Feel-Good Cambodia: Sustainable Adventures From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh, Visit the Royal Palace, Dinner at Romdeng

Welcome to Cambodia's capital and most populated city, Phnom Penh! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in. Then, you'll hit the ground running with a tour of the Royal Palace of Cambodia, renowned for its blend of traditional Khmer and French colonial architectural styles. Stroll through the opulent grounds, stopping at landmarks like the Silver Pagoda, where the floor is adorned with over 5,000 meticulously crafted silver tiles. You'll also find a collection of Buddha statues inside, one of which is decorated with 9,584 diamonds. 

Continue to the nearby Mekong River for a leisurely walk along the shore. Pass bustling markets, cozy cafés, and street vendors while you look out at the tranquil water. As darkness starts to fall, make your way to Romdeng Restaurant, which is part of the Cambodian Children's Trust that provides training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth. Indulge in authentic Cambodian dishes such as the famous fish amok (a fragrant, creamy curry steamed in banana leaves) or sample more adventurous fare like deep-friend tarantulas before returning to your hotel to fight off jet lag.

Day 2: Full-Day Tour of Phnom Penh, Sunset Mekong River Cruise

Join your guide on a full-day tour of Phnom Penh today, starting at the National Museum of Cambodia. Step inside to peruse the extensive collection of Khmer art, including ancient statues, ceramics, and bronze artifacts dating back to the pre-Angkorian era. Enjoy a short rest in the museum's garden, then grab lunch before heading to the Champey Academy of Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and empowering young artists, musicians, and dancers. Learn about the different Cambodian art forms, watch the students hard at work, or join an interactive workshop.

Then, set off on a cyclo (three-wheeled motorized bicycle) tour to Wat Phnom. When you arrive, disembark and climb the steps to the temple's ornate entrance flanked by guardian lions and naga balustrades. Enter the complex to discover the elaborate murals, bronze Buddha statues, and various shrines, including one dedicated to the founder of Phnom Penh, Lady Penh. End your action-packed day with a sunset cruise along the Mekong. Board the catamaran and glide along the tranquil water, watching the setting sun cast a golden hue over the river.

Day 3: Transfer to the Farmhouse Resort & Spa via Oudong

Bid farewell to Phnom Penh this morning as you transfer one hour into the countryside to get to the Farmhouse Resort & Spa in Kompong Chhnang province. On the way, stop in Oudong, the ancient capital of Cambodia. The town is known for its collection of pagodas and stupas, but to reach them, you need to climb 509 steps. The effort will be worth it as you enjoy panoramic views of the lush countryside and discover landmarks like Wat Udong and Wat Preah. 

Back at the bottom of the hill, visit the Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre, a tranquil retreat nestled amid lush greenery. Admire the meditation halls, pagodas, and beautifully maintained gardens before completing the drive to the resort. After settling into your luxurious accommodations, tour the grounds and learn how your stay at the resort works to support an international NGO, the Smiling Gecko Campus. Spend a few hours relaxing by the pool or opt for a tour of a nearby farm before setting off on a hike to a 500-year-old Buddhist monastery. In the evening, return to the resort for a delicious farm-to-table dinner at Farmhouse Restaurant.

Day 4: Visit Anlong Svay Waterfall, Picnic Lunch, Free Afternoon

Day 5: Transfer to Battambang via Ondong Rossey, Sunset at Phnom Sampeau

Say goodbye to the Farmhouse Resort & Spa this morning as you transfer five hours to Battambang, nestled along the banks of the Sangker River. On the way, stop in Ondong Rossey, a charming village known for its traditional way of life. Stroll through the village and watch the locals go about their day-to-day lives, farming in the lush rice fields, weaving silk, or preparing rice wine. Back in the car, complete the drive to your hotel to check in before heading to Phnom Sampeau, a limestone outcrop just outside of the city offering panoramic views of the countryside. 

There's a darker history to this natural beauty, though, as the Killing Caves that the Khmer Rouge regime used to execute prisoners are located here. Pay your respects to the victims, then sit back and wait for the thousands of bats to emerge at sunset. If you want a better look, climb up the hill to watch the bats and sunset amid the pagodas and shrines. As darkness starts to fall, return to the city to enjoy dinner at the Jaan Bai Restaurant, which is run by the Cambodian Children's Trust. Choose from an array of Cambodian and Western dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients before returning to the hotel.

Day 6: Countryside Bicycle Tour, Visit Phare Ponleu Selpak

Stretch your legs and get ready for a full day of cycling through the countryside surrounding Battambang. Meet your guide from Sosabike, a social enterprise that empowers locals with vocational training, community development, and cross-cultural exchanges. Then, hit the trail, riding through lush paddies and charming villages. Stop to meet local families and learn about the traditional products they make and sell, such as rice paper, dried bananas, and bamboo sticky rice. Try your hand at making some of these products yourself before visiting a local family's home for an authentic Cambodian lunch. 

