850 ReviewsSocial impact,
Khmer-style stilt houses,
Farm-to-table dining.
Depart your home country on your flight to Phnom Penh.
Most suited for
Families
Ideal time to visit
October - March
A quick whizz around the main sites of the Kingdom of Cambodia can’t fail to impress but travelling further afield will reveal a country and people with a special kind of energy that utterly captivates.
This three-week itinerary designed for families, is a fun and original way to explore Cambodia’s diverse regions. As every journey is overland, you will soak up the atmosphere as you travel. You’ll find yourself immersed in the various sites and scenery, enthralled by stories from the past and inspired by ordinary people, purposefully embracing their future.
Off-The-Beaten-Track Family Adventure in Cambodia
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
The Farmhouse Resort and Spa
On arrival at Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, meet your guide and driver for a transfer directly to The Farmhouse. Ease your way into the adventure here at this beautiful boutique resort that doubles up as a training school and social enterprise. There is an impressive organic farm on the grounds, and you can learn the ropes of rice farming, bamboo production and much more. There are plenty of activities if you want to get stuck in, but you’ll be supporting this great project just by being here, so there is no need to feel guilty if you just fancy relaxing by the pool with a book.
Days 5 - 6
Battambang
Head north with your driver and guide bound for Battambang, Cambodia’s second city. Halfway along the route, you can break the journey at Krakor and board a boat to explore Kampong Loung, the largest floating village on Tonle Sap lake but one that tourists often overlook.
Once in Battambang – get stuck into the bustling market and what many say is the country’s best street food. If you’re a family who likes to try new food, then Battambang is the ideal place to try out a Khmer cooking class. There is plenty of fun in the surrounding countryside, too – from Buddha caves to Bat Caves to a ride through the surrounding paddy fields on the famous Bamboo Train.
Days 7 - 9
Siem Reap and Angkor
Head east to Siem Reap, home to the famous Temples of Angkor. Spend time exploring them by tuk-tuk or guided bike tour. You’ll uncover some genuinely magnificent sights – teenagers tend to especially enjoy the mysterious off-the-beaten-path structures left to the jungle over the years.
Beyond the temples, an absolute must is an evening at the Phare Circus – a modern theatre experience that tells stories of traditional Cambodian life. The circus is fun and a great night out, but it’s also a tremendous social-enterprise initiative that provides many people with education, opportunities and freedom from poverty.
Day 10
Kulen Mountain Camping
Veer a little off-piste today towards Phnom Kulen – a range of mountains and part of a national park located approximately 2 hours away from Siem Reap. Considered the birthplace of the Khmer empire – there are several intricate pre-Angkorian sites to behold, but the magic of this experience is simply being outdoors in nature overnight. Camp next to a river, trek through the jungle, swim in waterfalls and enjoy the food and hospitality your guides provide.
Days 11 - 12
Kratie and Chhlong
Now it’s time to venture towards the remote Northeast, first to Kratie province. The mighty Mekong dissects Kratie, and this particular stretch of the river is known for sitings of the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin. Spend some time exploring the waters by boat or kayak in search of the elusive species and stay at a lovely riverside colonial villa. Most people come here primarily to explore the Mekong river, but it’s well worth taking time to experience the rhythm of typical rural Cambodian life in the sleepy, remote town.
Days 13 - 15
Mondulkiri
Travel onwards into remote Mondulkiri Province nr the Vietnam border. Few tourists visit this rural, naturally beautiful part of Cambodia. The scenery is entirely different from the rest of the country, with rolling grass hills rather than paddy fields. There are villages to be explored and local markets and waterfalls where you can enjoy a scenic picnic lunch. Spend a full day at the fantastic Elephant Valley Project, a centre dedicated to the preservation and protection of elephants. Then head to the forest and the Bunong ancestral lands, where you’ll stay at a fascinating eco-tourism project that helps preserve the habitat of the world’s largest population of two species of rare gibbon.
