Real Cambodia

Cambodia
Loading...
On this ten-day discovery tour through Cambodia, you’ll start in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City then hightail it to Phnom Penh, where you’ll set sail on the Mekong River over sunset and toast to small group adventure. Then, soak up the sun, sand and swim in island paradise Koh Rong and meet the locals during a rural homestay in Sambor Prei Kuk. Discover ancient wonders in Siem Reap’s Angkor complex at sunrise and spend a full day wandering this incredible site. When you’ve had your fill of tasty food, extraordinary temples and vast rice fields, end it all in Thailand’s Bangkok and raise a glass to a trip well-travelled!

Departure dates

From 24/04/2024 to 09/01/2026

What's included

A homestay in rural Sambor Preikuk puts you right in the heart of everyday village life in Cambodia – walk through the village, see locals working the rice fields and learn about the community-led efforts to preserve this area's cultural heritage.
See the sunrise over the incredible Angkor complex and take a guided Tuk-tuk tour of all the best sites (including Angkor Wat and jungle-covered Ta Prohm) with a company focused on employing local women in the community.
 .
Enjoy tonnes of free time swimming and soaking up the sun on the sands of Koh Rong Island – the perfect spot for long beach days, jungle hikes, waterfalls expeditions and a drink (or two).
Tuck into some local food sure to delight the tastebuds – including a homecooked Khmer dinner and breakfast at your homestay, local market delights and street eats sure to please.
Learn more about Cambodia's confronting but important history with included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, CRST.
Donations help them break the cycle of poverty in Cambodia by inspiring and empowering children with education opportunities.
Breakfasts Included: 2.
Lunches Included: 1.
Dinners Included: 1.
Hotel (4 nights),Bungalow (2 nights),Homestay (1 night),Hostel (2 nights).
Private minibus,Public bus,TukTuk,Speed Boat.
Age: min 18, max 35.
Group Size: 1 - 16.
Phnom Penh - Orientation Walk.
Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21).
Phnom Penh - Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
Phnom Penh - Local Breakfast.
Phnom Penh - Sunset River Cruise.
Sambor Prei Kuk - Khmer Dinner.
Sambor Prei Kuk - Homestay.
Sambor Prei Kuk - Local Community Guide.
Sambor Prei Kuk - Village Walk.
Siem Reap - Orientation Walk.
Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour by TukTuk.
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Sunrise.
Siem Reap - One day Angkor Pass.
.