After refueling, hop back on your bike and pedal to a Buddhist temple to learn about the principles and practices of the country's main religion. To round out your education, visit French colonial architectural sites to better understand this period in Cambodian history. Thank the locals and your guide for their time, then return to your hotel to relax before this evening's visit to Phare Ponleu Selpak, a nonprofit art school and social enterprise that offers thrilling circus performances. Watch the talented young artists perform a blend of acrobatics, theater, music, and dance, all rooted in Cambodian folklore.

Day 7: Walking Tour of Battambang, Bamboo Train Ride

Set off on a walking tour of Battambang's oldest streets to discover the beautifully preserved French architecture, quaint shophouses, and historical landmarks. Stop at Psar Nat, the city's central market, where you can find everything from fresh produce, aromatic spices, and local delicacies to handmade crafts and textiles. Engage with the friendly locals, sample exotic fruits, or shop for souvenirs before leaving the city behind for a ride on a scenic bamboo "train" (locally known as nori).

Step onto the wooden platform with a gasoline engine and four wheels attached, then whiz down the 4.3-mile (7 km) track through lush fields, rural villages, and over small bridges. If there's another bamboo train coming, you'll have the chance to help disassemble yours so it can pass. Disembark at the small village of O Dambong at the end to shop for souvenirs or refreshments before making the return trip. The evening is free to spend as you wish—consider heading to one of the restaurants overlooking the Sangker River for dinner and drinks. 

Day 8: Transfer to Siem Reap, Explore Ta Phrom, Dinner at Spoon's Restaurant

Today you transfer to your final destination in Cambodia: Siem Reap, the gateway to the awe-inspiring Angkor Archaeological Park. After the three-hour journey, check into your hotel and grab lunch before spending the afternoon exploring Ta Prohm, often called the "Tomb Raider Temple," as the 2001 movie featuring Angelina Jolie was filmed here. Wander through the 12th-century temple to see how nature has taken over as enormous banyan trees and their roots weave through and envelop the crumbling stone structures. Stay to watch the sunset or return to the hotel to get ready for dinner.

When it's time, make your way to Spoons Café and Restaurant, a training facility and multipurpose space where students and members of the SPOONS Cambodia Organization can gain hands-on work experience. Choose from an array of international favorites and traditional Khmer dishes, such as coconut chicken, fish amok, fried rice, or fresh spring rolls. Then, end the night with a cocktail or mango sticky rice served with coconut cream sauce. 

Day 9: Full-Day Tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park

Continue your exploration of the Angkor Archaeological Park today, starting with a tuk-tuk ride to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Enter through the imposing South Gate flanked by a procession of stone statues and wander through the archaeological site. Your guide will point out landmarks like the iconic Bayon Temple, with its enigmatic stone faces gazing serenely in all directions, and the pyramid-like Baphoun Temple. The sprawling complex is also home to the Royal Palace, now just a rectangular courtyard adorned with temples like Phimeanakas.

Day 10: Boat Tour of Mechrey Floating Village, Explore Angkor Wat

Start your day with a tranquil boat cruise across the nearby lake of Tonlé Sap to discover the Mechrey Floating Village. Board the traditional wooden boat and glide across the water, passing floating houses, schools, and fish farms. Cruise past the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, which is home to large colonies of rare and endangered birds, including storks, pelicans, and ibis. Stop at Saray, a community-based ecotourism project that makes baskets, mats, and hammocks from water hyacinths. Take a short workshop to learn how to make your own basket from the flowers, then enjoy lunch at a floating restaurant.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon to get ready for a visit to Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of the Angkor temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world. Discover the temple's vast corridors, towering spires, and detailed bas-reliefs depicting mythological scenes and historical events. Then, watch as the setting sun casts a golden glow over the intricately carved stone surfaces. When darkness falls, make your way to HAVEN, a training restaurant for young adults from orphanages to develop valuable skills and step out of the poverty cycle. Enjoy a Western or Khmer dish under the twinkling fairy lights, then head back to the hotel.

Day 11: Visit Kulen Elephant Forest, Tour Satcha & Made in Cambodia Market

Day 12: Rural Village Experience, Dinner at Chanrey Tree

Your penultimate day in Cambodia starts in the countryside as you head to a traditional village to meet the locals. When you arrive, enjoy a 30-45 minute stroll through the village, stopping to meet a local family and lend a hand with their daily tasks. You might be transplanting rice, planting vegetables or trees, or making fish paste, depending on the season and the family's needs. Visit the village's community center next for an introduction to the sewing team. Get some tips from them, as your next activity is making your own reusable cloth bag. 

Return to the city around midday, where you can venture out to explore the area on your own. You could head to the War Museum Cambodia to learn more about the Cambodian Civil War and the Khmer Rouge era. When it's time, make your way to Chanrey Tree, a traditional Khmer restaurant overlooking the river. Indulge in local delights like loc lac (beef stew), papaya salad, Khmer spring rolls, or red curry. Celebrate your final night in Cambodia with a cocktail or dessert, like coconut custard, before returning to the hotel. 

Day 13: Depart Siem Reap 

Now that you've explored Cambodia and helped support important community projects along the way, it's time to head home. If you have a later flight, you could explore more of the area on your own. Go for a 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. When it's time, return to the hotel, meet your driver, and transfer to the airport for your flight home. 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.