Cambodia beaches and temples

A somewhat European city of airy boulevards and colonial villas, scarred still by the events of 1975, in recent years Phnom Penh has been engulfed by energy and optimism. Today’s visits include the magni cent Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, before time to re ect on the past at the harrowing Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields. Sunset at hilltop Wat Phnom rounds off the day.

Depart for the beach town of Kep, stopping en route at Tonle Bati, a peaceful site of Angkor-era temples. Travel on to a pepper farm to learn about the renowned Kampot pepper. Take a boat ride out to Koh Thonsay where you can spend a few hours relaxing on the beach before returning to Kep.

Visit the impressive cave temple of Phnom Chhnork before traveling to Kampot for a walking tour. A charming riverside town, Kampot has a wealth of colonial architecture to discover. Travel to Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s premier beach resort. Head up to the summit of Victory Hill for late afternoon views down over the city and Gulf of Thailand. The next day spend it at leisure at the sunny beach.

Free at leisure in Sihanoukville 

Return to Phnom Penh with a stop en route at the Kirirom National Park. Here footpaths wind their way amongst lush greenery and gushing waterfalls – keep an eye out for a variety of bird species.

Journey north to Battambang stopping at Udong, a former capital city. Also visit potters’ village and Touch Hill. Set in some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, Battambang is also home to Cambodia’s grandest colonial architecture.

Head out of town to the 12th- century Phnom Banan Temple returning to Battambang via Cambodia’s only vineyard for a wine tasting. Take a stroll through the village of Wat Kor, and explore a local house for a glimpse of traditional Khmer life. Visit a local NGO, La Maison de Coco, where skills such as weaving are taught to locals.

Begin the journey towards Siem Reap, stopping in Puok District to visit the National Silk Centre. Learn about the cultivation of silk, from the planting of mulberry trees used to raise the silkworms to the harvesting of silk threads. Observe the artisans using the dyed and treated silk threads to create beautiful products in the workshops. On arrival in Siem Reap the rest of the day is at leisure.

The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses over a thousand temples, all the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Rising early, the tour begins at Ta Prohm – a temple which has been left in the grips of the jungle. Continue to the walled city of Angkor Thom and pass through the magni cent South Gate. At Angkor Thom’s centre is the enigmatic Bayon, a temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. The rest of the day is dedicated to the indescribable Angkor Wat. While away an afternoon in its shady precincts, and examine its wealth of intricate embellishments.

Journey to Kbal Spean to see the intricate stone carvings in the river bed and banks. Continue on to Banteay Srei, a richly embellished Hindu temple. Explore the early 12th-century temple of Banteay Samre before climbing to the summit of the Pre Rup for views over the lush paddy elds at sunset. Lunch will be taken at a traditional Khmer home.

Enjoy a morning cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting a oating village and observing the way of life of these lake communities. Back on dry land visit Beng Mealea, a mysterious temple overrun by jungle. Return to Siem Reap via Les Artisan D’Angkor, where disadvantaged youth are taught traditional Cambodian crafts.

Grab your last minute souvenirs before transferring to airport for a departure flight back to your home-country.