Cambodia Highlights

Our tour starts today in Cambodia's lively capital of Phnom Penh. Rooted in history and myth dating back to the 14th century with the divine discovery by 'Grandmother Penh', the city is a treasure trove of historical architecture. From grand monuments to glittering temples and French Colonial buildings, each construction reflects the city's rich history and character. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet us in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Phnom Penh at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Techo International Airport (KTI), which is around a 45-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to visit the Central Market, which runs all day every day, in an Art Deco building built in 1935. Here you will find a vast array of items for sale from food stalls to souvenirs, and everyday home items. This dark-yellow building is located in the heart of the city.

Phnom Penh took over from Angkor as Cambodia's capital city in the 1440s. It's now a lively city with many French colonial buildings and plenty to see. Accompanied by a local guide, we'll visit the National Museum, a treasure trove of beautifully preserved carvings and lintels rescued from Angkor; the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda as well as the temple of Wat Phnom. This afternoon, we'll visit the emotive Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly a high school that became the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation centre; and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - the memorial stupa is a glass tower filled with human skulls - a gruesome reminder of the scale of Pol Pot's atrocities before returning back in the city.

Our optional excursions close to the city include a trip to Silk Island, Chiso Mountain or the abandoned Royal City of Oudong. Each of these takes up half a day and can be combined, our tour leader will discuss it in more detail. Silk Island or Koh Dach is reached by a short local ferry journey along the Mekong where the majority of villagers on the island earn a living producing handicrafts. It's a great opportunity to learn more about traditional ways of life and interact with locals as you learn about silk weaving. Chiso Mountain, located in Sia village, south of Phnom Penh, is topped by the ruins of an 11th-century Khmer Brahmanic Temple with views of the surrounding paddy fields. Oudong is around one hour north of the capital and offers the opportunity to explore historic temples and stupas. Join for a delightful half-day culinary experience, where you will learn to cook traditional Khmer dishes at the renowned Banana Cooking Class. The expert Cambodian chef will guide you through selecting fresh ingredients from a local market and demonstrate tried-and-true Khmer cooking techniques.

This morning, we leave Phnom Penh behind and drive north towards Battambang, stopping in Kampong Chhnang, a province renowned for its centuries-old pottery-making traditions. Here, we'll visit a traditional pottery village to learn about the local craft before continuing our journey. Next, we travel to Pursat, where we’ll board a boat for a relaxing cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia’s largest freshwater lake and part of the Mekong River system. As we float along, we’ll see how the communities that depend on this waterway live day to day. Finally, we continue by road to Battambang, arriving in the late afternoon.

This morning we'll explore Battambang's bustling Phsar Nat, one of the city's oldest and most colourful markets. As we wander through the maze of stalls piled high with fresh produce, spices and local delicacies, we'll get a glimpse into daily Cambodian life. We'll also have the chance to sample a selection of seasonal tropical fruits, giving us a taste of the region's rich agricultural heritage. After the market, we visit the One Village One Product (OVOP) community, a grassroots initiative that celebrates traditional crafts. During our time here, we'll meet skilled artisans, learn about age-old techniques passed down through generations, and discover how these community enterprises help preserve Cambodia's cultural traditions while creating jobs for villagers. This afternoon, we leave Battambang behind and journey through the heart of the Cambodian countryside towards Siem Reap. Before reaching our hotel, we'll stop at the Angkor Silk Farm, where we'll follow the remarkable silk-making journey, from mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing through to weaving and dyeing. Our visit give us an insight into one of Cambodia's finest traditional crafts and the efforts being made to keep this centuries-old industry alive. Afterwards, we'll continue the short drive to our hotel in Siem Reap, where the rest of the evening is free to relax

We have an early start this morning, as we head to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat – the largest religious monument in the world and a right-of-passage experience for any visitor to Cambodia. As the first light of day illuminates the temple's lotus-shaped towers, we'll have the opportunity to appreciate the sheer scale of the UNESCO World Heirtage site, originally built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century, with its intricate carvings and remarkable craftmanship. We’ll return to the hotel for a late breakfast and have some time to relax, before heading back to the Angkor Archaeological Park to explore the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom. Entering through its imposing stone gates, we'll visit the Bayon Temple, renowned for its towering stone faces and beautifully carved bas-reliefs, which depict scenes of everyday Khmer life and historic battles. Our final stop of the day, is Ta Prohm, one of Angkor's most atmospheric temples. Left largely untouched since its rediscovery, the temple’s crumbling stone walls are entwined with the roots of towering silk-cotton and strangler fig trees, creating one of the most photographed and evocative sights in Cambodia. Afterwards our visit, we'll head back to our hotel, and the rest of the evening is free.

This morning, we'll set out on a guided walking tour through the streets of Siem Reap. Along the way, we'll visit Artisans d'Angkor, a social enterprise dedicated to preserving Cambodia's traditional crafts. We'll watch artisans at work, creating intricate wood and stone carvings, lacquerware, silk paintings and silverwork using techniques passed down through generations. The workshop also provides valuable training and employment opportunities, helping to keep Cambodia's artistic heritage alive. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. You might like to relax by the hotel pool, or discover more of Siem Reap's cafés, markets and galleries. Alternatively, you can join one of our optional excursions – our tour leader will be able to give you more details.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Siem Reap. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Siem Reap at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), which is approximately 60 minutes from the hotel. If you have time, you might choose to browse the old market for some last-minute bargains or visit the APOPO Museum.