Highlights
- Top Pick Hotels!
- Explore the ancient city of Angkor Thom and visit Bayon Temple
- Walk among the jungle-cloaked ruins of Ta Prohm, made famous by Tomb Raider
- Witness a magical sunrise at Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument
- Cruise by boat through Kampong Phluk floating village
- Discover Khmer cuisine with a cooking class in the countryside
- Receive a sacred water blessing from a local monk at a village pagoda
- Visit Banteay Srei, the ‘Citadel of the Women’
- Sample authentic local flavours including Khmer noodles, palm wine and sweets
- Take a tuk tuk street food tour through Siem Reap, finishing with dinner and dessert
- Visit Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
- Reflect on Cambodia’s history at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields
- A cyclo tour through the French Quarter and visit Wat Phnom
- Watch Phnom Penh come to life on a sunset river cruise with local drinks and snacks
- Small group touring ‘Solos Only’ maximum 14 travellers
PRE TOUR STAY
Consider arriving a day before the tour starts or staying on after the tour ends. You can relax and refresh after your flight. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.
DAY 1
Siem Reap – Arrival
Sua s'dei and welcome to Cambodia!
On arrival in Siem Reap, you’ll be met by your local English-speaking guide and transferred as a group to our hotel. Settle in and get ready to experience Cambodia’s ancient wonders, vibrant street life and warm hospitality.
This evening we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at a village-style restaurant on the edge of Siem Reap, known for seasonal produce sourced from their organic farms and gardens.
Meals: Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Arrival transfer with local guide
- Welcome dinner
DAY 2
Temples & Street Food By Tuk Tuk, Siem Reap
Start the day with an early breakfast and leave first thing to escape the crowds and make our first visit to the beautiful Ta Prohm temple. Wrapped in giant tree roots and known for its appearance in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. We continue to Angkor Thom, the ‘Great Royal City’. and visit Bayon Temple regarded as the centrepiece, famous for its more than 200 smiling stone faces.
Today we explore by Remork (tuk tuk) driven by a local female driver; a fun way to explore the city.
After returning to the hotel for a short rest, our late afternoon adventure kicks off with a street food tour. Discover local snacks and Khmer delicacies on a foodie trail through bustling streets, ending with dinner at a local restaurant and dessert from a street stall. After the food tour and dinner there’s the option to return to the hotel, or you may choose to finish the evening exploring Pub Street; ideal for checking out the local bar and café night life.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Temple visits: Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom & Bayon
- Female-led tuk tuk touring
- Evening street food tour and dinner
- Hotel break mid-afternoon
DAY 3
Sunrise & Floating Villages, Siem Reap
Rise early to witness sunrise at Angkor Wat for a magical start to the day. Before entering the temple, we’ll pause for fruit and coffee at a local vendor’s stall. Then it’s time to explore Angkor Wat’s towering galleries, intricate carvings and central sanctuary. Angkor Wat was built in 1113-1150. The structure is said to be one of the world’s largest religious monuments. The central tower reaches a height of 65 meters with the option to climb up and enjoy a breathtaking view. Angkor Wat symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people and graces every Cambodia's flag.
Return to the hotel for breakfast, with the rest of the morning free to relax or join an optional visit
to Preah Khan and Neak Pean temples (no extra cost).
Mid-afternoon, we head out from Siem Reap and pass by a local village where you can see local rural life. Then, we take a private boat ride to visit the floating village of Kampong Phluk on Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. We cruise through the canal and also into a flooded forest by rowboat for a serene experience.
Dinner is at a riverside restaurant offering innovative local flavours in a beautiful setting.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Angkor Wat sunrise visit
- Morning refreshment stop (fruit, coffee/tea)
- Optional temple visits: Preah Khan & Neak Pean
- Boat trip to Kampong Phluk floating village
- Rowboat through flooded forest
- Dinner together
DAY 4
Cooking Class, Local Visits, Siem Reap
This morning we head to the countryside for a hands-on cooking experience. Shop at a local market, then learn to prepare traditional dishes in a local family’s kitchen.
Then, accompanied by your hosts, you will go to a nearby pagoda to offer part of your culinary preparations to resident monks. There’s the opportunity to learn more about the life of a Monk and Theravada Buddhism; a way of life that most people incorporate into their daily life. You will get to meet the Monks and experience a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity - a very special experience during your travels.
Today, lunch is what you’ve helped to prepare!
In the afternoon, visit Banteay Srei, the 'Citadel of the Women', known for its intricate pink sandstone carvings, and there may be time to also stop at Banteay Samre template. En route, you will stop and taste Nom Banh Chok “Cambodian noodle” a unique Khmer dish, loved by locals and tourists alike. We also make a road side stop at local village vendor stalls to sample local palm wine and palm sugar chunks wrapped in palm leaves.
OPTIONAL
Tonight, there’s the option to grab some dinner in an open air cafe before being dazzled by a live performance from the Phare Circus, that’s a social enterprise showcasing young Cambodian talent.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Traditional cooking class and lunch
- Monk blessing ceremony
- Banteay Srei temple visit (plus Banteay Samre, optional)
- Local tastings: Khmer noodles, palm wine and sweets
- Phare Circus performance
DAY 5
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
We depart Siem Reap early for our private transfer to Phnom Penh and passing through the countryside. En route, we stop to see the ancient bridge and the infamous Skuon market, where deep-fried tarantulas are a local snack.
Arrive to the capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the "Pearl of Asia" and it was considered one of the most beautiful cities built by the French during the colonial period in the region.
We check into our hotel with some time to relax. In the afternoon we visit Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace, built in 1866 and an excellent example of Khmer architecture, with French influence. Inside, visit Throne Hall and Silver Pagoda, that houses many national treasures and features 5000 silver tiles.
This evening, stroll down lively Bassac Lane where you’ll find small bars, eateries, and live music. (Meals and drinks here are at your own expense.)
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Private transfer to Phnom Penh (about 5.5 hours)
- Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda visit
- Optional stop at Skuon market
DAY 6
Dark History & Sunset Cruise, Phnom Penh
After breakfast at our hotel we delve into Cambodia’s tragic past.
We begin with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school turned prison under the Khmer Rouge. It is a grim visit but also an important site to gain insights into this part of Cambodia’s history. Afterwards, continue to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek; a deeply moving site that honours the victims of this dark era.
There’s some free time in the middle of the day and your guide will make some free time suggestions including an option to visit the National Museum (on your own account).
Later, you will be greeted by a driver for a cyclo (a three wheeler) ride of the significant sights of the city. Riding along the river towards the former French Quarter, passing colonial architecture. Also stop at Wat Phnom regarded as the city’s spiritual heart. Inside the temple, experience the Chakkumpi (Khmer fortune telling).
We also stop at Central Market with time to browse for some souvenirs and find some local foods to taste. Then, board a private wooden boat for a relaxing sunset cruise along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Enjoy snacks, local beers and soft drinks on board and watch as Phnom Penh riverfront comes to life in the early evening.
Our farewell dinner is served at a rooftop venue with live music and a stylish Cambodian menu.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum & Killing Fields visits
- Cyclo tour through French Quarter
- Wat Phnom visit & Khmer fortune telling
- Central Market shopping
- Sunset cruise with snacks and drinks
- Farewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant
DAY 7
Phnom Penh – Departure
Enjoy a leisurely morning before checking out of your hotel as your Cambodian discovery comes to a close.
Meals: Breakfast
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
