Start city : Siem Reap
Departure city: Siem Reap
Route: Phnom Penh – Battambang – Siem Reap – Kampong Thom – Kampong Cham – Takeo – Kampot – Sihanounk Ville
Duration: 15 Days 14 Nights
Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival
Upon arrival, meet tour guide and driver at the airport and move to the hotel for check –in. Spending free time on refreshing before taking a drive to the dock to catch an evening boat cruise along the Mekong River. If the weather permits, visitors will see the beautiful sunset over the shimmering city.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 2: Phnom Penh City Tour
Start the day learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Choeung Ek “Killing Fields.”
Then visit the National Museum— an introduction deeper into ancient Khmer art and civilization—and the Royal Palace, home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 3: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham – Kampong Thom
Going to Cambodia’s beautiful countryside and largest rubber producing region on our way to Kampong Cham. Explore this quaint colonial town and see the Wat Nokor Pagoda—an 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine and home to a large reclining Buddha as well as many carved Buddha’s images.
In the afternoon, go to Kampong Thom and stop along the way at Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. Arrive in Kampong Thom and check in at the hotel around lunchtime. Spend the late afternoon on a pleasant walking tour through some nearby villages, and climbing the 980 steps to the top of Phnom Santuk for a superb sunset view.
Overnight in Kampong Thom.
Day 4: Kampong Thom – Siem Reap
Spend the morning in exploring the ancient temples around Kampong Thom, before continuing on our way to Siem Reap. Kampong Thom is home to Cambodia’s most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments.
Then visit the ancient temple complex Sambor Prei Kuk, situated just north of the town. The main temples are divided into three complexes, all dedicated to Shiva. Enjoy the serene atmosphere as you wander through these 7th century brick monuments, artfully scattered around the jungle.
In the afternoon , go to Siem Reap (147km, 3hrs drive), the gateway into the legendary Angkor temples. Arrive in Siem Reap in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 5: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples
Enjoy an entire day dedicated to discovering the mysterious Angkor temples. Wake before dawn and take a “tuk-tuk” ride to visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm.
Then returning to the hotel for breakfast then set back again on a full day temple tour. Starting with the magnificent Angkor Wat— the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture, we proceed to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon Temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Day 6: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples – Floating Village
Start the day touring more of the stunning temples in the Angkor Archeological Park before driving to Cambodia’s largest natural water reservoir, Tonle Sap Lake. After breakfast, travel by car to Banteay Srei, home to Angkor’s finest stone carvings, followed by Preah Khan (Sacred Sword): one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII.
In the afternoon, head out of town and embark on a short cruise along Tonle Sap Lake to visit the local floating villages following the drive to the Angkor Archeological Park in the evening to watch the sunset from the foot of Phnom Krohm Mountain.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 7: Siem Reap – Koh Ker – Beng Mealea – Siem Reap
Travel to Koh Ker in the morning. Discover the old abandoned temples in the forests of northern Cambodia which are known as Chok Gargyar, this region once served as the capital of Jayavarman IV until his son and successor, Harshavarman I, moved the capital back to Angkor. There are more than 30 major structures and archaeologists believe there may have been as many as 100 minor sacred buildings in the region. In the afternoon, drive back to Siem Reap, stopping en route to visit the remote and jungle-covered Beng Mealea temple.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 8: Siem Reap – Battambang
Travel by car to Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then drive to Battambang arriving in the afternoon. Check in to hotel then enjoy a walking tour through the city’s bustling boulevards lined with quaint French colonial buildings. Next visit some of Battambang’s signature hilltop temples as well as the infamous cave, Phnom Sampov, used as an execution field under the Khmer Rouge. Take a slow 30 minute ride on the Bamboo train before returning to the hotel.
Overnight in Battambang.
Day 9: Battambang
Spend the day in exploring Battambang and its surrounding countryside. After breakfast, start visiting the local marketplace, then head out of town to visit surrounding Angkorian and post-Angkorian temples, including Wat Ek and Wat Toul Bassaet. After lunch climb Phnom Sampov, explore the Bat Cave and visit some local Khmer Villages. Return to Battambang in the evening.
Overnight in Battambang.
Day 10: Battambang – Phnom Penh
Leaving Battambang to Phnom Penh city. Get a taste for Cambodia’s rural life and stop en route at Kompong Chnang to visit the floating village in Kompong Luong. Arrive in Phnom Penh in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax then try out your best bargaining skills on a walk through the city’s expansive “Russian Market”.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 11: Phnom Penh – Takeo – Kep
Leaving Phnom Penh to visit the seaside resort, Kep-sur-Mer, a favorite getaway of the French in the early 1900s. After having breakfats, begin journey southwards, making first stop at Phnom Chisor Temple and dating back to the 11th century. Climb the 500-step path to the top of the hill to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Continue on to the quiet town of Takeo before taking a short cruise to Angkor Borei, located just a few kilometers from the Vietnamese border. Here visit a small museum displaying several reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and a selection of artifacts dating as far back to the 4th century. After visiting the museum, embarking on our boat for a trip to visit the pre-Angkorian temple, Phnom Da, and a nearby temple Asram Maharosei. Arrive in Kep in the evening and check in at the hotel.
Day 12: Kep – Rabbit Island – Kep
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then board a local boat for a 30 minute sail to Rabbit Island. Spend the afternoon bathing in the warm waters and snorkeling around the surrounding rocks hiding many colorful fish. Return to Kep in the late afternoon and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight in Kep.
Day 13: Kep – Sihanouk Ville
After having breakfast, head to Sihanouk Ville, home to some of Southeast Asia most pristine white-sand beaches. With a 10km stretch of beaches and a smattering of costal islands, Sihanouk Ville is the perfect tropical, beach getaway. Check in to the hotel then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Sihanouk Ville.
Day 14: Sihanouk Ville
Enjoy an entire day free for basking in the sun or bathing in the warm coastal waters. This is the time when the dream of spending holidays in an exotic country becomes a reality.
Overnight in Sihanouk Ville.
Day 15: Sihanouk Ville – Phnom Penh
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to Phnom Penh’s airport to catch flight home.