Cambodia Encounters

Arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport to begin your journey. We meet our local representative, complete arrival formalities and transfer by road into the capital. On reaching central Phnom Penh, we check in to the hotel and receive a short briefing on the days ahead.

We visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to learn about the Khmer Rouge period – a sobering start to understanding the country’s recent history. We continue to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek on the city’s outskirts, walking past memorial stupas and mass graves that honour the victims. We then discover the National Museum of Cambodia, housed in an elegant Khmer–style building, browsing a rich collection of sculptures and artefacts from across the eras. Next, we enter the Royal Palace complex – the official residence of the King – and wander through ornate courtyards and ceremonial halls that showcase traditional Khmer architecture. Within the grounds we step inside the Silver Pagoda to see the silver–tiled floor and treasured Buddha statues adorned with gold and precious stones. In the evening you have free time along the riverside and at the night markets – sample local street food or shop for crafts and souvenirs.

We travel by road from Phnom Penh towards Skun, watching city streets give way to rural villages and farmland. We pause at Skun’s famed ‘spider market’ to see stalls piled with fried insects and local snacks – a quirky slice of roadside culture. We continue to a stone–carving workshop in Santuk to watch artisans shaping traditional Khmer sculptures and learn how craftspeople keep ancient skills alive. We then explore the ancient Naga Bridge near Kampong Kdei, lined with carved serpent balustrades, and walk across the historic laterite span that once carried Angkor–era traffic. We carry on to the stilted village of Kampong Khleang on the Tonle Sap, passing rice fields and small settlements en route to the lake. At Kampong Khleang we board a boat to explore floating and stilted homes, gliding past submerged forest, schools and fishing boats that reveal life on South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake. We drive from Kampong Khleang to your resort at the foot of Kulen Mountain as the scenery shifts to wooded hills, and check in at Thisak Resort. You can enjoy the peaceful countryside setting and relax before tomorrow’s visit to the sacred plateau.

We travel by road from Thisak Resort into the Phnom Kulen Mountains, climbing through a protected landscape of temple ruins and forested waterfalls. On the plateau, we visit the River of a Thousand Lingas, where ancient carvings of Hindu symbols and figures are etched into the riverbed beneath flowing water. We continue to a hilltop pagoda that shelters a large reclining Buddha, taking in views across the jungle as we learn about the site’s spiritual importance. A forest path then leads us to Kulen Waterfall, where we can cool off by the natural pools and pause in the shade. We enjoy a picnic–style lunch near the falls, dining outdoors to the sound of cascading water and birds in the trees. In the afternoon we drive to the rural Tbeng community outside Siem Reap, passing village houses, fields and roadside stalls. We stroll through family vegetable gardens and livestock areas to see how food is grown and animals are raised using traditional methods. At Damnak Thlork Vea Pagoda we explore the temple grounds – a spiritual hub for local villagers – and receive a Buddhist blessing from a monk. In the community we observe traditional mat weaving and, when it is being made, Khmer noodles, meeting craftspeople and sampling simple homemade foods. We then return towards Siem Reap as village scenes give way to the lively temple town. In the evening we explore Street 60 Night Market – a favourite with local families – and try Khmer street food, fresh fruit and more adventurous snacks. Afterwards you have free time to wander the stalls, seek out additional local dishes or simply soak up the atmosphere before heading back to your hotel.

We enter the ancient city of Angkor Thom through its monumental South Gate, passing beneath towers adorned with serene stone faces. At the city’s heart we explore Bayon, renowned for its many smiling visages, and wander through tiered galleries alive with carvings and bas–reliefs. We continue into the Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas to trace the remains of royal residences and pyramidal temple structures, then visit the Elephant Terrace – its long platform decorated with processions of carved elephants – an evocative setting for imagining the royal ceremonies once held here. We pause at the Terrace of the Leper King to study its deep reliefs and the legends that gave this enigmatic monument its name. We then explore Angkor Wat, the largest and best preserved temple in the region, admiring soaring towers, sweeping galleries and detailed bas–reliefs dedicated to Vishnu. We round off at Ta Prohm, where giant trees and their roots envelop ancient walls – an unforgettable blend of jungle and stone. This evening we dine at Spoons Restaurant in Siem Reap – a social enterprise training local youth for hospitality careers – and enjoy Khmer cuisine while supporting a community–focused project.

After our visit to Street 60, you have free time in Siem Reap – browse market stalls, sample local dishes and soak up the atmosphere before returning to your hotel. When it is time to leave, we provide your road transfer from the hotel to Siem Reap International Airport, taking you back through town towards your departure point. You then depart from Siem Reap International Airport at the end of your tour – a fond farewell to the temples, countryside and communities you have visited.