Cambodia Explorer – 10 Days
Tour Code: CT-4
Experience the incredible diversity, fascinating history and natural beauty of Cambodia on this ten-day tour, travelling through 5 cities, Phnom Penh – Kampot – Kep – Battambang – Siem Reap.
Start ~ Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Finish ~ Siem Reap, Cambodia
Physical rating: 2 out of 5
The Itinerary
On arrival in Cambodia, you’ll be met by your airport transfer team, who will accompany you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Meal is not included on this day.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will leave for the riverside town of Kampot, approximately 3 hours by car. The town is famous for its home-grown Kampot Pepper, salf field, and borders the Gulf of Thailand. En-route, we will stop at a local paper farm where you will get to know why Kampot Pepper is well-known. Next, we’ll continue to a salt field where you will find it really interesting to see salt is produced from sea water then let it evaporate naturally into salt crystals under the hot sun. Then, we’ll drive to Kampot to check in the hotel for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Breakfast
Today, we will drive to the chilled out seaside town of Kep, one of our favourite places to wander in Cambodia. This drive is around 35 minutes, and very much worth a visit during your stay in Kampot. Once we arrive at Kep, we’ll visit a famous local crab market for lunch, at your own expense. We will then drive to Green Cathedral for kayaking along Tuek Chhou River. The Green Cathedral is named for the foliage that lines the waterway.
While the Green Cathedral is a loop, it can instill doubt at certain points as there are a few little islands along the way and all the greenery is a bit dizzying. Dragonfly enthusiasts will get their fill as there are plenty of sizes, shapes, and colors of the lively insects darting about. Along the way, you will pass under several bamboo style bridges and two concrete bridges. Completing the loop takes about an hour without stops, but can easily last longer if your pace is more leisurely.
After kayaking, we will drive back to our hotel in Kampot.
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we will leave for Phnom Penh. The driving time is approximately 3 hours.
Once we arrive at Phnom Penh, we will visit the Choeung Ek Killing Field and learn about the atrocities that took place here. We will continue to visit The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school served as Khmer Rouge prison. Then, we will drive to the hotel for a check-in.
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Breakfast
Say goodbye to Phnom Penh as we make our way to Battambang. Famous for its early 20th-century French colonial architecture, Battambang is quickly becoming Cambodia’s center for arts and culture, but at its heart, it is a peaceful place, surrounded by friendly villages and beautiful countryside.
On the way, we’ll stop at Oudong Mountain. It was the old capital city of Cambodia in the 16 century before the king moved the city to Phnom Penh. Over there you will see the green rice field, local livings, and on the top of the hill will see old pagoda, shrine of Phreh Kor, Phreh Keo, many stupas of the king.
Once we arrive in the Battambang, we will be greeted by a giant statue of a man holding a black stick. His name is Ta Dumbong. Your tour guide will share a history when you arrive at the sight.
Finally, we will drive to the hotel to check in for an overnight stay at Battambang.
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start our trip to the ‘off the beaten track’ and experience local life with this unique and exciting tuk tuk tour. Journey through the countryside surrounding Battambang and get a taste of Khmer lifestyle with your local guide. Discover secrets of local life and see how rice noodles, rice paper and Cambodian cheese are made. Meet local people and sample delicious produce along the way including spring rolls, bamboo sticky rice and rice wine.
The highlights of the tour are:
- Psar Nat Market is a signature market activity of Battambong Province.
- Experience with bamboo train and runs through the Cambodian country side
- Hike to the top of Sampov Mountain where you will catch a stunning sunset
- Visit a local buddhist temple and let your guide share more about the murals that don the temple walls
- Bat Caves: When finished with visiting the top, on our way down we will be just in time to catch the bats flying in a long extended line out of their caves. This is an excellent photo opportunity and the sounds you hear are also mesmerizing!
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to make our way to Siem Reap. The drive through the lush Cambodian countryside to this sleepy colonial city should take around three hours. Upon arrival, we will check in the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Breakfast
This tour is hands down the best way to explore Cambodia’s incredible feats of religious architecture. After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off to Angkor Wat. Walk through one of the largest religious structures in the world and admire the intricate carvings of heavenly nymphs on the walls. You’ll also learn some interesting history facts as well as fun trivia from your local tour guide as you stroll through the complex. Continue to the Bayon Temple, in the heart of Angkor Thom, where you can marvel at the numerous massive faces of Avalokiteshvara engraved on the towers.
Next, we’ll visit Ta Prohm Temple, filled with crumbling towers and overgrown trees that are centuries-old! Inspect the curious root formations on the walls and live out your Tomb Raider fantasy.
The tour will end with a sunset at the Pre-Rub Temple before you will be dropped off at the hotel. The glow of the evening light produces reddish hues that contrast beautifully with the surrounding green jungle. The temple also offers stunning views over the rice fields of the Eastern Baray.
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Breakfast
Experience the rural side of Cambodia with this half-day tour of Kompong Phluk Floating Village from Siem Reap! The tour begins with a pick up at your hotel, followed by a scenic drive through small yet beautiful villages as well as some rice paddies. Once we arrive, we’ll jump in a boat to enjoy a serene boat ride through the calm waters of Tonle Sap Lake, where you will see big mangrove trees and herds of cattle feeding on grass. Go into the main area of Kompong Phluk, home to approximately 3000 fishing people, and explore this one-of-a-kind floating village. Learn how rural fishing villages work and what the people’s daily routines are like, as well as discover how they’ve built the village to adapt to the changing seasons. Once you’re done walking around, you’ll make your way back to your hotel. (Please note: During the dry season, boats cannot get all the way to the main villages because the water level may be too low; however, the village can be visited by car.)
