Cambodia – A Journey Through Time


Cambodia is known for its impressive Angkor Wat temple complex. One could spend days discovering the mystical surroundings. However, a Cambodia trip offers even more highlights. Immerse yourself in the history of the Khmer Rouge in the capital Phnom Penh, discover the breathtaking landscape and end your trip on a beautiful white sandy beach.

This is an example of one of our tours and should serve as a source of inspiration. Of course, the itinerary including the destinations can be adapted and we will be happy to work out a round trip for you that is tailored to your interests and budget.

CAMBODIA - A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME 3

Best travel time: November to April

Travel Duration: This journey lasts 10 days. In general, we recommend planning at least a week for a Cambodia tour in order to get to know the country and its people away from the tourist hotspots.

Travel planning: Cambodia is ideal for a combined trip with Laos or Vietnam .

Tip: The Song Saa Private Island Resort is a sustainable retreat and invites you to a relaxing end to the trip.

Day 1: International flight & arrival Phnom Penh
You will be met by your tour guide at the airport and accompanied to your hotel. Afterward, take a tour of the capital of Cambodia to learn about its history and culture. For example, the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the Central Market of Phnom Penh are on the program.

Day 2: Phnom Penh
Today, accompanied by Cambodian artists, you will explore the center of Phnom Penh and learn more about the Khmer architecture. Then drive to Choeung Ek, the killing fields outside of Phnom Penh. They show the unimaginable atrocities of the Khmer Rouge genocide. At that time, over 20,000 people were killed here. On the gigantic execution center there is now a memorial tower that was erected in memory of the victims of the Khmer Rouge. The past still shapes the Cambodians today and is an important aspect to understand the people here. Almost everyone lost someone from their family during the reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge.

CAMBODIA - A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME 2

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Kampot
After breakfast, take the public bus to Kampot by the sea, where the world’s most famous pepper is grown. Your guide will pick you up there after your arrival and drive you to your accommodation by tuk tuk. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 4: Kampot
Enjoy a free day in Kampot. For example, visit one of the surrounding pepper plantations or explore the idyllic surroundings by bike. The town with its colonial charm invites you to stroll and has numerous restaurants along the Theuk Chhou River.

Day 5: Kampot – Battambang
Today you drive overland to Battambang and on the way explore the former capital Oudong, which was the center of power in old Cambodia from the 17th to 19th centuries. You can also explore the “Pottery Harbor” and visit the city of a marble sculptor’s workshop. Your journey takes you past Cham villages. Most of the Chams live around Tonle Sap Lake and are Muslim.

Day 6: Battambang
In Battambang the French probably left behind their most beautiful colonial architecture in Cambodia. You will discover the city with its small temples and marketplaces. Battambang Province is also known for its rice fields and orchards. You cycle through different villages and see how small family businesses make rice paper, prahoc (a traditional fish paste), grolan (sticky rice in bamboo) and other Khmer specialties. Then visit the Killing Caves from the Khmer Rouge era, which are known for their bats and the panoramic view from the mountain top.

Day 7: Battambang – Siem Reap
During the boat trip past rice fields and villages you have the opportunity to marvel at traditional Khmer dwellings and visit stonemasons who still use centuries-old techniques from the Angkor era.

Day 8: Siem Reap (Angkor by Tuk Tuk)
In the morning you will visit the temples of the old royal city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the great Khmer Empire under the rule of Jayavarman VII with a tuk tuk. The city is surrounded by an 8 meter high wall, which is 4 km long on each side and forms a perfect square. A special feature of this monument are the 54 towers, which represent the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. Each tower has four faces. Your path then continues to the Terrace of the Elephants, right next to the Terrace of the Leper King. Your sightseeing drive continues to an 11th century temple, the Baphuon. Your visit today ends with the temples of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, the latter a temple that fell victim to tropical nature. Afterwards, drive back to Siem Reap in your tuk tuk.

In the evening visit the Phare Circus in Siem Reap. This project was created to give disadvantaged children an education in the arts. The acrobatic show is one of the best in the world and will amaze you.

Day 9: Siem Reap
Today you take part in local village life a little outside of Siem Reap and learn, among other things, how to make tasty Cambodian snacks or how the typical sticky bamboo rice is made. A family will also show you how handicrafts are made from palm leaves. Here you have the opportunity to make your very own souvenir. On the way back to Siem Reap, drive to the 10th century Shiva temple Banteay Srei, about 35 km north of Angkor.

Day 10: Siem Reap – journey home In the
morning you visit a particularly unusual temple: Beng Mealea, which is grown together with huge tree roots. Then transfer to Siem Reap airport, where it is time to say goodbye to Cambodia. Onward journey to Laos or back to Switzerland. Or how about a few relaxing days on the beach at the Song Saa Private Island Resort or another beach hotel?

CAMBODIA - A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

You may also like...