Cambodia Adventure

Name: Cambodia Adventure
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (28 reviews)

28 reviews

Activity

Culture

Overview

Explore the Angkor temples, majestic Phnom Penh and rural countryside

Discover Cambodia, a diverse country with a captivating history. After arrival in bustling Phnom Penh, we head to picturesque Kampot, a land of paddy fields and pepper plantations. We pause for lunch at Kep Bay and enjoy views across the Gulf of Thailand before transferring to tropical Koh Rong island. Returning to Phnom Penh, we visit the Royal Palace and the sobering Killing Fields before departing for Battambang, a well-preserved colonial town. Finally, we explore the temple complex of Angkor with a sunset visit and a bike ride to the less visited temples.

Key Information

Trip Code: AOA
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Cambodia
Carbon Footprint: 24kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All breakfasts and one dinner
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers

Highlights

Visit the Kampot pepper plantations
Relax and unwind on tropical Koh Rong island
Board a bicycle rickshaw for a tour through Phnom Penh and along the banks of the Mekong River
Visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Prison
Cycle through the countryside of Battambang
Spend two full days exploring the temples of Angkor including Ta Prohm

Itinerary

First Destination: Phnom Penh
Next Destination: Siem Reap

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Phnom Penh
Next Destination: Siem Reap

Our adventure begins in Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh.

Around 6pm, say sousadei to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Want more time in Phnom Penh? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Ohana Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

Leaving Phnom Penh, we travel into rural Cambodia to Kampot, which sits on a picturesque river. On the way, we stop at the 11^th-century Phnom Chisor mountain temple, which is set on a hill with a magnificent view.

Upon arrival, we check into our centrally located hotel, our base for the next two nights, before boarding a local boat for a sunset trip on the Kampot River. The waterway runs through the town centre and can flow in both directions as it is closely connected to the sea.

Accommodation: The Columns Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Today, we venture into the countryside to discover the highlights of the Kampot province including salt fields, rice fields, fruit and pepper plantations, and the Phnom Chhnork caves. Kampot is also one of the largest producers of durian fruit; the durian, once opened, has a smell so pungent it is illegal to take it indoors in some Southeast Asian countries.

After exploring the countryside, we visit Kep ghost town. Once a popular seaside resort, Kep now houses old resort buildings marked with bullet holes from the Khmer Rouge period, a reminder of the not-so-distant past. It is regaining popularity with local tourists and you might like to join them in having lunch in the simple crab shacks that line the beach (the crab in Kampot pepper sauce is a must).

Accommodation: The Columns Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

After breakfast, we drive (approximately 2hr 30min to three hours) from Kampot to Sihanoukville, before taking a speed boat ferry transfer (approximately 45 minutes to one hour) across to beautiful Koh Rong island, our home for the next two nights. Upon arrival, we have free time to relax, refresh with a sea swim, or sip cocktails as the sun sets.

Accommodation: Long Set Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Our resort is on one of the most mesmerising and secluded white-sand beaches on the island. Today, you have free time to relax on the beach and enjoy the crystal-clear ocean waters, try various optional activities such as kayaking and other watersports, or just soak up the exotic surroundings. Your tour leader can advise of all options available.

Accommodation: Long Set Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

This morning, we transfer back to the mainland by speed boat (45 minutes to one hour) and drive on to Phnom Penh (approximate transfer time: five to six hours) with a stop for lunch.

Phnom Penh, on the banks of the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River, is home to 2.2m people. It’s the capital city, but retains a laid-back, typically Cambodian feel where the pace is slower than one might expect.

We set out on a sunset cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) lap of the town giving us a unique view of this bustling city and providing us with an easy orientation. Stopping to see street food served by the waterfront, we have the chance to try local specialities. We finish at a restaurant serving tasty Khmer cuisine. There are also many waterfront bars worth a visit; the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) overlooking the Tonle Sap river is recommended.

Accommodation: Ohana Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

This morning, we first visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), which graphically displays the horrors of the four years when Pol Pot ordered the murder of between 2m and 3m Cambodians. It was originally a school but was used as a torture and interrogation centre between 1975 and 1979. It is a sobering but enlightening place to visit. After, we visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a football field-sized area surrounded by farmland, which contains mass graves for perhaps 20,000 Cambodians, many of whom were tortured before being killed.

We complete our day with an afternoon visit to the Royal Palace complex, which has the Silver Pagoda inside, so named for the solid-silver tiles that make up the floor. Similar in style and scale to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, the Royal Palace has significantly fewer visitors and there is plenty of time to wander among the traditional buildings. There may also be time today to shop at either the impressive Central Market or the sprawling Russian Market, a souvenir hunter’s paradise.

Accommodation: Ohana Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Our destination today is Battambang (pronounced Battambong). The second-largest city in Cambodia, it is centred around an attractive riverside hub with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture. There are also striking examples of art deco architecture: central market, the Victory swimming pool and the train station to name a few. En route to Battambang, we can stop at a pottery village, a silversmith village and a marble handicraft workshop for an insight into local handcrafts and industry. In the evening, we enjoy an orientation walk alongside the Sangke River and observe daily life of the local people.