In the evening, we’ll head off to enjoy Phare, The Cambodian Circus. This traditional Cambodian performance is a phenomenon not to miss! You’ll be left in absolute awe at the talents of these brilliant young performers. An amazing blend of traditional and modern theater, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion all beautifully choreographed in a story about Cambodian lives and society. Though performed in Khmer with English subtitles on a screen, the story is easy to follow without words and you’ll probably be too enthralled by the performers to keep up with the narrative anyway!
You will head back to the hotel at the end of the show.
Accommodation: Hotel / Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Siem Reap airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
~ 9 nights Accommodation
~ enjoy daily breakfast at hotels
~ all sightseeing as described in program above
~ transportation in private a /c vehicles
~ professional English speaking tour guides
~ admission fees to sights described in the itinerary
~ boat to explore Tonle Sap Lake
~ tuk tuk through the countryside as described
~ bamboo train experience as described
~ ‘Phare’ The Cambodian Circus performance
~ mineral Water Bottles
~ enjoy exploring Cambodia as per itinerary
~ visa fee
~ meals not specified in the “Inclusions” section
~ personal insurance and other personal expense
Do I need a visa to visit Cambodia?
‘E-VISAS’
E-visas are now available for most nationalities through the official website: www.evisa.gov.kh
Please note there have been reports of fraudulent e-visa websites that mimic the official site.
‘VISA ON ARRIVAL’
Visa on arrival is available for most nationalities at airports or land border crossings for approx. US$30 (cost subject to change). You will need a passport photo for your visa.
‘OTHER VISAS’
If you are not eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival you may need to submit an application through your local consulate. Allow up to 3 weeks for processing.
Do I need any vaccinations before visiting Cambodia?
You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Cambodia and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Tetanus, Typhoid, Hep A, Diphtheria and Polio are recommended.
Can I drink the tap water in Cambodia?
Tap water in Cambodia is not considered safe to drink. It’s recommended to only drink bottled mineral water, which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants, or purified water. Avoid having ice in your drink as it might have been made with tap water.
What is currency in Cambodia?
The official currency of Cambodia is the Cambodia Riel, but USD is also widely accepted and sometimes preferred in larger stores and supermarkets.
Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and other major currencies can be exchanged in Cambodia at various bureau de changes in major cities and towns. However, foreign currency is also widely accepted and often desired more so it can give the shopper more buying power. ATMs can be found in all larger towns and cities and some five star hotels. We recommend you take a mixture of cash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cards for ATM’s. It’s advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities.
Traveller’s Cheques are not recommended as they’re often difficult to exchange and incur high fees.
What do foods and drinks cost in Cambodia?
Street snack = USD 0.50–1
Bottle of local beer = USD 1.50
Simple meal at a local restaurant = USD 5–10
Dinner at a nice restaurant = USD 25–50
What’s the food like in Cambodia?
Cambodian (Khmer) cuisine is similar to Thai cuisine though with fewer spices, but no less flavoursome! It also tends to be healthier than other Southeast Asian cuisine. The staple food is rice, which is served with almost every meal and noodles are also popular. A typical meal usually consists of a soup, a main dish (often curry, stir fry or salad) and dessert. Prahok (fermented fish paste) is used to flavour many dishes and coriander, mint leaves and lemongrass are popular herbs. Another popular dish is Amok, a curry made with fish, spices and coconut milk.
Is tipping customary in Cambodia?
Tipping isn’t mandatory or customary in Sri Lanka, but a tip of spare change or another small amount would be appreciated by restaurants, drivers and other service workers, especially if the service has been particularly good.
What’re the toilets like in Cambodia?
Squat toilets are the most common in Cambodia, but western-style toilets can be found in the tour hotels and in tourist areas. Be prepared to pay a small fee when visiting public toilets, and always carry your own toilet paper and soap as they are usually not provided.
Is WiFi widely available in Cambodia?
In the main tourist areas (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville) WiFi is usually available in the majority of hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes. In more rural parts of the country, travellers are unlikely to find a connection and if they do it is sure to be very slow.
Can I use my mobile phone while in Cambodia?
Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Cambodia’s urban areas, but may not be available in rural areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.
Is it not appropriate for me to wear shorts in Cambodia?
When entering temples in Cambodia, it is important to remember to take your shoes off beforehand. Women wearing trousers or a short skirt will usually be required to put a long skirt on over the top. These are available to borrow at most temples.
What sort of sockets are used in Cambodia and what is the voltage?
Electricity in Cambodia runs on 230 volts at 50Hz. In general, type A, C and G plugs will fit into most Cambodia power outlets. In general, they use a European plug with two circular metal pins but in some rare cases it is also possible to find a flat two pronged socket as used in North America or a 3-pin India-style socket, so it is best to take a universal adaptor and cover your bases.
Weather overview
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: the rainy season from May to November when the countryside is lush and green, and the dry season from late November to April when there are long days of glorious sunshine and clear skies. Temperatures in Cambodia remain fairly constant and warm throughout the year, apart from in the north when winters (December to March) are generally colder.
Don’t forget you can modify this tour. Whether you enjoy travelling as a part of a small group with other like-minded travellers, or perhaps you are looking for your very own private journey, we have the right option for you. Click on talk to us button to send us your enquiry.