Cambodia Highlights day-to-day itinerary

Siem Reap is the gateway city to the Temples of Angkor. These are absolutely incredible and will be a highlight of your trip. Angkor Wat is the name of the largest and most famous temple but there are literally hundreds. Some of these have been fabulously preserved and restored. Others are almost completely over-run by the jungle and feel very remote.

Day 2 Siem Reap
A full day to explore the Angkor Temples. You will start at the magnificent ‘South Gate’ of Angkor Thom. Here there is a colonnade of colossal human faces, carved from stone. Continue on from here to see the extraordinary Bayon Temple as well as Angkor Wat itself.

If your children are old enough we can arrange bikes for you to use as this is a great way to get around. The countryside is flat and it can be fun to cycle along some of the quieter roads, stopping off at the less visited temples. Alternatively we can arrange for you to get around by tuk tuk as this is a fun mode of transport that the children will enjoy.

Day 3 Siem Reap
Setting off early, head out into the countryside by open-sided van. On quiet rural trails, mount your bikes and start your gentle ride, passing through small villages – wave hello to the locals as you go.  Arriving at your destination, it’s time to meet the elephants!

Today will include preparing snacks for the elephants, walking alongside them through the forest as they forage freely, and observing the elephants as they bathe. An ethically-run and responsible experience, a highlight will no doubt be sitting back with a cool drink and simply watching the elephants’ natural behaviour. Afterwards, you can cycle back a different way to explore other villages. Or, if you’re already hot enough why not grab a ride in the support van and just relax all the way back to your hotel.

This evening, enjoy an exciting performance by a local acrobatics and dance circus group. An innovative social enterprise, profits generated help support education and arts training for young people. Highly recommended!

Day 4 Tonle Sap Lake
After breakfast you will drive to a ‘floating’ village built on 8-metre-high stilts over the vast waters of Tonle Sap, a freshwater lake that is home to traditional fishing communities. This is a world heritage site and is best explored by a small wooden boat which enables you to sail amongst the stilt houses and through the flooded mangrove forest.

This afternoon is free to enjoy Siem Reap, a very pleasant town with fantastic restaurants and shops as well as a fabulous night market. There are plenty of other activities that we can include this afternoon if you wish, such as visiting a remote ‘jungle’ temple, cookery classes, ziplines through the forest, jeep tours and so on. If not already included, going to see the elephants (outside of Siem Reap) or visiting the life-saving landmine rats are always a winner with children.

We would be happy to arrange any of these activities in advance, or you can speak to your guide locally if you prefer.

Day 5 Siem Reap – Cardamom Mountains
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Sihanoukhville on the coast. From here continue to a resort in the Cardamom Mountains. You will stay in a lovely eco-lodge in the middle of a beautiful landscape of lush virgin forest. You can spend your time following quiet trails into the jungle, a haven for wildlife and many tropical birds. Alternatively borrow one of the lodge kayaks and explore from the water.

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