Active Adventures in Siem Reap - 6 Days

Highlights

• Discover the iconic Ta Prohm temple, half-buried in the jungle
• Cycle through the countryside to the hidden temples of Banteay Kdei and Ta Nei
• Swim in the cool, crystal-clear pools below Phnom Kulen Waterfall
• Kayak through floating villages on the biodiverse lake and wetlands of Tonlé Sap

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap, Traditional Apsara Dance Dinner Show

Welcome to Cambodia! You'll land in Siem Reap, Cambodia's famous "Temple Town." You'll be transferred to your hotel in the center, where, after settling in, you can take in Siem Reap's many charms. Considered the gateway to Angkor Wat, the largest religious complex in the world, Siem Reap is surrounded by dense jungle and temple ruins. Take a walk along the Siem Reap River and visit the adjacent Royal Independence Gardens, then visit the Made in Cambodia Market to browse modern-day, locally-made handicrafts. 

Later, you'll attend an evening performance of the ancient art of Apsara dance, as depicted on the walls of Angkor's temples. Dating back to the seventh century, the royal dance is characterized by ornate costumes and mesmerizing dance moves that tell a story of prosperity. Every movement of the fingers has meaning and requires immense flexibility, so the training in Apsara begins when women are children. Enjoy the show with dinner at a traditional restaurant, then pop in for drinks at the outdoor Scribe bar at FCC Angkor, in the former Foreign Correspondents Club, before exploring Pub Street.

Day 2: Discover the Temples of Angkor Wat via Remork

Your adventure of the day will take you to the impressive temples of Angkor, which you'll explore via remork (Cambodian tuk-tuk), starting early to take in as many temples as possible. Begin with the largest and most complete temple, Angkor Wat itself, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the 12th century, surrounded by a moat and a large exterior wall covering over 500 acres (210 ha). The vast UNESCO World Heritage Site complex comprises over 1,000 buildings, including scores of temples carved with thousands of bas-relief apsara (heavenly maidens).

Stroll around the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water, reflecting the towering temple, before heading to the wondrous ancient ruins of Angkor Thom, famous for its colossal human faces carved in stone. Top sites at the last Khmer Empire capital include the Bayon temple (Temple of the Faces), the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Terrace of the Elephants.

Exit Angkor Thom via the extraordinary Victory Gate for a traditional Khmer lunch beside the former Royal Bathing Pool of Srah Srang before heading to the iconic jungle-covered Ta Prohm. The enormous fig trees and gigantic creeping roots engulf the stone foundations of this temple (nicknamed the "Tomb Raider" temple after it was seen in the eponymous 2001 Angela Jolie movie), demonstrating the power of nature. Watch the sunset over Angkor from a preferential location atop a temple before returning to Seam Riep for the evening.

Day 3: Cycle the Grand Circuit & Hidden Temples

Today, you'll mount a bicycle to explore the temples of Angkor's Grand Circuit, escaping the crowds and well-worn tourist trails in favor of country backroads and villages. Cycle the small tracks and minor roads that lead through the pretty countryside to some lesser-visited but no less fascinating sites. Head first to the 10th-century Kravan Hindu temple (Cardamom Sanctuary), with its impressive bas-reliefs of Vishnu and his consort, Lakshmi.

Then pedal to nearby Banteay Kdei (Citadel of Chambers), decorated with garudas (eagle-like divine beings), and the Hall of the Dancers, named for its exquisite carvings of apsaras. Then, cycle outside the perimeter walls of Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm along sandy trails to Ta Nei temple, one of the complex's hidden and thereby little-visited gems, entangled by giant banyan tree roots.

After crossing the river, you'll arrive at Preah Khan temple, a massive and little-visited maze of vaulted corridors and towered courtyards. You'll then enjoy a memorable lunch of Khmer noodles in a nearby village. You'll have cycled along the relatively flat paths for around 18 miles (30 km). You can hop a van back to Siem Reap, or ride for another 12 miles (20 km), stopping at other, smaller temples before ending at your hotel. 

Day 4: Trekking & Waterfalls at Phnom Kulen

This morning, your driver will pick you up to drive to Phnom Kulen. Located 30 miles (48 km) north of Siem Reap, this is considered Cambodia's most sacred peak and the place where Jayavarman II is said to have proclaimed himself a Devarajan (god-king), marking the start of the Khmer Empire. Upon arrival, you'll start your easy trek up the mountain, visiting a local pagoda with a natural spring on the way up to the top. Splendid views greet you on all sides along this quiet and little-used route.

Continue on to a bat cave followed by Srah Damrei (Elephant Pond), where a life-size stone elephant and smaller statues of lions and other animals stand guard over the mountain. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views while eating a packed lunch. Finally, hike back down the mountain, stopping at Phnom Kulen Waterfall for a refreshing swim in the pools at the base. After about 8.5 miles (14 km) of hiking, you'll meet your driver at the trailhead to return to Siem Reap for a relaxing evening.

This morning, head south through rice fields a short distance to Tonlé Sap—Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake—for a day of kayaking and visiting the famous "floating villages." Since the water level here rises and falls with the seasonal monsoons and the varying backflow from the mighty Mekong River, some villages, such as Mechrey, are built on floating bamboo platforms, complete with fish pens and animal cages. Your kayak provides an intimate insight into the daily lifestyle of the lake's inhabitants, who depend on fishing and aquaculture for their livelihoods.

As this is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, you'll also get a chance to spot many of the waterbirds and other wildlife that flock to the lake and its wetland ecosystems as you paddle through the seasonally flooded swamp forest at the edge of the lake. With luck, you may spy endangered species like the freshwater terrapin, smooth-coated otter, Siamese crocodile, greater adjutant, painted storks, and fish eagles. After lunch at a floating restaurant, you'll return to Siem Reap for a short rest.

As night falls, experience the magic of modern Khmer theater at Phare Ponleu Selpak, a nonprofit art school and social enterprise that offers thrilling circus performances. Originally a project set up in refugee camps to encourage young people to express themselves using art, the Phare Circus is steadily becoming a worldwide name and an excellent example of the success of responsible tourism. During the hourlong show, the talented young artists perform acrobatics, theater, music, and dance, all rooted in Cambodian folklore.

Day 6: Depart Siem Reap

Say chum reap lear (goodbye) to Cambodia, the "Kingdom of Wonder" today. If you have time, walk along Pub Street, head to the Angkor National Museum to continue learning about the ancient sites you visited, or shop for souvenirs at the Old Market. Your driver will take you to Siem Reap International Airport in plenty of time to catch your flight onward. Safe travels! 

More Great Cambodia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Cambodia? Check out these other Cambodia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.