Cambodia 14-Day Angkor, Battambang & Island Escape

Points of Interest : Siem Reap
After your arrival, you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap. Over a welcome drink you receive first information about Cambodia and your upcoming journey. As you may be tired from your long flight, the rest of the day is left free to relax. Freshen up in your room or stretch out on a lounger by the pool with a cocktail and ease gently into holiday mode.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : Araya Angkor Hotel (Siem Reap)

Points of Interest : Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm
After breakfast you set off by tuk-tuk with your guide to explore one of the largest and most impressive temple complexes in the world: Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century, this masterpiece of Khmer architecture is surrounded by numerous ruins and over 100 temples. You then continue to Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple, famous for its 54 towers adorned with serene four-faced Buddha sculptures. After viewing the Elephant Terrace, you visit atmospheric Ta Prohm, left largely in its original state and dramatically overgrown by massive tree roots. This temple featured as a backdrop in the film “Tomb Raider” with Angelina Jolie. You return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation : Araya Angkor Hotel (Siem Reap)

Points of Interest : Banteay Srei
Today a new adventure begins as you climb into a vintage jeep, ideal for leaving the main roads and exploring the rural landscapes around Siem Reap away from the crowds. You follow sandy tracks lined with palm trees and pass through villages where people still rely on traditional manual work. The first major stop is Banteay Srei, the so‑called “Citadel of Women”, a smaller but exquisitely decorated temple renowned for its fine bas-relief carvings. Lunch is served in the charming village of Preah Dak, a culinary gem where you can taste authentic Khmer dishes such as Nom Banh Chok noodles and sweet palm cakes while soaking up local life. In the afternoon you continue to other lesser-visited temples such as Neak Pean and Preah Khan before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation : Araya Angkor Hotel (Siem Reap)

Points of Interest : Siem Reap
Immerse yourself in Khmer art and creativity at Theam’s Gallery, where contemporary and traditional Cambodian works are displayed in a lush garden setting. Next you visit APOPO, where specially trained HeroRATs demonstrate how they detect landmines and explosives – an inspiring insight into innovative humanitarian work. Later you join a local family to cook and enjoy a typical Cambodian meal together, gaining a warm window into everyday life. The afternoon is free for your own explorations of Siem Reap or simply to relax by the pool. In the evening you attend the acclaimed Phare circus show, a powerful blend of acrobatics, theater, live music and storytelling that shares modern Cambodian tales.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner (cooking with locals)
• Accommodation : Araya Angkor Hotel (Siem Reap)

Points of Interest : Siem Reap
Today is completely at your leisure. You might revisit some of the countless temples, or choose from a wide range of optional activities: take a balloon flight for panoramic views over Angkor, join a cycling tour through the countryside, book an additional cooking class, visit the Angkor National Museum or a silk farm, hike to Phnom Kulen waterfall or unwind with a yoga session. In the evening you are picked up around 7 pm for another unforgettable performance at Phare, The Cambodian Circus. The energetic artists tell uniquely Cambodian stories through modern circus arts and live music, captivating the audience with their emotion and strength – a must-see in Siem Reap.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Araya Angkor Hotel (Siem Reap)

Points of Interest : Battambang
After a hearty breakfast you leave Siem Reap and stop at Artisans d’Angkor to explore the fascinating world of silk. From silkworm to finished garment, you follow each step of the process and watch artisans at work on traditional looms. You then continue by private car to lively Battambang, Cambodia’s second-largest city, where new cultural experiences await. Around 3:30 pm a tuk-tuk with an English-speaking guide takes you to Phnom Sampov, a hill rising about 250 meters. You can climb the roughly 800 steps or ride part of the way by motorcycle taxi. At the top you visit a pagoda and the haunting Killing Caves, used by the Khmer Rouge; countless skulls and bones commemorate the atrocities committed here. Higher up you enjoy sweeping views over the Battambang countryside. On the way back you stop at the bat cave, where thousands of bats stream out at dusk in an impressive cloud.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Battambang Resort (Battambang)

