Best of Cambodia

Best of Cambodia

Experience Cambodia's burgeoning Phnom Penh, Find traces of French elegance in Battambang, Watch the sun rise over amazing Angkor Wat, Explore rural Cambodia on two-wheels, Journey to the depths of Phnom Chhnork caves, Take a dip in seaside Sihanoukville

Experience the best of Cambodia on a journey to the heart of the country and get to know the people, landscape, customs and cuisine that make Cambodia so incredible. Travel to the French-colonial elegance of Battambang and on to the time-worn grandeur of Angkor Wat. Travel to Cambodia's remote south to discover the magical country of the Khmers. Along the way, spice up the adventure with temple sunsets, get a glimpse at Cambodia's brutal history and escape to idyllic beach getaways. Indulge in heritage and culture on this fascinating tour through the best of Cambodia.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.

You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture.

For those with extra time in Phnom Penh, consider a visit to Wat Phnom, a peaceful temple situated on a hill for which the city is named - according to legend, a 14th-century woman named Penh found sacred Buddhist objects in the nearby river and placed them here on the small hill.

Checkout the National Museum - housed in a beautiful traditional building, it contains many outstanding examples of Khmer craftsmanship. Or for a more relaxed experience simply stroll along the famous Sisowath Quay and enjoy a coffee or cocktail at one of the many cafes while observing the busy river traffic.

Confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. Head out to the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields. This was the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng and standing in this peaceful setting it's almost unthinkable to imagine that to date nearly 9000 corpses have been exhumed from the area.

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.

You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture.

For those with extra time in Phnom Penh, consider a visit to Wat Phnom, a peaceful temple situated on a hill for which the city is named - according to legend, a 14th-century woman named Penh found sacred Buddhist objects in the nearby river and placed them here on the small hill.

Checkout the National Museum - housed in a beautiful traditional building, it contains many outstanding examples of Khmer craftsmanship. Or for a more relaxed experience simply stroll along the famous Sisowath Quay and enjoy a coffee or cocktail at one of the many cafes while observing the busy river traffic.

Confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. Head out to the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields. This was the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng and standing in this peaceful setting it's almost unthinkable to imagine that to date nearly 9000 corpses have been exhumed from the area.

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

We travel by public bus to Battambang (approx 5-6 hrs).

Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang, (pronounced Battambong) is an attractive riverside town with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture.

Take a guided tour of the local sites. We start with a visit to Phnom Sampov - a modern day wat affording magnificent views, but with tragic nearby caves used by the Khmer Rouge. On a brighter note we continue on to the superb 12th-century Wat Banan Angkorian temple commanding a hilltop providing more views of the countryside.

Consider a guided tour of the countryside to discover the local rural way of life stopping off at small cottage industries producing sticky rice, noodles & fish paste making.

Join the locals for a ride on their famous bamboo train transferring goods such as rice - a great local interaction opportunity!

See students rehearsing in their circus and music school and young painters at work in visual arts (open on Mondays and Thursdays only)

Consider a mouth-watering cooking class and learn the secrets of local dishes such as: amok, Khmer curry & fried spicy chicken

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

We travel by public bus to Battambang (approx 5-6 hrs).

Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang, (pronounced Battambong) is an attractive riverside town with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture.

Take a guided tour of the local sites. We start with a visit to Phnom Sampov - a modern day wat affording magnificent views, but with tragic nearby caves used by the Khmer Rouge. On a brighter note we continue on to the superb 12th-century Wat Banan Angkorian temple commanding a hilltop providing more views of the countryside.

Consider a guided tour of the countryside to discover the local rural way of life stopping off at small cottage industries producing sticky rice, noodles & fish paste making.

Join the locals for a ride on their famous bamboo train transferring goods such as rice - a great local interaction opportunity!

See students rehearsing in their circus and music school and young painters at work in visual arts (open on Mondays and Thursdays only)

Consider a mouth-watering cooking class and learn the secrets of local dishes such as: amok, Khmer curry & fried spicy chicken

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

Our journey to Siem Reap is by private boat across the Tonle Sap Lake (approx 6 hrs), taking in the magnificent views, scattering of fishermen and local people living atop their floating villages. Note that between April and August when water levels are typically at their lowest we are unable to travel by boat and instead make this journey by mini bus. So that our travellers at this time don't miss out on the Tonle Sap experience we instead include a boat tour of Tonle Sap from Siem Reap.

