20-Day Cambodia Ultimate Honeymoon

Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh, Travel to Kep/Kampot

Welcome to Cambodia. The driver will be waiting for you just outside the arrival terminal gate of Phnom Penh International Airport, with holding a sign with your name clearly written on it and ready to take you directly to your destination. With our best services, you don’t need to worry about flight delays as your driver will have your flight information and will be monitoring it for any time changes.

We leave Phnom Penh airport and travel to Kep. It is the place to take a break from the hectic life in the city and center on the more life-affirming, pleasant aspects of Cambodia.

The entire journey from the Phnom Penh International Airport to Kep town takes 2h30.

Overnight in Kep/Kampot

Day 2: Kep/Kampot Sightseeing – Pepper Plantation & Sea Mangrove Forest

After breakfast at your hotel, your beautiful day starts with a tour of the countryside, but if you enjoy to look at buildings, in Kampot it is possible to find a generous amount of French colonial architecture, especially shophouses, dating back to the first half of 20th century. Many of these buildings now host nice cafes or hotels and restaurants, while many others seem neglected or partially abandoned.

We then go to one of the very famous pepper plantations. Kampot pepper (called mrech Kampot in Khmer) is a cultivar of black pepper (Piper nigrum) grown and produced in Cambodia. In the early 20th century, under the French protectorate of French Indochina, it was also known as Indochinese pepper. Pepper’s modern name is derived from the region where it is grown, Kampot Province, but its historical name uses the French term for mainland Southeast Asia.

Recognised as the best pepper in the world by chefs and gourmets, Kampot Pepper is one of only 2 peppers in the world to have been awarded a PGI. This exceptional pepper develops a unique flavour in the Kampot region of southern Cambodia and its long tradition of traditional farming.

Kampot pepper is a certified product with geographical indication (GI) in Cambodia (since 2010) and in the European Union (since 2016). It is grown, produced and sold in green, black, white and red varieties, all from the same plant. The climate of Kampot province provides perfect conditions for growing pepper, and the quartz content of the soil at the foot of the Elephant Mountains helps give Kampot pepper its unique terroir.

We then visit a 7th-century brick temple in the cave of Phnom Chhnork, the only cave temple in Cambodia, is a real must-see. Built in the Funan style, this complex hidden in a cave has a history of more than 1,300 years.

Visit Trapeang Sangkae Mangrove Forest by local boat. It’s huge with a network of pedestrian walkways from one side to the other. Once you reach the end, the boat ride back reveals a holistic view of the green forest. A very pleasant and enjoyable experience to visit this place. On the way back, visit Kampot salt field (December-April), the only salt field in Cambodia.

Overnight in Kep

Day 3: Kep Crab Market & Rabbit Island

This morning, we visit Kep Crab markets, where crabs are kept fresh in pots that float in the Gulf of Thailand’s warm waters. You can walk along the Kep beach and explore the old oceanfront buildings. Kep was once Cambodia’s most popular and prestigious beach town, but the Khmer Rouge destroyed many of Kep’s mansions and villas. The ghostly remains now stand as a silent reminder.

We then head to the pier to board a local boat for the journey to the peaceful island of Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island. We cross calm waters to this lovely palm-fringed island, home to a small community of fishermen and farmers. You can spend time enjoying the wonderful white sand beaches. You will return to Kep by boat in the afternoon before 5 p.m.

Overnight in Kep

Day 4: Travel to Sihanoukville Koh Rong Island – Bokor National Park

This morning, after breakfast we will head towards Bokor Hill station. This site is located on a plateau more than 1,000 meters above sea level, filled with steaming jungle, some wildlife and abandoned buildings such as church, casino. The site’s specific climate, often shrouded in fog and clouds, completes the mysterious atmosphere.

We then travel to Sihanoukville passing some very picturesque fishing villages which make for good photo opportunities. I will drop you off at the speedboat ferry to Koh Rong island. Enjoy your day at leisure on the island.

Overnight in Koh Rong Island

Day 5: Koh Rong Island Relaxed

Enjoy the white paradise beach of Koh Rong island, voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Koh Rong is a fantastic destination to visit and relax with clean, warm sea and white sand on all beaches. There is plenty to do such as swimming, snorkeling, walking, trips with the fishermen. Enjoy your free day on the island.

Overnight in Koh Rong Island

Day 6: Koh Rong Island Relaxed

Enjoy the white paradise beach of Koh Rong island, voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Koh Rong is a fantastic destination to visit and relax with clean, warm sea and white sand on all beaches. There is plenty to do such as swimming, snorkeling, walking, trips with the fishermen. Enjoy your free day on the island.

