Hike From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, make your own way to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

At 17:00, your guide will meet the group in the hotel lobby for a short transfer to a local restaurant, where we will enjoy dinner and a trip orientation.

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin a full-day exploration of Phnom Penh. The day starts at the National Museum, which houses the country’s most important collection of Khmer art and artefacts, followed by the Royal Palace complex and the famous Silver Pagoda, known for its gleaming floor tiles.

Next, visit Wat Phnom, a historic temple perched on a hill, and if time allows, make a brief stop at the Central Market to experience local life in a vibrant colonial-era setting. In the afternoon, delve into Cambodia’s recent past with a sobering visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school turned prison under the Khmer Rouge.

Later, travel to the outskirts of the city to visit Il Nodo Onlus NGO, an inspiring educational centre where young Cambodians learn traditional crafts such as jewellery-making and textile production. Enjoy coffee and light refreshments as you witness first-hand how these skills create lasting opportunities. Return to the hotel in the early evening.

Please note: the NGO is closed during Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival (each for one week).

After the visit, return to the hotel.

After breakfast, we travel by road from Phnom Penh towards Kratie, with several cultural and scenic stops along the way.

Our first stop is at Skun Market, well known for its grilled spider brochettes – a local delicacy that some vendors will enthusiastically encourage you to try: “It’s crispy!” they’ll assure you.

We then continue to Phnom Pros (Hill of Men) and Phnom Srey (Hill of Women). While Phnom Srey remains largely untouched and covered in vegetation, Phnom Pros is home to a number of pagodas and stupas that serve as memorials to the many victims of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Back on the road, we visit Wat Nokor Bachey – a distinctive and unusual temple complex noted for its blend of ancient and modern architecture. After crossing the nearby bridge, we arrive in Kampong Cham City before continuing our journey to Kratie.

Upon arrival in Kratie, we board a local ferry to cross the Mekong River to Koh Trong, a tranquil island only accessible by boat. During the dry season, its sandy beaches appear along the banks, adding to the island’s charm. After checking in at the homestay, you’re free to explore the peaceful surroundings on foot. With no traffic, friendly locals, active fishermen and lush orchards, Koh Trong offers a serene atmosphere that feels worlds away from the city. For those interested, you can also enjoy a traditional ox-cart ride for a unique local experience.

Please Note: Hotel check in is from 14:00. Kratie is not yet very developed as a tourist area, so the quality of restaurants, hotels and general services is based on the standard of the place.

This morning, enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Koh Trong with time to explore the island further, either on foot or by bicycle.

After breakfast, we take the ferry back to Kratie and continue by road towards Ratanakiri. En route, we stop in Kampi for a boat trip in search of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella). These freshwater dolphins are critically endangered across Asia, and Cambodia remains one of the few places where they can still be seen in the wild.

Upon arrival in Banlung, we check in at the hotel. Later, we head to the centre of Banlung for a scenic walk up the hill to enjoy one of the best panoramic views in the region. The walk begins at the foot of the hill and leads to the pagoda of Wat Rahtanharanm, home to a large reclining Buddha. The climb offers both stunning views and a peaceful setting, with the experience lasting around 45 minutes to one hour.

Here, you’ll also attend a traditional Monk Blessing Ceremony. Before it begins, your guide will offer a short introduction to Buddhism, the monks’ daily lives, and the significance of the blessing. During the ceremony, monks will chant and sprinkle holy water – be prepared to get a little wet – and tie a red thread around your right wrist. This string symbolises the release of negative thoughts and serves as a token of protection, health and good fortune.

Please Note:Guests are required to sit on the floor during the ceremony and must dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered. A showering water blessing is also available for those who wish to participate.

Continue on up the hill to catch a great opportunity to enjoy watching the stunning sunset.

Depart the hotel at 08:00 for a full-day adventure to visit a remote tribal village. Today’s journey offers a variety of local transport experiences – including ferry, boat, hiking and a motorised tractor – giving you the chance to explore a rich mix of forest and jungle landscapes.

We begin by heading north by car to a small riverside village, where we cross the river by local ferry. On the other side, the village chief will greet us and take us aboard his motorised tractor, known locally as a koyoun. The ride passes through charming villages and agricultural land, including rice and cassava plantations, before reaching the trailhead.

From here, we hike approximately 7 kilometres to reach the tribal village, located on the banks of a small river. On arrival, we’ll be welcomed by the villagers with a refreshing local drink and an introduction to their culture and way of life. You’re welcome to sample Srah Thnam, their traditional rice wine, if you wish. Meanwhile, lunch will be prepared using seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking techniques – you're welcome to observe or take part.

After lunch and a short rest, we continue on foot for a further 1.5 kilometres to reach a scenic viewpoint with panoramic views over the surrounding jungle. Along the way, villagers will share knowledge of edible plants and basic jungle survival techniques – and you're welcome to try some of the wild flavours if you're feeling adventurous.

