Discover Cambodia on this Tell Tale trip taking in Siem Reap, artistic Battambang, Phnom Penh, and the seaside village of Kep.
You'll explore at your own pace on this private tour, visiting the magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire and discovering modern Cambodia from the locals themselves. Feel like a true explorer in the jungle-clad remains of Beng Mealea, and bask in the beauty of the temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Tha Phrom. You'll visit markets, gardens and a pepper plantation, enjoying street food and restaurant meals along the way, trying your hand at cooking something delicious. You'll also go on a trek through the jungle and have a meditation session with a monk. Finally, kick back and relax on tiny, coconut-fringed Rabbit Island.
This is a private tour which you can take on dates to suit you.
Day 1 Recommended Sunday
Fly from London Heathrow to Bangkok on a direct flight with Thai Airways. We think this is the best route and airline for this tour. It is possible to fly with different airlines, however the itinerary and/or costs may vary. If you don't live in the UK, we may be able to arrange flights for you, or you are welcome to arrange your own.
Day 2
You'll land in Bangkok and then take a short connecting flight to Siem Reap, home to the famous Angkor temples. You'll be met at the small airport and driven to a charming boutique hotel in the older part of the city. Settle in and relax before deciding if you'd like dinner at the hotel or in a restaurant nearby (have a look in your Tell Tale pack for tips). Depending on flight timings, you may have some time for a dip in the pool.
Day 3 breakfast (meals included in the tour cost)
A day with a private guide and car exploring the main temples of Angkor at your own pace. The Angkor Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, containing the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, dating back to the 9th century. The most famous are Angkor Wat, and Angkor Thom with its beautiful Bayon Temple. The sprawling Tha Phrom, still partly covered by big fig trees, was the stunning backdrop to the film Lara Croft Tomb Raider.
Day 4 breakfast
This morning you'll head off again with a private guide and car, but further afield to the jungle-clad remains of Beng Mealea. This is a Tell Tale Towers favourite – you will feel like a true explorer here! It is perhaps how Angkor Wat and Tha Phrom were like when they were first discovered. The atmosphere is serene, with towering trees and birdlife.
Day 5 breakfast, lunch
Time for more of a taste of Khmer food. You'll be driven out of Siem Reap, into the countryside, where you'll learn the secrets of Khmer cuisine. Try your hand at food prep and cooking, before feasting on your efforts! Then you can work it off with a 40-minute cycle ride to the 'pink temple' of Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women. This small temple made of sandstone has intricate carvings and is in a beautiful, peaceful setting. You also have the option of being driven rather than cycling.
Day 6 breakfast (and lunch if you take the optional excursion)
Day at leisure to relax by the pool, revisit any temples on your own steam, visit the Made in Cambodia market, this special handicraft market is a great way to support traditional artisans. You also have the option of a day's excursion as follows (at supplement).
A very early start and a boat trip to the vast Tonle Sap lake, a unique ecological wonder and UNECSCO biosphere. This day is run by an NGO, Osmose and you'll head to a bird sanctuary which has been called 'the single most important breeding ground in Southeast Asia for globally threatened large waterbirds'. You'll easily see the birds of prey of course and waterbirds such as the Painted Stork and Greater and Lesser Adjuncts, your local guide will spot many of the others for you. The people who live on the lake are fishermen and also have other initiatives such as crocodile farming. You'll have a local lunch and visit a community project and learn how the locals handle their lives, including the threat of the water hyacinth. Scarier than it sounds! As the huge lake changes size at different times of the year, some of the people who live on the lake are nomadic, they tow their homes along the water using boats.
Day 7 breakfast
Today, you're off southwest to Battambang. Historically, Battambang was a centre for arts, but this changed during the Khmer Rouge times. However, is now enjoying something of a renaissance, with artists and initiatives aplenty. Here you'll stay at a private home to get the inside track to local life (ask us if you'd like to change to a hotel).
This evening be prepared for acrobatics – you're going to the circus! This is an initiative for young people in Cambodia and certainly something you'll be talking about for a long time afterwards.