Accommodation: Classy Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Today, we cycle through countryside to explore the local rural life. Stopping at villages to see cottage industries, traditional scarf weaving and farming, there will be countless opportunities to interact with the villagers who may be surprised to see us travelling, as they do, on a bicycle. We reward our morning’s efforts with fruit and a refreshing coconut. The cycle is easy riding on flat terrain with lots of stops along the way. If you would like to opt out of the cycling and hop on a tuk-tuk instead, let the leader know at the beginning of the trip so alternative arrangements can be made.

Accommodation: Classy Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

After breakfast, we head to the town of Siem Reap with stops at the local market at Pouk. Cambodian markets tend to be fragrant affairs – on offer here is Cambodian ‘cheese’; one of the strongest smelling cheeses around, perhaps because it is made entirely of fish. The local market is nonetheless a great insight into the daily life of the Cambodian people. We also make a brief stop at the Angkor Silk Farm for an introduction into the life of a silkworm and the production process of this fine textile. This afternoon, we walk past the Royal Gardens and along the Siem Reap River to the Old Market, helping us get our bearings in this small town. You may like to finish with a visit to the Artisans DÁngkor workshop – a not-for-profit organisation that provides vocational training for young people in traditional Cambodian arts.

Accommodation: Baitong Heritage Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Our first full day of temple touring is by private bus so we can visit some of the outlying temples such as Banteay Srei. Known as the Women’s Citadel, this small temple complex with intricate carvings is devoted to Brahma. Particularly impressive are Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, still covered in jungle, similar to how it was when it first came to light.

Described as being ‘grander than anything of Greece or Rome’ by French explorer Henri Mouhot, this World Heritage site stands alongside the Pyramids and Machu Picchu as one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world.

Tonight is free to enjoy one of the many restaurants on the ‘Bar Street’ boulevard in central Siem Reap. You may also wish to marvel at the skills of the Phare Cambodian Circus troop or chose to watch traditional Apsara dancing.

Accommodation: Baitong Heritage Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

This morning, we get set up on mountain bikes for an easy but active ride around the Angkorian ruins that are closer to town. On the bicycle, we can avoid some of the crowds and get a unique perspective on this amazing site. If you want to rise early, you can arrange with your leader to take in Angkor at sunrise prior to the day’s cycling.

We visit the incredible Angkor Wat, the many temples inside the Royal City of Angkor Thom, including the magnificent Bayon, which is comprised of 54 intricately carved towers in one single temple. The Bayon certainly left an impression on an early traveller in 1925 who stated ‘we stand before it stunned. It is like nothing else in the land.’

Angkor is a truly magical experience and a photographer’s paradise, one of the real highlights of our trip. The ride will be approximately 15.5mi (25km) with plenty of opportunities for refreshment stops and to take photos. If you would like to opt out of cycling and instead cool down in the support vehicle, please let your leader know who can arrange the logistics of this and the rest of the group.

Accommodation: Baitong Heritage Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

The tour ends this morning in Siem Reap after breakfast. If you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

View Details

Accommodation

Well-located hotels and an island retreat

On this adventure in Cambodia, we spend 10 nights in hotels and two nights in a resort. The accommodations are well located for our trip, often within walking distance of major local sites. Some also have swimming pools, so don’t forget your swimwear.

Phnom Penh: Ohana Hotel (nights 1 and 6-7)

Cambodia Adventure

Neighbouring the Tonle Sap River, this modern hotel is in the action. It’s just a seven-minute riverside walk to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, while the National Museum and Royal Palace are both within a 10-minute stroll. The hotel itself has a rooftop restaurant-bar, plus there’s a first-floor pool.

Kampot: The Columns Hotel (nights 2-3)

Cambodia Adventure

Embrace a bygone age at this 17-room hotel, which occupies a French Colonial building in Kampot old town. Rooms come with locally made hardwood beds and silk cushions, while the hotel is just a moments’ walk from restaurants and the Kampong Bay River.

Koh Rong island: Long Set Resort (nights 4-5)

Cambodia Adventure

Enjoy the beach life at this modern hotel, which has direct access to the white sands and calm waters of Long Set Beach. Relax on sun loungers or unwind on a hammock; for further relaxation, there’s a pool and spa at the hotel.

Battambang: Classy Hotel (nights 8-9)

Cambodia Adventure

With a rooftop terrace that offers sweeping views and a large pool, the Classy Hotel is a comfortable place to rest for two nights. It’s home to the Jaya Café Restaurant, which serves Asian and international cuisines, including made-to-order omelettes and traditional noodle soups.

Siem Reap: Baitong Heritage Hotel (nights 10-12)

Cambodia Adventure

A short drive from the Angkor temple complex, this hotel is ideally placed for our adventures in Siem Reap. When you’re not out exploring, there’s a swimming pool to splash around in plus a restaurant serving Cambodian and Western cuisines.

Worth knowing

Single supplements are available on request. Please advise your sales representative at the time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

This is a busy itinerary that visits the main highlights of Cambodia. We travel by private minibus to cover much of this beautiful country in a short time, spending time in both rural locations and cities. Some activities will take place in humid conditions. We have kept travelling time to a minimum; however, a couple of days have approximately five hours’ transfer journeys. It is important to understand that Cambodia is fairly underdeveloped for tourism outside of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

E-cigarettes and vapes: These are banned in Cambodia with strict penalties, including large fines and imprisonment – we strongly recommend you do not bring these with you.

Key information

Start hotel: Ohana Hotel, 4&6 Street 148 Phsar Kandal, Phnom Penh, 12204
Phone: +855 23 989 671
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm.
Airport: Techo International Airport (KTI)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 15mi (25km) from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for everyone. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

We provide free departure transfers for everyone to Siem Reap Airport (SAI) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Cambodia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Cambodia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/cambodia
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/cambodia
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cambodia.html

Important advice regarding e-Visas:

Please note, e-Visas are not accepted at all border checkpoints when travelling overland into Cambodia.

This applies to the following borders/trips:

Tinh Bien,Vietnam/Phnom Den, Takeo, Cambodia border: Thai Indochina Explorer (Trip Code: AOX) and Southeast Asia Express (AOK)
Xa Xia, Vietnam/Prek Chak, Cambodia (Ha Tien crossing): South East Asia Adventure (Trip Code: FIJ)

You can only purchase a tourist visa on arrival at these borders as e-Visas will not be accepted.

More information can be found at:

Visa on arrival:

For obtaining a visa on arrival, you will need $30 USD in cash and 2 passport photos. You will be required to fill in a small application on arrival with your personal details including the address of the first hotel you stay at in Cambodia.

Applying for your Cambodia tourist e-Visa:

If you choose to apply for a Cambodia tourist e-Visa before arrival, will need to add in the following information to your application:

Address During Visit (Address in Cambodia):

Ohana Hotel

Address: 4&6 Street 148 Phsar Kandal, Phnom Penh 12204, Cambodia

Phone: +855 23 989 671

Intended date you enter Cambodia: The AOA: Cambodia Adventure tour commences on day 1 of the itinerary in Cambodia.

Please ensure you allow for any pre tour accommodation you may have booked if you are intending to arrive into Cambodia before your trip commences.

Supporting documents: You can submit your Exodus trip invoice and/or booking confirmation with your application.

Important Information- Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA)

Applicable for all clients travelling on Exodus trips AOA/AOH/AOL & Angkor Wat Extensions.

As of 1 July 2024, all travellers arriving in Cambodia (via air only) are required to submit a Cambodia e-Arrival Card within 7 days before their arrival. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) is free and is replacing the requirement to complete paper forms when arriving at Cambodia Airports. The e-Arrival card is separate from visa/e-visa requirements.

How to fill out the e-Arrival card online:

Visit the official website https://arrival.gov.kh/
Fill out the form online or download the app, available or iOS and Android devices.
Once the form is completed, you will receive a confirmation email with QR code.
Take a screenshot, download or print the QR code.
Present the QR code to the immigration upon arrival.

Food is cheap in Cambodia and you can generally avoid the spicier dishes if you wish. Cambodian food is all about contrasts: sweet and bitter, salty and sour, fresh and cooked. It shares many dishes with its neighbours, and you’ll find noodle soup similar to Vietnamese pho, the refreshing salads and sour soups of Thailand, Indian-inspired curries, and noodles and stir fries handed down from years of Chinese migration. From Cambodia’s days as a French Indochina colony, there’s a national love of coffee, pâté, and good bread. Baguettes are served with soup, made into sandwiches, and sold by men riding bicycles carrying baskets of long loaves. Western food is also available in most of the places visited.

Vegetarian food is widely available; however, the offering will be fairly similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

The weather will be hot and humid throughout with daytime temperatures usually 28C-34C (82F-93F). It is only a little cooler at nights. The dry season is late October to May and the monsoon is normally between May and October; though there is an obvious transitional time between those settled periods. The dry season has hot days and generally clear skies, though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by short, sharp bursts of rain and is generally overcast all day though this does not detract from the enjoyment of the place; you just need to take an umbrella or buy a cheap poncho locally.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Visit the Angkor Silk Farm to learn how Artisans d’Angkor are helping revive traditional crafts and rebuild livelihoods after the Khmer Rouge genocide.
Join a cycling tour around Battambang run by social enterprise Soskabike, supporting local employment and small business opportunities.

Reviews

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Emily Norton

I would have to say that the most inspiring thing about this trip was “Bun” a truly amazing young man.

Thoughts on Group Leader

“Bun” was caring,funny,enthusiastic,helpful,knowledgable,friendly and very passionate about his wonderful country... He is a credit to Exodus

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and immerse yourself in this wonderful country, yes it’s poor but the people are delightful and the countryside is stunning.... This trip gives you a snippet of so many different parts of Cambodia. We could easily have spent a week in every town.

Read all reviews

Cambodia Adventure

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Explore the Angkor temples, majestic Phnom Penh and rural countryside

Key Information

What's Included

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Well-located hotels and an island retreat

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight