Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Cambodia in Focus Angkor, Phnom Penh & the Rural Regions
Cambodia – Siem Reap & Angkor – Cardamom Mountains – Phnom Penh – Coastal Cambodia
Your trip begins in Siem Reap, a buzzy base from which to enjoy back-to-back visits to the UNESCO-listed temples of the Angkor complex. You’ll discover a new religious site each day – be it a well-known crowd pleaser or one of the remote underdogs which seldom see tourists. Cameras at the ready...
Next up is the riverside city of Battambang and the peaceful Cardamom Mountains. Here, days unfold around slow starts, leisurely lunches, scenic strolls and a few more temple visits.
Of course, no Cambodia trip would be complete without a visit to the tuk-tuk-filled capital. So, after your blissful break from the buzz, delve into the hubbub of Phnom Penh. This is where the country’s culture really comes to the fore, with plenty of art, food and history on the agenda.
Round out your adventure in the coastal city of Kep. Overlooking the glimmering Gulf of Thailand, this is the perfect place to unwind while still immersing yourselves in local life. Visit peaceful fishing village visits, explore dramatic caves, relax on the beach and tuck into tasty dishes seasoned with fiery Kampot pepper – yum.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Cambodia is calling. Head to the airport and relax in the lounge before boarding your connecting flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia’s second city. The journey takes roughly 14 hours, leaving you plenty of time to shift into holiday gear.
When you land the following morning you’ll be met at the airport and privately transferred to your centrally located hotel. When you arrive, check in for a four-night stay and start unpacking.
The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please. If you’re raring to go, stretch your legs with a mid-afternoon stroll. Or, if you’re still fighting off some jet lag, simply relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel in the lead up to dinner tonight.
Hit the ground running today with a sunrise visit to Angkor Wat – the largest temple in the world – accompanied by a private guide. This UNESCO-listed site is a masterpiece of 12th-century Khmer architecture that looks all the more dashing at dawn.
Watch the sky blaze orange while tucking into a private picnic breakfast. Then, with your Angkor Passes in hand, continue to Angkor Thom. Once the largest Khmer city, this vast complex now provides a fascinating window into the past, made even more vivid by the expert commentary from your guide.
Inside the complex, you'll find some of Cambodia’s most impressive temples, including the Bayon Temple, the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. While the urge to fill your camera roll will be strong, don’t forget to pace yourself – a slew of other photogenic temples awaits.
Come evening, enjoy a delicious dinner in the city. Our Concierge is on hand to recommend the best restaurants to dine in whether you’re in the mood for a traditional Khmer eatery or a trendy rooftop bar.
Escaping the crowds is the name of the game today. Few visitors are prepared to venture out to the more remote parts of the Angkor complex, but those who do reap quite the reward.
Accompanied by an expert local guide, set off for Koh Ker, 60 miles northeast of Angkor. The site is famous for its pyramid-shaped temple, which rises 100ft out of the lush forest surrounding it.
Next on the agenda is Prasat Beng Mealea, a picturesque temple covered with tree roots and vegetation. Cosplay Indiana Jones as you wander along the boardwalks and peer into doorways blocked by piles of fallen masonry.
Templed-out (for now), return to Siem Reap for another delightful evening in the city, filled with good food and well-earned drinks.
Fuel up on a hearty breakfast this morning before heading to the temple of Banteay Kdei. Here, you’ll hop on a bike to pedal between the temples of Ta Prohm and Preah Khan.
Dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII (considered the greatest ruler of Angkor), Ta Prohm is covered in lush vegetation and oozes mystery. Keeping with the family theme, journey to Preah Khan next, which was built to honour Jayavarman VII's father.
The rest of the day can be spent pedalling between nearby temples, including Neak Poan, Eastern Mebon and Pre Rup. Round out your explorations with a visit to a peaceful rice fields before admiring the sunset over Srah Srang, a 17,200 sq ft former royal bathing pool.
Bid the bright lights of Siem Reap farewell today as you check out and meet your driver for a private transfer to Battambang. The drive takes three hours and passes lush rice fields and traditional villages, so keep your eyes on the windows.
When you arrive, check in to your next hotel for a two-night stay and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Cool off with a dip in the pool or stretch your legs on a stroll around town – whatever takes your fancy.
