If you’re craving a journey that combines the awe-inspiring with the unexpected then Cambodia is your next great adventure. From the majestic spires of Angkor Wat to the untouched beauty of rural villages and remote waterfalls, this two-week Cambodia itinerary packs it all.
You’ll wander through Siem Reap’s ancient temples, feel the thrill of kayaking with rare Irrawaddy dolphins in Kratie, and reflect on Cambodia’s powerful history in Phnom Penh.
Every day is designed to captivate your sense of wonder, with must-see landmarks as well as paths less traveled. Are you ready? Then let’s start exploring!
Day 1 | Arrive in Cambodia
Use day 1 on this Cambodia itinerary to arrive at the new Siem Reap (SAI) airport and take the airport bus, a group shuttle transfer or a private transfer to your hotel in town.
It takes about 45-60 minutes to reach Siem Reap, because the airport is quite far out of town.
I start this itinerary in Siem Reap because that’s where I arrived myself on a flight from Luang Prabang in Laos. But course if you flight arrives in Phnom Penh you can also follow the itinerary in reverse order.
Upon arrival use your time to arrange a tuk tuk driver for tomorrow. Your accommodation should be able to help you out.
You can get a visitors pass for 1, 3 or 7 days to visit Angkor Wat. Generally I’d say 1 day is too short and 7 days is too long, unless you are an archaeologist. I think if you get a 3-day pass you’re hitting the sweet spot! Especially because you can use this pass during a period of 5 consecutive days, allowing for some down time in between your temple visits.
Read next: Laos One Week Itinerary + Travel Guide & Map
Day 2 – 5 | Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
Spend the first couple of days in Siem Reap, visiting the temples of Angkor Wat. How many days you need to see the temples? Well, it all depends. Generally I’d say 1 day is too short and 7 days is too long, unless you are an archaeologist. So I think the sweet spot is 3 days.
To visit the temples you need a visitors pass you can use to visit the temples either 1, 3 or 7 days. When you take the 3 day pass, you can actually visit the temples for 3 out of 5 consecutive days. That allows you some down time between your temple visits.
Visit the Temples of Angkor
Check out my suggestion on how to spend your Angkor 3-day visitor pass:
- Day 1 | Angkor Wat Small Circuit Sunrise Tour
- Day 2 | Tuk-tuk Tour to Banteay Srei & Banteay Samre
- Day 3 | Angkor Wat Grand Circuit Sunset Tour
Each of the above three days is linked to a fantastic tour that will pick you up from your hotel. But like I said you can also arrange a tuk tuk driver through your hotel, or flag one on the street.
What to expect on each of the tours
Your tuk tuk driver will most likely know where to take you, but if they don’t, just tell your driver to take you to the following places.
Small Circuit | On the small circuit you will visit five temples. First stop at sunrise is the majestic Angkor Wat. Afterwards head to the Tomb Raider temple, Ta Phrom.
Then head to Ta Keo and my favourite temple Banteay Kdei. Finish the day at the magnificent Bayon at the centre of Angkor Thom.
Grand Circuit | To go on the grand circuit, start by climbing to the top of Pre Rup. Continue to Ta Som that also has trees growing on top, just like Ta Phrom. Afterwards cross the long walking bridge to the Neak Poan temple, also known as the water temple.
Then it’s onwards to my favourite temple of the grand circuit, the Preah Khan temple. Finish with a hike up to the Phnom Bakheng temple for sunset.
Banteay Srei & Banteay Samre | These two temples are quite a long tuk tuk ride away from Siem Reap. So enjoy the beautiful views of rural Cambodia along the way.
Banteay Srei is a stunning temple complex with many fine details cut from pinkish coloured stone. Not too far away and on the way back stop at Banteay Samre, a temple that dates back to the same period as Angkor Wat.
Tip: To avoid temple fatigue plan a morning in Siem Reap after two days of visiting temples. In the late afternoon you can then visit Kampong Phluk and the Tonle Sap lake.
Visit the Stilted Village of Kampong Phluk with Sunset on Tonle Sap Lake
Siem Reap is situated close to the Tonle Sap lake. On the edge of the lake you can visit some stilted villages on a day tour.
If your time is limited focus on a half-day tour to Kampong Phluk.
Before you board a boat that takes you to the village stop at the Ro Lus Market. This is a pretty cool but typical small Cambodian fresh food market.
During the wet season (May – Feb) Kampong Phluk doesn’t really have any streets. So the only way to reach schools, shops, churches, friends and family is by boat.
Another highlight is a small boat trip through the mangroves on the very edge of the Tonle Sap lake.
Back on the large boat, prepare for a trip out on the lake for sunset. Really a wonderful tour and a welcome break in between all the temple visits.