Day 8 breakfast, lunch
Today, you'll visit the sacred mountain of Phnom Sampeau, and you'll learn more about the Khmer Rouge times. Then after a delicious local lunch, you'll take a boat trip to visit a village and a family-run fruit farm, coming back at sunset (cameras at the ready!)
Day 9 breakfast, dinner
Time to move to the city of Phnom Penh. We'll break up the journey with a stop at the quiet village of Ondong Rossey, surrounded by ricefields, which is the birthplace of the red pottery of the Kampong Chhnang area. Then it's on Phnom Penh and time to settle into your hotel in the city. Later, one of our guides will pick you up to explore the city by night. Graze on food stalls at a local market – fried tarantula, anyone? – (lots of other foods to choose from) and feast at a local restaurant, before trying traditional Khmer desserts at a special stall.
Day 10 breakfast, lunch
Explore Phnom Penh with your private guide in a cycle rickshaw. You'll tick off the main sights, from the colonial-era buildings to the Royal Palace and its beautiful gardens, the Silver Pagoda with its incredible 5,000 silver tiles on the floor, to a Buddha covered in nearly 10,000 diamonds. If you're feeling active this evening, you could explore the bustling market, or take a sunset cruise with dinner. Just ask your guide to help your book on the day.
Then it's on to an initiative to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to train in traditional Cambodian arts. You'll end your day at the National Museum, full of beautiful Khmer art and sculpture.
Day 11 breakfast
A late start this morning in case you want to explore under your own steam (have a look in your Tell Tale pack for ideas), buy some souvenirs, or simply have a lie in. Then it's time to head to the seaside – there's plenty of action on shore too, if you don't want to sunbathe. You're heading to Kep to the boutique resort of
Knai Ban Chatt, which offers simple elegance with stunning views. Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the infinity pool. This evening, you can have dinner here or walk to a hot spot with expats living in Cambodia, or to a local restaurant.
Day 12 breakfast
And it's an early start, especially for keen photographers. You'll be taken to the fish market in nearby Kampot, to see the fishermen returning to shore with their catch and selling it at the market, as the sun rises.
Then you'll explore this area with its buildings of faded grandeur, and learn about life in times gone by. You'll also visit an organic pepper plantation, to try flavours of different peppers – a great lightweight souvenir to take home.
Day 13 breakfast
A more leisurely start, but do wear comfortable shoes and pack your swimming costumes. By now you may have tasted some of Kep's famous crabs (assuming you like seafood!) and today you'll stop by the crab market. Then it's on to Kep National Park, where you'll trek through the jungle with a private guide, and meditate with a monk.
Later it's off to sea, to the picturesque coconut-fringed Rabbit island, just a short boat ride away. Walk around the tiny island and enjoy some sun and sea.
Day 14 breakfast
Time at leisure at boutique beach resort.
Then you'll be driven back to Phnom Penh where you'll take a short flight to Bangkok*, with an official connection to your overnight flight.
*assuming flying Thai Airways, e.g. if you are flying Cathay Pacific or British Airways, you will fly back via Hong Kong.
Day 15 breakfast If Day 1 was a Sunday, Day 15 will be a Sunday
You'll land back at London Heathrow at approximately 7am. Thank you for travelling with Tell Tale Travel!
This 15-day private tour costs from £2,975* per person, based on two adults travelling. Prices include direct international flights with Thai Airways between London Heathrow to Siem Reap and back from Phnom Penh (including official connections through in Bangkok), accommodation, activities/excursions, private transfers and meals as specified. It is also possible to book this tour excluding all flights from £2,175 per person.
Please allow approx overall £75-100 per person for entrance fees payable locally at the site offices on the day (for the Angkor temples, we recommend buying a 3-day pass on your first day).
Day 6 Optional excursion with NGO Osmose costs £150 per person (all inclusive, entrance fees for this day would be included).
*Price often applies as advertised, but travelling at certain times, particularly during August and at Christmas, may involve extra costs. Early booking is advised. It is possible to secure your booking with a deposit.
Photo credits to Tell Tale Travellers:
boy on boat by Rita Csuri-Magosi
Full moon rising over Angkor Wat by Gary Baxter