The Essence of Cambodge
Dive into the heart of authentic Cambodge, from the forgotten temples of Sambor Prei Kuk to the majestic monuments of Angkor. An 8-day odyssey between thousand-year-old traditions and touching human encounters.
Duration
8 days
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Family, Solo, With friends, senior
The spirit of travel
Let yourself be enchanted by the mysteries of Cambodge during this 8-day journey that reveals the deep soul of the Khmer kingdom. From Phnom Penh, the bustling capital with its colorful markets, to the lost temples of Sambor Prei Kuk where the jungle reclaims its rights, each stage unveils a unique facet of this land of contrasts.
Your journey takes you from the floating villages of Kampong Pluk, where time seems suspended to the rhythm of pirogues, to the sublime temples of Angkor that emerge from the morning mist. Explore the pink sandstone citadel of Banteay Srey, admire the thousand-year-old sculptures of Kbal Spean and discover the incredible work of APOPO's demining rats.
Between scooter rides through the Cambodian countryside, navigation through lush mangroves and contemplation of Angkor's bas-reliefs, this circuit awakens all your senses. The scents of incense from the pagodas, the golden reflections on sacred basins and the warm smiles of Cambodians compose a symphony of emotions that will mark your memory.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh Airport → Phnom Penh
Pick-up by our driver upon your arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport (KTI).
Transfer and check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Rooms available from 2:00 PM. If we arrive a bit early and our room is not yet ready, we can leave our luggage at the reception before going for a walk around the city or resting by the pool.
Day without English-speaking guide
Day without English-speaking guide
Phnom Penh, vibrant capital
Let's discover the famous Wat Phnom which gave its name to the capital. The "pagoda of the hill" is the highest point in Phnom Penh.
We then visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, true jewels of Khmer architecture built in the mid-19th century.
The dress code for the Royal Palace is quite strict: shoulders and knees must be covered.
We then visit the National Museum and discover one of the most important collections of Khmer art: 14,000 sculptures and ethnographic objects, mostly from the temples of Angkor. This jewel of Khmer architecture was built between 1917 and 1920, and features a magnificent interior courtyard, a truly lush garden surrounded by the museum's unique pieces.
Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former Phnom Penh high school that the Khmer Rouge transformed into an interrogation, torture and death center. It is the largest detention and torture center under the Pol Pot regime that will reveal to us a very painful chapter in Cambodia's history.
Today converted into a museum, the former Prison S21 reminds each visitor of the atrocities committed in Cambodia during the terrible years of communist dictatorship. No fewer than 17,000 people were inmates of Tuol Sleng prison, and only 7 survived and can today recount the abuse they suffered. The visit to S21 can be a disturbing and poignant experience that some may not be able to bear. However, it is one of the keys to understanding the hell and madness in which Cambodia became trapped during these years of terror.
We then have the choice of visiting one or more local markets depending on the time we have left and the purchases we plan to make (ask your guide for advice): the Central Market, the Russian Market and the Orussey Market are the main markets in the city.
Markets begin to close around 4pm-4:30pm depending on the stalls
Day with an English-speaking guide.
Sambor Prei Kuk, the temples of the lush forest
Early in the morning, transfer by road to Kampong Thom halfway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
On the way, let's be bold to make the most of a brief "gastronomic" stop in the city of Skun, famous for its spiders and grilled insects.
On the outskirts of Kampong Thom, discover the magnificent pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. This archaeological site has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since July 2017 and owes this status to its past as an ancient capital before the advent of the Khmer empire which would settle in Angkor a few centuries later. , at the crossroads of Buddhist, Hindu, and even Persian and Greek cultures from the 7th century AD onwards, as we will be able to discover.
We then head off on a village tour by scooter (as a passenger) lasting around 1 hour to discover the Kampong Thom countryside and its magnificent rural landscapes, and to meet the local farmers, their animals and the smiles of the children. The path is lined with small wooden houses with thatched roofs or palm leaf roofs. These traditional houses with a typical Khmer style are bordered by waterways. Let's especially take advantage of the superb sunset over the rice fields.
Ride accompanied by a guide/motorcycle driver from the Sambor Prei Kuk community. It is possible to replace the motorcycle with a tuk-tuk, particularly for children.
Sambor Prei Kuk → Kampong Thom
We then head to Steung Saen, capital of Kampong Thom province, where we spend the night.
Check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Day in the company of an English-speaking guide.
The Floating Village of Kampong Pluk & Arrival in Siem Reap
In the morning, we head to Siem Reap, the city-province that is home to, among other things, the magnificent temples of Angkor. An essential destination par excellence, the city also borders the equally famous Tonlé Sap lake and its floating villages.
A short distance from Siem Reap, we make a detour to Kampong Pluk village located on Tonlé Sap lake. We board a private boat to discover and visit the village on the water.
Hotel check-in in the afternoon and free time to rest.
Day with an English-speaking guide.
