Smile of Cambodia – 12 Days - Parfum d’Automne

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Cambodia, Classic

Smile of Cambodia – 12 Days

Cambodia

12 days

Classic

Overview

A journey designed for those discovering Cambodia for the very first time. Travelers can choose it as a perfect complement to a trip through Vietnam, or simply enjoy it as a standalone Cambodian experience.

Starting in Siem Reap, you will explore the country’s must-see destinations: the majestic temples of Angkor, the vast Tonle Sap Lake—the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia—and the capital Phnom Penh. This will allow you to dive into both the ancient and recent history of the Khmer people.

But this tour goes beyond the iconic highlights. You will also experience an authentic immersion in the Khmer countryside around Battambang, staying with a local host family. With the help of your guide, you will gain a deeper understanding of rural customs and traditions.

Finally, the journey concludes on a gentle note with time to relax on the beaches of Sihanoukville and the island of Koh Rong.

Bringing together all the essential ingredients—historical visits, authentic encounters, and moments of relaxation—this tour is designed to offer you an unforgettable Cambodian experience.

Practical Information

Duration

12 days

Start/End

Siem Reap/ Phnom Penh

Tour Guide Language

English

Visited Region

Whole country

Best time to go

From November to February

Ideal for

Everyone

Difficulty

Easy

Accommodation

Hotel

Photo Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1

Siem Reap (D)

Arrival in Siem Reap. Welcome by the driver and transfer to the guesthouse Chez Tel. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the tour manager in Cambodia. Overnight at Chez Tel.

Day 2

Siem Reap - Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat (B)

Departure from the hotel by tuk tuk to explore Angkor Thom (“the Great City”). You will visit the famous Bayon, Baphuon, the Royal Palace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Your visit continues along the Terrace of the Elephants, which once hosted royal audiences and public ceremonies, before heading to Ta Prohm, the temple overgrown by jungle and discovered in 1860 by French explorer Henri Mouhot.

After lunch (at your leisure), you will visit the iconic Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its soaring towers and unique bas-reliefs, it is the most famous monument of the Angkor complex.

Return to your hotel at the end of the day. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Siem Reap- Kbak Spean (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart by bus for a short hike to Kbal Spean (the “River of a Thousand Lingas”), located 50 km north of Angkor. Once the lifeline of Angkor, the waters of Kbal Spean used to irrigate the rice fields of the ancient city. In its riverbed, the Khmers carved depictions of Shiva and stone squares to sanctify the waters before they reached the royal city. The site was discovered in 1968 by the French ethnologist Jean Boulbet, and following in his footsteps, you can wander along the lush riverbanks.

Continue your visits with the legendary Banteay Srei, the “Citadel of Women.” This pink sandstone jewel contains remarkable carved lintels in an exceptional state of preservation.

Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, on the way back to Siem Reap, visit a local workshop producing palm sugar and the romantic Banteay Samre Temple, often nicknamed the “miniature Angkor Wat.”

Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Siem Reap - Kampong Klieng (B, L)

After breakfast, depart for the village of Kompong Khleang, located about 50 km from Siem Reap. The villagers live almost exclusively from fishing. You will explore the canals (during the rainy season) or the streets (during the dry season) of this incredible floating city.

In the wet season, the houses appear to float on the lake, with water lapping at their doors. In the dry season, the immense stilts are revealed, creating a unique landscape of wooden “skyscrapers.” You will visit a pagoda, built on the site of an ancient temple, and admire its beautiful murals.

Continue your boat ride with a stop at a local home, where you will learn more about the life of the fishermen living on the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. You will then enjoy a simple yet typical Khmer meal for lunch, hosted warmly by a local family.

In the afternoon, take a bike ride to admire the beauty of the Cambodian countryside and observe seasonal agricultural activities and the daily life of local villagers along the way.

Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Siem Reap - Kampring village (B, L, D)

After breakfast, visit the village of Phnom Srok, renowned for its silk weaving. Continue on to the lost temple of Banteay Chhmar, built by Jayavarman VII in honor of his son and four disciples who sacrificed their lives in war.

You will then arrive at Kampring village for an off-the-beaten-path walk. Enjoy dinner with a local family and spend the night in a traditional house over 100 years old.

Day 6

Kampring village - Battambang (B)

After breakfast, take a ride on a local boat before meeting your driver. Continue by road across vast rice plains.

Arrival in Battambang: visit the city, including its old colonial buildings, the market, Damrei Sor Pagoda, and more. After lunch (at your leisure), head to Wat Prasat Banon, from where you can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding area.

Return to Battambang in the late afternoon. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 7

Battambang - Phnom Penh (B)

After breakfast, depart for Phnom Penh, passing through Pursat Province, famous for its marble workshops, and then Kompong Chhnang, renowned for its pottery and home to Cham communities. After visiting a pottery village, embark on a private boat to the Kampong Leng peninsula.

Explore the island by tuk tuk, discovering local activities such as mat and basket weaving, as well as a pre-Angkorian 7th-century sanctuary tower known as the “Women’s Tower.”

Continue your journey to Phnom Penh, arriving in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Phnom Penh - city tour (B)

After breakfast, set out to discover the Cambodian capital. The day begins with a cyclo ride, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda (its floor is paved with 5,000 silver tiles and it houses some of the country’s most precious treasures).

After lunch, the atmosphere changes as you delve into the country’s difficult recent history: a visit to Tuol Sleng, a former Phnom Penh high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a center of interrogation, torture, and death. Today converted into a museum, the former S21 prison reminds visitors of the atrocities committed in Cambodia during the terrible years of dictatorship. No fewer than 17,000 people passed through Tuol Sleng, with only 7 surviving to recount the horrors endured. Visiting S21 can be a disturbing and deeply moving experience that some may find hard to bear. Nevertheless, it is one of the keys to understanding the nightmare into which Cambodia was plunged during the Khmer Rouge regime.

You will end the day with a visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, which houses the finest collection of sculptures from the Angkorian period. This splendid building, constructed between 1917 and 1920, boasts a beautiful inner courtyard—a lush garden surrounded by unique masterpieces from the museum’s collection.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville (B)

The morning is free for you to do some shopping in the capital. After lunch (at your leisure), depart by private car for Sihanoukville (approximately a 5-hour drive). Arrival in the late afternoon. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Sihanoukville - Koh Rong (B)

After breakfast, take the boat to Koh Rong Island. Transfer to your hotel. Free day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Koh Rong (B)

Breakfast, then a full day at leisure on Koh Rong Island.

Day 12

Koh Rong - Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh (B)

After breakfast, depart from Koh Rong Island and head back to Phnom Penh. A car will take you directly to the airport.

FAQ

Is this a private or group tour?

All our tours are private. You will travel with your own vehicle, driver, and guide, ensuring maximum comfort and flexibility throughout your journey.

I’m traveling alone — can I book this tour?

Private tours for solo travelers are significantly more expensive, and most guides are unwilling to lead one-person tours. Therefore, this itinerary is available starting from 2 travelers.

If you’re traveling alone, we can offer day trips or short excursions instead.

Is the international flight included?

No, our tours begin upon your arrival in Vietnam.

However, we’re happy to assist you in booking your international flights if needed.

When is the best time to do this tour?

You’ll find the ideal travel period in the “Practical Info” section, based on the climate in the regions visited.

That said, this tour is available year-round, with a few adjustments depending on the season.

Who is this tour designed for?

This itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking cultural discovery and immersion in nature.

It can be adapted for couples, families, or groups of friends of all ages.

Can this tour be customized?

Absolutely! All our tours are fully customizable.

You can modify the duration, change accommodations, add activities, or adjust the pace according to your preferences.

How do I book this tour?

Simply send us a request using the contact form on this page.

One of our travel advisors will get back to you quickly to finalize your itinerary and provide a personalized quote.

Destinations Visited on this Tour

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+84 9 66 59 98 05

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