Cambodia Highlights

Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, meet and transfer by the local guide to the hotel for check-in if the room is available before 2 pm or drop off the luggage at the lobby and set out to visit Wat Phnom, the center of Phnom Penh that gives the city its name, situated 27 meters above sea level as the highest point in the area; as the town grew around it, the settlement became known as Phnom Penh, the hill of Penh, and it is also the zero point of the city. Next, continue to visit Wat Unalom, a significant Buddhist monastery that serves as the headquarters for one of Cambodia’s most revered Buddhist patriarchs, which also features a post-Angkorean stupa. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school prior to 1975, which was turned into the S-21 interrogation prison during the Khmer Rouge era and is now a museum dedicated to remembering the genocide; however, please note that this visit is not recommended for anyone who prefers not to learn about this tragic history. Alternatively, instead of the genocide museum, guests can enjoy a boat ride along the Mekong River to view the sunset. Afterward, return to the hotel for free leisure time.

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: lunch
Accommodation: Baitong Hotel (Superior City View) or a similar standard hotel

Day 2: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap by land

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two of the most striking buildings in the capital which are considered some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture; they were initially constructed in 1866 by the French. The Royal Palace is home to the current King Sihamoni, and the neighboring Silver Pagoda stands out with its distinctive feature of 5,329 solid silver tiles on the floor, giving the building its name. Continue to Central Market, where our guide will take you through the food hall and allow you to taste different snacks, drinks, foods, and fruits available in the market. A landmark building in the city, Psar Thmei (literally ‘New Market’), is often called the Central Market; its art deco design features a massive domed hall resembling a Babylonian ziggurat, and some claim it ranks among the 10 largest domes in the world. Afterward, return to the hotel for check-out and drive to Siem Reap (without guide), a journey of approximately 6 hours. En route, stop to visit Spiker Market in Skun and the ancient bridge called Spean Neak in Kampong Kdei. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, check-in at the hotel and enjoy dinner on your own.

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Lynnaya Urban Resort (deluxe garden view) or a similar standard hotel

Day 3: Siem Reap – Sunrise & Angkor Temples

At 5:00 am, our guide and driver will pick you up to drive to the main artificial lake of Srah Srang to watch the sunrise. Your guide will find the perfect spot for you to wait and witness the sun rising on the other side of the lake, creating a stunning and tranquil scene reflected in the wate. After sunrise, beat the crowds early at 7:00 am with a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm, a temple nearly swallowed by the jungle, overgrown with roots that create an eerily haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of ancient trees pushing between the massive stone blocks evoke feelings that may stay with you forever. Your breakfast box from the hotel will be arranged at a local cafe, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee before we continue to explore the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites. The temple is renowned for its exquisite Apsara carvings and detailed Angkorian-era art. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal City of Angkor Thom. Highlights include the Bayon Temple, with its 54 towers and massive stone faces. At first glance, it appears as a shapeless mass of stone, but upon closer inspection, you’ll notice the serene faces gazing out with half-closed eyes, conveying a silent, enigmatic presence from a primitive and remote era. Next, visit the surrounding complex, including Baphuon Temple, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace area, offering a deeper insight into the grandeur of Angkor’s ancient civilization. Return to the hotel in town at about 3.30 pm

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Lynnaya Urban Resort (deluxe garden view) or a similar standard hotel

Day 4: Siem Reap – Village Cooking Class & Tonle Sap Lake Boat Ride

Our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to a remote village, where you will be welcomed by villagers and enjoy an ox-cart ride for about 10-20 minutes around the village. You will walk through the village to see daily activities such as weaving, working in rice fields, and tending vegetable gardens. Later, you’ll stop at a traditional Khmer house where the hosts will teach you how to cook three Cambodian dishes, which you can enjoy afterward. In the afternoon, continue to Tonle Sap Lake to take a boat ride through the floating villages, providing an interesting opportunity to learn about the unique lifestyle of people living on floating houses, with floating shops, schools, and more. Discover how this vast lake, covering 12 square kilometers, is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Finally, return to your hotel in Siem Reap in the late afternoon

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (village cooking class)
Accommodation: Lynnaya Urban Resort (deluxe garden view) or a similar standard hotel

Day 5: Siem Reap – Sihanouk Ville (Flight) – Koh Rong Samleom (Speedboat)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfers to Siem Reap Airport to fly to Sihanouk Ville. Upon arrival at Sihanouk Ville Airport, meets our driver, he/she will transfer you to the Sihanouk Ville boat pier to get the speedboat to ride (45 minutes) to Koh Rong Samleom. Upon arrival on the island, meets the team from Eden Resort and assist you with check-in. Free at leisure
Koh Rong Sanloem is Koh Rong’s stunning sister island. It is a peaceful relaxing destination with breathtaking scenery – Pristine white beaches, clear turquoise ocean waters, and a tropical jungle wilderness. A real ‘island paradise’ – As it is often called by tourists. Lunch and dinner on your own

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: None
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eden Resort (garden view room) or a similar standard resort

Day 6: Koh Rong Sanloem

Breakfast at the resort.
Free at your own leisure

Included for the day:
Transport: None
Tour guide: None
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eden Resort (garden view room) or a similar standard resort

Day 7: Koh Rong Sanloem – Sihanouk Ville – Phnom Penh – Departure

Breakfast at the resort.
The team from the resort will assist you to get to the boat pier and take a speedboat to Sihanouk Ville (45 minutes). Upon arrival at the Sihanouk Ville pier, meets our driver and he/she will transfer you to Phnom Penh Airport for departure (via high-speed road, 226km, 3 hours).

Included for the day:
Transport: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: No
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eden Resort (garden view room) or a similar standard resort