Cambodia Highlights: 8-Day Private Roundtrip Tour from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Upon arrival at Techo International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your tour guide and driver. They will assist you with your luggage and provide a comfortable transfer to the capital city, Phnom Penh.

On the way to your hotel, your guide will give you an informative orientation about Phnom Penh, sharing insights into the city’s history, culture, and the daily life of its people.

After check-in at your hotel, enjoy free time at your leisure to relax or explore the surroundings at your own pace. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• King Grand Boutique Hotel, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Sun & Moon Urban Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar
• Sun & Moon Riverside Hotel, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, begin your full-day exploration of Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital and Cambodia’s leading economic and political hub. The city blends rich history with modern development and is home to many significant cultural and historical landmarks.

Start your tour with a visit to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek Genocide Center, a poignant reminder of Cambodia’s tragic past during the Khmer Rouge regime. Then continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison), a former high school that became an infamous detention center.

Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, sampling authentic Cambodian cuisine.

In the afternoon, continue your tour with a visit to Wat Phnom, a sacred hilltop temple considered the birthplace of Phnom Penh. Then explore the stunning Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of Cambodia, followed by the Silver Pagoda, located within the palace grounds and known as the largest monastery in Phnom Penh.

Next, stop by the Independence Monument, built to commemorate Cambodia's independence from France, and then the Statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk, a national hero and beloved former king.

Conclude your tour with a visit to the iconic Central Market (Phsar Thmei), an architectural gem built during the French colonial era, where you can browse for local souvenirs, jewelry, and traditional goods.

Return to your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• King Grand Boutique Hotel, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Sun & Moon Urban Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar 
• Sun & Moon Riverside, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

After breakfast at hotel, depart from Phnom Penh and begin your journey to Siem Reap, located in the northwest of Cambodia, near the world-famous Angkor temple complex. The drive along National Road takes you through several Cambodian provinces, offering a fascinating glimpse into local life and rural landscapes.

Your first stop is the unique town of Skun, famously known as the “Spiderville” of Cambodia. Skun Market is unlike any other in the region, while it looks like a typical Asian market at first glance, it is best known for its fried spider snacks, a local delicacy that has gained worldwide attention. Here, you’ll see vendors offering large trays filled with crispy, seasoned spiders, some as big as a grown man's hand, an unforgettable experience for adventurous travelers!

Continue the drive toward Kampong Thom Province, located in the heart of Cambodia. Here, visit a traditional stone carving village, where local artisans skillfully sculpt intricate statues and ornaments using techniques passed down through generations.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Kampong Thom before continuing your journey.

After lunch, make a short stop at the ancient Naga Bridge (Spean Praptos), an impressive sandstone bridge from the 12th century that remains remarkably well-preserved. The bridge, adorned with naga serpent balustrades, is a great example of Khmer engineering from the Angkorian era.

Arrive in Siem Reap in the late afternoon, and check in at your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• Royal Crown Hotel & Spa, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Regency Angkor Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar
• Angkor Paradise Hotel, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

Begin your unforgettable day with an early transfer to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 14, 1992, and one of the most iconic historical areas in the world.

Start your tour with the breathtaking sunrise at Angkor Wat, where the sun rises directly behind the temple’s central towers, creating a magical and world-renowned silhouette. After enjoying this unforgettable view, continue to explore the Angkor Wat complex, the largest religious monument in the world, known for its incredible bas-reliefs and majestic Khmer architecture.

Return to your hotel for a well-deserved breakfast.

After breakfast, resume your exploration with a visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the great walled city of King Jayavarman VII. Continue to the Bayon Temple, located in the heart of Angkor Thom, famous for its 216 smiling stone faces.

Take a guided walk through the ancient city to discover more hidden gems:

• Baphuon Temple, once one of the grandest temples of Angkor.
• Phimeanakas, a Hindu temple built within the Royal Palace enclosure.
• A jungle walk leading to the Terrace of the Elephants, used for royal ceremonies and public audiences.
• The Terrace of the Leper King, adorned with elaborate carvings.

Next, venture off the main path to explore Ta Nei, a smaller jungle temple rarely visited by crowds, offering a peaceful and authentic experience.

Continue to Ta Prohm, famously known as the "Tomb Raider Temple" after the movie was filmed here. Unlike many other Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm has been left mostly in its natural state, with massive trees and roots growing over the ruins, a haunting and powerful reminder of how nature reclaimed this once-thriving city for centuries between the 16th and 19th centuries.

