Depart your home country on your flight to Phnom Penh.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
October - March
Cambodia is often treated as a short must-see, stop-off on a whirlwind trip of Southeast Asia. In fact, it’s a truly remarkable holiday destination in its own right.
The vast majority of tourists come and view Angkor, which is, of course, wonderful, but explore a little further and you’ll discover a fascinating country full of hidden gems that many visitors miss. This suggested trip loops right around the Kingdom with plenty of time in each place to take in the many and varied wonders – both natural, historical and cultural. It covers 3 weeks but can, of course, be scaled back or extended to fit your timeframe.
From the famous Angkor Temples to the remote jungles of Mondulkiri, back down through the bustling capital Phnom Penh to the sleepy seaside towns of the South. This example itinerary offers an in-depth experience of a country rising out of its bloody history with resilience and sparkling energy.
Grand Journey Around 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 - 3
The Farmhouse Resort & Spa
On arrival in Phnom Penh, meet your guide and driver for a transfer directly to The Farmhouse, an interesting place to ease into the adventure. The property is a social enterprise that doubles as a lovely boutique resort and an important training school. There is an impressive organic farm on the grounds where you can learn the ropes of rice and bamboo production and see how these resources are used in cooking and construction.
If you’d rather take it easy, this is a relaxing spot too; you’ll be supporting a great project even if you spend your stay relaxing by the pool with a book.
Days 4 - 5
Battambang
Head north with your driver and guide bound for Battambang, Cambodia’s second city. En route, break the journey with a boat trip to Kampong Loung, the largest floating village on Tonle Sap lake but one that tourists often overlook.
Once in Battambang – head to the bustling market and try out the famous local street – many say it’s the country’s best. You’ll also have time to take in the surrounding countryside, explore paddy fields and caves, and ride on the famous Bamboo Train.
Days 6- 9
Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor
Continue onward to Siem Reap where you’ll stay for four days.
Each day will be designed around your particular interests – to ensure you have the best possible experience of this remarkable area balanced with time to relax. This might mean focusing on remote temples such as Beng Melea, an early start for sunrise at Tonle Sap Lake combined with a lazy afternoon by the pool or a full day discovering the more famous Angkor temples by tuk-tuk.
With the temples as your anchor, the rest of Siem Reap opens up. Take a boat through the floating villages of Tonlé Sap, cook a Khmer lunch after exploring the market with a local chef, and spend your evenings soaking up Cambodia’s creative energy.
Days 10 - 11
Mekong Life
Bid farewell to Siem Reap and start the journey northeast towards remote Mondulkiri province, stopping for two nights in the Kratie region. The mighty Mekong dissects Kratie, and this stretch of the river is known for sitings of the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin. Spend time searching for 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 12 - 14
Mondulkiri
Continue the journey east to Mondulkiri Province, making stops on the way.
Mondulkiri Province is a rural, naturally beautiful part of Cambodia that few tourists visit. 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 preserving and protecting elephants, the forest and the Bunong ancestral lands and traditions.
Your stay will be in a hotel in Sen Monorom and you have the option to spend an extra night here to visit and stay at the Jahoo Gibbon Camp. This is another excellent conservation project in an area of biodiversity where you’ll find globally significant populations of two endangered gibbon species. Accommodation is in basic safari tents, so this may not be for all, but it is a terrific addition to the itinerary if time permits.
Day 15
Phnom Penh
Much of the day will be spent travelling from Sen Monorom towards the capital. There will be opportunities to stop along the way as you snake along the Cambodia/Vietnam border down to Phnom Penh. Arrive in the afternoon and check in to your hotel.
Day 16
Phnom Penh
There is more to Phnom Penh than meets the eyes. Discover the city’s ever-shifting creative scene, from it’s Buddhist temples and faded colonial elegance to graffiti-splashed alleys and indie galleries in repurposed warehouses. Your guide will also reveal the stories of the past as you explore the emotive Toul Sleng Museum, formerly used by the Pol Pot regime as a detention centre. This is a moving example of the difficulties faced by Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.
Days 17 - 18
Kampot
Travel next to the leafy town of Kampot, a riverside town of faded French villas and pepper farms, perfect for slow mornings and relaxed trips to Fish Island and Kep’s seafood shacks.
Day 19
Fly home
Transfer back to Phnom Penh for the flight home. Alternatively, stay a little longer and head to an island off Cambodia’s coast!
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
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.
“Angkor’s ancient wonders, the rolling grasslands of Mondulkiri and the coastal calm of Kep are combined with exceptional stays like The Farmhouse, where luxury meets a strong social purpose. This route offers an extraordinary way to experience the country’s culture and natural beauty.”
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.
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.
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.
