CAMBODIA HIGHLIGHTS – 5 DAYS
Ancient stone, river rhythms, royal quarters—Angkor to Phnom Penh, steeped in Khmer history and living culture.
Cambodia Highlights
Cambodia grabs you from the first sunrise—jungle-wrapped temples, river life that shifts with the seasons, golden spires, and a resilient spirit you can feel in the streets. This itinerary distills the best of it. We start in Siem Reap, where Angkor’s story comes alive in real time: the calm faces of Bayon, the grand avenues of Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm’s roots weaving through stone. Think early light at Angkor Wat, quiet corridors before the crowds, and afternoons free to breathe—artisan workshops, a coffee in town, or a gentle boat ride through Tonlé Sap’s stilted or floating villages.
Then we drop into Phnom Penh’s energy where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap meet. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda shimmer above the riverfront; the National Museum’s sculpture connects the dots from empire to modern Cambodia; the Central Market’s Art Deco curves keep things firmly grounded in daily life. For those who want to go deeper, we approach the Khmer Rouge period with care and context—Tuol Sleng (S-21) and the Killing Fields are handled thoughtfully, with room to reflect and no rush. It’s powerful, important, and part of understanding the country today.
All of this runs at an easy-to-moderate pace with smart timing and private transfers. Our guides know when to pivot to dodge a tour bus, where the best market snacks are hiding, and how to line up sunset so you’re standing in the right place when the sky goes gold. It’s adventurous without being hectic—temples, culture, river life, and just enough freedom to make it yours.
ITINERARY OUTLINE
Day 1 — Arrive Siem Reap
We’ll meet you at the airport, handle the drive and check-in, then keep things flexible: a short orientation walk if you want to stretch your legs, and an optional dinner with classical Apsara dance.
Day 2 — Angkor Thom to Ta Prohm
Today is about the big picture of Angkor, the heart of the Khmer Empire (9th–15th centuries). Enter Angkor Thom through the South Gate and stand face-to-face with Bayon’s serene towers—built under Jayavarman VII at the height of Khmer power. Walk Baphuon and Phimeanakas, then the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King that framed royal processions. In the afternoon, wander Ta Prohm, where silk-cotton and strangler fig roots wrap galleries commissioned in the same era. It’s atmospheric, photogenic, and a good lesson in conservation. Optional hilltop sunset to end the day.
Day 3 — Angkor Wat & Tonlé Sap
Sunrise at Angkor Wat with a specialist guide. We’ll unpack how this 12th-century temple-city was first dedicated to Vishnu and later became a living Buddhist site—iconic towers, bas-reliefs, and clever engineering included. Break at midday to avoid peak heat. Later, head to the Tonlé Sap for a gentle boat cruise through stilted or floating villages (scenery shifts with the lake’s seasonal pulse). If time allows, drop by an artisan workshop back in town.
Day 4 — Fly to Phnom Penh
Morning flight south. Explore the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, the National Museum’s Khmer sculpture, and the Central Market’s Art Deco halls. For those who wish to go deeper, we can arrange thoughtful visits to Tuol Sleng (S-21) and the Killing Fields—sites that document the Khmer Rouge period (1975–1979), a dark stage in Cambodia’s history. Our guides handle this with care: context first, space to reflect, and no rush.
Day 5 — Depart
Free time for a riverside walk or last-minute shopping before your private transfer to the airport.
Make It Yours (Optional Add-Ons)
If you’d like to personalize the trip, we can add countryside cycling through Siem Reap’s rice fields, a hands-on Khmer cooking class, a quiet monk blessing at a neighborhood pagoda, or premium seats at Phare, The Cambodian Circus. We can line up artisan visits for silk weaving, stone carving, or lacquer; bring in a private historian to deepen the Angkor story; arrange a sunrise photographer at Angkor Wat; set up a Phnom Penh street-food walk; or cap the day with a sunset cocktail cruise on the Mekong—plus spa time, yoga, or mindfulness sessions wherever they fit best. Want more nature or beach time? Add a coastal escape to the islands—Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanloem—for white-sand downtime, snorkeling, and boat trips (generally calmest November–May), or swing through Kep and Kampot for crab markets, pepper farms, and a quick hop to Rabbit Island. For wild rainforest and rivers, the Cardamom Mountains are an easy extension: base on the Tatai River or in community-run hubs near Chi Phat, kayak quiet backwaters, hike to waterfalls, take guided night walks, and engage with conservation-focused lodges—especially lush once the rains have topped up the rivers.
LJ TRAVEL TIP
Transfer assistance for your departure will be provided.