Explore the highlights of Siem Reap
The city of Siem Reap is for most people just the base to explore the Angkor temples from. But the city has enough attractions to keep you busy when you’re on a break from visiting the ancient ruins.
- Angkor National Museum – One of the most important museums in Cambodia is the Angkor National Museum. Visit the displays that are arranged by era and religion.
- Apopo Visitors Centre – Don’t want to see more temples and artifacts? Then visit the Apopo Visitors Centre where you can meet some incredible rats. Rats?! Yep, these rats are trained to sniff out explosives and help Cambodia become landmine free.
- Wat Bo Village – There’s also some pretty cool coffee places in the city. Visit Dialogue for example, and walk around Wat Bo Village to enjoy the vibe during the day and at night.
And of course at night the city centre is bustling around Pub Street.
Where to stay in Siem Reap
The city is full of great hotels, modern and traditional. Check out some of my suggestions below.
- Treeline Urban Resort | Traditional but luxurious design hotel with a contemporary touch
- Angkor Village Hotel | Stylish high-end hotel in hip Wat Bo Village
- The Urban | Comfortable mid-range hotel with large rooms and a beautiful pool
- Onderz Siem Reap | Centrally located hostel with private rooms
Day 6 – 7 | Stung Treng & Preah Nimith Falls
After all those magnificent temples in Angkor Wat it’s time for a change of scenery. The next place to visit on this Cambodia itinerary is Stung Treng. So book your bus ticket on 12Go.asia and head east.
Day 6 will mostly be taken up by this bus trip. Upon arrival check in to Savet Guesthouse and arrange a motorbike for your off the beaten track trip to the Preah Nimith Falls. There’s a motorbike shop next to the guesthouse.
Tip: Buy some snacks and water to take along with you. And make sure to have some cash in small denominations to buy petrol along the way with.
Be blown away by magnificent Preah Nimith Falls (Sopheakmit Falls)
On day 7 jump on your motorbike and ride to the stunning Preah Nimith Falls. These waterfalls are on the border with Laos and are basically on the very edge of the Mekong River’s 4,000 islands (or locally known as Si Phan Don).
I have to say that the waterfalls exceeded all my expectations! I never expected the falls to be so big and powerful.
Most of the roads to get there were good, except for the final bit that was a bit more adventurous so to speak. But the effort is totally worth it and trust me when I say you’ll be the only foreigner there.
Where to stay in Stung Treng
There’s really only one viable option in town, but it does have a motorbike shop next door.
- Savet Guesthouse | Clean hotel with large rooms and excellent service
Day 8 – 10 | Kratie & Mekong River Dolphins
On day 8 take the bus to Kratie which is further south on the Mekong. After your arrival in Kratie check in to your hotel and enjoy the sunset, cold drink in hand, from Pete’s Cafe at Sorya Guesthouse.
Kratie is another Cambodian city that is off the typical tourist trail. And I really wonder why though, because the city is not only very charming, but there’s also plenty of unique things to do in Kratie.
For starters some of the last remaining Irrawaddy River Dolphins are on its doorstep. But another must-do is to visit the island of Koh Trong.
Read next: Preah Nimith Falls | A Motorbike Adventure From Stung Treng
Spot Irrawaddy river dolphins on a Mekong river kayaking tour
On day 9 of this Cambodia itinerary it’s time to hit the Mekong river for a half-day of kayaking.
Prepare for an amazing trip where you will not only have a big chance to see the river dolphins, but also expect stops on sandbar beaches and glide through flooded forest.
That’s actually not too difficult. Book your accommodation with Sorya Guesthouse and send them a message after booking asking them to sign you up for their half-day or full-day kayaking tour. You’ll have a pretty good chance to see the Irrawaddy river dolphins.
Do keep in mind that this is nature and these dolphins are quite shy and rare, with only about 90 left. And that an encounter is the cherry on top of the cake of this wonderful kayaking trip.
Spend the afternoon exploring the city
Back in town freshen up and have lunch on Road No. 3. This street is also a great spot to linger for a bit with some cold drinks.
Afterwards, check out the centre of town and the beautiful pagoda. To round off the day have dinner at the rooftop bar and grill of Privada Lodge.
Visit the Kratie Morning Market
Spend the morning of day 10 on the Kratie Morning Market. This market is small but bustling and stimulates all the senses. Try some of the food if you dare.
Head over to Koh Trong island
After your visit to the morning market take the ferry across to Koh Trong. The ferry leaves from near Sorya Guesthouse and takes about 15 minutes to cross.
Once on the other side rent a bicycle for a few dollars and cycle the ring road round the island. Pass traditional wooden stilt houses, farm lands and beautiful people going about their day. Most kids are especially happy to see visitors.
