- ✓ Drift along Tonle Sap Lake at sunset
- ✓ Sleep under canvas in the jungles of the Cardamom Mountains
- ✓ Relax on the white sand beaches of Koh Rong Samloem
- ✓ Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat and explore its ancient temples
If you are looking for a festive break with a difference then this itinerary is the perfect winter getaway for all the family. Wildlife, history and soft sandy beaches are waiting for you as you venture through Cambodia, learning about the country’s troubled history and how they now look to a positive future. Stay in a safari-style tent in the heart of the jungle with monkeys and colourful birds playing high up in the trees and relax on the powdery beaches of an idyllic tropical island. Of course, no trip to Cambodia would be complete without a visit to the impressive Angkor Wat, where you’ll end your trip glimpsing the sun rise above the stupas.
Days 1 & 2 – Discover the past of Phnom Penh
Welcome to Cambodia! You’re family adventure begins in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The city is a lively mix of grand colonial buildings, busy markets, street food and riverside life, with plenty of history woven in. You’ll stay in a family-friendly hotel with a small swimming pool, located in the historic centre. The rest of the day is free to settle in and explore at your own pace.
The following day, you’ll explore Phnom Penh with a local guide, visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields just outside the city. These important sites tell the story of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, offering a moving and sobering insight into one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history.
*The tour visits the infamous Killing Fields site, but we can arrange different experiences if you don’t feel that this would be appropriate for your children to see, just let us know!
Sunset trip on Tonle Sap lake
Later that day you’ll be picked up from your hotel in the early evening for a boat ride along the Tonle Sap lake. Tonle Sap is a lifeline for many in Cambodia, who earn their livelihood from selling fish, as well as home to many villages along its banks. As you float across the water you can see Phnom Penh sink into the night sky as the sun is setting.
Days 3 & 4 – Cardamom Mountains under canvas
You’ll be picked up in the morning and transferred around three hours to a small lodge on the riverbank, where you’ll swap the road for a one-hour boat ride deeper into the Cardamom Mountains. Keep an eye on the trees for wildlife as you travel downriver to your camp, where you’ll spend the next couple of nights in comfortable luxury tents with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms. It’s a chance to get your family right into the heart of the jungle, with the river and rainforest on your doorstep.
With experienced local rangers, you’ll explore former poaching and logging trails that are now used to patrol and protect the forest. You’ll learn more about the area and its conservation work while looking out for gibbons, macaques, birds and other wildlife. There’s also the chance to get out on the river by kayak, adding a little adventure to your jungle stay.
* This trip is suitable for kids aged 8 and over.
Days 5-7 – Tropical island getaway
After your stay in the jungle, you’ll travel to the coast where you’ll catch the boat over to Koh Rong Samloem Island. The total journey time today will take around 3.5 hours but may take longer depending on the boat schedules.
White sandy beaches, lush green forests and clear fish-filled waters – these islands are a perfect place for your family to kick back during your adventures through Cambodia. If you (or more likely your children!) get restless then there are lots of things you can arrange locally, with snorkelling trips, bike rental, paddle boarding and jungle walks all on offer. In the evenings you can watch the sunset at a beachside restaurant – life is pretty easy here!
Days 8-10 – Exploring ancient Angkor
Today you’ll leave this piece of paradise behind as you head for the amazing temples of Angkor Wat. You’ll start with the boat back to the mainland before jumping in a taxi to Sihanoukville airport for your flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, you’ll be met by a driver to transfer you to your hotel.
No trip to Cambodia is complete without visiting one of the world’s most incredible man-made sites – the temples of Angkor. You’ll stay 3 nights in family friendly hotel with a pool in Siem Reap, with a great range of restaurants on your doorstep. You’ll head out with a local guide to explore the temples of Angkor. Wander among ancient ruins and jungle-fringed temples as your guide brings the history, architecture and stories of this remarkable site to life. You’ll visit some of the most impressive temples in the complex, with plenty of time to explore Siem Reap independently in between.
Phare circus & countryside cycling tour
Today you’ll take a break from the vast temples and join a small group to explore the surrounding villages by bike. You’ll be picked up early this morning and ride along quiet pathways, passing vibrant green rice paddies and waving local children. There will be a stop off to learn about the lives of the villagers, perhaps see some basket weaving or palm wine production.
This evening enjoy a show at the Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus which means “Brightness of the Arts” in Khmer. Phare is a Cambodian non-profit art organisation founded in 1994 by eight young Cambodians returning from refugee camps. The purpose is to improve the development of local communities by providing education and professional artistic training.
Day 11 - Depart Cambodia
At the end of your Cambodian adventure with your family, you’ll be collected one last time on your trip and transferred to the airport for your international flight home.
Accommodation
