📍 Cambodia

CAMBODIA COMPLETE: TEMPLES, MEKONG AND ISLAND BEAUTY

Temple spires piercing canopy, turquoise waters caressing white sand. Cambodia, ancient mystery and tropical splendor.

≈ 16
Days
1195
Km
5
Stops
📖 8 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Begin in Phnom Penh by the river, then follow the Mekong to Kampong Cham and its riverside villages. In Siem Reap, explore Angkor among stones and jungle, before reaching Koh Rong and its clear waters. Cambodia alternates temples, river and islands, with a gentleness that lingers long in memory.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Phnom Penh

capital city pulses river chaos

Phnom Penh - Photo 1Phnom Penh - Photo 2Phnom Penh - Photo 3Phnom Penh - Photo 4Phnom Penh - Photo 5Phnom Penh - Photo 6Phnom Penh - Photo 7Phnom Penh - Photo 8Phnom Penh - Photo 9Phnom Penh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Overview of the capital from the airport road and the banks of the Tonlé Sap/Mekong (Sisowath Quay)
2
Royal Palace (exteriors and gardens, including Silver Pagoda)
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset cruise on the Tonlé Sap river (departure near Sisowath Quay)
→
Walking orientation tour along the quays and central streets
2
Day

Phnom Penh

capital city pulses river chaos

Phnom Penh - Photo 1Phnom Penh - Photo 2Phnom Penh - Photo 3Phnom Penh - Photo 4Phnom Penh - Photo 5Phnom Penh - Photo 6Phnom Penh - Photo 7Phnom Penh - Photo 8Phnom Penh - Photo 9Phnom Penh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Wat Phnom and stupa (sacred hill founding the city)
2
Central Market (Phsar Thmey) with Art Deco architecture
3
Colonial architecture circuit (central post office, 1932 train station)
4
Chaktomuk Hall (Vann Molyvann) and Olympic Stadium (exteriors)
🎯

Activities

→
Electric tuk-tuk transportation for urban mini-safaris and photo stops
3
Day

Phnom Penh

capital city pulses river chaos

Phnom Penh - Photo 1Phnom Penh - Photo 2Phnom Penh - Photo 3Phnom Penh - Photo 4Phnom Penh - Photo 5Phnom Penh - Photo 6Phnom Penh - Photo 7Phnom Penh - Photo 8Phnom Penh - Photo 9Phnom Penh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Tuol Sleng S-21 Genocide Museum (French audioguide)
2
SOSORO Currency Museum (economic history of Cambodia)
3
National Museum of Cambodia (pre-Angkorian and Angkorian collections)
4
Royal Palace complex (throne room, Silver Pagoda – exteriors)
🎯

Activities

→
Evening stroll along the riverfront (Tonle Sap/Mekong)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 235 km
Travel time: 5h
4
Day

Chhlong

riverside village embraces mekong life

Chhlong - Photo 1Chhlong - Photo 2Chhlong - Photo 3Chhlong - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Stop at Skun (fried insect market) – observation of the stalls
2
Koh Trong Island (local ferry from Kratie, stilt village and orchards)
3
Colonial town of Kratie (old houses, Mekong waterfront)
🎯

Activities

→
Bicycle loop on Koh Trong (≈9 km)
→
Boat trip to Prek Kampi to observe Irrawaddy dolphins at sunset
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 50 km
Travel time: 1h30
5
Day

Kampong Cham

mekong town preserves river heritage

Kampong Cham - Photo 1Kampong Cham - Photo 2Kampong Cham - Photo 3Kampong Cham - Photo 4Kampong Cham - Photo 5Kampong Cham - Photo 6Kampong Cham - Photo 7Kampong Cham - Photo 8Kampong Cham - Photo 9Kampong Cham - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Rural village (krama weaving, areca cultivation, pirogue workshops)
2
Local market of Chhlong / surroundings (scenes of life)
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic road along the Mekong to Kampong Cham (photo stops buffaloes, rice fields)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 320 km
Travel time: 7h
6
Day

Siem Reap

temple gateway guards jungle secrets

Siem Reap - Photo 1Siem Reap - Photo 2Siem Reap - Photo 3Siem Reap - Photo 4Siem Reap - Photo 5Siem Reap - Photo 6Siem Reap - Photo 7Siem Reap - Photo 8Siem Reap - Photo 9Siem Reap - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Sambor Prei Kuk (UNESCO-listed pre-Angkorian site, brick temples in the forest)
2
Arrival and orientation tour of Siem Reap (riverbanks, old French quarter – exteriors)
🎯

Activities

→
Photo transect nature & heritage between Kampong Thom and Siem Reap
7
Day

Siem Reap

temple gateway guards jungle secrets

Siem Reap - Photo 1Siem Reap - Photo 2Siem Reap - Photo 3Siem Reap - Photo 4Siem Reap - Photo 5Siem Reap - Photo 6Siem Reap - Photo 7Siem Reap - Photo 8Siem Reap - Photo 9Siem Reap - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Roluos Group (Bakong, Preah Ko) – first capital of the Khmer Empire
2
Angkor Wat (galleries and major bas-reliefs)
3
South Gate of Angkor Thom and Bayon (monumental faces)
4
Baphuon (pyramid, terrace)
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset in the Angkor area (authorized viewpoint)
8
Day

