Cambodia, From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Cambodia: heritage exploration and beaches in 4-star and 5-star hotels

Welcome to Siem Reap!

Located in the north-west of the country, Siem Reap is known for being home to Angkor Wat, ranked as the eighth wonder of the world. In addition to its famous temples and pagodas, Siem Reap offers you the opportunity to discover Tonlé Sap and its authentic countryside.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our driver and transferred by private car to the city to check into your hotel (rooms available from 2:00 p.m.).

Rest of the day at leisure. Meals not included. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

The morning will be devoted to visiting the famous and magnificent site of Angkor.

You will first visit Angkor Thom, the ‘great city’, starting with the south gate, the famous Bayon, dedicated to Buddhism and composed of 54 gigantic towers featuring 216 faces of Avalokitesvara.

Then you will discover the 11th-century pyramidal temple of Baphuon, dedicated to Brahmanism and representing Mount Meru. Next, you will visit the 350-metre-long Terrace of the Elephants, which hosted royal audiences and public ceremonies, and then the Terrace of the Leper King, a 12th-century platform featuring several admirable carved figures of Apsaras. We will continue our visit to the fabulous Ta Prohm, embraced by the roots of enormous trees and gigantic lianas.

In the afternoon, you will visit the marvellous and gigantic temple of Angkor Wat, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has remained an important religious centre since its creation in the 12th century.

Meals not included. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

This day will be devoted to an excursion to Kbal Spean, north of Angkor. In the 11th century, hermits carved the sandstone bed of the river that fed Angkor, representing ‘lingas’, or phallic symbols of fertility. You will reach the site after a 45-minute walk through the forest.

You will continue the tour with Banteay Srei, the ‘citadel of women’, dedicated to Shiva, whose architecture and pink sandstone sculptures are a masterpiece of Khmer art.

Stop to observe the work in the rice fields and the methods of harvesting palm sugar. On the way back, you will visit Sras Srang, the ‘Royal Bath’, and the Buddhist temple of Banteay Kdei. The latter is particularly picturesque, as it has been abandoned and is overgrown with lush vegetation.

Meals not included.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Note: This is a 1.5 km uphill trek through the forest to reach the Kbal Spean waterfall. We suggest you bring a small fan or mosquito repellent. The best time to visit Kbal Spean is between July and December.

You will head to Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world.

Upon arrival in Kompong Kleang, you will board a boat piloted by a local villager. The leisurely crossing of Tonlé Sap will give you the opportunity to observe one of the most beautiful stilt villages on the lake. Once you reach the end of the canal, you will realise the immensity of the lake, where the horizon stretches as far as the eye can see. During the dry season, a walk to meet the local population is offered before the cruise departs.

Return to Siem Reap in the afternoon and enjoy free time at your hotel ( No guide, meals or car provided).

Meals not included.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Note: The best time to visit Tonlé Sap Lake is from August to January. Outside this period, the water level may be low.

After breakfast, you will be driven to the bus station to catch the shared bus to Phnom Penh. The journey (approximately 6 hours) will take you through the eastern provinces of Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater reserve in Southeast Asia.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, the driver will take you to your hotel.

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is located at the confluence of three rivers: the Bassac, the enormous Tonlé and the impressive Mekong. Phnom Penh stands out from other Asian capitals with its blend of modernity and provincial charm, and its French colonial-era buildings that contrast with the Angkorian monuments.

Meals not included.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Note: Distance between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh: 300 km – approx. 6 to 6.5 hours by road.

Start your day with a visit to the Royal Palace, originally built in 1866 by the grandfather of Cambodia's current king. The palace is a complex of splendid royal buildings with classic Khmer roofs, ornamental gilding and a complex layout of defensive walls, presenting a great mix of Khmer architecture with a slight French touch.

Head to the nearby Silver Pagoda, which houses many national treasures, including numerous gold and jewelled Buddha statues.

Next, discover the Angkor National Museum, home to a vast collection of Cambodian artefacts from the golden age of the Khmer Kingdom, showcasing the origins of Khmer art, culture and architecture. The history of Cambodia and the Khmer Empire, as well as a fascinating collection of Buddhist artefacts, are presented in a total of eight galleries. Take the time to learn more about the turbulent years of the Khmer Rouge with a visit to Tuol Sleng, a high school that became an interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era and is now a genocide museum dedicated to presenting the sad story of the thousands of innocent Cambodians who were tortured within its walls.

Then take a stroll through the Art Deco-style Central Market, a listed architectural heritage site.

Meals not included.

Overnight stay in Phnom Penh.

Notes:

- The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda may be closed for official ceremonies.

- In religious monuments, all visitors must cover their knees, shoulders and arms up to the elbows. Otherwise, you will be asked to purchase an appropriate sarong to cover yourself.

You will take the express road to Sihanoukville (without a guide), where you will board a non-private speedboat for a 45-minute to 1-hour crossing from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Island.

Check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals not included.

Overnight stay in Koh Rong.

Enjoy a completely free day (no driver/vehicle available) to explore the island at your leisure.

Koh Rong is a tropical island paradise. Popular activities include relaxing on white sandy beaches, snorkelling to discover the colourful seabed, hiking in the jungle for breathtaking views, and visiting local fishing villages for a cultural immersion. Experience spectacular sunsets and the peaceful atmosphere of this secluded and unspoilt destination.

Meals not included.

Overnight stay in Koh Rong.

You will have a completely free day (transfer service and driver unavailable) to relax at the beach or by the pool.

Meals are not included.

Overnight stay in Koh Rong.

Today, you will board a speedboat to travel from Koh Rong Island to Sihanoukville, where our driver (without a guide) will meet you and transfer you to Kep (approximately 3.5 hours, depending on traffic).

Kep is a charming coastal town renowned for its fresh seafood and tranquil atmosphere. Visitors can explore the crab market, stroll along the seafront, visit Koh Tonsay Island for secluded beaches, take a trip to Kep National Park for lush nature, or enjoy peaceful sunsets over the Gulf of Thailand. Kep is the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy a laid-back atmosphere by the sea.

Meals not included.

Overnight stay in Kep.

Free day at your own pace (vehicle and driver unavailable).

Meals on your own.

Overnight in Kep.

Free time and check-out (until 12 noon) until your transfer by private car (without guide) to Phnom Penh Airport (156 km, approximately 3 hours' drive).

Please note: your international departure flight must be in the late afternoon (from 6 p.m.).

Please note that Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) is currently undergoing a phased closure. The new Techo International Airport (KTI) will take over completely from 9 September. Depending on your travel date, your return flight may therefore depart from either of these airports.

All travel/stays in Cambodia require insurance covering hospitalisation and repatriation costs, which cannot be covered by the Embassy under any circumstances.

Passport & Visa

It is also mandatory to have a passport valid for at least 6 months

In addition, all travel to Cambodia requires a visa.

Visas can be obtained in various ways (the visa fee may vary by a few dollars depending on the method used; bring US dollars in cash as payment by credit card is not always available):

• before departure, online (e-visa): ‘T’ type tourist visa;
• before departure, from the Cambodian Embassy;
• on arrival, at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports, at the dedicated immigration service counters, upon payment of a fee of US$30 for a one-month tourist visa (type ‘T’).