Optional activities
Not included in the tour price, available on request.
Kampong Pluk - Canoe in the Mangroves
En option : pendant la visite, des petites pirogues proposent une balade au milieu de la forêt de mangroves.
The Majestic Temples of Angkor
Day visit by tuk-tuk of the wonderful Angkor temples located around and inside the Angkor Thom enclosure. We discover in particular Angkor Wat, symbol of the apex of the Khmer Empire during the Angkorian era.
Within the Angkor Thom enclosure, discover Bayon and its many towers with gigantic faces, Baphuon and its gigantic 40m reclining Buddha statue, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and its great diversity of sculptures as well as the Terrace of the Leper King.
Let's conclude with Ta Prohm famous for its immense trees with tentacular aerial roots. We can end this day with a sunset either at Srah Srang, or from the heights of Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng if you are ready to brave the crowds (note: Phnom Bakheng is off-limits to children under 12 years old and authorities limit access to 300 people at sunset, thus creating a queue)
Due to an already busy schedule, we deliberately skip a few secondary temples on the small circuit such as Banteay Kdei, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda or Ta Keo. If you wish to visit these sites, do not hesitate to inform your guide at the beginning of the day so he can best adjust the schedule.
Possibility to do the visits in reverse order to avoid crowds. Just let your guide know at the beginning of the day.
Temples are sacred places, avoid short clothing, you must cover your shoulders and wear long pants or a long skirt.
In order to preserve these fragile monuments, it is forbidden to touch the sculptures or to sit on temple elements.
In Cambodian culture, it is offensive to misbehave inside a sacred place, calm and respect are paramount.
It is not recommended to buy items or sweets from child vendors, this only encourages begging and truancy, prefer a donation to an association if this matters to you.
If you wish to photograph the monks (called Bonzes), you must obtain their permission beforehand. Furthermore, you must not touch them, they have the right to touch you but not the other way around.
Day spent with an English-speaking guide.
The River of 1000 Lingas and the Pink Sandstone Citadel
After approximately 45 minutes of driving, we start the day with a visit to the Angkor Centre for Biodiversity Protection. We will be able to see the efforts made by local and international teams to protect threatened local species: turtles and other reptiles, birds and rare mammals. Children and animal lovers will be delighted by this visit of discovery and awareness.
We then begin a short hike required to reach the Kbal Spean site nicknamed "the temple under water", 49 km north of Angkor. Temple ruins dating from the 9th century border a river whose bed is scattered with sculpted lingas. A nourishing source for Angkor, the waters of Kbal Spean once irrigated the rice fields of the ancient city. In its bed, the Khmers sculpted Shivas and stone squares serving to bless the waters before they reached the Royal City. The site was discovered in 1968 by Ariège ethnologist Jean Boulbet, and in his footsteps you will be able to wander along the lush banks. A small waterfall near the protected sacred site will allow us to cool off or even swim there (bring a small towel).
Very accessible hike of approximately 1.5 km (or 3 km round trip) with a small positive elevation gain over the last 700 meters.
Bring hiking shoes/sneakers as the trail is quite rocky.
After lunch, let's continue with a visit to Banteay Srey, a temple on a human scale compared to the gigantic Angkor Wat or Bayon. This pink sandstone temple, nicknamed "The Citadel of Women," is known for the refinement of the bas-reliefs and sculptures that adorn its walls and columns.
If we still have energy, we can conclude the day with a visit to Banteay Samre temple or return directly to the hotel.
Day spent with an English-speaking guide.
The Roluos Group
By visiting Satcha we will immerse ourselves in the world of traditional Khmer craftsmanship. This Cambodian craft center is an incubator for local artisans, blending traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design to showcase Cambodian talent to local and international visitors and to pass on these skills over time while having a lasting social, economic and environmental impact. As we move from one workshop to another, we will be able to admire the craftsmanship in stone or wood sculpture, lacquer work, and silk work.
We then visit the APOPO organization and its famous demining rats whose powerful sense of smell allows them to detect antipersonnel mines more efficiently and with less risk than a metal detector. We will learn more about this association's mission and the development of their activities for medical purposes.
In the afternoon, we return to the Angkor archaeological site, specifically to the site of Roluos, a small Khmer city containing the beginnings of the Angkorian period. Seat of the first capital of the Hariharalaya empire, Roluos marks the start of classical Khmer civilization.
The buildings are mostly constructed in brick, laterite, or sandstone. Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko are the three main temples of the site. All dedicated to Hindu worship, the latter two now house Buddhist pagodas.
We save the visit to Bakong temple for the end so we can take advantage of the viewpoint to admire the sunset from the heights of this temple-mountain.
Day with an English-speaking guide.
Safe return and see you soon
Free program before our transfer to Siem Reap international airport (included; the transfer will be organized according to your flight schedule).
Note: we will need to leave our room before noon. If the flight is in the evening, we can leave our luggage at the hotel reception to walk around the city.
