Discover Angkor & Cambodia Beach Gateway

Day 3: Explore Banteay Samre, Banteay Srey & Beng Mealea

This morning, we travel to Banteay Samre, built under Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century. It is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style. Named after the Samré, an ancient people of Indochina, the temple uses the same materials as the Banteay Srei.

We will then continue to intricately carve and well-preserved Banteay Srei, which is known as the Citadel of Women, this red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings, which have been preserved remarkably well.

Enjoy lunch near the temple and continue to visit the spectacular ruins of Beng Mealea, which was constructed by King Suryavarman II (1113-1150). It preceded and may have served as a prototype of sorts for Angkor Wat. Contrary to Angkor, few carvings or bas-reliefs are evident. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way.

Day 4: Siem Reap, explore the floating village

Today, discover the great landscape of the Tonle Sap lake. This is a unique experience offering a great outdoor adventure in Siem Reap’s countryside by exploring a floating village and seeing firsthand the livelihoods of the Cambodian people.

We will take you on the Siem Reap backroads in order to explore the local ways of life in Siem Reap. You will be greeted by friendly locals and get a deeper understanding of their lives and traditions. The journey will end at the Tonle Sap lake, where you will experience the livelihoods of Cambodian people living in the floating villages, offering you the opportunity to see how families adapt their lives to be able to live on the water.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure on your own.

Day 5: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh, evening food tour

Today we depart for Phnom Penh by private vehicle, passing through provincial towns, villages, and roadside hamlets, offering an insight into life away from the cities. There’ll be an opportunity to stop at Skun village, famous for its deep-fried tarantulas, which you can snack on if you so wish! There will also be a stop to stretch your legs and enjoy a coffee in Kampong Thom.

Once you reach Phnom Penh, your afternoon is at your own leisure until 5 PM, when your guide will arrive in a tuk-tuk for a food-focused tour of the city. The first stop of the evening is a lively bar on Sisowath Quay. Find a spot on the balcony and your guide will leave you to enjoy a cocktail with views across the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers as the sunsets.

Rejoin your guide for a rather different experience: head down to the river, where roadside stalls sell a variety of edible bugs, which you will have the opportunity to try. Your guide will be on hand to decipher the surprisingly tasty offerings. Continue by tuk-tuk to the Russian Market, where the food stalls draw local diners with typical Khmer food such as Banh Chheu and beef skewers. Choose what you fancy, pull up a plastic stool alongside the locals, and soak up the atmosphere. Your final food stop for the evening will be freshly barbecued seafood, and then you will return to your hotel.

Day 6: Phnom Penh, bike tour to the Silk Island & City Tour

Today we escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and cross the river by ferry boat, making our way towards the north of Phnom Penh and the Silk Islands. After arriving on land, we will bike through orchards and vegetable farms, enjoying the peaceful farmland and learning about the lives of the people who call the Silk Islands home. Along the way, we will park our bikes for some interesting cultural stops as we check out traditional village industries and get a better sense of authentic Cambodian life on these islands. The cooling calm of the island is not only a great respite: it’s also a fun way to learn more about Cambodia’s silk weaving history, stroll through quiet villages, relax on the riverbank, or go for a dip.

In the afternoon, we enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the city. Then we will explore Choeung Ek, better known as the “Killing Fields,” where thousands of people were executed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The visits will continue with the genocide museum, “Tuol Sleng,” which is a testimony to the Cambodian genocide of that historical period.

Day 7: Phnom Penh – Kampot

Today, we depart from the capital for the journey to the riverside town of Kampot with the optional sightseeing route. Kampot supplied most French restaurants with this vital spice for many years during colonial rule, Kampot pepper. Today, the region is well-known for its plantations of durian – a spiky, pungent fruit that has its lovers and haters! In your free time this afternoon, you might choose to stroll along the riverside and observe the French colonial architecture, or have a cup of coffee on the veranda of one of the riverside restaurants and admire the view of the Bokor Mountain Range.

In the evening, take a tour of Kampot town. Kampot is home to many beautiful buildings, each with its own history. This walking tour is a laid-back sightseeing trip around town, exploring the iconic landmarks. Go at your own pace and feel the relaxed pace of life here, on top of the stunning scenery of the Kampot River.

Day 8: Kampot, explore Bokor National Park

Today, we travel to Bokor Hill Station in the Bokor National Park. The location is a collection of French colonial buildings that have been renovated and transformed into a luxurious mountain resort. The idea was to create a temperate escape from the heat of Phnom Penh for colonialists in the 1920s. Today, many of the buildings lie abandoned, creating an eerie but enchanting atmosphere. The views from the top of the mountain are stunning, and the ride through the lush jungle is a refreshing break from the city.

Day 9: Kampot, tour to La Plantation & Cooking Class

Today, we escape from Kampot town to La Platation, a social and sustainable family project that is the perfect combination of traditional farming and modern processing. They produce black, red, and white Kampot peppers and the exclusive Fresh Salted Kampot Pepper, as well as Red Long Pepper, Turmeric, Bird Chili, and local fruits.

The cooking class starts at 11 am. You will go to La Plantation restaurant and have an introduction to the spices we grow on our pepper farm. You will learn how to cook traditional Khmer dishes and can even bring recipes at home! You can enjoy your creation at lunch time with a fresh drink.

Day 10: Kampot – Koh Rong

Today, we depart from the hotel in the southern direction for Sihanoukville. We travel on the road with the buzz of day-to-day life in Cambodia and the view of the coastline. The blue of the Gulf of Thailand at your left will always wake you up from the hot weather of today as the road is a bit wide open from the shade of the tree.

We’ll have lunch at the local hut near the sleepy houses along the way, where your lunch will be offered with very tasty Khmer food.
After lunch, you will be transferred to Sihanoukville to catch the speed boat to Koh Rong. For the rest of the day, enjoy yourself at leisure at the beach.

Day 11: Free Day on the beaches

Today is the free day of cycling. Relax on the beaches of Koh Rong, Cambodia’s most stunning island, with plenty of wonderful beaches and beautiful water.

The picturesque paradise island of Koh Rong will undoubtedly blow you away on your vacation with its clear emerald beaches, great long sandy stretch, and brilliant sunshine. When visiting Koh Rong, relax on the beautiful beach and sample delicious drinks made with local ingredients.

Day 12: Transfer to Phnom Penh & Tour Concludes

Today, we gather for one final breakfast at our hotel. Your tour concludes today with a transfer to Phnom Penh. Take the day to reflect upon the rewarding holiday, beautiful coastal views, and cultural immersion that this tour has provided!