From the ancient temples of Angkor to the beautiful seaside in Kep, this tour will take you on a journey of discovery through some of the most spectacular scenic locations of Cambodia.
Begin with the nation’s capital where you will experience Cambodia’s rocky past and witness the revival of the culture which is happening today. From Phnom Penh you journey further into the past visiting the ancient temples of Angkor and experiencing the village life from some unique vantage points. Spend some time floating on an eco-lodge on the edge of one of Cambodia’s most beautiful jungles before ending your journey with fresh ocean breezes in Kep where you can relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of Cambodian hospitality.
Day 1 Phnom Penh: Arrival
Arrive in Phnom Penh where you will be met by an air conditioned van and driver and will be transferred to your hotel.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at The Villa Paradiso – 1 Double Harmony Suite
Day 2 Phnom Penh: History and Architecture
This morning you will enjoy a wonderful introduction to Cambodia’s architectural history as you slowly move through the small side streets of Phnom Penh in the most traditional form of transport, a cyclo. This tour is led by an architectural specialist who is there to provide you with some wonderful insight into the architectural elements of the city’s inner core.
With your newly acquired architectural knowledge, you will be able to take in the Royal Palace and National Museum this afternoon in a new light. Experience Cambodia’s rich history as your expert guide leads you through some of Cambodia’s most beautiful places and takes you on a journey of the past.
This evening you are going local! You will be met by Cambodian Chef, Mr. Nara who will guide you comfortably through a number of markets and street food locations as you sample the local Cambodian snacks along the way. For dinner this evening you will be invited to join Nara at one of his favorite local restaurants before returning to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at The Villa Paradiso – 1 Double Harmony Suite
Day 3 Phnom Penh: Reminiscing and Moving Forward
This morning you will visit former Khmer Rouge prison camp S21 which is a sobering experience for most. Here you will have the opportunity to meet the 2 survivors of the camp who have gone on to write inspirational books about their experiences in this harrowing time of Cambodia’s history. From here you will drive out to the Killing Fields, a quiet place of memory for those who were lost during this tragic time. This is a sobering experience indeed, but also an experience that all should have, simply to marvel at how quickly the people have come back from such a horrific time. This will help you to truly appreciate how far Cambodia has come in the last 20 years. Head back to the city to enjoy lunch at Friends Café, operated in support of a local NGO who works with poor and disadvantaged children to provide them with education and a better life.
This afternoon is for adventure! You will be collected by the fantastic team at MotoGirl to explore Phnom Penh on the back of one of their signature pink motorbikes, like the locals do! Visit local villages, the silk island and learn from these wonderful young entrepreneurs about their favorite places in Phnom Penh and on the outskirts of the city. Return to your hotel at approximately 5pm to freshen up for this evening’s special dinner.
At 6pm your driver will collect you with another incredible young Chef, Mr. Veasna who will be taking you to a private river-font apartment this evening to prepare a special gourmet Cambodian meal for you. Relax on the balcony overlooking the river and enjoy Phnom Penh from above as Veasna prepares you an unforgettable meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at The Villa Paradiso – 1 Double Harmony Suite
Day 4 Phnom Penh: Private City Cooking Class and Siem Reap Arrival
Today you will be met at your hotel by your private chef Veasna and taken on a tour of a truly local market to purchase the ingredients required for today’s class. Veasna will guide you through the market with ease, explaining the highlights as you go. Witness the bartering in action and give it a go for yourself under Veasna’s local guidance, while learning the secrets of how to find the freshest produce. Once you have everything you need, you will move to the private city residence to begin your training! Under Veasna’s guidance you will prepare a number of Cambodian dishes today and enjoy the delights of working with a young culinary professional who is a master of his trade. Once you have finished preparing your dishes, it’s time to eat! Take a seat on the private balcony overlooking the prominent Phnom Penh waterfront and take in the spectacular views as you enjoy your lunch with fresh fruit to conclude the experience. When you are finished, your driver will escort you back to your hotel.
This afternoon you will be transferred to the airport by your guide and driver for your onward flight with Cambodia Angkor Air K6 111 departing Phnom Penh at 16:05 & arriving Siem Reap at 16:45 where you will be met by a Journeys Within representative and will be transferred to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Jaya House River Park – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 5 Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom Sunrise to Sunset
Wake up early and head to Angkor Wat for sunrise and a morning tour of the temple before the crowds arrive. Mid-morning head back to your hotel for breakfast before relaxing in the garden, by the pool, or in your own room through the heat of the day.
In the early afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple with its many magnificent faces smiling out. There are several beautiful spots from which to watch the sunset. Discuss with your guide where you would like to be and then relax and enjoy a memorable end to your day at the temples.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Jaya House River Park – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 6 Siem Reap: Banteay Srei, Other Temples, Landmine Museum and JWOC Art Class
This morning set off with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple located just 30km beyond Angkor Wat. Continue on to visit the Land Mine Museum, a rather humble look at the land mine problem, past and present, in Cambodia. As you head back towards town you can stop at Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, two of the prettiest temples in the complex, where you can enjoy climbing through these smaller unique temples. Return to your hotel for lunch, or have your guide help you find a good place to eat in town. Remember to take a look at our Cheat Sheet which lists a number of our favorite restaurant recommendations!
