CAMBODIA HIGHLIGHTS – 5 DAYS
Ancient stone, river rhythms, royal quarters—Angkor to Phnom Penh, steeped in Khmer history and living culture.
Cambodia Highlights
Cambodia lands fast and stays with you: jungle-wrapped temples, river life that shifts with the seasons, golden spires, and a resilient spirit you feel on the street. This itinerary keeps it focused. We start in Siem Reap, where Angkor’s story unfolds 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 free afternoons to breathe: artisan workshops, coffee in town, or a gentle boat ride through Tonlé Sap’s stilted or floating villages.
Then comes Phnom Penh’s energy where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap meet. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda rise above the riverfront; the National Museum’s sculpture links empire to modern Cambodia; the Central Market’s Art Deco sweep keeps things grounded in daily life. For travelers who want deeper context, we approach the Khmer Rouge period with care and context: Tuol Sleng (S-21) and the Killing Fields are guided thoughtfully, with space to reflect.
All of this runs at an easy to moderate pace with smart timing and private transfers. Our guides know when to pivot to avoid a tour bus, where the best market snacks are hiding, and how to time sunset so you’re in the right spot when the sky goes gold. Adventurous without the hectic: temples, culture, river life, and enough freedom to make it yours.
ITINERARY OUTLINE
Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap
Meet & greet, smooth transfer, and a relaxed orientation walk in the old town. Dinner is flexible: a favorite local spot, with the option to see classical Apsara dance.
Day 2: Angkor Thom to Ta Prohm
Get the big picture of Angkor, the heart of the Khmer Empire (9th to 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. Continue to 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 weave through galleries from the same era. It’s atmospheric, photogenic, and a clear lesson in conservation. Optional hilltop sunset to close the day.
Day 3: Angkor Wat & Tonlé Sap
Sunrise at Angkor Wat with a specialist guide. Unpack how this 12th-century temple city was first dedicated to Vishnu and later became a living Buddhist site, with iconic towers, bas-reliefs, and smart engineering. Take a midday break to avoid peak heat. Later, cruise the Tonlé Sap for a gentle look at stilted or floating villages; the scenery shifts with the seasons. If time allows, stop by an artisan workshop back in town.
Day 4: Fly to Phnom Penh
Morning flight south. Explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the National Museum’s Khmer sculpture, and the Central Market’s Art Deco halls. For those who want deeper context, we can arrange thoughtful visits to Tuol Sleng (S-21) and the Killing Fields: sites that document the Khmer Rouge period (1975 to 1979). 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)
- Countryside cycling through Siem Reap’s rice fields
- Hands-on Khmer cooking class
- Quiet monk blessing at a neighborhood pagoda
- Premium seats at Phare, The Cambodian Circus
- Artisan visits for silk weaving, stone carving, or lacquer
- A private historian to deepen the Angkor story
- Sunrise photographer at Angkor Wat
- Phnom Penh street-food walk
- Sunset cocktail cruise on the Mekong
- Spa time, yoga, or mindfulness sessions wherever they fit best
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 to May), or swing through Kep and Kampot for crab markets, pepper farms, and a quick hop to Rabbit Island. For 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 connect with conservation-focused lodges once the rains have topped up the rivers.
LJ TRAVEL TIP
Transfer assistance for your departure will be provided.