Tour Cambodia Discovery | Visit Viet Nam, Thailand

Transport

Public bus,Private minibus

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. HOTELS: Most of the accommodation on this trip is in hotels (mostly 2 to 3-star). Facilities are often basic, with some properties not having a continuous supply of hot water on occasion. All rooms are either fan cooled or with air conditioning and twin share with private facilities unless stated otherwise in the daily itinerary. Double beds are not widely available in South East Asia. WINDOWLESS ROOMS: Some hotels in South East Asia have windowless rooms, or windows that don’t necessarily have a view. This is often due to high population density in large cities, however local building standards also do not require rooms to have windows. We do request rooms with windows, however they aren’t always available. Guesthouse (2 nights),Homestay (1 night),Hotel (8 nights)

Others

Included activities Chambok - Traditional Dancing Siem Reap - 1 day Angkor Pass Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Others

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, get out and discover the city’s blend of old and new, East and West. Be sure to sample a baguette or some of the excellent coffee on offer – both markers of the city’s strong French influence. Equally essential are visits to Reunification Palace (the site of South Vietnam’s surrender in April 1975) and the War Remnants Museum. As there isn’t much time to explore Ho Chi Minh City on this tour, we highly recommend you spend a day or two extra beforehand to get a taste of this busy city. After your important meeting, why not get a taxi and head to the night markets at Ben Thanh – teeming with good food and local items to purchase, it’s a perfect start to your South East Asian adventure.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 Day 2: Phnom Penh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Phnom Penh

Travel by public bus through rural Vietnam and Cambodia to Phnom Penh (approximately 10 hours including two border crossings and lunch). Cambodia’s capital city is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture. You may want to take a cyclo tour of the city’s sights, including the central market, US Embassy, Wat Phnom, Mekong river front, independence monument and Royal Palace. If you’re in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art deco Psar Thmei (Central Market) or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 3 Day 3: Phnom Penh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Phnom Penh

Take a day to explore the swirl and bustle of Phnom Penh. Included today is a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. These serve as sobering reminders of the violent rule of the Khmer Rouge. Here you can learn more about this confronting but important chapter in history – if you’d rather not visit these sites, simply let your leader know. Otherwise, the rest of the day is free for you to explore. You could visit Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple shrouded in myth, or the National Museum and its excellent Khmer collection. Perhaps indulge in a traditional massage at Seeing Hands – a great social enterprise supporting visually impaired masseurs. A traditional Cambodian massage may be a little different than you are used to – it’s generally an oil-free, fully-clothed affair. In the evening, perhaps head up to the Foreign Correspondent’s Club bar with your group for a drink overlooking the Tonle Sap River.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 4 Day 4: Chambok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Chambok

Travel by private vehicle (approximately 3.5 hours) into rural Cambodia to the region of Kampong Speu and the village of Chambok. There’s a lot of natural beauty to discover here, and the Chambok community is renowned for its ecotourism. A member of the Chambok community will take you on a village walk and be happy to chat about their community’s history, lifestyle and local ecotourism projects. Meet the families your group will spend the night with and settle into your homestay accommodation. In the afternoon, take a walk around the village and perhaps head to a nearby waterfall. If it’s warm enough, you may even opt for a swim! In the evening, head to the community centre to enjoy a traditional Khmer dinner prepared by women from the community. You’ll also be treated to a traditional dance performance – tonight is an experience that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
Accommodation: Homestay
Day 5 Day 5: Kampong Chhnang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Kampong Chhnang

Say goodbye to your homestay hosts and head in a private vehicle to Kampong Chhnang (approximately 4–5 hours). Kampong Chhnang is a central province of Cambodia and borders South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake, Tonle Sap. After you’ve arrived, head to a pottery workshop demonstration where you’ll see how the locals use this craft, plus try it out, if you want! Otherwise, you could book on a boat trip on Tonle Sap lake, passing by the floating villages and fishing boats. This evening, there is also an optional (but highly recommended) experience to have dinner in a local home – you’ll never get over that traditional Cambodian hospitality.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6 Day 6: Battambang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Battambang