Points of Interest : Battambang
Today you discover the history and culture of Battambang and its surrounding countryside by bicycle, covering around 15 km at a relaxed pace. You first pedal through the old quarters of Battambang, admiring colonial-era architecture, before heading out into the rural landscape. A short stop at a rustic wooden bridge offers great photo opportunities. You continue to a Muslim fishing village, where you board traditional wooden boats to glide along the scenic Sangke River. Sit back, watch local fishermen at work and gain insight into the traditional riverside way of life. After the boat ride you cycle back towards the city, stopping to visit an old wooden house, a striking statue made from decommissioned rifles and the Temple of the White Elephant.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Battambang Resort (Battambang)

Points of Interest : Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang
This morning you travel by private car from Battambang to Phnom Penh. En route you stop at the small, little-visited pottery town of Kampong Chhnang, whose name in Khmer literally means “pot”. During a 1.5-hour tour you visit three different sites, each showcasing a distinct way of making ceramics. At the first stop you see pots shaped entirely by hand using age-old techniques. At the second, artisans work with a potter’s wheel under a stilted family house, far from commercial souvenir shops. At the third site, a small family-run workshop produces clay stoves in a backyard factory. At both the second and third locations you can even try your hand at throwing a pot if you wish. Afterwards you continue your journey and arrive in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, where you check into your hotel.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Ohana Hotel (Phnom Penh)

Points of Interest : Phnom Penh
In the morning a traditional cyclo takes you to the Royal Palace complex, where you can admire classic Khmer architecture and manicured gardens. You then visit Wat Phnom, the hilltop pagoda that gave the city its name, set on a 35‑meter mound shaded by trees where monkeys can often be seen. Afterwards the tone turns more somber as you delve into Cambodia’s recent history. By tuk-tuk you head to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S‑21), a former school converted into a prison and torture center by the Khmer Rouge. The tour continues to Choeung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields, where thousands of people were executed and buried in mass graves – a powerful and moving memorial to the victims.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation : Ohana Hotel (Phnom Penh)

Points of Interest : Koh Rong
Today you leave Phnom Penh by private car and drive south towards the coast and Sihanoukville. From the pier you board a boat to the tropical island of Koh Rong Samloem. There are no large hotels, traffic or shops here – only simple beachfront bungalows, small restaurants and crystal-clear turquoise water. After arrival you walk along the sand to your resort, settle into your bungalow and enjoy the laid‑back island atmosphere.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Eden Beach Resort (Koh Rong Samloem)

Points of Interest : Koh Rong
Spend a carefree day on this beautiful island of powdery white sand and crystal-clear water. You can simply relax on a sun lounger with a good book, swim in the warm sea or stroll along the shoreline. For those who wish to be more active, there are optional water sports such as snorkeling, diving or jet-skiing, as well as boat trips to nearby coves. The evening is free to enjoy a beachfront dinner under the stars.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Eden Beach Resort (Koh Rong Samloem)

Points of Interest : Phnom Penh
You leave Koh Rong Samloem by ferry, enjoying the sea breeze and views of the coastline as you return to the mainland at Sihanoukville. Your driver is waiting to take you back to Phnom Penh. On the drive you pass changing scenery, from rice paddies and small towns to more urban landscapes as you approach the capital. On arrival in Phnom Penh you check into your hotel. Take some time to relax and freshen up before spending your final evening in this vibrant city as you wish.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Ohana Hotel (Phnom Penh)

Points of Interest :
At the appropriate time you are transferred from your hotel to Phnom Penh International Airport for your onward or return flight. Your journey through Cambodia comes to an end, hopefully leaving you with many lasting memories and a sense of connection to the country’s people, history and landscapes.

• Meals included : Breakfast (depending on flight time)
• Last day : Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport