Captivating Cambodia: 10 Nights in Siem Reap, Koh Rong & Phnom Penh

Rise early for a for a visit to Angkor Wat as the sun begins its ascent over the fertile plains that surround Siem Reap, reddening the horizon and peeling back the hovering mist that shrouds the landscape.

One of the wonders of the ancient world, Angkor Wat was constructed in the 12th century as a Hindu-Buddhist temple and is the largest religious structure on the planet. As the sun tinges its elaborately carved walls red and the clarity of the morning light reveals this megastructure in all its imposing grandeur, the sheer size and majesty of Angkor Wat is sure to leave you spellbound.

While admiring the temple at sunrise, a guide will teach you about how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries and what ultimately led to their downfall. You’ll stroll through intricately etched hallways bearing hundreds of detailed carvings and discover minute shrines still in use today by the local people and resident monks, who you might glimpse wandering through the grounds in their bright orange robes.

After visiting Angkor Wat, you’ll return to your hotel for a replenishing breakfast. Then, you’ll embark on an immersive journey through the broad rice paddies and winding red-soil roads that cut a trail into the serene forests that surround Siem Reap. From your hotel, you’ll transfer by mountain bike with a tuk-tuk companion, pedalling into the mystique and tranquillity of rural Cambodia.

The cycling route first leads you to a bustling countryside market where you can glimpse authentic Cambodian life. Your guide will arrange a palate-stimulating tasting of some of the delicious local produce and snacks like fried bananas, sticky coconut rice balls and classic noodle soup dishes, complemented by a refreshing drink like fresh sugar cane juice.

Continuing the journey, you’ll arrive as a magnificent Buddhist pagoda, renowned in the local community for its sacred qualities and breathtaking décor. Take your time to admire the splendid ornamentation of the temple as well as its opulent interior shrine that gleams with gold. While at the pagoda, you’ll also partake in a special blessing ceremony led by the resident monks, bestowing a blessing of health and happiness upon you.

You will then return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.


Accommodation:

Superior Category: Treeline Urban Resort (or alternative hotel of equal standard)

Deluxe Category: Park Hyatt Siem Reap (or alternative hotel of equal standard)


*It is recommended to schedule the cycling tour for the morning, as the weather in Siem Reap can be hot, especially in the summer. However, this activity can also be arranged in the afternoon if preferred.

Your schedule for the next three days will be completely free, so you can enjoy island life at your own pace.

Take some time to unravel and relax on Koh Rong’s dazzling, ivory-white beaches or swim in the diamond-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The island is ringed by resplendent blue waters and a shallow seabed scattered with colourful coral reefs, making snorkelling or scuba diving must-do activities while staying here.

Other activities on Koh Rong include boat excursions to some of the nearby islands and snorkelling spots; hikes through the island’s lush, rainforest-swathed interior to some of the pristine waterfalls concealed within the greenery; and swimming at night for the chance to witness the magical glow of the bioluminescent plankton which often frequent these waters.


Accommodation:

Superior Category: The Secret Garden Koh Rong (or alternative hotel of equal standard)

Deluxe Category: The Royal Sands Koh Rong (or alternative hotel of equal standard)

Situated where two mighty rivers meet – the Mekong and the Tonle Sap – Phnom Penh stands as Cambodia’s enduring capital, its legacy bearing the scars of the country’s intense inner conflict, revolution and persecution as well as the complexities of its French colonial influence. In its heyday, the city was regarded as the ‘Pearl of Asia’, celebrated as one of the most enchanting French-built urban centres across all Indochina.

As the sun emerges to bath the streets in its delicate morning light, you’ll embark on a full-day exploration to uncover the rich tapestry of this city, unveiling its harmonious cocktail of Khmer heritage and colonial-influenced elegance.

You’ll begin at Wat Phnom, where Lady Penh – the city’s visionary founder – comes to life. Then, venture into the gleam of the Royal Palace, a regal testament to traditional Khmer architecture, and the scintillating Silver Pagoda, adorned with treasures that include the renowned Emerald Buddha as well as a life-size golden Buddha encrusted with more than 2,000 glittering diamonds. Then, delve into Cambodia’s past at the National Museum, an architectural jewel with roots in Khmer aesthetics that was designed by a French archaeologist and painter in 1917. Here, the annals of Khmer art and sculptures across numerous epochs of Cambodian history are waiting to be discover.

After a morning of cultural and historical immersion, you can savour a delectable lunch at a local eatery. Then in the afternoon, you’ve dive into the darker chapters of Cambodia’s history, embarking on a sombre journey through the Khmer Rouge era. First you’ll stop at Toul Sleng, a former high school turned harrowing interrogation prison that bore the grim moniker S-21 during the Khmer Rouge reign. Now a poignant genocide museum, its chilling corridors carry the reminder of the countless souls who suffered within these walls. A short drive will then take you to Cheung Ek, a vast memorial that commemorates 17,000 victims of Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, immortalised in the 1984 film The Killing Fields. Though these visits serve as haunting reminders of Cambodia’s harrowing past, they also shed light on the indomitable spirit of the Cambodian people as they preserved their cultural identity and rebuilt their nation.


Accommodation:

Superior Category: Baitong Hotel & Resort (or alternative hotel of equal standard)

Deluxe Category: Raffles Hotel Le Royal (or alternative hotel of equal standard)

At a prearranged time, you'll check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport in a private vehicle to begin your onward journey.