Day without English-speaking guide
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International Transport
- Passport & Visa Fees
- Repatriation Insurance
- Travel insurance
- Extra beverages / alcohols
- Meals not mentioned
- Phone calls
- Any excursion not mentioned in the program
Included
- Transfers to and from the airport
- City Transports (tuk tuk or car)
- Ground transportation as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodations indicated
- Hotel breakfasts
- English-speaking guide for activities when indicated
- Entrance fees for activities
- Pass Angkor
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- More than 60 days before departure: 40% of the total price (deposit retained)
- Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Cambodia for a tourist stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend that you verify this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Cambodia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of entry into the country and contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourist visa
Unlike some destinations, Cambodia does not grant visa exemptions to nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada for tourist stays. A visa is therefore mandatory before or upon entry into the country.
Several options are available to obtain it:
the electronic visa (e-Visa), to be requested online before departure on the official Cambodian government portal (evisa.gov.kh), at a cost of 36 USD (30 USD for the visa + 6 USD processing fee), valid for 30 days from the date of entry;
the visa on arrival (Visa on Arrival), available at the main entry points (international airports of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as well as certain land border crossings), at a cost of 30 USD to be paid in cash, also valid for 30 days;
the visa obtained from the Cambodian embassy or consulate in your country of residence before departure.
An extension of an additional 30 days can generally be requested on site from the Cambodian Immigration Department.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the country (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
e-Arrival declaration (mandatory)
All travelers must complete the e-Arrival declaration before arriving in Cambodia: it is free, is done on the official website arrival.gov.kh and must be completed within 7 days before arrival. It replaces the paper forms distributed on flights. It does not replace the visa: these are two separate procedures. Some airlines refuse to check in travelers who do not have confirmation of their e-Arrival.
It is advisable to keep a digital confirmation or printed copy of any document submitted online, which may be requested when passing through immigration.
Health and vaccines
No vaccination is officially required to enter Cambodia. However, certain vaccinations are recommended by health authorities:
hepatitis A and hepatitis B,
typhoid,
rabies (in case of prolonged stay or in rural areas),
update of routine vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles).
A preventive antimalarial treatment may be advised depending on the regions visited and the length of stay. It is recommended to consult a doctor or an international vaccination center before departure.
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay, as well as an individual visa.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the country may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire at the Cambodian embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended that you have travel assistance and medical expense coverage abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, find out about coverage and rates, please follow the link below.
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Registration Method
Any registration request must be made by email to the Local Agency or directly online from the Client Space accessible from the Local Agency's website or from our group's website www.nomadays.fr.
To log in to the Client Space, simply enter the username and password determined during the first login.
Registration is considered final once the online booking form has been completed and upon receipt of payment of the deposit and/or balance depending on the registration date.
Depending on the services chosen and the country's regulations, a photocopy of the passport may be requested by the Local Agency. If the passport photocopy is not sent within the timeframe specified by the Local Agency, it cannot guarantee the proper execution of the reserved services.
Once payment is made, a confirmation email is sent to the Client. It includes confirmation of payment as well as the downloadable electronic invoice.
An acknowledgment of receipt is sent to the Client by electronic means. In the event that the Client does not receive the acknowledgment of receipt, the reservation would nevertheless be final as of its receipt by the Local Agency.
Payment Method
Registration made more than 30 days before the departure date
The Client must pay a 30% deposit of the total amount of reserved services. The balance of the stay must be paid no later than 30 days before the start date of said stay.
Registration made less than 30 days before the departure date
The Client must pay the full amount of the trip in a single payment.
Payment Methods
At the confirmation of your reservation, your local agent will prepare your electronic invoice, issued in the name of the Nomadays group of local agencies, a travel agency duly registered in France. Payments are made either:
by credit card online and without fees, via the payment links available on the electronic invoice.
by bank transfer to the account of the Nomadays travel agency, based in France and duly registered.
The electronic invoice is updated with each payment received and remains accessible at any time from the Client Space. It is downloadable and printable among other things.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required. You can obtain it online (e-visa, approximately 36 USD) before departure or upon arrival at the airport (Visa on Arrival, approximately 30 USD). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. The conditions for length of stay and visa extension vary depending on your nationality: we recommend that you check with the consular authorities of your destination for the specific rules that apply to you before booking.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, budget between 120 and 200 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transportation and activities. International flights (700-1000 euros return) are additional. Cambodia offers excellent value for money, often combined with Vietnam or Thailand.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to match your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, professional insurance, and English-speaking assistance 7 days a week on the ground throughout your stay. Travel insurance (assistance and repatriation, cancellation) is not included: we offer it through our insurance partner and strongly recommend it.
Let's talk about your adventure — Angkor Region
Travel Advisor and Cambodia Enthusiast, based in Phnom Penh
The most beautiful journeys are those that resemble the people living them. My role is simply to open the right doors of Cambodia for them.
— Alexandre