Onwards to Battambang. Take a private vehicle for about 4 hours towards the Thai border, and you’ll hit this town on the Sangkae River. This afternoon is free for you to do as you please. Perhaps head to Wat Banan – an Angkor-era temple perched high about the river overlooking the surrounding region. With around 300 stairs to climb to the temples, it’s worth the exercise, as the largely untouched temples are a sight to behold, and the 360-degree panoramic views over the province are stunning, especially on a sunny day. Otherwise, Battambang’s Killing Fields of Phnom Sampeau are also a sobering reminder of how the Khmer Rouge affected this area. At sunset, an extraordinary sight occurs with thousands of bats emerging and streaming out from the nearby caves, sometimes for over half an hour. If you do decide to go to Phnom Sampeau, be sure to time your visit for this.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 7 Day 7: Battambang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Battambang

With another free day in Battambang, consider one of the optional activities. If you’re feeling active, there’s a cycling tour which takes you around to visit local producers of traditional foods, plus you get a different look at the countryside, with the fresh air cooling you as you ride. Instead, there may be a chance to book into a cooking class in a local home, or head out in the evening for a street food tour – best to ask your group leader, as they know all the best people in the right places.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 8 Day 8: Siem Reap
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Siem Reap

Take a public bus to Siem Reap (approximately 3.5 hours). The small but expanding town of Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor archaeological site. This is the most popular destination for travellers in all of Cambodia, perhaps even in South East Asia. The markets are a great place to shop or to try some cheap, delicious street food. Included today is a visit to an organization that provides employment opportunities to local women through an enterprise focused on traditional Cambodian water hyacinth weaving. Pick up a trick or two and weave your own creation.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 9 Day 9: Siem Reap
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Siem Reap

Today you will visit the world-famous Angkor complex with your guide. These temples were built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer empire was the pre-eminent influence in South East Asia. The temples were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photographic opportunities at any time of day – seeing them at sunrise or sunset is highly recommended. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 square kilometres, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap. You’ll have plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, the Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm, among others.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10 Day 10: Siem Reap
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Siem Reap

Today there may be a chance (depending on the season) to visit Tonle Sap Lake for a look at local life. If you feel like some adventure, another option is to do the Angkor zip-line course, which gives you a birds-eye view of the beautiful rainforest and an adrenaline rush, of course. Otherwise you could visit the sobering Landmine Museum. It’s located a little further afield but is well worth the journey. You may also take the opportunity to spend a second day at the Angkor complex to explore parts of the site you may have missed yesterday. Please note that if you choose to return to Angkor, an extra day pass will be at your expense.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 11 Day 11: Bangkok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Bangkok

It’s a long drive from Siem Reap to Bangkok (approximately 10 hours in a private minibus including two border crossings and lunch), so strap in and have some car games at the ready. Once arrived, embrace Thailand’s bustling capital by getting out amongst it – a world of tuk tuks, khlong (canal) boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Head out with your new crew for an optional group dinner and find out why this city never sleeps.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12 Day 12: Bangkok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Bangkok

With no activities planned for the final day, you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Bangkok is a bustling hub of food, culture and chaos, so we recommend you spend at least another day here to explore. Better yet, book into one of the many Urban Adventure tours on offer – they take you around the best places with a knowledgeable local guide. If you would like to spend more time in Bangkok, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

9 days tour

Cambodia Discovery

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Cambodia Discovery

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2: Phnom Penh

Day 3: Phnom Penh

Day 4: Chambok

Day 5: Kampong Chhnang

Day 6: Battambang

Day 7: Battambang

Day 8: Siem Reap

Day 9: Siem Reap

Day 10: Siem Reap

Day 11: Bangkok

Day 12: Bangkok

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania