Classic Cambodia
Experience the best of Cambodia in under a week with this spectacular 6-day group tour. Explore the many sights of Phnom Penh and learn about the horrors of the Khmer Rouge at the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng. Then fly up to Siem Reap to discover the incredible Angkor Temple Complex, including the most famous temple in the region - the legendary Angkor Wat.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Phnom Penh
Day 1 Phnom Penh
Monday. Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival you'll be met and transferred to our hotel. Enjoy free time before a group dinner this evening.
Day 2 Phnom Penh City Tour
Day 2 Phnom Penh City Tour
Today we’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh, starting at the National Museum of Fine Arts which houses the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculptures. We continue to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, famed for its lavish decorations. The floors are paved with silver tiles and statues of Buddha encrusted with thousands of diamonds.
Later, come face to face with the horrors of the Pol Pot regime as we visit Tuol Sleng (Security Prison - S21), a school that was gruesomely transformed into a torture chamber under the Khmer Rouge. Continue to the notorious Killing Fields, where over 10,000 people were executed.
Day 3 Angkor Wat
Day 3 Angkor Wat
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap. This morning we fly to Siem Reap. Upon arrival we visit the Angkor National Museum (if open), for an introduction to Khmer civilization. This archaeological museum is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of Angkorian artefacts found locally dating from the 9th - 14th centuries. Next we visit the mother of all temples – legendary Angkor Wat, which is believed to be the largest religious building in the world, containing thousands of exquisitely crafted wall carvings and bas-reliefs.
Day 4 Angkor Thom & NGO circus project
Day 4 Angkor Thom & NGO circus project
Early this morning there's an optional excursion to see Angkor Wat bathed in the spectacular golden light at sunrise (book and pay locally). Our included touring today starts when we drive out to visit the well-preserved temples of Banteay Srei, stopping at an exotic butterfly sanctuary, and the village of Preak Dak where you have the opportunity to plant a tree sapling as part of a local initiative to help low income farmers.
Returning to the Angkor Temple Complex we explore the ancient city of Angkor Thom. The last capital of the Great Khmer Empire, it is home to the fascinating Bayon Temple, the Baphuon royal enclosure and the Terraces of the Elephants and Leper King. We continue on to Tra Prohm Temple, which unlike the other temples here has been left in the same ruined state that it was first discovered, with a tangle of trees growing out of its ruins. Tonight we attend the remarkable Phare NGO circus project which teaches children living on the streets how to become circus artists. Enjoy circus tricks and their interpretations of modern life and issues in Cambodian society in this popular show.
Day 5 Ton Le Sap Lake
Day 5 Ton Le Sap Lake
This morning we drive to Kampong Phluk, a cluster of three villages of stilt houses built within the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake about 16 km southeast of Siem Reap. After a boat trip on the lake we return to Siem Reap for some free time. Pick up some last minute souvenirs at the central market or head down to lively Pub Street.
Day 6 Siem Reap
Day 6 Siem Reap
Saturday. After breakfast and hotel check-out, an included departure transfer takes you to the airport.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Just 5 minutes from the Royal Palace, the Harmony Hotel in Phnom Penh is an elegant hotel with a great location. The spacious rooms feature plush furnishings with a smart decor of dark wood flooring and white walls with accents of colour. The hotel features a rooftop infinity pool and Jacuzzi with views across the river and the city, a perfect spot to relax after a busy day sightseeing. Guests can dine on a choice of Asian and Western dishes at the hotel's restaurant and enjoy a wide selection of beverages.
The Kravan Hotel offers comfortable and spacious guest rooms in a quiet location close to the heart of Phnom Penh. This stylish hotel has an outdoor rooftop pool, in addition to a rooftop bar and a restaurant which offer fantastic panoramic views across the capital. Free wifi is offered throughout the property and there is fitness centre located on the top floor where guests can indulge in various spa treatments and massages.
Not far from Angkor Wat, the Angkor Paradise Hotel offers elegant accommodation in a world famous setting. Guest rooms are beautifully furnished with traditional wooden floors and all mod cons. All rooms have either fabulous views of the city or the hotel's outdoor pool. The hotel also boasts a great onsite restaurant, fitness centre and pool terrace. The Angkor Paradise Hotel is situated a short distance from Siem Reap international airport and the majestic Angkor Archaeological Park.
This stylish and sophisticated hotel offers luxurious accommodation with elegant dining, fantastic facilities and a perfect location. The spacious rooms are wonderfully finished with smart wood flooring and ensuite bathrooms, plus there is free WiFi access. The hotel's bars and restaurants provide a diverse range of international and local cuisine, with a buffet breakfast served at Tong Tara Restaurant and cocktails served at Lily Lounge and the pool bar. The hotel also features a spa, outdoor swimming pool, complimentary bicycle rental, and for budding chefs - cooking classes in Thai and Khmer food! This hotel is just six kilometres from the Angkor temple complex.
Tour Reviews
The guides on my tours were professional, organised and knowledgeable. They were excellent ambassador's for 'On the Go' and for their respective countries.
A highly enjoyable tour. We were the only people joining at Phnom Penh and were surprised that there was no welcome letter or briefing for us at the hotel - we had to ask reception to confirm when we should meet up. Although the trip notes implied that on Day 3 we would fly to Siem Reap in the morning, the flight was scheduled at 2.15 and was delayed in advance until 4.15 and in practice left at 4.55, which meant the day was largely wasted, and the time in Siem Reap was much more pressurised with less free time. If internal flights are unreliable, a road transfer might have been preferable, allowing a stop-off en route. The guide at Siem Reap was particularly good. The pick-up for our transfer to the airport on Day 6 did not turn up; fortunately, one of the other tour guides knew the contact details of our guide who made a decision that the company would pay for our use of the hotel shuttle to the airport, and arranged this with the hotel. Perhaps in the future guests should have the guide's contact details for emergencies but we appreciated her prompt decision-making.
We had a great tour. The tour guides were very friendly and informative. There was a good balance of being in the group and wandering on your own. The group was 11 people which is a really good size. The accommodation was excellent - really enjoyed the pool at both locations.
Loved the itinerary which included the major sites and made great use of time. Smaller group with nice air conditioned transport. Our guide was beyond fantastic, super informative, caring and ensuring everything went well. Accommodations were fantastic and staff at hotels were all great. Food was good (taken to certain restaurants where we paid) but see if you can arrange pre ordering lunch with the guide as we found the lunch stops were eating into our travel time (between ordering, getting food, paying). We did that later in the trip and it helped a lot.
very knowledgeable and always on time
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