Highlights of Cambodia 10 Days / 9 Nights

Upon your arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, a private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to relax and prepare for your upcoming journey across Cambodia.

Begin your day with a classic cyclo ride through Phnom Penh’s cultural landmarks. Visit the National Museum, home to over 5,000 artifacts including Angkor-era treasures. Continue to the Royal Palace and the nearby Silver Pagoda before a short stop at the bustling Central Market. In the afternoon, explore Cambodia’s tragic past with a sobering visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Once a school, S-21 became an interrogation and torture center under the Khmer Rouge, while Choeung Ek marks the resting place of thousands of innocent victims. These visits, though deeply emotional, offer critical insight into the resilience of the Cambodian people. Return to the city for a free evening.

Today, leave the capital behind and travel deep into Cambodia’s eastern highlands toward Mondulkiri, a scenic province blanketed with pine forests and peppered with waterfalls. The 6–7 hour drive takes you through plantations of rubber, coffee, and cashew. Upon arrival in Sen Monorom, check in and enjoy a late afternoon visit to Sen Monorom Waterfall, a peaceful spot beloved by locals during holidays. The waterfall features three distinct levels, each changing with the seasons, and offers a serene setting to unwind and take in the natural beauty of the highlands.

Experience one of Cambodia’s most ethical and rewarding wildlife encounters at the Elephant Valley Project. Spend the day trekking through the jungle, observing rescued elephants as they roam freely in their natural habitat. You’ll follow two elephant families, learning from local mahouts about their lives, challenges, and the broader conservation efforts protecting Cambodia’s forest ecosystem. With no riding, tricks, or unnatural displays, this visit offers an authentic and compassionate way to interact with these magnificent animals. It’s a day of reflection, connection, and respect for nature.

After breakfast, depart Mondulkiri for the tranquil riverside town of Kratie. The drive takes around 2.5 hours, arriving in time for check-in and a local lunch. In the late afternoon, head to Kampi, a village north of Kratie, for a boat ride on the Mekong River. Here, you’ll have the chance to spot the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, one of Southeast Asia’s rarest freshwater species. As the sun sets over the river, enjoy a peaceful moment surrounded by nature. Return to Kratie for an overnight stay in this quiet, colonial-era town.

Today’s journey takes you westward to Battambang, one of Cambodia’s most charming provincial cities. En route, stop at Skun, known for its local delicacy: fried spiders—a quirky photo opportunity! After lunch, continue to Phnom Sampeau, a striking hill with a ship-like silhouette. Climb to the summit for sweeping views of rice fields and sugar palms, and explore caves used during the Khmer Rouge era. As dusk falls, witness an extraordinary natural phenomenon: thousands of bats streaming from a cave in swirling formations—an unforgettable display of Cambodia’s wild beauty.

Explore Battambang’s countryside on a leisurely morning cycling tour. Ride through quiet lanes to meet local families who produce traditional items like rice paper, bamboo sticky rice, and rice wine—crafts passed down through generations. Afterward, board the iconic Bamboo Train for a fun and scenic ride across the countryside. Following lunch, drive to Siem Reap via National Roads No. 5 and 6. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your hotel, ready to explore the ancient wonders of Angkor.

Begin your Angkor exploration with a magical sunrise at Angkor Wat, entering from the less-visited east gate. Spend the day cycling quiet trails through the archaeological park, visiting Bayon with its serene stone faces, the Elephant Terrace, and the overgrown ruins of Ta Prohm. Enjoy lunch near the temples before returning by car in the late afternoon. This experience offers not only a deep dive into Khmer history but also a peaceful, immersive way to connect with one of Southeast Asia’s greatest architectural achievements.

Set off for a full-day adventure by 4×4 to two of Cambodia’s most remote temple sites. Your first stop is Koh Ker, once a capital of the Khmer Empire, where the 30-meter-high pyramid of Prasat Thom rises dramatically above the forest canopy. Climb to the top for sweeping views and explore nearby ruins. After a rustic lunch, continue to Beng Mealea, a vast and mysterious temple engulfed by jungle. Unrestored and raw, it’s a hauntingly beautiful site that evokes the spirit of ancient exploration. Return to Siem Reap for your final overnight stay.

On your final day, enjoy a boat cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Visit a floating village to observe everyday life among stilted houses, floating schools, and fish farms. Stop by a crocodile farm and soak in the rhythms of lake life. After returning to town, visit Artisans d’Angkor, a vocational center preserving traditional Khmer crafts. Take time to stroll through the Old Market before your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your flight home. Tour ends.