Inside Cambodia

Welcome to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor Temples. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins, including Bayon, Banteay Srei, and the legendary Angkor Wat. 

At the airport, the guide and driver greet guests and transfer them to the hotel for check-in. Later in the day, they can relax at the hotel or take a short walk to Psar Chas, also known as the Old Market, where local vendors sell fresh produce, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs.

Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Wake before dawn and take a “tuk-tuk” ride to visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm. Sunrise is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples, whose ancient sandstone blocks are gilded gold by the early morning rays.  

After returning to the hotel for breakfast, guests have a full-day temple tour. Starting with the magnificent Angkor Wat, the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture, they 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. 

Back to the hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Today is dedicated to exploring Cambodia’s daily life and rich culture with trips to the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. The morning drive to Tonle Sap Lake follows small rural roads bordered by rice fields and scattered villages. Along the way, guests can see scenes of daily life, such as roof building, fishing, or harvesting bananas. 

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the countryside before proceeding to the Kompong Phluk floating village. At Kompong Phluk, they board a wooden boat to explore the floating village where houses rise on tall stilts and children paddle small canoes to school. The boat continues through a flooded mangrove forest.

In the afternoon, the group heads to Ly Hour homestay. Here, they join a cooking class to prepare traditional Khmer dishes, then share dinner and conversation with a local family. The homestay offers a warm and personal glimpse into rural life.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Home stay in Ly Hour.

After breakfast, guests say goodbye to their hosts and drive to Banteay Srei. Known as the most beautiful temple, this 10th-century temple showcases the most exquisite, deep, and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture. 

In the afternoon, the tour continues to Preah Khan temple (meaning “Holy Sword”), one of the largest Angkorian temple complexes. The main shrine and its adjoining buildings are richly decorated with Buddhist motifs and scenes from Hindu epics. Walking through its galleries gives a sense of both scale and intricacy.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

The day begins with a drive outside of Siem Reap to explore a distant group of Angkorian temples. Here we will discover the long-abandoned temples in the forests of northern Cambodia. Also 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 archeologists 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 jungle-covered Beng Mealea temple.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then go on a drive to Kampong Thom, home to Cambodia’s most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments. 

The highlight of the day is Sambor Prei Kuk, located in the north of Kompong Thom. 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 about the jungle. Return to the town of Kampong Thom in the afternoon and proceed to Paray Village for dinner and an overnight homestay with a local family, which provides an authentic cultural experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. 
Accommodation: Home stay in Paray Village.

Today, the journey to Kratie begins early, with breakfast at a local restaurant along the road. Kratie is known as a vibrant riverside town and home to the endangered freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins. A stop is made at Chamka Lour rubber plantation to see one of the country’s major agricultural industries. A short ferry ride across the Mekong at Stung Trong brings travelers to Kampong Cham province, where the scenery is dominated by river views and farmland.

Arrive in Kratie in the afternoon and check in at the hotel. Then drive north of town and take a local boat to view the Irrawaddy dolphins. This rare species inhabits only a few stretches of the Mekong, and seeing them emerge from the water is a highlight of the trip. The day ends with a walk through Kratie town, known for its French-colonial buildings and riverside atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kratie.

After having breakfast, leaving Kratie, guests go ahead to Cambodia’s main rubber-growing region. On the way, they can admire the contrast of lush vegetation and red basaltic soil as we drive through the countryside.

Arrive in Kampong Cham in the late morning and visit the Wat Nokor Pagoda, an 11th-century Mahayana Buddhist shrine, which is home to a large reclining Buddha as well as many carved Buddha images. In the afternoon, continue to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. Upon arrival, they check in at the hotel and have free time to rest or explore the riverside area.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant and bustling capital city. 

The day begins with a visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek “Killing Fields,” where guests learn about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history. 

In the afternoon, try out bargaining skills on a walk through the city’s expansive “Russian Market”,  where they can find anything from motorcycle parts to valuable gems. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to relax.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast at the hotel, guests have free time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing before the driver takes them to the airport for their departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.