21-day Cambodia tour: culture & beaches

Phnom Penh

Day 1: Arrival and Foodie Tour

Welcome to Cambodia! You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel, where you will be offered a welcome drink, met by one of our team members, and given information about Cambodia and the fantastic trip you are about to embark on.

In the evening, you have the opportunity to join the foodie tour. After a cocktail or beer, you will be taken to a local market to try some tropical fruits, interesting desserts, and delicious meats. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also try some of the local insect delicacies! Here you will get an insight into Cambodia's often under-represented food scene, rich history, and culture. Finally, you will enjoy a traditional, delicious Khmer BBQ, with a few drinks of course.

Phnom Penh - Choeung Ek

Day 2: City Tour With Cycle and Tuk-Tuk

In the morning, a traditional Khmer Cyclo (bicycle powered tuk-tuk) will take you to the Royal Palace, where you can admire the spectacular ancient Khmer architecture.

Afterwards you will visit Wat Phnom, where the name Phnom Penh derives from. This pagoda stands on a 35-meter high hill surrounded by trees where monkeys play in the shade. Afterwards, you will ride by tuk-tuk to the Genocide Museum of Tuol Sleng, before continuing to Choeung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields, where thousands of people were tortured and buried in mass graves. While disturbing, these sites offer you an insight into the country’s troubled past, enabling you to understand more about how far the wonderful people of this country have come.

On the way back we visit the huge Russian Market where you can shop for souvenirs until your heart is content.

Battambang

Day 3: From Phnom Penh to Battambang

Today you will head north, out of the capital, up Highway 5. As you drive out of the city, you will be able to take in the simple yet beautiful vistas of daily life in the countryside. Ninety kilometers outside the capital you will make a stop in Kampong Chhang or the “The Port of Pottery," where you can visit local pottery studios.

Battambang - Ek Phnom Temple

Day 4: Explore Battambang

We will start our tour with a ride on the famous bamboo train. The bamboo train is a raft-like device that is made from bamboo for local villagers to transport their goods.

After this unique experience, we will explore the north of Battambang and drive up to Ek Phnom Temple, which was built in the 11th century. 

On the way, we will stop to visit the villagers and see how they produce local products and foods. We will also get a chance to learn more about the Khmer Rouge when we visit the Well of Shadows, a monument to honor the people killed during the war. Near the monument, we will take the opportunity to visit the hundreds of Fruit Bats that hang on trees producing a loud and interesting sound.

During lunch, you will have the opportunity to go for a swim. After lunch, we drive through small villages and between rice fields in our tuk-tuk towards Phnom Sompov Mountain. 

Batey Chhmar

Day 5: Temples and Homestay in Banteay Chhmar

You will continue your journey to Banteay Chhmar. The Banteay Chhmar temple was built in the 12th century and, with nine other surrounding temples, is one of the largest temple complexes of the Angkor period.

After getting to know the family in the homestay, you will have lunch. Then, we will walk through the temples. This is followed by a ride with the ox wagon to the Mekong Silk Centre. Tonight you will have dinner at a special place near the temple. With the accompaniment of traditional music, you can enjoy the food and each other's company.

Siem Reap

Day 6: Banteay Chhmar to Siem Reap

Today you will leave Banteay Chhmar and head to Siem Reap, the gateway to the famous temples of Angkor Wat. Despite being a hub, Siem Reap still retains a village feeling with many sights in walking distance.

Before arriving in Siem Reap, you will make one final stop at a local silk farm. Cambodian silk is world renowned as one of the best. Here you will learn the painstaking and labor-intensive process that goes into making one of the most luxurious fabrics in the world.

The final leg of your trip will take you into the pretty town of Siem Reap where you can get some rest before what is certainly going to be a fabulous and memorable day tomorrow.

Siem Reap - Angkor Wat

Day 7: Amazing Angkor by Tuk-Tuk

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide in a tuk-tuk to explore one of the largest and most beautiful temple complexes in the world, Angkor Wat complex.

First, you will visit the stunning Angkor Wat temple itself where we will explore the wonderful site. After a short refreshment break, you will take the short drive to Angkor Thom. The 54 four-headed Buddha statues are one of the most impressive sights of the temple complex and provide exceptional photo opportunities. Later that day, we will visit the Ta Phrom temple. This iconic temple remains partly overgrown with trees and gigantic roots, that have ‘nestled’ themselves on and in the stone blocks, making a truly striking visual image. After a long, rewarding day, you will be returned to your hotel to relax.

In the evening, enjoy a dinner show and eat Khmer food.

Siem Reap

Day 8: Free Day and Phare Circus

Today, you will have a free day in Siem Reap. Are you interested in more temples? There are many more to choose from. Are you looking for some culinary experiences? A cooking class will teach you how to bring the taste of Cambodia back home. Do you just want to take it easy and relax? Visit a local spa and get a massage or enjoy a swim in the pool.

In the evening you can visit Phare, The Cambodian Circus, which tells uniquely Cambodian tales using modern circus arts and high energy music, touching on themes strong in Cambodian traditions, ethos, and spirit.

Koh Ker

Day 9: Off the Beaten Path to Be Treed Resort

Starting early in the morning, you will drive out of Siem Reap, into the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Your first stop is at beautiful rock formations. Carved on several sides, in exquisite detail, are a range of spectacular images from the Angkorian times. 

Continuing your drive north you will soon arrive at the spectacular temple of Koh Ker. It is a stunning and unique pyramidal temple built in 931AD. After exploring the temple you will take a break to enjoy some traditional Khmer cuisine for lunch.