Sunday afternoons are special at JWOC. We hold our art class for local students at 2:30pm – a no-pressure class where children are invited to come, play games, sing songs and do a simple and rewarding art project. The children are broken up into groups and you can join a group and help the little ones with scissors and other tricky tasks and give the older students encouragement and attention. It is fun for the whole family and a great way to get involved and interact with students. You will also have a chance to meet with our scholarship students and gain a greater understanding about the work we do within our community.
Please note: You should arrive at 2:30pm so you can get an overview of JWOC before jumping in to help!
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Jaya House River Park – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 7 Siem Reap: Kulen Mountain Forest Discovery Trail
Today you will take a guided hike at 7:00am with Indochine Exploration through the protected Cambodian jungle of Phnom Kulen National Park. Located about an hour and a half north of Siem Reap, Phnom Kulen is home to a community-protected area of mainly intact evergreen and boulder forest. You will leave early in the morning for this forest that surrounds Preah Ang Thom, the largest community on the mountain. As you drive to the village, your guide will talk to you about how this conservation initiative involves local villagers who maintain the trails. By including them in the tour development, locals are provided with an income and therefore an incentive to help stop deforestation and protect the wildlife. After arriving and walking through the village, the trail heads into the forest with the canopy high above providing shade even in Cambodia’s hottest months. Hike along the cleared trails, while you keep your eyes open for the wildlife that inhabits the area – in addition to the flying squirrels and birds, rare Silver Langurs were recently discovered in Kulen. After passing over a boulder passageway and through an active bat cave, you will stop for lunch along the banks of the Kulen River before heading back to Preah Ang Thom to visit Cambodia’s largest reclining Buddha, and if you still have energy, take in the beauty of the Kulen Waterfall.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Jaya House River Park – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 8 Siem Reap: Kayaking Tour and Phare Ponleu Selpak
Experience a unique Journeys Within day kayaking on the Tonle Sap Lake. You will set out around 8am and drive for about an hour before boarding a boat for a 40 minute ride to one of the lake villages. Here the homes are built on stilts to keep them above the flood waters in the rainy season. You will arrive at the local home that stores the canoes and after a short safety briefing, head off with your guide who will lead you through waterways, flooded forests and out into the Tonle Sap Lake where you can take a dip if you wish. After you’ve explored around, wind your way back through the village, taking in local life in this watery environment before returning to a local home for some lunch and a leisurely boat and car ride back to town.
This evening you will be treated to a unique performance by the Cambodian Circus, also known as the hugely talented Phare Ponleu Selpak from your VIP seats. Literally translated as ‘’the brightness of the arts’’, this Artistic and Social Center has been running as a non-profit association since 1994, and was founded by a group of young ex-refugees from Battambang Province. With your reserved VIP seats, there is no need to wait in line your seat is reserved for you! Sitting in the center of the big top tent, you will witness some remarkable acrobatics and visual arts while supporting one of Cambodia’s most inspiring projects. Performances start at 8:00pm
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Jaya House River Park – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 9 Siem Reap to Koh Kong
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for your private transfer to the airport, where you will arrive in time for your onward flight with Cambodia Angkor Air K6 102 departing Siem Reap at 08:30 & arriving Phnom Penh at 09:15. Arrive in Phnom Penh where you will be met by an air conditioned van and driver who will drive you to Koh Kong, where you will be met by the 4 Rivers speedboat and transferred to the hotel. This journey usually takes about 4-5 hours depending on traffic, followed by another 30 minutes by boat to the Ecolodge.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at 4 Rivers Floating Eco-Lodge – 1 Double Floating Tents
Day 10 – 11 Koh Kong: Days at Leisure
You have these days free to relax or explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at 4 Rivers Floating Eco-Lodge – 1 Double Floating Tents
Day 12 Koh Kong to Kep
Your driver will meet you at your hotel and will drive you to Kep, a journey that should take 4 hours depending on the traffic.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Knai Bang Chatt Hotel – 1 Double Double Garden View
Day 13 – 14 Kep: Days at Leisure
You have these days free to relax or explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Knai Bang Chatt Hotel – 1 Double Double Garden View
Day 15 Kep to Phnom Penh and Departure
Your driver will meet you at your hotel and drive you back to Phnom Penh, a journey which should take around 2 ½ hours. You will arrive at the airport in time for your departure flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is currently in progress and does not reflect hotel room availability. The pricing is not final until the itinerary has been confirmed and booked.
Tour Rate: $3,665 per person based on two people traveling
Price includes:
- Air tickets Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips
