Travel back in time to the intricately carved Temples of Angkor and vibrant minority villages and great swathes of wilderness. Meet our knowledgeable guide and seek out comfortable beds in sublime locations of your Cambodia holiday.
This tour will give you a starting point for what your trip to Angkor could entail. We cover routes we’ve found work particularly well and feature some of our favourite places to stay.
Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap & Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Angkor In Style
Day 3: Kulen National Park & Elephant Sanctuary
Day 4: Tour to Roluos Temples & Floating Village
Day 5: Visit Beng Mealea, Banteay Srei & Banteay Samre
Day 6: Village Explorer & Culinary Tour
Day 7: Angkor Wat Sunrise & Depart Siem Reap
Upon arrival in Siem Reap, we transfer to your elegant hotel, which was once the home of royalty. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Stroll through the manicured hotel gardens, relax under the frangipani trees beside the magnificent architect-designed pool or perhaps enjoy a massage to ease your way into your holiday. At 7 PM meet your guide for your welcome dinner.
This morning, start your day of sightseeing with a visit to Ta Prohm temple, the most picturesque and atmospheric ruin at Angkor complex . Take your time with your private guide through the temple from the West entrance to the East entrance where you will rejoin our driver.
Then, pay a visit to Angkor Thom, a perfectly-preserved walled city that served as the Capital of Cambodia from the 12th to the 16th century. At the time it was bigger than any European city. Guided by a renowned archaeologist, learn about Khmer history, culture, archaeology and civilization as the stories contained in the bas-reliefs and murals are brought to life.
Today, we take a journey to Phnom Kulen, one of Cambodia’s most sacred mountains with deeply revered pagodas and ruins on its high plateau which overlooks the plains below. There are quite a few steps up, but you’ll be able to pause to catch your breath and take in the excellent views. Having paid your respects at the Preach Ang Chup Pagoda, step into the jungle of Phnom Kulen National Path, on an old hunting trail that winds through the vine-covered trees until it reaches the River of 1000 Lingas, an array of unique riverbed carvings, and nearby Preah Ang Thom, a huge stone Buddha carved into the top of a rock set in a bustling but atmospheric temple complex.
After exploring this National Park, we will head to Elephant Sanctuary where you will spend time learning about elephants as you follow them through their natural habitat, observing their relationships and behaviors. After all the crawling, you will appreciate a local lunch in the forest.
Today, We travel back in time to one of the earliest capitals in the Angkor area, Hariharalaya, now known as Roluos. There are three key Hindu structures that remain: Lolei, Bakong and Preah Ko which were all part of the ancient city of Hariharalaya. You will walk approximately 3 km as you explore these peaceful ruins, meeting villagers along the way.
Then, we head to Kompong Pluk and aboard your private boat, visit a floating village, built entirely on stilts in Tonle Sap, the lake at Cambodia’s centre. See the little school, Buddhist temple and shops before puttering off to a floating fishing village, and a flooded forest, where – if water levels are high enough – you can pass amongst the branches by boat. The voyage will finish around mid-afternoon, leaving the rest of your day at leisure.
This morning, commence your day of sightseeing with a visit to Beng Mealea temple, located about 60 kilometers from Siem Reap. Along the way, we pass through the orchard, country landscape and natural sites. After arriving at the temple, let explore with your guide to the jungle-covered temple of Beng Mealea, with its Hindu-Buddhist fusion. You will have time for an in-depth exploration of this temple, taking an unusual route to see parts of its ruins that are seldom visited.
Later, we drive to the intricately carved and well-preserved Banteay Srei – the detailed reliefs on this smaller sandstone structure are regarded as the finest and most skilfully crafted in Cambodia. This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings, which have been preserved remarkably well.
In the afternoon, we enter more remote temple of Banteay Samre, built by Kings Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early part of the 12th century. This Hindu temple was built in the same style as Angkor Wat temple. Your expert guide will decipher the myriad of stories behind the bas-relief carvings and give you insight into life during the height of the Khmer Empire.
Today, we explore rural villages and learn about the daily lives of the local people. You will be a world away from Siem Reap – it’s a perfect opportunity to get ‘off the beaten track’ and gain a better understanding of Cambodian rural life, along with insight into traditional Khmer culture, something few visitors are lucky enough to experience.