 

The small but expanding town of Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor. It's markets are a great place to shop or to try some cheap, delicious street food.

Temple-hop with our local guide to make the most of our visit to the world-famous Angkor complex. These temples were built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer empire was the pre-eminent influence in South-East Asia. The temples were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photographic opportunities at any time of day - watching a sunrise or sunset is a must. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 sq km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap so we'll have plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, the Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

Our journey to Siem Reap is by private boat across the Tonle Sap Lake (approx 6 hrs), taking in the magnificent views, scattering of fishermen and local people living atop their floating villages. Note that between April and August when water levels are typically at their lowest we are unable to travel by boat and instead make this journey by mini bus. So that our travellers at this time don't miss out on the Tonle Sap experience we instead include a boat tour of Tonle Sap from Siem Reap.

 

The small but expanding town of Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor. It's markets are a great place to shop or to try some cheap, delicious street food.

Temple-hop with our local guide to make the most of our visit to the world-famous Angkor complex. These temples were built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer empire was the pre-eminent influence in South-East Asia. The temples were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photographic opportunities at any time of day - watching a sunrise or sunset is a must. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 sq km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap so we'll have plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, the Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

Our journey to Siem Reap is by private boat across the Tonle Sap Lake (approx 6 hrs), taking in the magnificent views, scattering of fishermen and local people living atop their floating villages. Note that between April and August when water levels are typically at their lowest we are unable to travel by boat and instead make this journey by mini bus. So that our travellers at this time don't miss out on the Tonle Sap experience we instead include a boat tour of Tonle Sap from Siem Reap.

 

The small but expanding town of Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor. It's markets are a great place to shop or to try some cheap, delicious street food.

Temple-hop with our local guide to make the most of our visit to the world-famous Angkor complex. These temples were built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer empire was the pre-eminent influence in South-East Asia. The temples were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photographic opportunities at any time of day - watching a sunrise or sunset is a must. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 sq km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap so we'll have plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, the Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

We take a local bus heading towards Sambor Prei Kuk and our Homestay (approx. 3.5hours). We reach our homestay, drop our bags and meet the local family with who we'll be staying with tonight.

Facilities are very basic at our homestay, but this is an opportunity to experience the everyday life of rural Cambodians.

We head to the nearby ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk to explore the temples with a local guide.

In the evening, we enjoy a traditional Khmer dinner with our host family.

Accommodation

Homestay (1 nt)

Our journey to Kampot is by private bus and takes approx 5 hours.

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

Our journey to Kampot is by private bus and takes approx 5 hours.

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

Our journey from Kampot to Sihanoukville takes approx 3 hrs.

Named for the Cambodian royal family, Sihanoukville has miles of beaches and warm, welcoming people. We visit the Starfish project for a tasty lunch. This project supports local people with disabilities, along with disadvantaged family's so that they can ensure to send their children to school. It also provides a relaxing, attractive environment where travellers can enjoy fresh, delicious food, home-baked bread, coffee, fabulous brownies and cookies.

There's also plenty of time to explore the town, the market, the pagodas and to take in the view from Sihanoukville's surrounding hills.

Included Activities

Accommodation

Our journey from Kampot to Sihanoukville takes approx 3 hrs.

Named for the Cambodian royal family, Sihanoukville has miles of beaches and warm, welcoming people. We visit the Starfish project for a tasty lunch. This project supports local people with disabilities, along with disadvantaged family's so that they can ensure to send their children to school. It also provides a relaxing, attractive environment where travellers can enjoy fresh, delicious food, home-baked bread, coffee, fabulous brownies and cookies.

There's also plenty of time to explore the town, the market, the pagodas and to take in the view from Sihanoukville's surrounding hills.

Included Activities

Accommodation

The journey back to Phnom Penh takes about 4 hours. The afternoon is free for further exploration or maybe some last-minute shopping.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Accommodation

The journey back to Phnom Penh takes about 4 hours. The afternoon is free for further exploration or maybe some last-minute shopping.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Accommodation

@variation

Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner