Journey in Cambodia from Ancient Temples to Floating Villages - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh, Afternoon City Tour, Dinner at Sombok

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's bustling capital and most populous city. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up for an afternoon city tour. When you're ready, follow your guide to Phsar Thmei (Central Market), housed in an iconic Art Deco building with a distinctive yellow dome. Peruse the stalls full of fresh produce, intricate jewelry, clothing, and souvenirs before starting a short cyclo (three-wheeled motorized bicycle) tour to Wat Phnom, a 14th-century temple perched atop a small hill. 

Drive past French colonial buildings, tree-lined buildings, and lively markets, slowly ascending to the hilltop temple. Disembark and climb the steps to the temple's ornate entrance flanked by guardian lions and naga balustrades. Enter the complex to discover the elaborate murals, bronze Buddha statues, and various shrines, including one dedicated to the founder of Phnom Penh, Lady Penh. Then, end your first day in Cambodia with dinner at Sombok Restaurant, known for its farm-to-table approach. Enjoy a traditional dish like fish amok (coconut fish curry) with a contemporary flair.

Day 2: Full-Day Tour of Phnom Penh, Sunset Mekong River Cruise

Join your guide on a full-day tour of the capital and learn more about the country's tragic history as you head to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in a former high school that was turned into a security prison by the Khmer Rouge regime during the late 1970s. Walk through the former classrooms converted into prison cells and torture chambers, stopping to see the haunting photographs of the victims and their personal artifacts. Then, continue to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, situated on one of the Khmer Rouge's killing fields, where thousands of people were taken to be executed.

Day 3: Transfer to Battambang via Ondong Rossey

Say goodbye to the capital this morning as you set off on a six-hour drive to Battambang, a charming city in northwestern Cambodia that's known for its well-preserved French colonial architecture. On the way, stop in the village of Ondong Rossey, where you'll see locals crafting intricate pottery and ceramics outside their traditional stilted houses. Observe the pottery-making process, from shaping clay to firing the finished products using age-old techniques. Then, watch as the delicate pieces are loaded onto an ox cart to be transported across the country. 

The village is also known for its surrounding rice paddies dotted with sugar palm trees and grazing water buffalo. If you're lucky, you might see villagers climbing the trees to tap them and collect the sap that'll be turned into palm toddy, a traditional alcoholic beverage. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then complete the drive to your hotel to check in. You'll arrive in Battambang in time to watch the sunset cast the colonial-era buildings, ancient temples, and surrounding countryside in a golden glow. 

Day 4: Countryside Bicycle Tour, Bamboo Train Ride, Sunset at Phnom Sampeau

Get ready for an early wake-up call as you set off on a bicycle tour at 7:30 am. The 13-mile (22 km) route will take you through the countryside past lush rice paddies and charming villages. Along the way, you'll meet local families and learn about the traditional products they make and sell with their harvests, such as rice paper, rice wine, and bamboo rice cakes. Immerse yourself in the experience by making some of these products yourself before returning to your hotel around midday.

After some free time, transfer to O Dambong, a small village just a few miles outside of the city, to board a nori, a "train" consisting of a simple bamboo platform mounted on two pairs of wheels with a small engine attached. Whiz down the 4.3-mile (7 km) track through lush fields, rural villages, and over small bridges. Disembark at the small village of Pek to shop for souvenirs or refreshments before making the return trip. Before sunset, transfer 30 minutes to Phnom Sampeau, a limestone outcrop that's home to ancient temples, pagodas, and Killing Caves, where the Khmer Rouge used to execute prisoners.

Pay your respects to the victims, then sit back and wait for the thousands of bats to emerge at sunset. If you want a better look, climb 30 minutes up the hill to watch the bats and sunset amid the pagodas and shrines. As darkness starts to fall, return to the city to enjoy dinner at the Jaan Bai Restaurant, which is run by the Cambodian Children's Trust. Choose from various Cambodian and Western dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients before returning to the hotel.

