Viator Cancels Confirmed Trip to Cambodia

Posted by davidfeldheim on 10/23/25 11:44 PM

I booked a trip to Cambodia through Viator. The local operator is IndoChina Tours. Before I booked I confirmed in the chat that the tour accepted solo travelers. I received written confirmation on September 30 that my reservation was confirmed and paid for. After the receipt of confirmation, I booked my flights to Cambodia, China and Japan.

On October 21st I received an email telling me that the tour operator does not accept solo travelers and I must find a companion or they will cancel my reservation and refund my money. Later they offered to find a companion for me, i.e., a stranger to share my room.

I have repeatedly tried to speak with someone at Viator other than the reps who take the calls and I can't breach this barrier. Anyone have any suggestions?

Upset in Los Angeles.

Posted by joe32F

Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂

10/24/25 12:23 AM

13060 posts

Is this the outfit?
https://www.indochina.tours/

This may be of some help https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/viator-customer-service-contacts-2/

Sadly another example of a middleman gumming up the works

Posted by jules m

Twin Cities of MN

10/24/25 12:47 AM

7661 posts

When is this trip? Can you look at other tours? I know people like the convenience of Viator, but I'm pretty sure I'd never use them. I typically don't like dealing with a "middle Man" and I do hear about lots of folks getting their tours cancelled.

I hope you can work something out.

Posted by Carol now retired

Lynnwood, Washington

10/24/25 01:44 AM

9731 posts

If that completely fizzles out, look to see if there is an alternate tour available. I know Gate 1 has 3 tours that include Cambodia.
14 day Vietnam and Cambodia with 7 day Mekong River Cruise
15 day Cambodia and Vietnam
17 day, Bangkok, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Inspiring Vacations (out of Australia) has seven tours that include Cambodia.

I mention these two companies because I have had personal experience traveling with them as a solo traveler and it has worked well.

Posted by davidfeldheim OP

10/24/25 02:41 AM

2 posts

Thank you for your suggestions.

Posted by BB

Calgary

10/24/25 02:54 AM

1919 posts

My husband and I spent 5 days/6 nights in Cambodia last year (combined with travel to Vietnam and Taiwan). We didn't go with a big tour company but booked a private tour guide for our visit. If you are planning to visit Angkor Wat and nearby sites, I'm happy to share my experiences.

Posted by MariaF

Ontario, Canada

10/24/25 11:46 AM

4692 posts

I used TourRadar to search for tours of SEA. It is a 3rd party, but links the provider directly to any messenging (sort of like Bokking) so answers came from the company. You can also book directly with the company....but I understand some hesitancy to use unknown foreign providers when going directly.
The company that provided my trip for Cambodia and Vietnam was Legend Travel Group. . I booked it as a group trip, but most of the time I was on my own meeting up with others for the occasional day or so. It is a partly guided trip, which means that you do your transport between cities or countries on your own with tickets provided by them, but that is to comply with local regulations for local guides (who are limited to work in one city or small region). So you need to be comfortable with some independent travel. There is a hefty solo supplement but even then, their pricing was great compared to other companies. You can book direct or through TourRadar.
As they book tours every day, you may still be able to salvage the trip.

Posted by ekscrunchy

new york

10/28/25 04:51 PM

813 posts

It's very easy to travel to and within much of Cambodia on your own; you can pick up local guides at most destinations. I went on my own, only to Siem Reap, about 20 years ago and even then, I felt safe and secure alone, as a female. (I was in Saigon and just got a flight direct to SR)