A short drive south will then connect you to a narrow tree-lined, red dirt road, which will transport you into another world. As you drive down the road, through river beds and past small local dwellings, the foliage will gradually increase. 

Soon you will arrive at Be Treed Resort, your home for the next two nights.

Koh Ker

Day 10: Be Treed Resort

After a delicious breakfast, today is all about getting to know the environment. Staying in this area allows you to experience pure nature at its finest, away from the tourist crowds in other areas of Cambodia.

The forest is home to endangered and threatened species of Cambodian wildlife: banteng (wild cow), pileated gibbons, silver langurs, barking deer, sambar deer, and many species of birds. The area also provides an excellent opportunity for hiking through the forest. Here you can also explore Angkorian era “cave-temples,” and the quarries where the ancient civilizations carved out their stone, as well as admire the beautiful and aged trees local residents are working so hard to protect. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can try zip-lining.

Preah Vihear

Day 11: From the Forest to the Border of Thailand

Today, you will drive up north to the border of Thailand.

After lunch, you can visit the tranquil Preah Vihear Temple, an ancient Hindu temple built during the period of the Khmer Empire, that is situated in the Dângrêk Mountains. In 1962, following a lengthy dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over ownership, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ruled that the temple is in Cambodia. Affording a view for many kilometers across a plain, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-centuries-long Khmer Empire. After this impressive visit, we’ll bring you to your hotel.

Stung Treng

Day 12: From Preah Vihear to Stung Treng

After breakfast, we will drive on a new road along the border of Laos. Some parts are tarmac roads but many parts are still dirt roads.

You will have lunch on the banks of the Mekong River and also visit Sopheakmit waterfalls. One of the most naturally picturesque in Cambodia, this hidden gem is surrounded by islands and endless waterways. Its water, often a dazzling jade hue, crashes over the numerous rocks and is particularly vigorous during the rainy season.

After this wonderful experience, you will be taken to the accommodating riverside town of Stung Treng, where you will find your hotel.

Kratie

Day 13: Off to Kratie

You will have a truly unique breakfast this morning. First, you will enjoy a relaxing early morning boat ride, ending up on a small sandy island in the middle of the Mekong. Here, some umbrellas and tables will be set up in order for you to enjoy a very special breakfast. The area is home to some wonderful birds, which you can watch going about their daily business as you enjoy your food.

After breakfast, kayak down the Mekong, taking in the unique sights and sounds of one of the world greatest rivers. In the afternoon, continue your trip to Kratie, your rest stop for the night.

Kratie

Day 14: Wildlife and Cultural Tour in Kratie

Make your first stop of the day at Phnom Sambok, a small mountain with two peaks and a lush forest filled with birds and some monkeys.

After a traditional lunch, you will visit the 100 pillars pagoda and learn its fascinating history as a place of pilgrimage for the residents of Kratie.

Next stop will be the Mekong Turtle Conservation Center to see one of the most endangered species, the Mekong softshell turtle. The project looks after the baby turtles until they become large enough to protect themselves from big fish and snakes.

The highlight of your day is a visit to one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. We go on a local boat and cruise into the mighty Mekong for a chance to encounter these gentle mammals. After an hour of watching the Irrawaddy dolphins, you will travel back to Kratie.

Kampong Thom - Sambor Prei Kuk

Day 15: Kratie to Kampong Thom

In the morning, you will leave to Kampong Thom.

After lunch, you will have the possibility to visit the Pre-Angkorian temple complex of Sambor Prei Kuk. This is the oldest complex in Cambodia, dating from the 6th and 7th century. It is located in the forests of Kampong Thom.

Upon arrival, you can rent a bike from the local inhabitants (or we can do it by car). Together with your guide, you will visit the three main temples. Ride the narrow pathways through the forest and discover a temple, completely overgrown, around every corner. After this visit, we’ll bring you to your hotel in Kampong Thom city.

Kampong Khleang - Siem Reap

Day 16: Back to Siem Reap Over Kampong Khleang

On the way back to Siem Reap, you will visit one of the most impressive floating villages in Cambodia – Kampong Khleang. When you arrive at the village, you can board a boat and head out in exploration of the floating village.

Sihanoukville - Koh Rong Samloem

Day 17: Off to the Island

In the morning, you will take the flight to Sihanoukville and from there the boat to the island of Koh Rong Samloem.

Koh Rong Samloem

Day 18: Relax on Koh Rong Samloem

Enjoy your time on the island, basking in the beautiful seaside setting. This is the time to simply relax. Restore your body and mind as you listen to the sounds of nature from beneath the shade of a thatched umbrella.

Koh Rong Samloem

Day 19: Explore Beautiful Beaches at Your Own Pace

Take your time and explore all the peaceful places that will surprise you as you wander through the gorgeous tropical setting of your beach resort.

Koh Rong Samloem

Day 20: Revel in Island Tranquility

Relish your final full day in Cambodia. Spend your time doing exactly as you wish. Swim in the magnificent sea, bask in the warm Southeast Asian sunshine, and when night falls, relax on the beach and watch the beautiful sunset. 

Phnom Penh

Day 21: Goodbye, Cambodia!

With the first boat, you are going back to Sihanoukville, where our driver will wait for you and take you to your flight in Phnom Penh.

We hope that you have enjoyed a wonderful trip through this truly beautiful country and that you are leaving with happy memories which will last a lifetime. Cambodia has so much more still to offer, and we would be delighted to welcome you back anytime to show more of this fantastic country and its charming people.

Have a safe trip and we hope to see you again!