Mystic Angkor & Beautiful South 10 Days / 9 Nights

In the morning, depart to Preah Khan Temple, located northeast of Angkor Thom and just west of the Jayatataka baray, a water reservoir 3,500 meters long and 900 meters wide. Preah Khan was the center of a substantial organization, with almost 100,000 officials and servants. It was also associated with the Jayatataka baray, which is now dry. Next, visit Neak Poan, meaning “the entwined snakes”, a small temple located on an island in the center of the baray. Continue to Ta Som, which offers some beautiful photo spots, especially the rear entrance where tree roots adorn the gateway.

Drive to the rural outskirts, 35 km from the Angkor area, to visit the smallest but magnificent Banteay Srei, built in the 10th century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women, for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back, stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar and handicrafts for selling to tourists. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living in the countryside and their struggles for daily life.

Not to be missed is Banteay Samre, whose rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

For the late afternoon, head back into the main Angkor Park and journey to Pre Rup. Finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside.

Overnight in Siem Reap

In the morning, explore Angkor Thom, the fortified city built by King Jayavarman VII after he repelled the invading Chams in the 12th century. Begin with the Bayon Temple, a stunning example of the king’s artistic vision and ego, featuring 216 stone faces that may resemble his own. Then, walk to Baphuon, a magnificent temple-mountain from the 11th century that was restored after decades of work. Next, visit the Terrace of the Leper King, named after a statue of Yama, the god of death, and admire the intricate bas-reliefs along the Terrace of the Elephants, where the king once watched ceremonies and games. Continue to Ta Prohm, a temple that has been left to the mercy of nature, creating a surreal sight of stone and wood intertwined. Finally, marvel at Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. This temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is a symbol of Cambodia’s national identity and spiritual heritage.

Overnight in Sem Reap

Depart for the Tonlé Sap, the largest permanent freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonlé Sap Lake, which flows into the Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. You will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, and more. It is like a big village floating on the lake, and the “village” moves from place to place following water levels and currents.

Travel by road from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, witnessing the everyday lives of Cambodians as you pass through interesting provincial towns, bucolic villages, and delightful scenery. This is no ‘freeway dash’ as you will often slow down to let cows and water buffalo wander across the road, pass horse-drawn carriages, and school kids walking and cycling to and from school. You may wish to stop off in Kompong Kdei, to look at Spean Pratos – an ancient Angkorian bridge that is one of the longest corbelled stone arch bridges in the world.

Not far from Phnom Penh, you may choose to stop at Skoun, also known as ‘Spiderville’ due to the deep-fried tarantula that is the local delicacy. Are you adventurous enough to try one?

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

In the morning, meet your guide and hop on a cyclo, a traditional three-wheeled vehicle, and explore the vibrant city of Phnom Penh. 

First, visit Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple built in 1373 in the center of the city. It stands 27 meters above the ground and is the tallest religious structure in Phnom Penh. Next, admire the Royal Palace compound, a complex of colorful Khmer-style palaces built in 1866 by King Norodom’s predecessors. Inside the compound, you can see the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which displays many Buddha statues made of precious materials such as diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Then, proceed to the National Museum, a distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture. It was built in 1917 and houses more than 5000 art objects made of various materials, such as sandstone, bronze, silver, copper and wood. After that, head to the Independence Monument, a lotus-shaped stupa that commemorates Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. Next, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21), a former school that was turned into an infamous Khmer Rouge prison and torture center, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb.

Later, stop at the Central Market, a large market located in the heart of Phnom Penh. Its Khmer name is Phsar Thmei, which means “the new market”. It was built in 1937 during the French colonial period in Art Deco style and is painted bright ochre. 

At the end of the day, enjoy a cruise for sunset view on the Mekong and Tonle Sap River (1 hour). Phnom Penh is situated at the “Four Arms”, where the Mekong River meets the Tonle Sap River before splitting into two branches. This is an ideal location to discover the mighty Mekong, the longest river in Southeast Asia.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

In the morning, leave Phnom Penh and head south, initially visiting Tonle Bati, where you can explore the small yet picturesque Angkorian temple of Ta Prohm. On the banks of the nearby river, there are a line of bamboo shacks with hammocks, a great place for a relaxing drink. Then, get on your car to the quiet town of Takeo, before continuing to Angkor Borei town, located just a few kilometers from the Vietnam border. There is a small museum, which displays several reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and a few artifacts dating as far back as the 4th century. After seeing this pleasant place, visit a pre-Angkorian style temple of Phnom Da and a nearby temple of Asram Maharosei. The steep path over some big rocks makes Asram Maharosei different from other temples in Cambodia.

Then, continue south, following the picturesque drive to Kep / Kampot. The southern coast of Cambodia, edging the border with Vietnam, once served as a glamorous seaside resort for the French in the early 1900s. Evocative of the French Riviera towns along the Mediterranean coast, the towns of Kep, Sihanoukville and Kampot have tree-lined, wide roads fringing the ocean, large statues, luxury villas, casinos and even a palace overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

Late afternoon, walk around Kampot and join a sunset cruise along the Kampot River for an hour.

Overnight in Kampot

After breakfast, visit the Crab Market, where you can taste some of the fresh and delicious crab that Kep is famous for. Then, continue to explore the pepper and salt farms in the area. 

Next, travel along the southern coast heading to Sihanoukville, a coastal city and a popular beach destination for Cambodians. Upon arrival, board a fast boat to Koh Rong, also known as the Paradise Island, a beautiful island with white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Overnight in Koh Rong

Enjoy days of sun and swimming in the warm coastal waters. This is your dream vacation come true. 

Overnight in Koh Rong

Say goodbye to the paradisiac island and take express boat back to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival at the port, meet your driver (no guide) and drive back to Phnom Penh. 

On arrival in Phnom Penh, transfer to airport for your departure to your next destination. 

It’s time to say goodbye: we sincerely thank you for traveling with us and hope you had a wonderful time! We warmly invite you to come again!

Note: To have enough time, please book your outbound flight from Phnom Penh with the departure time not earlier than 4pm.