Siem Reap

temple gateway guards jungle secrets

Siem Reap - Photo 1Siem Reap - Photo 2Siem Reap - Photo 3Siem Reap - Photo 4Siem Reap - Photo 5Siem Reap - Photo 6Siem Reap - Photo 7Siem Reap - Photo 8Siem Reap - Photo 9Siem Reap - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Beng Mealea (ruins in the heart of the jungle)
2
Banteay Srei (pink sandstone, delicate bas-reliefs)
3
Theam's Gallery (house-museum and art workshop)
🎯

Activities

→
Country route between temples and villages (roadside craft stops)
9
Day

Siem Reap

temple gateway guards jungle secrets

Siem Reap - Photo 1Siem Reap - Photo 2Siem Reap - Photo 3Siem Reap - Photo 4Siem Reap - Photo 5Siem Reap - Photo 6Siem Reap - Photo 7Siem Reap - Photo 8Siem Reap - Photo 9Siem Reap - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Mechrey landing stage then floating village of Prek Toal (lakeside life, floating houses)
2
Prek Toal bird sanctuary (bird watching, season depends on water level)
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of a cooperative workshop weaving water hyacinth (solidarity crafts)
→
Traditional boat trip on canals and lake (round trip)
10
Day

Siem Reap

temple gateway guards jungle secrets

Siem Reap - Photo 1Siem Reap - Photo 2Siem Reap - Photo 3Siem Reap - Photo 4Siem Reap - Photo 5Siem Reap - Photo 6Siem Reap - Photo 7Siem Reap - Photo 8Siem Reap - Photo 9Siem Reap - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Kulen Elephant Forest (ethical sanctuary; encounter and observation, no riding)
2
APOPO Visitor Center (deminers and TNT detection rats)
3
Phsar Leu Thom Tmey (big Upper Market, local life)
4
Satcha – craftsman incubator (workshops and know-how boutique)
🎯

Activities

→
Phare Ponleu Selpak circus show (evening)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 320 km
Travel time: 3h30
11
Day

Koh Rong Sok San

island paradise glows turquoise waters

Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 1Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 2Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 3Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 4Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 5Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 6Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 7Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 8Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 9Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Koh Rong beaches (Sok San Beach and surroundings)
🎯

Activities

→
Snorkeling from the beach or by local boat (depending on conditions)
→
Coastal walk on the island's forest trails
12
Day

Koh Rong Sok San

island paradise glows turquoise waters

Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 1Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 2Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 3Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 4Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 5Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 6Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 7Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 8Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 9Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Free exploration of coves and secondary beaches (Lonely Beach, depending on boat access)
🎯

Activities

→
Sea kayaking along the coastline
→
Night swimming to observe bioluminescent plankton (except during full moon)
13
Day

Koh Rong Sok San

island paradise glows turquoise waters

Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 1Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 2Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 3Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 4Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 5Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 6Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 7Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 8Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 9Koh Rong Sok San - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Morning relaxation and swimming on white sand
🎯

Activities

→
Traditional fishing trip with local boat (optional)
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 270 km
Travel time: 6h
14
Day

Phnom Penh

capital city pulses river chaos

Phnom Penh - Photo 1Phnom Penh - Photo 2Phnom Penh - Photo 3Phnom Penh - Photo 4Phnom Penh - Photo 5Phnom Penh - Photo 6Phnom Penh - Photo 7Phnom Penh - Photo 8Phnom Penh - Photo 9Phnom Penh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Final free visits depending on flight (Mekong riverbanks, markets)
🎯

Activities

→
Return transfer to town after boat Koh Rong → Sihanoukville and road to Phnom Penh

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

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SMILE LOOP — PHNOM PENH, BATTAMBANG & ANGKOR TEMPLES

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Cool Dry Season (November-February): Perfect weather, comfortable temperatures, minimal rainfall, ideal touring, clear skies, peak tourist season, advance booking recommended.

Hot Season (March-May): Hot temperatures, dry conditions, fewer crowds, reasonable prices, early morning activities, challenging midday heat.

Rainy Season (June-October): Heavy rainfall, lush landscapes, muddy roads, lowest prices, fewer tourists, challenging travel, dramatic storms.

Best Temple Visiting (November-March): Comfortable temperatures, clear skies, optimal photography, manageable heat, ideal conditions, peak season.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 13 and 19 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Cambodia?

Ancient Khmer empire with Angkor Wat temples, rich history, and warm hospitality. Experience archaeological wonders, traditional crafts, and authentic Southeast Asian culture. The country offers cultural depth with natural beauty and historical significance. Cambodia provides transformative cultural experiences with archaeological treasures and cultural resilience.