, it’s a story worth telling. The experience is pretty much a blend of quiet reflection and a very, very loud bang. It’s almost like two different vacations packed into forty-eight hours, you see. This is basically our unfiltered take on what those two days feel like, what to expect, and who this kind of trip is really for, at the end of the day.

Day One: Coming Face-to-Face with Cambodia’s Heavy History

Alright, so the first day is typically dedicated to understanding the city’s story, and it starts with some stunning beauty, actually. Your guide will probably pick you up and, just like that, you are off to the Royal Palace. The golden roofs, you know, they just gleam under the Cambodian sun, and it’s sort of a quiet, respectful place. It’s almost incredible to walk through the grounds and see the Silver Pagoda, with a floor that is literally paved with shimmering silver tiles. You kind of have to remind yourself to just take it all in, I mean, the sheer artistry of it all is a bit overwhelming. The whole morning is just a little bit of a sensory overload in the best possible way, frankly.

Now, the afternoon takes a very, very sharp turn, emotionally speaking. You will almost certainly visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which was formerly a high school known as S-21, you know. Walking through the stark, silent corridors, seeing the rows upon rows of photographs of the people who were imprisoned there, is profoundly sobering, really. It’s a bit of a difficult, yet necessary, visit that just hangs heavy in the air, you see. After that, the trip continues to Choeung Ek, one of the infamous Killing Fields. As a matter of fact, standing there, with the memorial stupa filled with human skulls, you just feel the weight of history in a way that is hard to put into words. Your guide will likely share stories with a kind of gentle dignity that is both heartbreaking and completely respectable, to be honest.

The Vibe of the City Itself

After the intensity of the historical sites, just being in Phnom Penh is an experience in its own right, you know. The city is full of life and a spirit that feels almost defiant, in a good way. The best part is that you can just see it everywhere, for example, along the riverfront in the evening. Locals and travelers are just strolling, exercising, or sitting at the many cafes, watching the Tonle Sap river flow by, which is quite nice. You might want to get a tuk-tuk and just let your driver show you around the lively Central Market, a giant yellow dome full of literally everything you can think of, and stuff. Honestly, eating the local food is a massive part of the experience, and stuff like fish amok or beef lok lak served from a bustling street-side stall is just completely delicious. It is a city of incredible contrasts, basically, where the hum of modern life plays out against a backdrop of a past that is never forgotten.

Day Two: The Morning That Roars

Okay, so day two is obviously a total shift in energy. After a fairly quiet breakfast, you will probably be picked up in a car or van for the ride out of the city, right. The drive itself is sort of interesting; you get to see the countryside and the landscape changes from urban streets to more rural settings, you know. There’s a certain feeling of anticipation that builds up, as a matter of fact. You are literally leaving the quiet reflection of the previous day behind and heading towards something loud and pretty extreme. The firing range is usually a private, outdoor facility run by military personnel, which is actually quite reassuring. They typically start you off with a safety briefing which is, you know, very direct and no-nonsense.

And then, it’s pretty much time for the main event. You will likely start with smaller firearms, like an AK-47 or an M16, to get a feel for things, you see. The power you feel as the rifle bucks against your shoulder is really surprising, honestly. But nothing quite prepares you for the RPG, to be honest. An instructor will be with you the entire time, helping you position it on your shoulder and aim it at a designated target downrange. When you pull the trigger, there is just this huge ‘whoosh’ followed by a massive explosion that you feel in your chest, more or less. It’s incredibly loud, extremely fast, and, frankly, a little bit surreal. You are literally firing a rocket, and for a few seconds, it is absolutely all-consuming. It’s a massive adrenaline spike, and then, just like that, it’s over, leaving your ears ringing a little bit.

Is This Unique Experience Right for You?

So, you kind of have to ask yourself if this whole thing is your style. This two-day package is really a tale of two completely different types of travel experiences pushed together. It is absolutely for the person who wants more than just a standard city tour, you know. You need to be prepared for the emotional heaviness of day one, which is really not to be underestimated. Seriously, it’s moving and it will stick with you. The firing range part is almost the polar opposite; it’s pure adrenaline and spectacle. Some people might find it a bit jarring to go from a site of genocide to firing military-grade weapons the next day, and that’s a perfectly valid feeling, to be honest. It’s almost like a test of how you process wildly different experiences. Basically, you need to be an open-minded traveler who is curious about all facets of a place, both the solemn history and the more, let’s say, ‘out there’ attractions that are on offer.

A Few Things To Know Before You Go

Alright, so if you are thinking about booking this, here are just a few final points. At the end of the day, a little preparation goes a long way. This is not your typical package holiday, so it pays to be aware of a few things, you know.

Dress Respectfully: I mean, for the Royal Palace and the memorial sites, you must cover your shoulders and knees. This is a sign of respect, and it’s strictly enforced, you know.
Emotional Prep: Seriously, be ready for the Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek visits. They are incredibly impactful and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Just be present with the experience.
Safety First at the Range: The instructors are usually military professionals, so just listen to them very carefully. Their rules are there for a reason, you see. Just do exactly what they say.
The Cost of Power: Firing an RPG is not cheap, actually. The tour package might cover a few things, but firing the bigger weapons like the rocket launcher is almost always an add-on with a significant price tag. So, you just want to be clear on the costs beforehand.
Stay Hydrated: Cambodia is hot, like, really hot. You will be walking a lot on day one and standing out in the sun on day two. So, just drink a ton of water.

Read our full review: [2 Days Phnom Penh City Tours Firing RPG Rocket Rifle Machine Gun Full Review and Details]

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