5 Days in Angkor, Sambor Prei Kuk & Phnom Penh Tour

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel. Check-in if rooms are available before 2 pm; otherwise, drop off luggage and enjoy a Siem Reap orientation tour. Begin at Wat Damnak, a beautiful pagoda with French colonial architecture and a statue-filled garden. Next, visit the Angkor National Museum, which showcases a rich collection of Cambodian artifacts, highlighting Khmer art, culture, and history. Attend a lecture by a Khmer archaeologist with extensive experience working on Angkor Wat and projects for the World Monuments Fund.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then visit Wat Thmei to learn about the Khmer Rouge Regime and Cambodia’s civil war history. Around 4 pm, head to Phnom Bakheng Temple for a memorable sunset view from the 9th-century hilltop temple. Return to the hotel in Siem Reap for the night.

Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel at 6 am. At 7:30 am, set out for a full-day tour of Angkor Archaeological Park, exploring the renowned temples of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Banteay Srei, and Ta Prohm. Enter Angkor Wat via the East Gate, marveling at its architectural marvels, and explore carvings of Apsaras. Continue to Angkor Thom, a city of mysterious stone faces and impressive structures, including the South Gate, Bayon, and the Terrace of Elephants.

Enjoy a homemade lunch at a local house hosted by Mr. Peout and Mrs. Gin, who share their stories from the Khmer Rouge period. Afterward, visit Banteay Srei, a red sandstone temple adorned with intricate carvings. Finish the day at Ta Prohm, the “Tomb Raider” temple, with tree roots entwined in ancient ruins. Return to your hotel to unwind for the evening.

Begin the day with an early morning transfer to Phnom Krom, where you’ll watch the sunrise over rice paddies and the floating village of Tonle Sap Lake. After a picnic breakfast, take a boat ride through Chong Kneas Floating Village, experiencing the daily life of this traditional water-based community. Return to the hotel for check-out and head to Kampong Thom, stopping for lunch en route.

First, visit the Naga Bridge in Kampong Kdei, a 12th-century structure featuring naga statues. Continue to Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia’s oldest temple complex, with well-preserved ruins dating back to the 6th century. Stroll through the peaceful trails connecting temple groups, and observe villagers making traditional Khmer noodles and weaving. Arrive in Kampong Thom for an overnight stay and dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, drive to Phnom Penh, stopping at the Spider Market to observe locals selling tarantulas, water bugs, grasshoppers, and seasonal fruits. Arrive in Phnom Penh for lunch and check into the hotel. In the afternoon, join a city orientation by tuk-tuk, visiting Wat Phnom and Wat Unalom, two prominent pagodas.

Embark on a lively food tour, beginning with cocktails on the riverside. Followed by street food stops for fresh seafood, Kampot peppered squid, and Saba fish, continue to a nightspot with live music and end with a visit to the Independence Monument. Conclude the evening with a rooftop drink, taking in panoramic views of Phnom Penh.

Start with breakfast at the hotel, then visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly S-21 Prison during the Khmer Rouge era. Continue with a stop at the Central Market, a bustling art deco building, and return to the hotel for check-out. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two stunning examples of Khmer architecture with silver-tiled floors and historic artifacts. Finally, transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure flight.