Cambodia might be finest recognized for its historical temples, Angkor Wat being probably the most well-known. However there´s much more to this nation, from historic websites round Angkor to tropical seashore escapes in Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, and from the bustling metropolis of Phnom Penh to sleepy riverside cities like Kampot. When you´re going to discover Angkor Wat, it´s price tagging on a few weeks to discover the remainder of the nation. I´ve put collectively a 3 week Cambodia itinerary based mostly on our journey across the nation, with loads of tips about what to go to and easy methods to get round.
It’s a mixture of temple touring (you clearly can’t miss Angkor Wat), cities, smaller cities and a ravishing island seashore break.
3 Week Cambodia Itinerary
Day 1 – 5: Siem Reap & Angkor Wat: Temples and biking
Day 6-8: Phnom Penh:
Day 9 – 10: Sihanoukville
Day 11 – 15: Koh Rong Samloem or Koh Rong
Day 16: Sihanoukville
Day 16-17: Kampot
Day 18 – 20: Kep
Day 1 – 5: Siem Reap (for Angkor Wat)
Fly into Siem Reap from Bangkok (Bangkok Airways flies a number of occasions a day, we had been courageous and selected Cambodia Angkor Air. Other than being an hour delayed, no complaints). Angkor Wat is spectacular sufficient to warrant a 3 day go, which you should use on any three days inside per week. I like to recommend taking a time off in between so that you don’t get temple fatigue. There’s lots to do round Siem Reap: go on a ship tour of the markets, go to the landmine museum, take a cooking class or just bike across the rice fields and close by villages.
Check out my put up on 4 days in Siem Reap and my Angkor Wat Fundamentals Information for extra particulars.
Day 6-8: Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a captivating metropolis, albeit with a tragic historical past. Its most visited sights, the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (often known as S21 jail) inform the story of the Khmer Rouge period of Cambodia within the Seventies, when over 1.6 million Cambodians had been killed in a regime of terror. These sights are sombering, so it is best to come mentally ready. Take a stroll alongside the river afterwards to mirror and are available again to the Pnomh Penh of as we speak. You’ll be able to simply spend two to 3 days exploring the monuments, wandering the markets or simply strolling alongside the river.
Phnom Penh has a pleasant foodie scene as nicely. Within the evenings, I extremely suggest making an attempt a number of the nice eateries the town has to supply. Associates was my favorite, however eating places like Romdeng and The Misplaced Room additionally get raving critiques.
Day 9 – 10: Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville splits travellers into two camps: Those that hate it and people who adore it. It’s a bit seedy, the seashores may be packed, and plastic alongside a number of the seashores has turn out to be an rising downside within the final couple of years. However on the upside, you’ll be able to spend a pleasant couple of days going for seashore walks or simply mendacity on the seashore, consuming contemporary fruit that the distributors will fortunately serve you proper by your lounge chair, and partaking in one of many many barbecues that occur on Serendipity Seashore each evening.
There are two different key causes to spend time in Snooky, because the insiders name it: one, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sihanoukville is without doubt one of the quickest and least expensive in Asia (and doubtless worldwide) to get a Vietnam visa if that’s your subsequent vacation spot. And two, Sihanoukville is a gateway to one of the best islands Cambodia has to supply.
Day 11 – 15: Koh Rong Samloem or Koh Rong
From Sihanoukville, head out to the islands of the Koh Rong Archipel. When you’re searching for stunning seashores and a little bit of get together, Koh Rong is for you. If you need full rest, head to Koh Rong Samloem, the place you’ll discover stunning seashores, hundreds of thousands of crabs, a random herd of water buffalo, and a rising collection of boutique resorts and visitor homes.
Life right here is primary, however generally primary is ideal. There’s nothing extra stunning than taking a protracted stroll on an empty seashore. When you do want a bit extra motion, you can too go diving, snorkeling or kayaking from the island.
Day 16: Sihanoukville
Since you’ll seemingly get again to the mainland from Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem within the night, you’ll make your life simpler by staying in Sihanoukville for an additional evening. After the secluded and quiet islands, it is going to appear to be New York Metropolis at rush hour, however all shall be good after grabbing a banana pancake and watching the sundown on Serendipity Seashore.
Day 16-17: Kampot
Go away the coast to expertise this quaint little city on the river. Kampot, well-known for its pepper plantations, is a mixture of colonial French structure with Cambodian traditions and, I child you not, a huge durian statue. Fortunately they didn’t make it scent genuine.
In Kampot, go to the pepper plantations, strive one of many well-known Kampot pepper dishes or have some cocktails on the river. It’s also possible to rent a scooter and drive as much as close by Bokor Mountain, the place you’ll discover waterfalls which can be fashionable weekend locations of the locals, and an deserted on line casino skilled heavy preventing throughout the battle. Insider tip: Don’t drive up there with a half empty tank, and even higher, a leaky tank (the best way we did). Let your resort or scooter supplier clarify to you precisely the place to replenish your tank on the best way up to make sure you make it again with out having to stroll. Sarah and Tom from TripGourmets have some nice tips about issues to do in Kampot.
Day 18 – 20: Kep
Again to the seashore! Kep was the favorite vacation spot of rich Cambodians earlier than the Khmer Rouge period. It was principally deserted, and the numerous mansions and vacation retreats with all the things inside them was offered off when individuals fled from the Khmer Rouge. At the moment, it’s slowly being rebuilt and is changing into fashionable once more with each Khmers and international vacationers.
My favorite spot was the Kep crab market, the place you should buy contemporary crab and different seafood straight from the supply and have it cooked for you on the spot if you wish to eat proper there.
Have extra time?
You probably have extra time, you’ll be able to simply prolong this Cambodia itinerary. Between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, you may throw in a cease in Battambang and go on an exhilarating journey on the Bamboo railway.
There’s additionally lots to do in Phnom Penh to increase your keep there.
If you need extra island adventures, you may spend extra time in each Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem or head to Rabbit Island from Kep.
Getting Round in Cambodia
Cambodia doesn´t have a rail community like neighboring Thailand and Vietnam, so the best strategy to get across the nation is by bus. Take a look at our put up on two of the principle bus suppliers, Large Ibis and Mekong Categorical, for particulars on this expertise. Tickets can often be purchased instantly on the bus stations, by means of your lodging and even on-line. When you´re searching for a cushty journey, it pays to buy round and do your analysis on one of the best suppliers. Even the “VIP” busses can differ significantly between suppliers. Large Ibis has gotten a fame for being the most suitable choice over the previous couple of years, changing into highly regarded with international vacationers.
When you´re quick on time and masking a protracted distance, you can too fly between the principle cities of Pnomh Pen and Siem Reap, and Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. While we traveled solely by bus / tuk tuk inside Cambodia, we did fly in from Bangkok to Siem Reap with Cambodia Angkor Air, the nationwide flag service of Cambodia. We discovered each flights and busses to be fairly dependable, though it is best to at all times plan in for a few hours of delay – street works or further passenger choose ups can generally decelerate even the VIP buses.
Any questions on your Cambodia itinerary?
When you want any assist with constructing your itinerary for Cambodia, depart me a remark together with your questions and I’ll attempt to assist.
Word: This put up was initially printed in 2015 and final up to date in September 2019 with new data.