After exploring Ta Prohm, enjoy a local lunch at a nearby restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit Banteay Kdei, a peaceful and less-crowded temple with impressive carvings and collapsed galleries. End your tour with a stop at Srah Srang, the royal bathing pool, where kings and priests once bathed, a serene place perfect for reflection.

Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• Royal Crown Hotel & Spa, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Regency Angkor Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar 
• Angkor Paradise Hotel, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

This morning, depart for a full-day tour of the Angkor Grand Circle, exploring some of the most beautiful and historically significant temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park, which is home to over 250 temples from the Khmer Empire.

Begin your day with a visit to Banteay Samre, a well-preserved temple known for its detailed carvings and tranquil atmosphere. Then continue to the exquisite Banteay Srei Temple, often referred to as the "Crown Jewel of Khmer Art". Built from pink and rose-colored sandstone, this 10th-century temple features some of the most elaborate and intricate carvings found in all of Angkor.

On the way, stop by a traditional Khmer village, where you can see authentic wooden stilt houses and observe locals making palm sugar using time-honored techniques, a wonderful opportunity to experience Cambodia's rural culture firsthand.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your temple journey.

In the afternoon, explore:

• Preah Khan, a sprawling monastic complex that once served as a Buddhist university and monastery.
• Neak Pean, a unique island temple built in the middle of a man-made pond, originally designed for healing rituals.
• Ta Som, a peaceful temple famous for the giant tree roots growing over its eastern gate.
• East Mebon, a large temple once situated on an island in the now-dry East Baray reservoir.

End the day with a visit to Pre Rup Temple, a mountain-style temple built from laterite and brick, and one of the best spots in Angkor to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the surrounding jungle and rice fields.

Return to your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• Royal Crown Hotel & Spa, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Regency  Angkor Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar
• Angkor Paradise Hotel, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

After breakfast, set off on a full-day excursion to Phnom Kulen National Park, located north of the Angkor Archaeological Park. This sacred mountain holds immense historical and spiritual importance for Cambodians. It was also the quarry site for the sandstone used in the construction of the Angkor temples, a true cradle of Khmer architecture.

Your vehicle will ascend to the summit of Phnom Kulen, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, covered with lush forest and hills.

Begin your visit at Poeng Ta Kho, also known as the "Amazing Cliff", offering spectacular views from the edge of the mountain, a popular photo spot for nature lovers.

Next, visit the largest reclining Buddha statue in Cambodia, intricately carved directly into a massive sandstone boulder at a hilltop monastery. This sacred statue is a major pilgrimage site for local Buddhists.

Continue to the River of 1,000 Lingas, where you’ll see intricate carvings of Hindu symbols etched into the riverbed. This river, considered sacred, feeds the Kulen Waterfall, one of the most beautiful in Cambodia. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool natural pool or simply relax and take in the peaceful atmosphere.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near the mountain.

After lunch, continue your journey with a visit to a local village, offering insight into the traditional lifestyle of rural Cambodians.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• Royal Crown Hotel & Spa, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Regency  Angkor Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar
• Angkor Paradise Hotel, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

This morning after breakfast, transfer to the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, renowned for its unique ecosystem and cultural importance. The lake is home to diverse flora and fauna, and supports large floating communities whose livelihoods depend on the water’s rhythms.

Board a local boat for a guided tour through one of the lake’s floating villages. Here, you’ll witness the fascinating lifestyle of the local people who live in floating houses, rely on large fish traps, and navigate their daily routines entirely by boat. The tour offers deep insights into a community and economy built around the natural rise and fall of the lake’s waters.

After exploring the floating village, return to your hotel for check-out.

In the afternoon, depart Siem Reap for Phnom Penh via private transfer (without tour guide). Enjoy the scenic countryside views during the journey.

Arrive in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• King Grand Boutique Hotel, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Sun & Moon Urban Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar 
• Sun & Moon Riverside, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy free time at your leisure in the morning to relax or explore nearby before your departure.

At the scheduled time, your private driver (no tour guide) will meet you in the hotel lobby for a comfortable transfer to Techo International Airport.

We hope you had a memorable journey discovering Cambodia’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty.

Farewell and safe travels!