We return to the starting point and board a traditional boat to follow the river downstream. You’ll have the chance to swim in the clear, refreshing water if you wish. Back on land, we retrace our route by koyoun to the ferry crossing, then return by private vehicle to your hotel.

Distance & duration of hiking: 10 kilometers - 3 hours
Net elevation gain: + 300 meters
Terrain: mainly jungle trails, through forest

In the morning, we visit Ban Lung Market, where ethnic minority groups arrive with traditional baskets filled with local goods to sell. It’s a lively and colourful scene, offering great insight into local life – and a fantastic opportunity for photography.

Afterwards, we continue our journey to Preah Vihear, a remote province in northern Cambodia that borders both Thailand and Laos. Located approximately 185 kilometres northeast of Siem Reap, the region is known for its rich collection of ancient temples, earning it the nickname "mother of the mountain temples".

Upon arrival, we check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

After breakfast, we visit the magnificent Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Perched atop a hill, the temple offers sweeping views across the Cambodian plains and is renowned for both its spiritual significance and dramatic setting.

Following our visit, we begin the journey to Siem Reap. En route, we stop at Koh Ker, the former capital of the Angkorian Empire. The site features more than a hundred temples, including Prasat Thom – a striking seven-tiered sandstone pyramid – and the Linga Temple, known for its large stone phallic symbol representing Shiva.

We arrive in Siem Reap by mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.

This morning, we begin our exploration along a scenic road lined with century-old trees, leading to the monumental stone gateway of Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city. Inside, we visit the striking Bayon Temple, renowned for its 54 towers adorned with 216 serene, smiling faces carved in stone. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, the Bayon remains one of the most iconic sites in the Angkor complex.

Next, we continue to the Baphuon, an 11th-century temple mountain that has recently been restored by French architects. From there, we stroll along the Terrace of the Elephants, a 350-metre-long platform once used for royal ceremonies and public audiences. We also visit the nearby Terrace of the Leper King, dating to the 12th century and decorated with intricate carvings of apsaras and other divine figures.

In the afternoon, we visit Cambodia’s most celebrated temple: Angkor Wat. Walking along the grand central avenue, you’ll begin to grasp the immense scale and extraordinary detail of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the early 12th century, it remains a masterpiece of Khmer architecture and devotion.

We finish the day at Ta Prohm, a temple famously entwined with massive tree roots, where nature and history have merged in a dramatic and atmospheric setting.

Distance & duration of hiking: 14 kilometers 3 hours
Elevation gain: 150 meters
Terrain: mainly jungle trails, through forest

The remainder of the day is at your leisure or You can choose from our optional activies below for a supplement.
Option 1: A Taste of Cambodian Cuisine
Enjoy a progressive dining experience across three curated restaurants, each offering a course and one drink. Starter at Pou, main course at The Sugar Palm, dessert at Malis.

Option 2: Phare – The Cambodian Circus Show
Depart at 19:00 to see a performance by Phare Ponleu Selpak, a local NGO combining theatre, music, dance and circus arts. These energetic shows are inspired by real stories and social themes, offering insight into Cambodian history and contemporary life.

Option 3: Apsara Dinner Show
Enjoy a cultural evening with traditional Khmer cuisine and live dance performances. Dancers, musicians and singers depict key ceremonies and aspects of Cambodian life through 4–5 unique pieces.

Around 07:00, we depart Siem Reap for a full-day excursion to Phnom Kulen, the largest forested area in the province and a site of great spiritual significance in Cambodia. Within just 5 kilometres of travel, we leave the city behind and enter the heart of the countryside, passing traditional villages, rice fields and sugar palm trees – a glimpse into rural Cambodian life.

At the base of Kulen Mountain, we stop at the National Park checkpoint, where you'll meet the local ranger who will accompany us on the day’s trek. Following a short briefing, we set off into the jungle, beginning with a visit to the River of 1,000 Lingas. Here, stone carvings dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva lie submerged beneath the flowing water – a remarkable sight.

We then visit the golden Reclining Buddha at Preah Ang Thom, an important pilgrimage site, before continuing along a narrow jungle trail deep into the forest. The trek concludes at the Phnom Kulen Waterfall, where you’ll have time to relax – and, if you wish, enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural pool.

Lunch is served near the waterfall, after which we return to Siem Reap in the afternoon.

Enjoy your final day at leisure. Hotel check-out is by 12:00. Afterwards, make your own way to the airport for your outbound flight.

If you have time before your departure flight on day 10 of this tour, consider joining an optional cruise on Tonle Sap Lake. Begin your morning with a journey from Siem Reap to Kompong Khleang (52 km, approx. 1.5 hrs). From there, board a small motorized local boat captained by a village resident for a leisurely cruise through the canals and floating villages of Tonlé Sap Lake. As you reach the open lake, take in its vastness stretching to the horizon. During the dry season, a short walk to meet local villagers is also included. Duration: 08:30 – 12:30. If you book this add-on, we do not recommend that you book your flight out of Siem Reap before 18:00.