Overnight in Koh Rong Island

Day 7: Travel to Kampong Chhnang, Visit Ancient Capital of Oudong

Today, you travel from Koh Rong island by speedboat and I will pick you up from the ferry port and travel to Kampong Chhnang. We make a short stop to visit Oudong, it is an ancient capital and a site of Buddhist monastery and burial of Khmer Kings from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The mountain’s two hills are connected by a ridge and dotted with stupas and shrines dedicated to former kings.

Overnight in Kampong Chhnang (Garden Guesthouse is recommended)

Day 8: Travel to Battambang, visit Pottery Village & the Floating Villages

After having a great breakfast, we leave the province and head to Ondong Rossey village. Located in Kampong Chhnang, this is a best place to visit the area’s famous red pottery. The villagers make pottery under every stilted house as home-business to earn their living. They use their technical and typical ways to decorate their own products.

We will stop to visit Kampong Luong, a large floating village community on the Tonle Sap. Visit the waterfront lifestyle as well as homes, schools and shops. The floating buildings include gas stations, medical clinics and even a Catholic church.

You will arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon for check-in and then you will have the rest of the day to spend as you wish.

Overnight in Battambang

Day 9: Battambang Tour & Lifestyle

Your beautiful day starts after breakfast and we look the French colonial buildings in the heart of Battambang town. Battambang is home to some of Indochina’s best preserved colonial era architecture.

Experience the bamboo train ride along the rail tracks offering great views of the surrounding countryside. It is first appearance in the early 1980s inspired by the small railway vehicles used by railway workers to carry out repairs. We then visit Hilltop temple of Wat Banan, the mountaintop temple from the Angkor era is the best preserved of the Khmer temples in Battambang – Phsar Prahok or Stinky Market, it is an interesting place where they make Fish Prahok, the traditional Khmer cuisine and its ingredients. This place has been selling prahok since the 1990s as it is located near a river which hosts various types of fish.

After lunch break, we then drive to Phnom Sampeau, a sacred mountain dotted with interesting pagodas and stupas. There is also a moving memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge who were thrown into one of the many caves that dot this sacred mountain. After visiting this view on the hill and later you will see the most spectacular 7 million bats flying out of the cave. Wrinkle-lipped bats fly up to 50 km from their roosts each night to hunt insects. Bats eat 50-100% of their own weight every night before returning home. We then travel back to Battambang town for the night.

Overnight in Battambang

Day 10: Half–Day Sightseeing and Travel to Siem Reap

After having breakfast and check out the hotel, we discover Doun Teav village to learn how family makes hand-made rice paper for fresh and deep-fried spring rolls. Known for its great quality rice paper for fresh and deep-fried spring rolls, the village of Doun Teav Village is Battambang’s only area that produces rice paper dating back for almost 100 years. This village is home to many families who have perfected the making of rice paper and have taken it as a family business.

We head to the ruins of Ek Phnom, it was built during the Bayon period 11th-century in year of 1027 in reign of king Suryavarman I (1002 – 1050) in the Angkor period in order to dedicate for the deities in Hinduism.

We travel to Siem Reap and the journey takes approximately 2h30. If you like, we can make a stop before Siem Reap at Senteurs d’Angkor, Handicraft – Botanical Garden – Natural Products. The wonderful culinary and olfactory heritage of Cambodia, has inspired the Senteurs d’Angkor range of products. Founded in 1999, Senteurs d’Angkor has succeeded in relying on local resources to develop an original and local craft industry of high quality, maintaining working conditions that are respectful to people. Thus, our staff have good terms of employment and social protection. Senteurs d’Angkor got involved for equal opportunities and women’s rights.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 11: Siem Reap – Easy Day

After 10 days of travel in the south-west of Cambodia, today an easy and relaxing day awaits you. I will be happy to give you some suggestions on how to spend your first day in Siem Reap. There are options, such as a swimming pool relaxing, Khmer traditional massage, Angkor National Museum, Royal Residence, Wat Bo pagoda, Apopo Center or walk through the Old Market.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 12: Siem Reap – The Great City of Angkor Thom – Grand Circuit Temples & Sunset

In the morning we head to Angkor Thom, first the ancient city of Angkor Thom. It was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall drawing a perfect square. You will enter the city from the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. And our highlight is the enigmatic and enchanting Temple of Bayon. The 54 towers are each crowned with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself – Visit Baphuon, one of Angkor’s most beautiful temples from the 11th century. It was extensively renovated by the French and is now open to the public again – continue along the Terrace of Elephants – visit at the Terrace of the Leper King.