Itinerary / more information

  • 1 - Ho Chi Minh City Xin chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh. Your Cambodian adventure starts with a dip into Vietnam and a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. There's nothing planned for the first day, so feel free to get amongst the chaos of the city. A good place to start is the Ben Thanh Market, where you can snack on chao tom (barbecued shrimp paste on sticks of sugar cane). If you have time, a visit to Reunification Palace or the War Remnants Museum are recommended. Tonight, why not get your new friends together and enjoy a group dinner to kick off your journey?
  • 2 - Phnom Penh Today, travel to Phnom Penh on a public bus - this is a long journey that includes two border crossings and a stop where you can grab some lunch. Have your favourite books or road trip games ready - this is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers better. Your guide will assist with the formalities at both sides of the border. When you arrive, why not treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage to ease the tension? Look no further than Seeing Hands - a great organisation supporting visually impaired masseurs.
  • 3 - Phnom Penh Today, you'll have an authentic local breakfast near one of the markets. Then, the group will head to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - both sobering but important and informative experiences in Cambodia. After, you may like to explore some of the sights in your own time, like the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, which both offer brighter aspects of Cambodia's past. You might also head for the National Museum or Wat Phnom - a Buddhist temple built in 1372. The main centre of the city sits on the Western bank of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. In the evening, you'll head out with your group for a sunset river cruise and enjoy an included drink as you sail along the water and see the city from a different perspective. Then, you might like to hit up a rooftop bar with some amazing views of the city - there are tonnes of options to choose from, so just ask your leader, and they'll point you in the right direction!
  • 4 - Koh Rong Today, leave Phnom Penh on a private bus to Sihanoukville. Then, you'll take a speed boat to the paradise of Koh Rong. You'll have a couple of days on the island to really bliss out and adjust to island time - this afternoon is for swimming, relaxing on the warm sandy shores of the beach and walking along the coast in the balmy evening in search of somewhere for dinner (your leader will have some great recommendations).
  • 5 - Koh Rong Today is another free day to chill at the beach. Soak in the sun, order a few cocktails or cold beers to cool down and go swimming in the serene waters of Koh Rong. If you're looking for something active, maybe ask your leader for your hiking options, as there's plenty of gorgeous jungle and hidden waterfalls waiting to be discovered inland. Tonight, why not party it up at Nest Beach Club - a lively spot known for its nightlife.
  • 6 - Sambor Prei Kuk This morning, you'll leave the island behind and head to your homestay in Isanborei - a rural community that maintains a traditional lifestyle. This community lies within Sambor Preikuk, a UNESCO World Heritage site with more than 100 ancient temples. This is also home to a Cambodian community-based tourism project involving seven Khmer villages that collaborate to conserve the historic area and provide residents with job opportunities. When you arrive, take a tour of the village with your local guide, who will introduce you to the local people, your homestay and your hosts. Tonight, catch the sun setting over the rice fields before unwinding as you enjoy a traditional homemade Khmer dinner with your host family.
  • 7 - Siem Reap Enjoy breakfast prepared by your local host this morning. If you didn't get a chance yesterday, you can visit the nearby Sambor Preikuk Temple - some of the oldest ruins in the country (dating back to the 6th century). Maybe opt to cycle over the rural roads through the village, passing locals working in the rice fields, or perhaps try a sample of Sombai Cambodian Liqueur. After a day of exploring, say goodbye to your homestay hosts and travel on towards Siem Reap - home to the bucket list site, Angkor Wat. When you arrive, maybe spend some time looking around the central markets and pick up some delicious local food for dinner tonight.
  • 8 - Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Sunrise Early this morning, you'll visit the mighty Angkor complex at sunrise - this is the largest religious structure in the world, and it's pretty special to see the dawn rise over the temples. Get the camera ready because these 400 acres are full of picturesque settings. You'll take a guided tour of the complex on a Tuk-tuk with a local social enterprise that focuses on providing employment opportunities for women in the community - and see the larger-than-life Angkor Wat, the grand Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm. Some buildings are over a thousand years old from the Khmer Empire - these beauties were known to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. If you like, try to catch the majesty of the temples at sunset, too - you can even head back to your accommodation after your guided tour for a nap and then re-enter the site in the late afternoon.
  • 9 - Bangkok Goodbye Cambodia, hello Thailand. Drive from Siem Reap to Bangkok in a private minivan today. After a long travel day, arrive in Bangkok. The khlongs (canals) are a great way to escape from all the chaos - maybe take a boat to the popular Chinatown for a delicious street food dinner. A traditional Thai massage may also be a good option to relax into the evening. There's some great nightlife and rooftop bars to explore here, so be sure to stake out a place with your travel buddies and watch day turn to night, celebrating your final evening.
  • 10 - Bangkok There are no activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. Bangkok is full of things to do, including the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or the Jim Thompson museum. If you'd like to stay in Thailand for longer, just speak to your booking agent.
  • The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 21 April 2024 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
  • Additional supplier conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Components of the total price including local payments, "resort fees", "national park fees", "trip kitties" and food funds (if applicable) may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel consultant prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at the time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees, including additional taxes, surcharges and visa fees specific to your departure date or flight routing, may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or by BPAY.
  • Payments made in store by credit card will incur a surcharge (see Booking Terms and Conditions for further details).
  • These prices are a guide to the best price and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details..

Tell us about your travel plans

Loading...