Days 16 - 17
Phnom Penh
Continue south to the capital Phnom Penh. Accommodation is in a family suite next to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, so covering these main sites is a breeze. Enjoy lots of tasty food here and take a cycle tour of Koh Dach island – just a short boat ride across the Mekong from the city centre.
You’ll also have the option to visit Toul Sleng Museum, formerly used by the Pol Pot regime as a detention centre. The museum is a moving example of the difficulties faced by Cambodia between 1975 & 1979.
Days 18 - 21
Kep and Kampot
For the final part of the adventure, you’ll travel south to your base in the coastal town of Kep. During your stay, there is time to explore Kept itself, the surrounding countryside, and neighbouring Kampot.
Kampot is famous for its pepper (some say it’s the best in the world), and Kep is renowned for its crab. A meal at the famous crab market is a must in Kep, or take a food tour with a chef in Kampot. Explore Bokor Mountain and its surrounding caves or take it easy and stroll around the faded colonial buildings and the colourful boat yards.
Day 22
Fly home
Today it’s time to bid farewell to Cambodia and fly home from Phnom Penh. Alternatively, stay for a few more days and head down to the Koh Rong Archipelago for some time on an island.
Extremely well organised Cambodia holiday
We flew to Siem Reap. Lucky enough to have Visal Phok there who was a superb tour guide. So many varied experiences there including Angkor Wat and sunrise on Tonle Sap Lake. Cardomom mountains - what a great place to chill but also to experience great value local trips such as sunset and a brilliant trip to the local village.
Chris
21 January 2024Excellent
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Cambodia Experts
Ella loves all things Cambodia. She’s explored beyond Angkor Wat and knows how to mix the big sights with those offbeat moments that make a holiday sing. With a knack for finding hotels with real soul (and dodging the overhyped ones), Ella designs trips that show you Cambodia at its most authentic and unexpected.
“Cambodia is a fantastic family destination, with activities that appeal to all ages. From cycling around Angkor and riding the Bamboo Train to camping under the stars and learning to cook Khmer dishes, ask us how to make this itinerary perfect for your family.”
Ella
Regional Expert
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
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Battambang, Cambodia
Bambu Battambang
Small boutique property with a restaurant and 16 rooms. A great location from which to explore Battambang.
Highlights
Highlights
Central location,
Swimming pool
Best for
Couples,
Families
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Phnom Penh and The South, Cambodia
Farmhouse Resort and Spa
Farmhouse Resort and Spa is situated about 1 hour outside of Phnom Penh, but it’s worlds away from the hustle and bustle of this ever-expanding city.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Families,
Couples,
Solos
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Palace Gate Hotel and Residence
Stylish and well-located, Palace Gate Hotel & Residence pairs contemporary comfort with easy access to Phnom Penh’s cultural heart.
Highlights
Highlights
Rooftop views over Phnom Penh,
Steps from the Royal Palace,
Best for
Couples,
Families,
Solos
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Mondulkiri, Cambodia
Jahoo Gibbon Camp
Jahoo Gibbon Camp offers wildlife tracking and forest immersion in Cambodia’s Keo Seima Sanctuary—an eco-stay run by the local Bunong community.
Highlights
Highlights
Primate trekking,
Community-run camp,
Forest immersion
Best for
Nature lovers,
Eco Minded Travellers
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The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences in Cambodia
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
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Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Magnificent Angkor Wat
The jewel in the Angkor crown, Angkor Wat is inevitably at the top of every visitor’s wishlist. As one of Southeast Asia’s most recognisable sights, it can feel crowded at times – but with the help of our in-the-know guides and carefully curated Signature Angkor Experience, it can still feel magical.
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Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ancient City of Angkor Thom and Bayon
More than just another temple, the great Angkor Thom is in fact an ancient city, dating back to the 12th century, that was once the capital of the whole Khmer Empire. The city itself, its Bayon temple and Terrace of Elephants are a must-see when travelling to the region.
On our Signature Angkor Tour, you’ll explore the vast city walls with your guide, accessing intricate canals and dusty corners of the complex via avenues of stone gods and demons.
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Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tonle Sap Floating Villages
Just a short drive south of Siem Reap, you’ll reach the northern tip of Tonle Sap Lake – the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.
Tonle Sap is Cambodia’s lifeline, providing food, transport, and homes for millions of people. Although the water levels rise and fall dramatically throughout the year, you can visit the lake in any season (ask us for the most magical times to visit).
Hop aboard a wooden motorised boat and cruise across the open water to take in the lake’s sheer scale. Countless floating villages scatter the surface, where nomadic fishing families live in stilted houses and boats. They grow vegetables in floating garden plots and pots set on rafts, while dogs and pigs (somehow) roam this buoyant environment. This experience offers a rare, eye-opening look into a way of life few outsiders ever see.
You can visit the floating villages on our half-day tour from Siem Reap, either in the morning or afternoon (though the cooler morning hours are your best bet). Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the quay to step aboard the boat.
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Siem Reap, Cambodia
Phare Circus
This is a fun evening with impressive performances that all ages will enjoy, but importantly – it supports a fantastic initiative for young people in nearby Battambang.
At the circus, a traditional folk tale is told through modern theatre, acrobatics, contemporary dance, and live music. It all takes place in a high-top tent where the audience watches in the round while enjoying popcorn, drinks, and beer.
All profits from the circus support the Phare Ponleu Selpak school, set up in 1994 by nine returning refugees from the Khmer Rouge era. Inspired by an art teacher who had helped them through drawing therapy, they decided to found the school to offer other disadvantaged children a similar experience. Phare thus began as an art school before expanding to cover music, theatre, and eventually the circus school. Students can hone their skills at the school and earn a good wage – many go on to perform around the world.
The young performers you see will have been taught at the school, and profits are fed back in to support its current pupils.
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Phnomn Penh and The South, Cambodia
Cooking with Chef Nak
Just a short distance from the lively city of Phnom Penh, you cross the Mekong River and arrive at the garden oasis that local celebrity Chef Nak calls home. She will welcome you into her charming antique wooden house and let you in on the secrets of Cambodian cuisine.
Chatting with her as you wander her beautiful home and gardens is an eye-opening experience. We won’t spoil it for you, but the story of how she has researched old recipes is a fascinating one and is about much more than just food.
After settling in, you will either take a gentle walk or hop in a tuk-tuk to the nearby market, where you’ll see where the ingredients come from and how they’re chosen. Then, back in the kitchen, you will cook side by side with Chef Nak as she guides you through dishes like fish amok, traditional beef salad, and crispy fried river prawns.
If you’re even slightly interested in food, this experience is a must. Whether you stay overnight at the homestay or simply join the cooking class, you gain special insights into Cambodian culture, meet brilliant people, and dig into mouthwatering meals in a simply beautiful setting.
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Important FAQs about Cambodia
Cambodia is far more than the iconic Angkor temples. Travelling with ETG means exploring the country in a way that feels personal, thoughtful, and enriching.
We’ll show you life beyond the ruins: serene riverside towns, thriving local markets, and countryside where time slows down. Our itineraries are designed for a deeper connection, whether that’s dining with local families, gliding along the Tonle Sap in a traditional boat, or unwinding at hand-picked boutique stays. With expert guides and 24/7 in-country support, we make sure you see Cambodia in a way that’s inspiring, seamless, and uniquely yours.
Cambodia’s dry season runs from November to April, when clear skies and warm, sunny days make temple visits and countryside explorations most enjoyable. For fewer crowds, the shoulder months of May and October can be ideal, offering greener landscapes and quieter moments. The wet season (June to September) brings short, refreshing showers and vibrant scenery, and it’s a great time for photographers or those seeking a more tranquil experience.
Every ETG holiday to Cambodia is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.
You’ll experience Cambodia in a way that’s completely bespoke to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our India specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Cambodia
Cambodia is a truly fascinating country. Get our experts’ tips and tricks in a handy 10 minute read.
