Cambodia Essentials: Capital to Angkor – 6 Days / 5 Nights

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN PHNOM PENH

Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Take some time to rest and enjoy your first impressions of the capital’s vibrant energy, wide boulevards, and riverfront charm.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 02: PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR (B/-/-)

After breakfast at your hotel, depart around 08:30 to begin exploring Phnom Penh’s cultural treasures. Start at the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866, and the nearby Silver Pagoda, named for its floor inlaid with more than 5,000 silver tiles. Continue to the Independence Monument, then drive along Sothearos Boulevard for a panoramic city view and a short walk by the Chaktomuk River Bank for a breath of fresh air.

Next, visit Wat Phnom, the spiritual heart of the city. Built in 1373 by a woman named Penh to house Buddha statues discovered in the Mekong River, the shrine gave the city its name — “Phnom Penh,” or Hill of Penh. Locals still come here to pray for luck in love, life, and exams.

Continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former high school turned prison under the Khmer Rouge. The exhibits here provide a sobering but essential understanding of Cambodia’s history.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 03: PHNOM PENH – KAMPONG CHHNANG – KOMPONG LUONG – BATTAMBANG (B/-/-)

After breakfast, leave the capital and journey northwest toward Battambang. En route, stop at the riverside town of Kampong Chhnang, known for its traditional silversmith and pottery villages. Continue to Kompong Luong, the largest floating community on Tonlé Sap Lake, and explore by local boat to witness daily life in this remarkable aquatic world untouched by mass tourism.

After lunch (at your own arrangement), continue to Battambang, Cambodia’s second-largest city and a center of art and culture. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel, then take a leisurely cycling tour through the riverside streets to admire Battambang’s well-preserved colonial architecture and laid-back charm.
Overnight in Battambang.

DAY 04: BATTAMBANG – SIEM REAP (B/-/-)

After breakfast, start the morning with a fun 8-kilometer ride on the Bamboo Train, a unique local experience gliding through lush rice fields on a handmade bamboo platform. Continue to Wat Kor Village to visit a beautifully preserved traditional Khmer wooden house, then travel through the scenic countryside toward Wat Samrong Knong, one of the oldest pagodas in the region (built in 1707). It served as a prison during the Khmer Rouge era and stands as a quiet memorial to the past.

Later, visit Phnom Sampeau, or “Ship Hill,” a natural limestone outcrop offering panoramic views over sugar-palm landscapes and rice paddies. The Killing Caves beneath are poignant reminders of Cambodia’s history. In the afternoon, drive to Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 05: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR THOM & TA PROHM (B/-/-)

After breakfast, begin your full-day discovery of the Angkor Archaeological Park. Start at Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire. Enter through the South Gate, adorned with monumental figures depicting the churning of the ocean of milk. Visit the Bayon Temple, famous for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 serene faces of Avalokitesvara; the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, and the Terraces of the Elephants and Leper King.

Continue to Preah Khan, built by King Jayavarman VII in honor of his father, then explore the mystical Ta Prohm Temple, where giant tree roots intertwine with centuries-old stones — a breathtaking scene made famous by the film Tomb Raider.

Optional: End the day with a peaceful sunset view over Srah Srang, once the royal bathing pool of Angkor’s kings.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 06: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR WAT & BANTEAY SREI – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Optional: Rise early at 04:30 a.m. to witness the unforgettable sunrise over Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most iconic temple. After breakfast, explore Angkor Wat in depth. Covering 81 hectares, this 12th-century masterpiece is the world’s largest religious monument and the prime example of classical Khmer architecture.

In the afternoon, travel to Banteay Srei, the “Citadel of Women,” renowned for its delicate pink sandstone carvings and exceptional preservation. Continue to Banteay Samre, built in the 12th century with intricate reliefs depicting the legends of Vishnu and Krishna.

Optional: In the evening, enjoy a performance of the Phare Cambodian Circus, where young artists blend theater, dance, and acrobatics to share powerful Cambodian stories.

Later, transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight. End of services.