Cambodia 12 day itinerary, visit history and fascinating heritage whilst you cover all the best bits of this charming kingdom, including time on the beach and two full days at Angkor Wat.
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Save an acre of rainforest each time you travel
Every detail taken care of
trip highlights
- Learn all about the cultivation and production of Kampot pepper, considered by many to be the world’s best, as you tour a peaceful pepper farm in southern Cambodia’s lush countryside.
- Pay a visit to the wonderful ‘La Maison de Coco’, an NGO-run centre where local people are taught traditional arts such as weaving, to give them skills that will help them earn a living.
- A rip-roaring combination of theatre, music, dance and circus, Phare: the Cambodian Circus, tells tales woven from local folklore, history and modern life in a unique, magical and authentically-Cambodian way.
itinerary details
Siem Reap arrival. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses over 1,000 temples, all the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Rising early, journey to the old city of Angkor Thom and pass through the magnificent South Gate flanked by 54 gods and demons. At Angkor Thom’s centre is the enigmatic Bayon, a breathtaking temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. Also admire the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm before the rest of the day is dedicated to Angkor Wat, the most magnificent, and best preserved of all of Angkor’s treasures. Later, take a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the ancient Khmer water systems.
High Water Season (Aug to Feb)
Enjoy a morning cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting the floating village of Kampong Kleng and observing the way of life of these lake communities. Back on dry land visit Beng Mealea, a mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Return to Siem Reap via Artisan D’Angkor, an organisation working to revive traditional Khmer arts and crafts. This evening sit down to dinner and the apsara dance show.
Low Water Season (Mar to Jul)
Head to Beng Mealea to explore this mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Drop by Artisan D’Angkor before visiting the floating village of Chong Kneas. This evening sit down to dinner and the apsara dance show.
Begin the journey towards Battambang, stopping in Puok District to visit the National Silk Centre. Learn about the cultivation of silk, from the planting of mulberry trees used to raise the silkworms to the harvesting of silk threads. Observe the artisans using the dyed and treated silk threads to create beautiful products in the workshops. On arrival in Battambang, the rest of the day is at leisure. Set in some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, Battambang is also home to Cambodia’s grandest colonial architecture.
Head out of town to the 12th-century Prasat Banan Temple and admire the breath-taking hilltop views. Return to Battambang and take a stroll through the village of Wat Kor, then explore a local house for a glimpse of traditional Khmer life. Visit a local NGO, La Maison de Coco, where traditional skills such as weaving are taught to locals before a visit to Phnom Sampov to see the bat cave.
Journey south to Phnom Penh, stopping at the former capital city Udong, a potters’ village and Touch Hill.
A somewhat European city of airy boulevards and colonial villas, scarred still by the events of 1975, Phnom Penh has been engulfed by energy and optimism making it a pleasurable place to be. Today’s visits include a cyclo ride to the magnificent Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, before reflecting on the past at the harrowing Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields. Sunset at hilltop Wat Phnom rounds off the day.
Depart for the beach town of Kampot and visit a pepper farm to learn about the renowned Kampot pepper. Enjoy a walking tour of Kampot, a charming riverside town, which has a wealth of colonial architecture to discover.
Take a boat ride out to Koh Thonsay, known as Rabbit Island for its unique shape, where you can spend a few hours relaxing on the beach. You will also visit the Kep Crab Market, a seafood lovers’ heaven. Later travel onwards to Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s premier beach resort.
Spend today at leisure. Make good use of the facilities of your five-star luxury resort, from the bar and pool to the beautiful beach that you can stroll onto directly from the hotel or for those feeling more active, why not explore the lively town?
Return to Phnom Penh and spend the day at leisure.
Departure, transfer to the airport.