Don’t miss out on the sunset on the eastern side of the island, but also don’t miss the last ferry of the day!
Where to stay in Kratie
Road No. 3 is the most happening street for visitors, but it’s still kinda quiet. There’s some places to stay in this street and nearby.
- Sorya Guesthouse | Modern rooms with sunset views from the restaurant
- Nomad Guesthouse | Basic rooms in a charming guesthouse on Road No. 3
- Privada Lodge | Colourful hotel next to the food market with rooftop bar
Day 11 – 14 | Finish your Cambodia itinerary in Phnom Penh
You’ve already reached the final couple of days on this Cambodia itinerary, where you’ll spend most of day 11 on the bus to Phnom Penh.
The bustling capital of Cambodia is worth it to spend a couple of days. You can dive deep into Cambodia’s dark history during the Khmer Rouge. But you can also experience plenty modern day vibes.
After your arrival to the city check in to your hotel and head out for dinner. I really craved something other than Southeast Asian food, so I went to Kanazawa Japanese Restaurant. This beautiful place has comfortable seating on a balcony overlooking the Tonle Sap river. Oh yeah and the ramen was delicious!
Day trip out to the Killing Fields and S21 (Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum)
You have undoubtedly heard about Cambodia’s dark history during the times of the Khmer Rouge. If not then I recommend watching the 1984 film “The Killing Fields“.
That said, start day 12 early so you arrive at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum when it opens. Back in the day this prison was called S21. And what started as a regular prison was turned into a factory of death by the Khmer Rouge.
The audio tour that’s part of the entry fee is highly recommended to follow step by step. After a couple of hours walking around the complex you will feel kinda awful. But really you will learn a lot from Cambodia’s recent history.
From the torture chambers of S21 continue to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. It doesn’t take a lot of words or imagination to understand what happened here.
But again, listen to the provided audio guides and be prepared. Why? Because even your imagination didn’t prepare you for the atrocities that happened here.
Tip: Because you don’t want to leave Cambodia feeling depressed don’t visit the Killing Fields and S21 on your final day.
Get creative at FACTORY Phnom Penh or enjoy down time at you hotel’s pool
If you’re feeling empty after visiting S21 and Choeung Ek you can spend the afternoon in your hotel’s pool and reflect.
Alternatively, on the way back to the city stop at FACTORY Phnom Penh.
FACTORY is a repurposed garment factory complex, that now houses Cambodia’s largest co-working space. So why visit a work place if you’re on vacation?! Because there’s also studios for artists, and a range of other activities to inspire you.
There’s hidden green spaces, huge murals, a skateboard park and a trampoline park. You can visit artists in their production spaces and enjoy food and coffee from Fulcrum Cafe.
What’s also pretty cool is that you cycle around the premises on one of the 50 bicycle that are on-site. Don’t forget to check out what’s on at FT Gallery.
Go on a Phnom Penh walking tour
On day 13 of your Cambodia itinerary go on a Phnom Penh walking tour. Either join this awesome organised hidden gem tour to be guided through the city. Or do it yourself with my recommendations below.
The best place to start your walking tour is at Wat Phnom. Climb the stairs to the top of the hill to visit the white temple.
Then head to Co & Bloom Coffee for which you also have to climb a few stairs. This coffee place is kinda hidden in a building you enter through a plant shop. The building also houses many other creatives. So browse around on your way up or down from your coffee fix. Oh yeah Co & Bloom has the best coffee in the city!
Continue to the Central Market of Phnom Penh. The Psar Thmei has plenty of stalls to shop at, but really the art deco architecture is the star attraction here.
Continue to the National Museum and the Royal Palace
The next place to visit in Cambodia’s capital is the National Museum with a beautiful collection of Khmer artifacts.
The leafy gardens surrounding the museum offer a lovely break from the bustling city streets. You can have lunch in these gardens at the cafe. Afterwards don your temple pants to visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda.
Afterwards continue south at Wat Botum Park. Sit down to cool down with an (iced) coffee at Brown Roastery, before you continue west on Sihanouk Boulevard.
What I loved about Sihanouk Boulevard is not just the Indepence Monument and the statue of the ‘father king’. But mostly the groups of people playing Cambodian shuttlecock. See if you can join in on the fun.
Finish the day at Langka Lane and Bassac Street
The area behind Wat Langka is so lively and a lot of fun to visit. At Langka Lane you’ll find some pretty cool dining options and also a speakeasy bar hidden behind a coca-cola machine. Sit down at Garage Sale for one of the best burger I ever had.
And continue to Bassac Street for more eateries and bars. You can make it as late here as you want.