Afterward, we ventured into the wonders of Cambodian culinary by going to a village cooking class. Prepare to visit local markets, village life, and landmarks while whipping up delicious dishes. Cook with a private chef in their countryside kitchen, whilst learning the story beyond Cambodia cuisine.
Rising at the crack of dawn, taking a deep breath and get ready to experience the once-in-lifetime- experience when you can see the most beautiful sunrise at Angkor Wat. Enjoy the stunning views and learn how the rising sun brings the temples to life. Then head down to explore the ancient temple at its most atmospheric, bathed in the warm glow of the morning sun. We’ll head into the inner sanctum of Angkor Wat to admire the carvings and architecture of the temple.
After having lunch, your guide will take you to the airport. Please arrange your departure flights any time from 15:00 onwards in order to fit in with our itinerary departure.
Cambodian cuisine has developed a reputation for its flavours and originality and it’s well worth trying out a few of the local delicacies. We’re obsessed with local food because we believe every region is revealed through its cuisine. Our tours have a culinary focus: think restaurants off the beaten path, intimate cooking classes, and local dining.
Drinking water is included throughout the holiday as the tap water in Cambodia is not safe to drink; your leader will buy large water containers for you to refill your bottle from.
Cambodia has two distinct weather seasons but we can travel all year round in Cambodia. Our wet season runs from May to September and the dry season from October until April and the heaviest rainfall usually in August & September. The cooler is 24°C around November/December and hottest hitting 35°C around April/May.
International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.
All nationalities require a visa and a passport valid for 6 months after their planned exit from Cambodia. A 30-day visa on arrival is available at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Airports and at some land border crossings. You can also obtain a visa online through e-Visa. There is 3-day processing time and you’ll need a scanned copy of the passport. Not all border crossings accept the e-Visa, please check this port of entry page which provides a list of which checkpoints support the e-Visa service. For a list of consulates/embassies abroad go to this page.
Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price. You can organize travel insurance with your preferred insurance company. As medical facilities in Cambodia are rather limited, so it is imperative for you to take out a good medical insurance policy when travelling.
You will undoubtedly require vaccinations for your visit to Cambodia. Please consult your doctor or a vaccination clinic for the most up-to-date advice. They will also be able to advise you of the most suitable anti-malarial medication if required. It is important that you do this well in advance of your departure date.
Central Corner d’Angkor situated in the heart of Siem Reap, with the Old Market, shops and the river on its doorstep, Central Corner d’Angkor is a good value, locally owned and run hotel, in a brilliantly convenient location. Learn More
Price Per Person (based on total # travelling)
2 GUESTS $1,266 Per person*
3-4 GUESTS $1,139 Per person*
5-6 GUESTS $1,012 Per person*
7-8 GUESTS $886 Per person*
An elegant hotel located close to the 12th century UNESCO ruins of Angkor in the heart of Siem Reap. With Khmer-inspired contemporary architecture and design touches, the Viroth’s Hotel is a tranquil urban oasis, with cool, crisp white colonnades leading to the 20-metre long saltwater pool & spacious sundeck is inviting after a day of temple touring, as is the tranquil spa. Learn More
Price per person (based on total # travelling)
2 GUESTS $1,499 Per person*
3-4 GUESTS $1,349 Per person*
5-6 GUESTS $1,199 Per person*
7-8 GUESTS $1,049 Per person*
Meaning ‘Green Village’ in Khmer, Phum Baitang is set within eight acres of lush gardens and rice paddies away from the bustle of Siem Reap, yet still just minutes from the temples of Angkor. And indeed it does appear as a traditional Cambodian village on first sight, but you’ll soon notice intricate design touches and modern luxuries between the rusticity. Learn More
Price per person (based on total # travelling)
2 GUESTS $1,866 Per person*
3-4 GUESTS $1,679 Per person*
5-6 GUESTS $1,492 Per person*
7-8 GUESTS $1,306 Per person*
Our activities are extremely varied and appeal to all types of adventurous travelers. It’s carefully selected for their low-impact on the destination. Every activity chosen is meant to connect you with the surroundings and make you enjoy the destination to its fullest.
From an overland adventure with vintage jeep and taking you off-the-beaten-path, to places few travelers get to see. Built with the destination in mind and encompassing a series of supplements including rich history, local culture, and the unseen part of the destinations.
Our guides bring the unique country to life through their personal stories and life experiences and allow you to truly get an understanding of the country you’re visiting. They make the difference between a good and an exceptional adventure.