Discover southern Cambodia
From striking ancient temples to bustling modern cities, this route across southern Cambodia will evoke the spirit of a diverse and beautiful country.
Beginning in Siem Reap, a gateway to the famed temples of Angkor Wat, your adventure will take you to the lesser-known temples and stunning natural landscapes. Phnom Penh, Cambodia's buzzing modern capital, will reveal Cambodia's more recent history and give you a taste of delicious local cuisine.
Then slow down to explore the riverside town of Kampot and the old seaside resort of Kep. Browse the bustling markets, admire the colonial architecture and relax on idyllic beaches. This trip will give you a relaxed and well-rounded look at all that Cambodia has to offer.
Services
Included:
- 9 nights accommodation
- 9x breakfast, 7x lunch, 1x dinner
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 3-day Angkor Pass
- Boat ticket to the floating village
- Visit the historical place in Phnom Penh and included admission fee
- Cruise along Kampot River and watch the sunset
- Daily drinking water and cold towel
- Local fruits and snacks
- Support vehicle (varies based on local conditions and vehicle sizes available)
Excluded:
- International and domestic flights
- Visa or visa arrangements
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, hats, and protective clothing
- Camera/video entrance fees
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, tips, etc)
- Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above
Optional:
- Phare circus - $25 per person
- Siem Reap village cooking class - $35 per person
- Siem Reap Khmer traditional massage - $17 per person
- Phnom Penh sunset cruise - $15 per person
Itinerary at a Glance
Siem Reap
Welcome to Siem Reap and Cambodia
Angkor Wat - Bayon Temple - Ta Prohm
Angkor sunrise discovery
Banteay Samrei - Banteay Srei - Kampong Phluk
Banteay Srei and the great lake of Tonle Sap
Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
Foodie adventure in Phnom Penh
Tuol Sleng - Royal Palace
Uncover the history of Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh - Kampot
Stroll the riverside streets of Kampot
Kampot - Bokor National Park
Experience Bokor National Park
Kampot - Kep
Explore the markets of Kep
Kep
Relax on Rabbit Island
Kep - Phnom Penh Aiprort
Goodbye Cambodia!
Detailed Itinerary
Siem Reap
Day 1: Welcome to Siem Reap and Cambodia
Suo Sdei! Welcome to Cambodia.
We’ll be ready and waiting at the arrivals gate to welcome you and whisk you off to your hotel. You’ll be able to take your time to relax by the pool or venture out for a taste of this ancient city.
At 6 pm, your guide will find you in the hotel reception area for a quick briefing. Then it’s time to try some local delicacies at HAVEN Cambodia Restaurant - a social enterprise providing vocational training and education to young Cambodians from poorer backgrounds.
Angkor Wat - Bayon Temple - Ta Prohm
Day 2: Angkor sunrise discovery
There’s nowhere quite like Angkor Wat at sunrise. An early morning start will see you taking in the vast complex of ancient temples at the most magical time of the day. Our guide will be on hand to show you the best spots to witness the golden sunrise and answer your inevitable stream of questions as you wander through the central complex.
After breakfast, enter Siem Reap through the impressive Ancient Gate and head to Bayon Temple, famed for its enigmatic stone faces that represent the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.
At lunch, it’s time to try some sumptuous Khmer cuisine. Then it’s on to Ta Prohm. This unique temple was left to the jungle trees and vines after it was rediscovered, making it one of the most atmospheric temples in the entire Angkor site.
Finish the day with leisure time at your own pace.
Banteay Samrei - Banteay Srei - Kampong Phluk
Day 3: Banteay Srei and the great lake of Tonle Sap
Head out to explore the intricate reliefs of Banteay Srei. The skillfully crafted details on this sandstone structure are considered to be some of the best examples in the country. Banteay Srei has only been accessible since the late 1990s when the Khmer Rouge left the area.
A Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style will be your next stop. Banteay Samre was built in the early 12th century and is named after the ancient people of Indochina; the Samré.
After lunch, we’ll take a break from the temple trail to enjoy the vast landscapes of Tonle Sap. This is a chance to see Cambodia’s impressive natural beauty and explore the unique floating villages in the water’s shallows.
End the day by witnessing the sunset over this great lake.
Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
Day 4: Foodie adventure in Phnom Penh
After three amazing days, it’s time to leave Siem Reap behind and head to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, by private car. Along the way, you’ll pass the towns and villages outside the cities and stop at Skun village to try the local delicacy: deep-fried tarantula.
Arriving at Phnom Penh, you’ll have some free time to stretch your legs before jumping in a tuk-tuk for a guided foodie adventure. We’ll start at the lively bar, Sisowath Quay, for a cocktail overlooking the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers as the sun sets. Then head down to the riverside to sample some local street food.
From there, it’s on to the Russian Market to join local diners enjoying traditional Khmer food such as Banh Chheu in a bustling, exciting atmosphere. Finally, some freshly barbequed seafood will round up a satisfyingly full evening.
Tuol Sleng - Royal Palace
Day 5: Uncover the history of Phnom Penh
Head out early to catch the sights of Phnom Penh.
Starting with a sobering visit to Choeung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields, and the genocide museum, Tuol Sleng. These two locations serve as a testimony and reminder of the Cambodian genocide.
From there, you’ll head to the magnificent Royal Palace, admire the waterfront and beautiful colonial architecture. In between these key landmarks, you’ll get a taste of the local flair and culture that makes Phnom Penh so special.
Phnom Penh - Kampot
Day 6: Stroll the riverside streets of Kampot
Waving goodbye to the capital, you make for the riverside town of Kampot. This town is well-known for a popular spice: Kampot pepper. Today, the region is also known for it’s Durian plantations. A spiky pungent fruit that you’ll either love or hate!
Spend the afternoon strolling the riverside and taking in the views of the Bokor Mountain range and beautiful examples of French colonial architecture. The riverside restaurants and cafes are perfect places to stop and admire the view.
Your walking tour of Kampot will start in the evening. Your guide will take you on a leisurely-paced exploration of the iconic landmarks and stunning scenery over the Kampot river. A reflection of the slow pace of life, here in Kampot.
Kampot - Bokor National Park
Day 7: Experience Bokor National Park
Today, we’ll take a break from the bustling cities and explore some of the lush surrounding jungle.
At Bokor Hill Station in the Bokor National Park, we’ll discover the French colonial buildings that once formed part of a luxurious 1920s mountain resort. The resort was built to give French colonials a temperate escape from the heat of Phnom Penh.
Many of the buildings are now abandoned. Explore the eerie but enchanting atmosphere, and take in some of the stunning vistas from the mountain top.
The afternoon will be spent at your own leisure in Kampot.
Kampot - Kep
Day 8: Explore the markets of Kep
After breakfast, you leave Kampot for the old French seaside town of Kep. Entering the city past the famous giant durian roundabout, we’ll explore the bustling markets of this old resort town.
The nearby countryside offers a chance to experience the fields of Kampot pepper and rice. A unique landscape that includes a salt field and Phnom Chhnork - a limestone cave with a small seventh-century brick temple inside.
After a busy day draws to a close, there’s only one thing to do - hang out in Kep’s crab market for a sample of the local seafood.
Kep
Day 9: Relax on Rabbit Island
Today, your time is your own to relax at the hotel or explore independently in Kep.
If you're looking for a chance to relax, take a trip to Rabbit Island's 250m long beach. The perfect place to while away the day reading, sunbathing, and sipping cocktails.
Kep - Phnom Penh Aiprort
Day 10: Goodbye Cambodia!
After a final morning in Kep, you'll return to Phnom Penh for your outbound flight.
