Highlights of Cambodia

Experience overview

Our Highlights of Cambodia holiday gives you a relaxed but well-rounded taste of one of Asia's most rapidly transforming countries. See what's up & coming in its modern capital, before drifting back in time to witness the wonders of Angkor Wat, via one of our favourite little beachside towns. 

Highlights

  • Explore the buzzing city of Phnom Penh
  • Learn how Cambodians are recovering from their horrific recent history
  • Meet some bears with Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue
  • Kick back in Kep, a beautifully sleepy coastal town
  • Navigate the flooded forests & floating villages of Tonlé Sap
  • Hop on a bike to discover the fabled ruins of Angkor

Phnom Penh, Kep, Siem Reap, Angkor Temples, Tonlé Sap Lake


Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Phnom Penh

On arrival in Cambodia, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your hotel.

This level of personal service (such as private transfers, private tours etc) is what you can expect throughout your trip. A few services (eg boat cruises) will be shared, but we'll always make sure you're aware of these.

 

Day 2 - City Tour, Tuol Sleng & Cheung Ek

Your guide will escort you around the Royal Palace complex, with its lavish ceremonial buildings. You’ll also have the option to visit the National Museum, which is full of intriguing artefacts from several millennia of Cambodian culture. Lunch will be at ‘Friends’, a restaurant which trains ex-street children and other vulnerable groups in the hospitality trade. The food also happens to be excellent! The afternoon will be a far more sombre experience: Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and the Cheung Ek ‘killing fields’ will open your eyes to the true brutality of the Pol Pot regime. There’s no sugar-coating this deeply disturbing insight into human capacity for cruelty - but it’s essential to understanding Cambodia and its people today. Your guide will have almost certainly lost loved ones to the regime, and will answer your questions as you try to comprehend what you’ve learnt.

Day 3 - Free The Bears Centre

Spending the day with rescued bears is probably the best possible response to learning about Pol Pot, so today you’ll visit Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, a sanctuary for over 100 bears. You’ll get behind-the-scenes access as you help to prepare the bears’ food and treats, and - yes - you will get an opportunity to meet the residents. 

Day 4 - Drive to Kep

Journey by car to Kep. The remainder of your day will be free to kick back and relax.

Days 5, 6 & 7 - R&R; time

Your days will be at leisure to kick back and relax, hop over (sorry!) to Rabbit Island and tuck into some fresh seafood.

Day 8 - Drive to Phnom Penh & fly to Siem Reap

Start the day with a journey from Kep to Siem Reap, by car and short flight. Once you arrive, your day will be at leisure, be that a swim in the hotel pool or a wander around town - perhaps using our InspirAsian app to find a recommended local restaurant for dinner.

Day 9 - Angkor Temples exploration

Begin your exploration of Angkor Wat, and the complex of ruined temples and palaces around it. You’ll be driven between them, so you can fit quite a few in (if you want to), and our guides know when to see the ruins at uncrowded times. If you wish, start the day with the magical (but popular!) sunrise over Angkor Wat, and let your guide know what kind of pace you prefer, whether you want to fill your day with archaeology, or spend some of it on Tonlé Sap lake, or even back at your hotel pool.

Day 10 - Tonlé Sap's flooded forest & floating village

Step aboard your private boat to visit Kampong Klaing, a water village built entirely on stilts in Tonle Sap, the lake at Cambodia’s centre. See the little school, church 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.

Day 11 - Angkor Temples by bicycle

Return to Angkor, on two wheels this time as you take a leisurely loop around the temples, taking time to appreciate the ancient craftsmanship and humour in the bas reliefs. Break for lunch at a local restaurant, and see the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple overtaken by 100 year old fig trees and giant creepers. Afterwards, there’ll be more time to relax back in Siem Reap.

Day 12 - Depart Siem Reap

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Booking Policy

English speaking, local guide
All accommodation listed
Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
All meals listed
International flight reconfirmation.

Entry visas
International airport departure taxes
Any meals not listed in the itinerary
Drinks, other than water on activity days
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
Travel insurance
All other services not listed in 'inclusive'

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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on firsthand knowledge of the destionation.
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Authentic Experience
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing you destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible Travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that priorities travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Cambodia tours with us

What our clients say about us

Zeev
Dec 2023
star star star star star
We took a 16-day private tour of Vietnam and Cambodia. The tour company suggested a detailed itinerary, and we accepted it with minor changes. We had three domestic flights, and on every landing were met by our local guide on arrival. All guides spoke fluent English and were very knowledgeable. This was a trip of a lifetime. Dont miss the Red Bridge cooking school class in Hoi An - the chef has created a phenomenal program that starts with the tour of the local market and explanation of the vegetables and spices used in local cuisine. Highly recommended!
Daniel
Oct 2023
star star star star star
My family and I completed a 12 day cycling trip with Vietnam Private Tours, and we had a blast. Our route started in Saigon, rode along the Mekong river, discovered Mekong delta, and relaxed on the Phu Quoc beaches is southern Vietnam. We loved the adventurous off-road routes, and we were comfortable the whole way thanks to the excellent support staff. We also loved supporting Vietnam Private Tours because of the amazing work they do with many charities, especially the incredible children’s hospital in Mekong delta.
Richard
July 28, 2023
star star star star star
We just finished a 14-day cycling tour from Saigon to Siem Reap, spending 7 nights on board the Mekong River. We rode bikes 30k to 70 km daily, to the Mekong Delta rice fields. My Way Travel really understood that not everyone would will to ride, so they already made provision for people who didn’t ride with us. The guides were excellent and so was the trip. We really loved the boat, it had everything we needed on it. A group of 16 people were accommodated in 8 cabins, which means there were 2 people in a cabin. The food and drinks were all in abundance. Free Wi-Fi and laundry service were available too. The local people were amazingly friendly, and the environments really gave us a sense of relief. The hotels at either end of the trip were exemplary. Above all, we have made our minds to always use My Travel on every trip occasion, due to the great experience we had with them.
Ani
Dec 2023
star star star star star
Had an awesome time biking to Mekong Delta from Saigon last week. Beautiful views, peaceful rural paths, and lots of cool stops. The guides took great care of us. Definitely recommend VPT for biking in Mekong Delta and other tours in Vietnam.
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