Siem Reap: Phare Insider - VIP Behind-The-Scenes Access

3 hours
Siem Reap, Cambodia

About this activity

A private, immersive backstage tour before the show. Visit the artist, technician and costumer work areas. Learn more about the artists, the school and the social enterprise.  Your choice of seating area for Cambodia's original Phare Circus. 

Highlights

  • Exclusive back-stage visit to artist work areas
  • Shop original locally-made crafts in Phare Boutique
  • Savor Cambodian Street Food favorites starting: 5:30pm
  • Cultural dance by Khmer Angkor Cultural Training Club: 7pm
  • Modern cultural circus performance begins at 8:00pm

Full description

More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent, making Phare Circus the top-rated modern cultural performance in Siem Reap. 

 Phare artists are graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school, formed in 1994 by 9 former refugees of the Khmer Rouge war and French humanitarian Veronique Decrop who used drawing classes as therapy.  The school was founded to offer free artistic and academic education and to revive Cambodian arts. Today more than 1,200 pupils attend the public school daily and 500 attend the alternative schools. 

 Phare The Cambodian Circus offers these students and graduates somewhere to hone their skills and a place to earn a decent wage. Money that will take them out of poverty and give them self-respect and freedom.

Included / Excluded

  • Private, escorted behind-the-scenes tour
  • Choice of soft drink or domestic beer during the tour
  • Free cultural dance performance
  • Circus show tickets in selected seating category
  • Food and drink available for purchase
  • Transportation

Meeting point

Start Location

Phare, The Cambodian Circus, Intersection, Sok San Road, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Important information

Know before you book

  • Live availability and instant confirmation
  • Change or cancel up to 24 hours prior
  • Children age 4 or under are free

Know before you go

  • Arrive between 5:30pm-6:30pm for the backstage tour.
  • Dress comfortably for warm weather
  • Use mosquito repellant
  • Notify us in advance for special seating assistance
  • Entrance is not permitted once the circus show has started

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Reviews

Google
Kate Sin
Mar 2026
5.0

(Translated by Google) The circus is simply superb! Magnificent! I would love to attend all the shows! (Original) Цирк просто супер! Великолепно! С удовольствием бы посетила все представления!

Google
Katie Murray Klumpp
Mar 2026
5.0

I went with my 8 year and 10 year old to see Sokha, which was intense but fine for them. The story was beautiful. I laughed and cried and was amazed by the acrobatics. And my kids loved the experiance. They would happily go again. Highly recommend if you are visiting Siem Reap.

Google
Sam Vincent
Mar 2026
5.0

Phenomenal performance by all, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Certainly worth the visit.

Additional information

Phare, The Cambodian Circus’ live shows are inspired by the real-life experiences of its creators and performers and deal with themes such as war, discrimination, relationships, poverty and ghosts. Some performances contain smoke, loud noises, music and strobe lights. Please consult with a member of the ticketing staff if you have any concerns or you have very young children.