A Taste of Cambodia
Itinerary
Days 1-4 – Past and present in Phnom Penh
Explore Phnom Penh, a city that pulses with energy, history and survival. It’s a colourful riot of sights, sounds, monks, motorbikes and tangy aromas, packed with character. During this trip, you’ll visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng to learn about Cambodia’s past. The following day you will sample traditional cuisine with a tour through the city’s markets and end at a brewery to sample some of the local tipples.
Days 4-6 – Sunrise in the Cardamom Mountains
Today you’ll leave Phnom Penh behind and head to Chi Phat, deep in the Cardamom Mountains by bus and boat. This journey will take around 4 hours.
Head into Cambodia’s remote and beautiful Cardamom Mountains for a rustic forest adventure to remember. It’s a window into the real Cambodia, far from the tooting horns. You’ll spend three days in the Cardamom Mountains, staying in a basic but scenic forest lodge and learning about local life. You’ll trek through the forest, take a dip in the river and take in the natural beauty of this unique area.
Days 6-9 – Escape to castaway island
After your stay in rural Cambodia you’ll head onwards to Sihanoukville to catch the boat over to Koh Rong for some rest and relaxation. Today’s journey will take about 3 hours. Come over all Robinson Crusoe on this tiny pocket of tropical paradise marooned off the Cambodian coastline, with clear water, soft sand and swaying palms. You’ll spend 3 nights on Koh Rong, staying in a beach bungalow or beachside resort. It’s a brilliant break from reality – trek through the jungle-thick interior or simply collapse onto the sugar-soft sand. It’s utter barefoot bliss.
Days 9-12 – Amazing Angkor!
Today it’s time to say goodbye to your piece of paradise as you take the speedboat back to the mainland. You’ll make your own way to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, flight time is around an hour. Get lost amongst the overgrown jungle temples and giant carved reliefs of Angkor, one of the man-made wonders of the world. During this trip, you’ll spend three days exploring the temples of Angkor, using Siem Reap as your base. You’ll learn about the ruins with a friendly local guide, but there will also be plenty of time for you to clamber between jungle temples independently.
Days 12-14 – Life on the Tonle Sap
From Siem Reap you’ll travel by car, and boat (in wet season), to the Tonle Sap Lake. It will take just over an hour to get there. Stay with a Khmer family in a traditional stilted house on Tonle Sap Lake and set off at sunrise with the local fisherman. You’ll spend one night with a welcoming family in Kompong Khleang, a village virtually untouched by tourism. You’ll learn about traditional Khmer cookery and join the fishermen as they sail into the lake before dawn. The accommodation is basic but the experience is rich. The dry season (Jan-Apr) means the homestay won’t be directly on the water but the experience will still be as immersive. After a night with a local family you’ll head back to Siem Reap for one final night before your transferred to the airport for your international flight home.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
A Taste of Cambodia - In Style accommodation
For the locations included in this itinerary we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious, offer something unique or offer a more comfortable transport option – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary select our In Style option below.
