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Cambodia: Angkor Wat Temples, Phnom Penh’s History and the Mekong
11 Day private journey through Angkor's ancient Temples, Phnom Penh's living memory, and slow sunsets on the Mekong
Overview
The lowdown
This 11-day Cambodia trip takes you from the raw reality of Phnom Penh's history to the mind-bending temples of Angkor Wat, then down to Kampot where time moves at river speed.You'll stand at the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng with a local guide who gives it proper context. You'll watch the sun come up over Angkor Wat and wander jungle temples where roots are eating stone walls. Along the way: monk blessings that hit different, bike rides through rice paddies with kids waving at you, and a deep dive into why Kampot pepper has chefs worldwide obsessed. This trip's got depth and downtime in equal measure, with just the right amount of adventure.
Highlights
The best bits
Sunrise at Angkor Wat & Jungle Temples
Start before dawn to catch first light on Angkor Wat – ancient and still spiritually alive. Then go deeper into the complex: Ta Prohm and Preah Khan, where twisted tree roots claw through stone and nature's reclaiming what humans built. Pure lost civilisation energy – and somehow, real.
Itinerary
The day to day
Day 1
Arrive in Phnom Penh
Day 2
Phnom Penh
Day 3
Phnom Penh to Battambang
Day 4
Battambang
Day 5
Battambang to Siem Reap
Day 6
Siem Reap (Angkor Temples)
Day 7
Siem Reap (Outer Temples)
Day 8
Siem Reap to Kampong Thom
Day 9
Kampong Thom to Kratie
Day 10
Kratie (Koh Trong Island)
Day 11
Kratie to Phnom Penh (Departure)
Location
The setting
Host
The experts
ARRIVAL's Local Legends
We’ve teamed up with the legends on the ground – the local fixers, guides, and magic-makers who make sure your trip runs smoother than a cold beer on a hot day. Think private hosts, behind-the-scenes logistics wizards, and all-round good sorts who bring the place to life while keeping things seamless in the background.
Accommodation
The quarters
Modern high-rise in the heart of Phnom Penh. Clean, spacious rooms with strong air con, good Wi-Fi, rooftop pool with skyline views. Easy access to major sites, markets, riverside cafés.
Phnom Penh – Luxcity Hotel
Phnom Penh, Prampi Makara...
Quiet escape set among tropical gardens just outside town. Comfortable rooms with private terraces, saltwater pool on site. Great for recharging after the bamboo train and countryside visits.
Battambang – Battambang Resort
Krong Battambang, Battamb...
Full-service hotel with large, well-equipped rooms, big pool, close to temples and town centre. Not ultra-boutique, but consistent and comfortable – ideal for early temple starts and afternoon downtime.
Siem Reap – Angkor Paradise Hotel
National Road 6, Krong Si...
Clean, modern hotel just outside Kampot's centre. Practical base with good rooms, helpful staff, space to breathe. Not flashy, but dependable comfort while you explore the river, pepper farms, coastline.
Kampot – Glorious Hotel
Kampong Thom, Stueng Saen...
Rustic wooden villas set in lush grounds on a Mekong island. No air con – just ceiling fans, quiet nights, and the feeling of truly being off the grid. Basic, beautiful, immersive.
Koh Trong (Kratie) – Rajabori Villas
Kratié, Kracheh, KH
Activities
The fun stuff
Cycle through old colonial Phnom Penh to Wat Phnom Temple built in 1373. Visit the Royal Palace where Cambodia's King and royal families still live, then see the Silver Pagoda's 90kg golden Buddha covered in 2,086 diamonds.
Cyclo Ride, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
ផ្លូវវត្តភ្នំ, Phnom Penh...
Visit the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and S-21 prison with a guide. Between 1975-78, about 17,000 people were detained, tortured and executed here. Heavy history, essential context.
The Killing Fields & Tuol Sleng Museum
ផ្លូវជើងឯក, Phnom Penh, D...
Mekong Sunset Cruise to the point where the Tonle Sap and Mekong burst into 4 branches – watch the city light up from the river
Sunset Cruise on Tonle Sap & Mekong Rivers
Tonle Sap River, Cambodia
Walk through Battambang to see beautiful colonial architecture and the central market. Then: wild experience on a homemade funny train sliding along railway tracks at Oudombong Village.
Battambang Colonial Walk & Bamboo Train
Krong Battambang, Battamb...
Visit Wat Ek Phnom temple and a market where they make Prahoc (Cambodian fish paste). Drive to Phnom Sampeou to see Wat Sampeou and the Khmer Rouge 'killing caves,' then stay until dusk when millions of bats emerge and fly in tandem across the sky.
Visit Wat Ek Phnom Temple & Bat Cave Spectacular
Ek Phnom, KH
Visit Wat Bo (founded 18th century) with unique Reamker wall paintings from the late 1800s. Watch young Cambodians train in stone carving, lacquer work and traditional Khmer crafts at Les Artisans d'Angkor in Siem Reap.
Wat Bo Pagoda & Les Artisans d'Angkor Workshop
Street 22, Krong Siem Rea...
Angkor Wat – 200 hectares of mind-bending architecture. Explore Bayon's 54 towers, the Royal Enclosure, and Elephants Terrace at Angkor Thom. Visit Preah Khan's massive monastic complex. Wander Ta Prohm where tree roots claw through stone.
Angkor Temples: Angkor Thom, Preah Khan, Ta Prohm & Angkor Wat
Krong Siem Reap, Siem Rea...
Drive 35km north to Banteay Srei – the "Fortress of the Women" with the most exquisite carvings in all Khmer architecture. Visit Banteay Samre with its Vishnu and Krishna reliefs. Explore the Roluos Group: Preah Ko, Bakong (with its active Buddhist monastery), and Lolei.
Outer Temples: Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre & Roluos Group
Banteay Srei, Banteay Sre...
Traditional wooden boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake past stilted houses and floating schools at Chong Khneas. Oxcart ride through villages – visit local home gardens, meet families, learn their way of life, help with vegetable gardening.
Floating Village & Oxcart Ride
Tonlé Sap, Cambodia
Visit the 7th-century former capital built during King Isanavarman I's reign.
Sambor Prei Kuk
Prasat Sambour District,...
9km loop through traditional Khmer villages, fruit orchards and rice fields in the middle of the Mekong River.
Bike Ride Around Koh Trong Island
Kratié, Kracheh, KH
Boat trip at Prek Kampi to spot rare Irrawaddy Dolphins – only found in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.
Mekong River Dolphin Cruise
Mekong River, Cambodia
Fine Print
The small stuff
Cancel 65+ days from departure for a 80% refund. Within 64 days of departure, we’ve locked in logistics, so no refund can be offered. Thanks for understanding – it keeps things running smooth for everyone. Please make sure your dates are correct before booking, and we strongly recommend travel insurance for extra peace of mind.