This evening, freshen up before hitting the streets again in search of a delicious dinner. If you need some inspiration, our local Concierge will be on hand with a list of their local favourites.
You may have left Siem Reap behind, but in Cambodia, you’re never too far from a temple. So, fuel up on a hearty breakfast this morning to prepare for some city sightseeing, bike rides and more temple touring.
Kick off with a cycle ride through the countryside, passing traditional Khmer homes and local workshops. Then, take a stroll to Wat Ek Phnom, a temple that dates back to the 11th century. Afterwards, you’ll be collected by your driver for a tour of Battambang’s French colonial architecture and the arcades around the Sangke River.
When tummies start to rumble, seek out a mouth-watering meal this evening before sinking into bed.
It’s time for a switch up. After breakfast, check out and meet your private driver to transfer to a rainforest resort in the Cardamom Mountains, the second-largest tropical forest in Southeast Asia. The journey takes around four-and-a-half hours so sit back, relax and enjoy the views.
When you arrive, check in for a two-night stay and prepare for some serious R&R. Over the next couple of days, you’ll have the chance to unwind in the heart of nature. Surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest, soak in the pool, read on the terrace and dine overlooking a gorgeous green backdrop.
If you fancy a little more adventure, you could also venture out on rainforest treks, visit remote villages or enjoy a boat trip down the Tatai River. The world – by which we mean the Cardamom Mountains – is your oyster.
Hear that? The capital is calling. Tuck into a tasty breakfast this morning before loading up the car for your private transfer to Phnom Penh. The journey takes roughly six hours, so try to squeeze in a little shut eye as your driver navigates the windy roads.
When you arrive, check in to your next hotel which will be your base for the next three nights. Then, waste no time stepping out to meet a local guide for a private art and food tour on the back of a tuk-tuk. Whizz through the bustling streets and visit a street art district adorned with vibrant murals. Then delve into the city’s street food scene. Thanks to your guide, you’ll be able to eat at markets and restaurants known only to locals. Let the feasting commence.
Today is dedicated to visiting a small handful of the islands dotted along the roughly 3,000-mile-long Mekong River. Tuck into a tasty breakfast this morning before packing your day bags and donning your sunnies for a day trip out of the city.
A short journey from Phnom Penh, the islands of the Mekong River offer a chance to slip away from the hustle and bustle. Climb on a tuk-tuk to ride out and explore the area, passing traditional houseboats and the homes of local fishing families.
Then, after a ferry crossing, set foot on the shores of Silk Island (or Koh Dach). Here, you’ll visit local villages and markets, meet a tofu producer and duck into a Buddhist pagoda. Afterwards, hop to a neighbouring Mekong Island for a lesson in the art of Cambodian silk weaving – prepare to add some seriously niche know-how to your skillset.
You’ve immersed yourself in Phnom Penh’s present, now’s the time to step into its past. Ruled by the communist Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, Cambodia and its capital have suffered an unimaginably difficult history. Today, you’ll meet a private guide to delve deeper.
Start at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, located in a former school. It’s here that the majority of the country’s troubled past is concentrated into a thoughtful and fascinating exhibit, which your guide can illuminate.
Later, visit the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. The site is made up of over 100 mass graves and a glass stupa filled with the bones and skulls of over 8,000 victims. It's harrowing, but a necessary excursion for anyone interested in learning more about the country’s recent history.
Wave goodbye to the city this morning as you journey to the seaside town of Kep. After breakfast, pack up and set off on your three-and-a-half-hour private transfer to the coast.
When you arrive, check in for two nights and settle in. Your one full day here will be dedicated to a tuk-tuk tour of the surrounding fishing villages, salt fields and pepper plantations, which will also involve visits to some local caves.
We’ve left the second day free for you to continue exploring at your own pace. If you fancy more natural wonders, don’t miss a visit to Kep National Park. And be sure to sample the local spice, Kampot pepper, which adds a fiery kick to any dish.
Sadly, your time in Cambodia comes to an end today. Begin the day with a leisurely breakfast overlooking the water. Then, pack up and strap in for your three-and-a-half-hour private transfer to the airport in Phnom Penh.
Your flight home connects through another Southeast Asian transit city and takes a total of 16 hours, giving you plenty of time to sit back, slip on an eye mask and start thinking about where curiosity might take you next.
Why visit Cambodia with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Cambodia
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
