Cambodia 9 Day Tour from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh & Sihanoukville

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional tour guide and driver, who will be holding a personalized welcome sign with your booking name.

Enjoy a comfortable transfer into Siem Reap city, during which your guide will share helpful insights about the local culture, history, and daily life of the Khmer people. After check-in at your hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure and relax. 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 

Start your day early with a hotel pick-up by your tour guide and driver, and head to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 14, 1992.

• Sunrise at Angkor Wat: Witness the breathtaking sunrise at Angkor Wat, one of the most iconic and spiritual moments in Cambodia. Watch as the sun rises behind the temple’s majestic towers, an unforgettable sight.
• Explore Angkor Wat Complex: After sunrise, explore the vast Angkor Wat complex, renowned for its grand architecture, detailed bas-reliefs, and sacred symbolism and return to hotel for breakfast.

Mid-Morning: Angkor Thom and Surrounding Temples

Continue your visit at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, then explore the highlights within the ancient walled city:

• Bayon Temple: known for its 216 smiling stone faces
• Baphuon Temple: a restored pyramid-shaped temple
• Phimeanakas: part of the former royal palace grounds
• Terrace of the Elephants: once used for royal ceremonies
• Terrace of the Leper King: featuring detailed carvings and hidden galleries

Jungle Temples: Ta Nei & Ta Prohm

Visit Ta Nei, a quiet and less-visited temple tucked in the forest. Then continue to the famous Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider Temple). This temple is known for its haunting beauty, as massive tree roots grow over and through the ancient stone, giving you a glimpse of what many Angkor temples looked like before restoration. It was also featured in the Tomb Raider movie. Lunch at a Local Restaurant

Afternoon: Banteay Kdei & Srah Srang

• Banteay Kdei: a peaceful Buddhist monastery temple with serene carvings
• Srah Srang: known as the “Royal Bath,” a tranquil reservoir once used for royal bathing

After a full day of exploration, return to your hotel for a well-deserved rest. 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 

Morning: Roluos Local Market & Tonle Sap Lake by boat Loating Village 

Begin your day with a visit to the Roluos Local Market, one of the oldest markets in the region, dating back to the Khmer Empire. Walk through vibrant stalls offering fresh produce, handmade goods, and everyday essentials, an authentic glimpse into local Cambodian life. Then continue to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1997. Board a local boat to explore the floating villages, where Khmer communities live entirely on the water and highlights of the lake by boat tour:

• Floating Houses: built on boats or bamboo rafts to adapt to seasonal water changes
• Floating School, Market, and Church, essential hubs of floating village life
• Freshwater Mangroves, home to diverse wildlife and vital to the lake’s ecosystem

Have Lunch at a Local Restaurant

Afternoon: Roluos Group Temples – Cradle of the Khmer Empire

After lunch, visit the Roluos Group, a set of 9th-century temples from the first capital of the Khmer Empire. These temples reflect the beginnings of classical Khmer architecture:

• Lo Lei Temple: a small temple known for its detailed carvings
• Preah Ko (“Sacred Bull Temple”): featuring symbolic statues and ornate sandstone reliefs
• Bakong Temple: the largest of the Roluos temples, built as a step pyramid representing Mount Meru

Late Afternoon: Cultural Sites in Siem Reap

• Wat Bo Pagoda: one of Siem Reap’s oldest temples, famous for its vibrant murals and serene ambiance
• Artisans Angkor: visit this social enterprise to see traditional Khmer craftsmanship in action, including stone carving, woodwork, and silk painting
• Royal Residence Park: take a peaceful stroll through the royal gardens, surrounded by towering trees and sacred shrines

After a day full of cultural and natural discoveries, return to your hotel to unwind. 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 at the hotel, begin your full-day exploration of some of the most beautiful temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 401 square kilometers and home to over 250 ancient temples.

Morning: Grand Circle Temples Tour

Visit a series of stunning temples in the Grand Circle route, each showcasing unique architectural styles and historical significance:

• Preah Khan: a vast temple complex that once served as a Buddhist monastery and university
• Neak Pean: a small island temple surrounded by sacred pools, once believed to have healing powers
• Ta Som: a peaceful temple known for its iconic eastern gate wrapped in tree roots
• East Mebon: once located on an artificial island, it features large elephant statues and elevated towers
• Banteay Samre: a beautifully restored temple with elegant carvings and tranquil surroundings

Lunch at a Local Restaurant before continue tour

Afternoon: Banteay Srei & Cultural Encounter

Visit Banteay Srei, often called the Crown Jewel of Khmer Art, renowned for its exquisite carvings in pink and rose sandstone. Though smaller than other Angkor temples, it stands out for its intricate detail and artistry.

On the return trip, stop at a traditional Khmer village to see stilted wooden homes and observe the local production of palm sugar, an important part of Cambodian rural life.

Sunset at Pre Rup Temple

End your day at Pre Rup, a majestic step-pyramid temple known for its sunset views. Watch the light fade over the countryside and the ancient stone structures. After that return to 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 at the hotel, begin your journey from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, located southeast of the Angkor temple region. The drive along National Road offers scenic views and several cultural highlights across provinces such as Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham.

• Stop 1: The Ancient Naga Bridge (Spean Praptos)

Your first stop is the well-preserved Naga Bridge, built in the 12th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. This historic sandstone bridge is part of the ancient Angkorian road network and features intricately carved Naga (serpent) balustrades, a classic symbol of Khmer architecture.

• Stop 2: Kampong Thom Stone Carving Village

Continue to Cambodia’s largest stone carving village in Kampong Thom province, where skilled artisans create intricate Buddha statues, temple replicas, and traditional relief carvings using age-old methods. This village serves as a key center for Khmer sculpture.

Lunch at a Local Restaurant before continue the journey 

• Stop 3: Skun Spider Market

After lunch, stop in Skun, a roadside town famous for one of Cambodia’s most unusual attractions, its fried spider market. Known worldwide, this market offers a unique look at local culinary traditions:

• Women sell trays of crispy fried tarantulas, seasoned and served as snacks
• You’ll also find other exotic foods like crickets and silkworms, alongside local produce and snacks

Arrival in Phnom Penh

Continue the final stretch of the journey and arrive in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon or early evening. Check in at your hotel and relax after a full day of cultural discovery and travel. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• Mahasakor Inn Phnom Penh, 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 

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your full-day guided exploration of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city and a fast-growing economic and political hub rich in history and culture.

Morning: Cambodia’s Dark History – Khmer Rouge Era

Start the day with visits to two of the country’s most important historical sites from the Khmer Rouge era:

• Choeung Ek Genocide Center (Killing Fields): located on the outskirts of the city, this memorial site honors the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. Learn about Cambodia’s tragic past and pay your respects in a peaceful but powerful setting.
• Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21): formerly a high school turned into a prison and torture center, this museum offers a deeply moving look into the brutality of the regime from 1975 to 1979. Your guide will provide insights into this painful chapter of Cambodian history.

Lunch at a Local Restaurant before continue tour

Afternoon: Royal and Cultural Highlights

• Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda: visit the official residence of Cambodia’s royal family. The palace grounds feature classic Khmer architecture and the Silver Pagoda, home to priceless national treasures and sacred statues
• Independence Monument: built to commemorate Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule
• Statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk:  honoring the revered late monarch who led the country to independence
• Wat Ounalom:  the spiritual center of Cambodian Buddhism and an active monastery
• Wat Phnom: perched on a small hill, this temple marks the legendary founding of Phnom Penh and remains a peaceful city landmark
• Central Market (Phsar Thmei): End your tour with a visit to Central Market, an architectural landmark built in the 1930s during the French colonial period. This iconic Art Deco building houses vendors selling everything from jewelry and souvenirs to clothes and local foods.

After a full day of cultural and historical exploration, return to your hotel to relax. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• Mahasakor Inn Phnom Penh, 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 

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy free time at your leisure until your scheduled departure. At the appointed time, your private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby for the overland transfer from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, located on Cambodia’s southern coast. Enjoy a scenic drive along the national highways, passing through rural countryside, plantations, and rolling plateau landscapes, giving you a glimpse of daily life outside the capital.

Upon arrival in Sihanoukville, check in at your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the coastal atmosphere. Overnight in Sihanoukville

• Note: No Tour guide today 

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• Otres Beach Hotel, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Won Majestic Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar
• Sokha Beach Resort, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure in Sihanoukville, a charming coastal town with a rich history and a laid-back vibe. While smaller and quieter than in years past, Sihanoukville remains a relaxing destination with beautiful beaches and fresh seafood. This is a perfect day to slow down and soak in the coastal atmosphere. Overnight in Sihanoukville

Hotel Accommodation in option below : 

• Otres Beach Hotel, a 3 stars hotel or similar
• Won Majestic Hotel, a 4 stars hotel or similar
• Sokha Beach Resort, a 5 stars hotel or similar 

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy free time at your leisure until your scheduled departure. At the appointed time, your private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby for your transfer from Sihanoukville to Techo International Airport.

• Note: No Tour guide today 
• We recommend booking an afternoon departure flight (around 12:00 PM) to allow sufficient travel time and a smooth journey.

Say goodbye to Cambodia, taking with you unforgettable memories of its ancient wonders, coastal charm, and warm hospitality. End of Services