Overview
A nine day, privately-guided holiday exploring Cambodia on an adventure that starts in Siem Riep and comes to a close in Kep National Park. In between you have a joyous collection of adventures, such as cycling through Angkor Wat or through the mountainous landscapes of Bokor National Park, kayaking to Tonle Sap Lake and down the Kampot River and hiking in the luscious coastal and tropical Kep National Park. Staying in mostly local hotels, this journey from north to south Cambodia, from temples to coast, is an idyllic immersion into the country’s cultural and natural heritage.
- Angkor Wat
- Tonle Sap Lake
- Phnom Penh
- Kampot
- Bokor National Park
- Kep National Park
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap
You are met at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport by our driver and then transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap, which is gateway to Angkor Wat. The hotel is only a 10mins walk from the famous Old Town, street markets and the bohemian cultural scene that this city, once a village, has become well known for. We also recommend, although not for everyone, a visit to the APOPO’s Landmine Rats Center.
- Accommodation: Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa or similar in Siem Reap
Day 2: Kayak on Tonle Sap Lake | 3km
A short transfer takes you to the floating village of Mechrey. Kayak with your guide across the floating village and wild stretches of mangrove forest to Tonle Sap Lake, one of the largest lakes in Southeast Asia, from where a private transfer takes you back to Siem Reap in the early afternoon.
Note: between March and June, due to low water levels, kayaking is only within the floating village and via the canals to the open lake, not in the mangrove area.
- Accommodation: Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa or similar in Siem Reap
- Kayaking for the day: 3km
- Meals: breakfast
Day 3: Angkor Temples by bike | 35km
You are transferred (13mins) to the entrance of the temple complex to get your entry ticket (included). After a bike fitting, follow your guide through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor, stopping at the three major sites: Bayon, Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat Temples, as well as Angkor Thom city walls and some lesser-known temples. Stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants in the complex (payable locally). In the mid-afternoon, you are transferred back to Siem Reap.
- Accommodation: Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa or similar in Siem Reap
- Cycling for the day: 35km
- Meals: breakfast
Day 4: Sambor Prei Kuk by bike – Phnom Penh | 15km
After breakfast, you are transferred (3h) to Sambor Prei Kuk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 7th century and the pre-Angkorian Chenla Kingdom. Jump on your bike and follow your guide to explore this less-visited temple complex. After the ride, lunch is served at a local home after which you are transferred to Phnom Penh (3h) in the late afternoon. We recommend visiting the night market to try some food at the many food stalls.
- Accommodation: Caravan Hotel by EHM or similar in Phnom Penh
- Cycling for the day: 15km
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 5: Kampot and Bokor National Park by bike | 25km
In the morning, you are transferred to Kampot (3h) where you are met for lunch. After your bike fitting, cycle with your guide through country roads and hamlets to the buffer zone of Bokor National Park. In the afternoon, return to Kampot, where we recommend having a drink at one of the riverside terraces to watch the sunset before dinner.
- Accommodation: Kampot Sweet Boutique Hotel or similar in Kampot
- Cycling for the day: 25km
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Kayak down the Kampot River | 9km
You are transferred to Green Cathedral, a thick stretch of mangrove where the kayaking starts. Paddle with your guide through the estuaries, alongside river beaches and down the Kampot River (also known as the Preaek Tuek Chhu River) until you arrive back in Kampot. Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Today’s afternoon is free to explore Kampot and, if you would like a guided tour of this former colonial town, your guide will be happy to show you around. We recommend taking in the architecture from the colonial period, such as the Governor’s Mansion, which is now the Kampot Museum, where you can get a good sense of its past.
- Accommodation: Kampot Sweet Boutique Hotel or similar in Kampot
- Kayaking for the day: 9km
- Meals breakfast and lunch
Day 7: Kampot to Kep by bike | 40km
Start with a 20km guided ride through Kampot’s countryside. Exiting the town on a main road, quickly veer off and take secondary roads to the pepper plantations of La Plantation. An organic pepper farm with a project to support the local community. Learn all about this spice while visiting the farm, followed by a cooking class and a lunch. In the afternoon, continue the guided ride for another 20km to the coastal town of Kep. For dinner, we recommend trying one of the local specialities: crab with green peppercorns.
- Accommodation: Veranda Natural Resort or similar in Kep
- Cycling for the day: 40km
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 8: Walk in Kep National Park | 8km
As your accommodation is just outside Kep National Park, you meet your guide here for an 8km loop walk that winds through the thick tropical forest around the mountain in the park. Bring your binoculars for this one, as the park is home to many exotic birds, monkeys and other wildlife. The walk ends at Led Zep Café before walking back to the accommodation for a quick shower and check-out. Lunch is included at a local restaurant before you are transferred back to Phnom Penh (3h). Arrive at the capital in the late afternoon.
- Accommodation: Caravan Hotel by EHM or similar in Phnom Penh
- Walking for the day: 8km
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 9: Departure
Departure after breakfast and complimentary transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport.
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa (Siem Reap)
- Caravan Hotel by EHM (Phnom Penh)
- Kampot Sweet Boutique Hotel (Kampot)
- Veranda Natural Resort (Kep)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation
Meals
All breakfasts, five lunches and one dinner are included in the trip. Dinner, when not included, is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate. The distances vary depending on the activity, but a basic level of fitness is recommended. There is some flexibility, as your guide can suggest a suitable route depending on your fitness level. Routes can also change due to external circumstances, such as weather conditions (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available all year round. Please note that there will be a surcharge applied for bookings that fall during holiday periods, such as the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year falls between 28 January and 03 February 2025, please contact our sales team for further details of the surcharge.
There are two seasons in Cambodia, dry (October to late April) and wet (May to late September). Despite these two seasons, the average high temperature, 31C and the average low temperature, 25C are constant throughout the year.
Getting there
Click to view travel options and route planner
Our recommended arrival airport for this tour is Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) and the recommended departure airport for this tour is Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) .
Inclusions
Included
- 8 overnights with breakfast as detailed in the itinerary
- 5 lunches and 1 dinner
- Arrival transfer from Siem Reap Airport
- Departure transfer to Phnom Phen Airport
- Transfers as per itinerary
- All entrance fees as per the programme
- All the walking, cycling and kayaking activities as per programme
- Visit to La Plantacion with a cooking class
- Bike rental
- Kayak rental
- Local English-speaking guide
Excluded
- Airfare
- Visa to Cambodia *
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Surcharge for peak season (New Year, Lunar New Year, Christmas), public holidays and/or compulsory meals (if any)
- Early check-in or late check-out
- Drinks and other meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Optional excursions
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
*You can apply for a visa upon arrival or apply for an e-visa here
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Optional extra nights in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
Complimentary bike rental
We offer complimentary standard mountain bikes, suitable for the paths you will be riding on. All bikes come with a helmet. Sample pictures attached below, and please note that the exact models might differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
