Cambodia history & culture

The first destination in your Cambodia history and culture tour program is Phnom Penh, the capital city. Known as the “Pearl of Asia” during French colonial times, Phnom Penh City features Khmer and French colonial cultures and architecture. 

Upon your arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, your driver and local tour guide will welcome you and then transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure to get over jet lag.

Spend this day discovering Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. Before the devastation of war and the revolution of the Khmer Rouge since 1975, Phnom Penh was the Pearl of Asia during the French colonial period. A full day around Phnom Penh reveals the past and the present, the vibrant cultural beauty, and the scattering of religious temples throughout this riverside city.

You will visit the majestic Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the astounding old building National Museum to gain a glimpse of Phnom Penh and make friends with this city. In the afternoon, visit the somber Toul Sleng Museum or S21 prison; then hike up to the hilltop Wat Phnom, from which the city's name is derived. Lastly, visit the sobering Killing Fields at Choeung Ek.

Leave behind the modern city, and you shall escape to Silk Island in Phnom Penh today with an exciting cycling trip. Heading to Diamond Island, you then take the local ferry across the river and cycle to rural villages, visiting local houses and luxuriant gardens, and enjoying the peaceful scenes. The next ferry will take you to Koh Oknha Tei Island, where you will pass by off-the-beaten-path sights, including Buddhist pagodas and plantations. Carry on the cycling journey to Koh Dach or Silk Island, where local villagers earn their living from traditional handicrafts of silk weaving. Afterward, you will cycle to get back to the pier. Have a chilling time in Phnom Penh for the rest of the day.

This morning, you will take a 50-minute flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, well-known for the mysterious Angkor Temples. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your local guide, then transferred to the hotel in Siem Reap for check-in.

In the afternoon, proceed on an excursion to Kompong Khleang Village on Tonle Sap Lake. Traversing around 50km (31 miles) passing by the rural regions in Siem Reap, you will board a local cruise for incredible views of the giant lake and visit the floating village. The landscape varies with seasonal water levels; you will see either floodplains or dry plains. After the excursion, return to Siem Reap and visit Mr. Theam's house, a privately owned studio displaying a collection of historical and cultural artifacts of high aesthetic value in Cambodia.  

Today, you will venture to the hidden Angkor Temples constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries. Head to the south gate of Angkor Thom, which means “Big City,” with defensive walls up to 12 km long. You will walk along 2 terraces featuring 54 figures from the Hindu myth of the Churning of the Ocean, with 54 demon gods pulling a snake’s tail. Visit the Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic sculptures of smiling Buddha faces representing the protection of the Citadel from four directions. Continue with Baphuon Temple, Phimeanakas Temples, the Terraces of Elephants, and the Terraces of Leper Kings of a 360m long wall as the eastern boundary of the Royal Palace. 

In the afternoon, explore Angkor Wat, the largest temple, with its central tower at 65m and the only temple whose entrance faces west, associated with Vishnu. Getting around the temple walls, you will discover plentiful elaborate sculptures and a gallery of the nation’s religions, cultures, and histories. Angkor Wat remains a significant religious venue in Siem Reap and Cambodia. Lastly, visit the renowned and intriguing Ta Prohm Temple, which is tightly embraced by the jungle. Have a delightful walk and follow the footsteps of Lara in the movie Tomb Raider.  

This morning, you will travel 40km (25 miles) through the peaceful countryside, with sugar palm gardens and rice fields, to Banteay Srei Temple, a unique red sandstone temple. By its elaborate sculptures and carvings, Banteay Srei Temple is also called the citadel of women. Arriving at the Bong Thom Village, you will meet up with local people and learn more about their daily lives. Learn the processes of making Cambodian traditional noodles and prepare a local breakfast bowl yourself. Next, observe their work making sticky rice from bamboo and harvesting coconuts. You also visit palm sugar stalls to learn more about making palm sugar and handicrafts from palm leaves. Afterward, return to your hotel in Siem Reap for free and easy relaxation. 

Traveling 3 – 3.5 hours by land from Siem Reap, you will visit Battambang, one of the most impressive exotic places in Cambodia, featuring amiable countryside and colonial-era ruins.

In the afternoon, take a tuk-tuk to explore Battambang Town, Cambodia's second-largest city. Stop at Wat Ek Phnom, an ancient 11th-century temple. The expedition will then offer you up-close observation of the region's typical houses, small streams, local people, and their daily work of preparing sticky rice, making knives, and making the traditional fish paste prahok.

Today, you will take a pleasant cycling journey, including a visit to a local market featuring regional goods. You also find the old French colonial architecture with riverfront buildings and then Wat Tahm-rai-saw. Visit the Governor’s House in Battambang and learn about the city’s history, and then visit the Provincial Museum of Battambang. Having a traditional lunch with a local family spanning 3 generations will give you a more insightful understanding of the cuisine and local culture.

After lunch, visit the Phare Poneak school, founded in 1994, which supports and trains poor young Cambodians in artistic skills and formal education. The trainees there perform extraordinary circus and dancing in both Battambang and Siem Reap. You will spend 1 hour learning more about this school's mission and stories. In the evening, enjoy the Phare Circus Show in the place where it was born. The show begins at 7 pm and lasts 1 hour.

Experience the local bamboo train in Battambang this morning, and you will see more of the rural landscape and the countryside along the Banon hills. Return to the main town and have free time for chilling out at a riverside café or relaxing at a hotel.

At a good time, check out of the hotel and travel back to Siem Reap by land. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You might enjoy yourself at the pub street, have some spas, or buy some Cambodian souvenirs at the Siem Reap night market. 

The last day of your 10-day trip in Cambodia will be at your leisure. At a convenient time, you will meet your tour guide and transfer from Siem Reap City to the airport for your flight to your next destination.