Day 5: Transfer to Siem Reap, Explore Angkor Thom, Aspara Dance & Dinner

Leave Battambang behind this morning as you set off on a three-hour transfer to Siem Reap, home to the iconic Angkor Archaeological Park. When you arrive, hit the ground running with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last and largest capital of the Khmer Empire. Step through the ancient city's fortified walls at the South Gate and discover Bayon Temple, renowned for its enigmatic smiling faces carved into its towers. Wander through the site to admire other highlights, like the Terrace of the Elephants, which features intricately carved bas-reliefs depicting royal processions and ceremonial scenes. 

Another iconic temple within the city is Baphoun Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Admire the pyramid-like structure from the bottom, then climb to the summit for panoramic views of the surrounding ruins. After exploring the temples and terraces, transfer to your hotel to check in and prepare for tonight's dinner and show. Settle in for a set menu of delicious Khmer cuisine and watch the graceful Aspara dancers take the stage. The dance, rooted in ancient Khmer traditions, tells mythological stories through delicate hand gestures and elegant poses accompanied by traditional music.

Day 6: Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Visit Ta Phrom, Angkor Thom Moat Cruise

One of the best times to visit the grand Angkor Wat is at sunrise to watch the largest religious complex in the world cast in a golden glow. Stand in front of the reflection pond and wait for the sky to transform into soft pinks and oranges, gradually illuminating the towering spires that were designed to symbolize Mount Meru. Once it's bright enough, explore the temple and admire its intricate carvings, grand corridors, and vast courtyards. Return to the hotel for breakfast before boarding a remork (Cambodian tuk-tuk) to get to Ta Prohm, which you may recognize from the movie "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider."

Wander the site to see how massive tree roots and vegetation have reclaimed the ruins of this temple. Some of the 12th-century structures are partially restored, so you can admire the intricate carvings and architectural details. Then, return to Angkor Thom for a leisurely cruise on the moat surrounding the walled city, giving you a different vantage point to appreciate its scale and fortifications. If the moat is clear of vegetation, you can disembark at a staircase that leads to a small temple. From there, you'll watch the sunset over Siem Reap before transferring back to your hotel. 

Day 7: Visit Banteay Srei, the Cambodia Landmine Museum & Artisans Angkor

After breakfast, set off on a one-hour transfer to Banteay Srei, a 10th-century temple often referred to as the "Citadel of Women." Admire the pink sandstone construction enhanced by elaborate sculptures and bas-reliefs depicting mythological scenes, floral motifs, and divine figures. Continue to the nearby Cambodia Landmine Museum, founded by a former child soldier for the Khmer Rouge, Aki Ra. Learn about the ongoing impact of landmines in Cambodia and the efforts being made to clear them as you peruse the photographs, artifacts, and informative displays.

Then, head to a nearby village that's known for having the best nom banh chok (rice noodles served with a flavorful green curry and chicken or fish). Watch the noodles being made fresh, then try a bowl at a local restaurant before returning to Siem Reap. Head to Artisans Angkor, a workshop where skilled artisans demonstrate traditional techniques like silk weaving, wood carving, stone sculpture, and lacquering. End the night at Phare Circus, held in an open-air tent. Watch the one-hour performance that combines traditional circus acts with Cambodian folklore before returning to the hotel. 

Day 8: Boat Tour to Kompong Khleang

Spend your penultimate day in Cambodia on a boat tour of Kompong Khleang, one of Cambodia's largest floating villages. If you're visiting during the dry season, there may not be enough water for a boat trip there, so you'll head to another village instead. Jump in a boat and cruise to the northern shore of Tonlé Sap, where you'll witness the daily activities of local residents living in stilted houses elevated up to 30 feet (10 m) above the ground. Depending on the time of year, the water may nearly touch the buildings, showcasing the need for the stilts. 

Watch as vibrant scenes of fishing, trading, and communal life unfold around you while you navigate the labyrinth of waterways. Stop at a traditional wooden house for lunch before returning to Siem Reap to enjoy some free time or continue exploring on your own. 

Day 9: Depart Siem Reap 

Although you fly home today, you may have some time to explore Siem Reap a bit more on your own. Head to the Made in Cambodia Market to shop for souvenirs amid the array of intricate textiles, handcrafted jewelry, and colorful home decor. If you have enough souvenirs already, make your way to Riverside Park instead for a leisurely walk along Siem Reap River. When it's time, return to the hotel to grab your bags, meet your driver, and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!