Pack up or go on a day trip to Udong Mountain
Today is the final day on this Cambodia itinerary. If you have to catch a morning flight then pack up your stuff and off you go to the airport.
If your flight is later today or tonight you still have time for a day trip.
The best way to spend the morning is on a day trip to Udong. This really is a unique place to visit in Cambodia, because it is the old royal capital of the country.
On the way there you will also visit Koh Chen island which is known for its Silversmith village. You return mid-afternoon in time for you flight onwards.
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s capital has plenty of places to stay. Check out my favourites below in different price ranges.
- Luxury: Raffles Hotel Le Royal | Simply the best hotel in colonial style
- High-end: Plantation Urban Resort & Spa | An oasis of peace and quiet
- Mid-range: PATIO Hotel & Urban Resort | Boutique hotel in Langka Lane
- Budget: Onderz Phnom Penh | Modern hostel with dorms & private rooms
Map of Places to Visit in Cambodia
To get a better understanding of the route to take in this Cambodia itinerary check out the map below. If you click on the pins in the map you can save items to your google maps.
Planning Your Cambodia Itinerary
If you’ve been to Southeast Asia before then you know it’s one of the easiest regions to travel to and through. People are always ready to assist travellers on their journey to the next stop on their itinerary. The same goes for Cambodia.
That said, in this section you’ll find some things to consider before embarking on your trip to Cambodia.
Best time to visit Cambodia
Cambodia is a year-round destination with a dry season and a wet season. Throughout the year though Cambodia is either hot or even hotter. So do keep that in mind.
That said, the best time to visit Cambodia is during the dry season typically from December to February. These are the driest months of the year, but it’s also peak tourist season though.
November is a transitional month and offers fewer crowds with lush green landscapes. March and April are also in the dry season but the temperatures soar.
The rainy season from June to October brings heavy rains that can sometimes disrupt travel plans, particularly in rural areas.
How much time do you need to visit Cambodia
Two weeks is the sweet spot to visiting Cambodia. It gives you enough time to visit the capital and the ruins of Angkor. And gives you another week to dive a little deeper into this fascinating country.
Check below for some options if you need a shorter, or a longer Cambodia itinerary.
- One week in Cambodia | With one week you can combine the Angkor temple ruins of Siem Reap with a few days in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. You will experience the ancient Khmer empire, but also learn about recent Khmer Rouge history.
- Two weeks in Cambodia | With two weeks in Cambodia you can follow the itinerary in this article. If you prefer the beach however then link Siem Reap to Phnom Penh first. And then continue going south to visit Kampot and Kep before landing on one of the islands’ bounty beaches.
- Three weeks in Cambodia | With an additional week you can follow the two-week Cambodia itinerary and then continue south after Phnom Penh. Definitely check out Kampot and Kep before spending a few days on the islands.
Alternatively you can lengthen your loop east. Meaning that from Stung Treng you go even more remote to Ratanakiri, then south to Mondulkiri and then to Kratie.
Get Travel Insurance for Cambodia
If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. Honestly, it might sound cliché, but I firmly believe it’s true. Travel insurance gives me peace of mind, because if something happens I don’t have to worry about expensive bills.
I always have travel insurance, 365 days a year, because I travel quite a lot. And it usually turns out cheaper than taking out separate policies for each trip. Find my recommendations for travel insurance below:
- Under 50 years old? | My recommendation is to check out Heymondo Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance. It covers all your trips for a year up to 60 days per trip. You can also get insurance through Heymondo for trips with specific travel dates. As a reader of Next Journey Ahead you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance.
- Over 50 years old? | Older than 49 and travel a lot? Then you want to check out World Nomads travel insurance. They also offer annual travel insurance, or you can insure trips with specific travel dates.
- Digital Nomad? | If you’re always on the move then I recommend checking out the Nomad Insurance of SafetyWing. This insurance company offers subscription based insurance. That means it renews every month until you cancel. But you can also insure specific travel dates.
Staying Connected in Cambodia with an eSIM
In all my travel guides my advice is to check before you travel whether your phone and data provider also got you covered in Cambodia. If not then you can buy and install a Saily eSIM in your phone.
I always prefer Saily when my data plan from home doesn’t cover my travel destination. You only ever have to install the eSIM once, and then use their app to buy country data packages. Super easy!
Final Thoughts on this Cambodia itinerary
I had Cambodia on my list of countries to visit for over 20 years and was super happy to finally see those temples of Angkor. What an adventure! Cambodia is a sweaty affair, but every stop on this itinerary a highlight. So stop thinking about visiting like I did for decades and just go!
Have you been to Cambodia, or have any questions? Then leave a comment, or contact me on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you. Also sign up to my newsletter to receive updates on future travel guides and exciting itineraries from around the world.
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