Preah Khan temple, a ruined but highly atmospheric mélange of tree roots and crumbling stone structures. Construction of this site was commissioned by the great ‘temple builder’ Jayavaraman VII (in honour of his father) and a visit to this smaller site makes for an interesting contrast with the more imposing Angkor Wat – Neak Pean temples, an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Jayatataka Baray and other beautiful temples outside the Great City of Angkor, Ta Som temple, East Mebon temple, Pre Rup temple, Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions and spend your evening watching sunset from Phnom Bakheng Hilltop.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 13: Siem Reap – Sunrise Angkor Wat – Jungle Temple – Small Group Temples

Today we will meet in the hotel lobby at 4:45am and travel to see Angkor Wat at Sunrise, the temple is considered the largest religious building in the world and is truly one of the wonders of the world. Believed to have been built as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II during the height of the Khmer Empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best preserved of the Angkorian temples. The central monument represents the mythical Mount Meru, the sacred mountain at the center of the universe, which was home to the Hindu god Vishnu

Ta Prohm is unique in that it is overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples – Giant Pyramid of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area – Take a short jungle trek to Ta Nei, a temple hidden in the forest, which has been left in its original state and is partly overgrown with trees – Then we continue to Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon, Victory Gate of Angkor Thom.

Note: We can return to the hotel for breakfast and have some rest before exploring other temples.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 14: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Sacred Mountain of Phnom Kulen

Today after your breakfast, we will meet and greet you in the hotel lobby and head straight to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as Fortress of the Women. The intricate detail here, considered too fine for the men’s hands.

We then continue to Phnom Kulen national park, considered the most sacred mountain in Cambodia. It was here that Jayavarman II declared himself a ‘god-king’ and gave birth to the Khmer Empire in AD 802. Declaring a unified Khmer Empire under a single ruler, it began what later would be known as the Angkor period, although the capital city would not be moved for another century.

You will explore several ruins, including the carvings of Yoni and Linga etched into the sandstone riverbed and the stone representation of the Hindu god Vishnu lying on his serpent Ananta, with his wife Lakshmi at his feet. Wat Pre Ang Thom is a focus of pilgrimage for Khmer during religious festivals and the large reclining Buddha carved into a huge sandstone boulder here offers spectacular views across the lush jungle. Nearby are impressive riverbed rock carvings, and a classic waterfall further downstream which is the perfect place to cool off after exploring.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 15: Siem Reap – Roluos Group – Beng Mealea – Floating Village

Today after your breakfast, we will meet and travel back in time to one of the earliest capitals in the Angkor region, Hariharilaya, now known as Roluos – visit the brick temple of Lolei, which originally stood on an island in the centre of the Baray (reservoir) – Preah Ko (sacred cow), named after Shiva’s mount Nandin – Bakong, the oldest temple mountain, which later became the symbol of the Khmer kings. It is a huge pyramid whose cardinal points are marked by huge elephants.

We drive about 65 km northeast of Siem Reap town to Beng Melea to explore the lost temple of Beng Mealea, the titanic of temples, a sleeping giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. It is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat, but completely consumed by nature’s voracious appetite. Built in1113-1150, the forest has gone wild here and it’s hard to get a sense of the monument’s shape amid the intimidating ruins.

Explore the typical Khmer village of Kampong Phluk, see an incredible, so different way of life in the largest freshwater lake Tonle Sap in Southeast Asia. On the wooden boat trip, get a fascinating insight into local life as you explore the stilt houses and lifestyle and drive through the flooded mangrove forest. That’s the amazing thing about this village and definitely one of the aspects of a Cambodia trip.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 16: Travel to Srayong Commune, Visit Preah Vihear and Koh Ker temples

We will meet and pick you up from your hotel after your breakfast and drive north straight on the N67 of Siem Reap town to Preah Vihear temple pass through Anlong Veng, a former Khmer Rouge stronghold until the end of the civil war in 1998, and ultimate home of its notorious leader, Pol Pot.

We then continue the journey towards the magnificent mountain temple of Preah Vihear, straddling the border with Thailand to see Cambodia’s most spectacular mountain temple. It was built in the 11th century during the Khmer Empire. The winding road up the mountain is very steep in places and eventually we come to the second enclosure of this king of mountain temples. We take a local pickup truck and then explore the temple on foot and continue to the final level, clinging to a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, towering hundreds of meters above the Cambodian lowlands below. The views from these most mountainous temple mountains are breathtaking, with the foundation stones of the temple stretching to the edge of the cliff as it plunges precipitously into the plains of the province of Preah Vihear below.

We travel through the bush to the remote capital of Angkor, Koh Ker. This trip can be a great cultural experience as Koh Ker is the proud owner of some ancient temples in Cambodia, Prasat Pram is covered in strangler figs, and other temples in the group. Koh Ker built in the 10th century by Jayavarman IV, was the Capital of the Khmer Empire for a very brief period from the year 928 to 944. We visit Prasat Thom, a seven-storey step pyramid which offers stunning views of the surrounding forest. There are many more temples in the area, including Prasat Pram, the fantastic temple with trees growing on it, the five towers of Prasat Ling, each enclosing a giant linga or fertility symbol, the largest and best found in situ in Cambodia.

Overnight in Koh Ker, Srayong commune (recommended: I Am Koh Ker Resort & Temples Garden Hotel Restaurant)

Day 17: Travel to Kratie, Relaxing Afternoon

We will meet after your breakfast and travel to Kratie, home of Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphin. Our journey goes pass through the provincial town of Preah Vihear, a big northern province of Cambodia. The province itself is named after the temple of Prasat Preah Vihear, what is definitely the hotspot of this province. Before arriving our destination, we go pass through another northeast province of Cambodia, Stung Treng. It is a Cambodia’s international border with Laos.

You check in at your hotel and have the rest of the day to spend as you’d like. Walking along Kratie Mekong river, enjoy a nice iced coffee at the local riverside café or watching a beautiful sunset over the Mekong river.

Overnight in Kratie

Day 18: Kratie Lifestyle & Dolphin Kayaking or Watching Dolphin by Boat

Option A: Dolphin Kayaking (morning schedule/afternoon schedule)

Today, we learn about local lifestyles of the Kratie as well as their local productions and witness the one of the most endangered wildlife that habitat upriver at Kampi. We walk through the central Market of Kratie where you will see the local trades and see some of the old colonial building which remains from the French colony. Visit Wat Rokakandal which has a very unique wooden carving about 300 years of age. Afterward, we learn about local productions including a mushroom farm.

Get back to town for lunch break and rest from the heat at your hotel for 1-2 hours.

We travel north by road 27 km along the Mekong river to the village of Sandan where we will take a paddling trip downstream through sand islands and the flooded forest and enjoying the unique perspective of seeing the freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins from your kayak.

After enjoying an hour or more of dolphin viewing, we travel back to Kratie.

Option B: Watching Dolphin by Boat

We begin our sightseeing tour at 8:30 AM after your breakfast or at your desired time. Today, you will learn about the local Kratie way of life. Our visit includes a walk through the central Market of Kratie where you will see the local shops, trades and see some of the old colonial building which remain from the French colony.

Visit Wat Rokakandal which has a unique wooden carving about 300 years of age. And opportunities to learn about local productions including mushroom farm, brick factory, bamboo sticky rice and rice noodle production.

The highlight of our day is a visit to one of the many deep pools where the rare river dolphins gather to feed. We board a local boat and head out onto the mighty Mekong to have a chance encounter with these gentle mammals, viewing is guaranteed. After enjoying an hour or more of dolphin viewing, we travel back to Kratie.

Overnight in Kratie

Day 19: Travel to Phnom Penh, Visit Bamboo Bridge & Spider Town

After your wonderful breakfast, we drive to the bustling provincial town of Kampong Cham. Our road trip continues on the east side along the Mekong River passing rural villages, farms, fishing grounds, pagodas and beautiful landscapes. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

We will arrive in Kampong Cham after 3 hours of beautiful journey and you will be able to see the famous Mekong bamboo bridge. During the dry season (January-May), we can visit and walk on the bamboo bridge built over the mighty Mekong River connecting the mainland to Koh Pen island.

After having a great lunch at a lovely restaurant by the riverside of Kampong Cham, we continue the trip. It is possible to make a stop before Phnom Penh, at Skuon, affectionately called Spiderville Cambodia, the popular place for Cambodian and foreign travelers where it is possible to taste the local delicacy of fried tarantulas and other fried insects. However, if you don’t want to taste spider, cricket, scorpion, grasshopper or other insects, this is also a good place to take pictures.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 20: Trave to Phnom Penh International Airport, City Tour

Today is your last day in Cambodia. After breakfast, we start our tour and visit some of Phnom Penh’s important sights, landmarks and attractions. Visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, it is the official residence of the King of Cambodia and it’s where you can see some very beautiful wall paintings, charming building with lots of different decorations and colorful and there are such many beautiful plants. We visit Russian Market, a noteworthy street market in Phnom Penh. This is the interesting market in town, stalls selling wooden handicrafts, antiquities, miniature Buddhas, fruits and veggies, jewelry, etc.

We then continue to Tuol Sleng genocide Museum – a mass gravesite and a former high school converted to a detention and torture center by the Khmers Rouges when they came to power in 1975. And then visit the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek, these sites are testament to Phnom Penh’s tragic modern history and the insanity of the Pol Pot era. If time allows, we visit Wat Phnom is the unique hillock in the city, is crowned by at active Buddhist Wat and marks the legendary founding place of Phnom Penh.

You’ll be picked up to transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport by your driver, where you’ll catch your flight to your onward destination.

Have a good flight! See you again on our next trip!