Tour through the heart of Cambodia
Many classic highlights of Cambodia are relatively close together. This has a big advantage: during this trip you will stay several nights in the same hotel almost everywhere. That brings peace to the travel program, and so you have more time and energy to fully enjoy the day trips and excursions. You travel largely by car, but the distance between Siem Reap and Battambang is covered in a private boat.
You will visit the most beautiful temple complexes, and will see how diverse they are. But the approach route and surroundings are also ever-changing. Angkor Wat is very accessible on the outskirts of Siem Reap, and is set up for large numbers of visitors. On other days you are surrounded by dense jungle, or walking through a village where cows roam freely and children play on the steps of the temple.
A bike ride past villages, over narrow dikes between rice fields and along the banks of a river leads to unpredictable encounters. Step off to watch a fisherman land his fresh catch, pause at a local bar, or look over the shoulder of a basket weaver.
Tips & tops Cambodia's classic highlights:
- At Koh Trong, island in the Mekong River, go by boat to search for the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. You will further explore the picturesque island by bicycle or horse and carriage, and get to know typical Cambodian rural life. You will not encounter cars here!
- Monkeys will keep you company as you climb the endless steps of Mount Phnom Santuk. The reward: huge Buddha statues carved into the rock wall near the pagoda at the top, and phenomenal views of the landscape.
- The more than 100 temples of Sambor Prei Kuk are scattered in the jungle. An extraordinarily beautiful setting to wander around for hours.
- As many as four nights will be spent in Siem Reap. A comfortable starting point to see the magnificent Angkor Wat and many other temples in the area.
- Beng Mealea has only been made accessible fairly recently, and raked trails are entirely absent. Get ready for an adventurous trek to the rawest version of a "jungle overgrown temple.
- Entirely different is the sight of the Banteay Srei temple, the "Citadel of Women. Let your eyes wander over the delicate bas-reliefs in pink sandstone.
- You will travel by private boat across the Tonlé Sap Lake and Sangker River from Siem Reap to Battambang, and learn about the wonderful world of floating villages and houses on stilts. Lean back and enjoy the insanely beautiful panoramas.
- On the other side of the water, Battambang welcomes you. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed. Interrupt your city walk for a latte, a fruit shake, or - if you dare - fried insects with soy sauce.
- A day excursion in the Battambang area will take you to serene landscapes with endless rice fields and palmyra palm trees. It is also the area where Cambodia's greatest horror took place. You can visit the infamous killing caves of Phnom Sampeau here.
- During the return trip to Phnom Penh, you will make several trips, including to Koh Chen, or "Silver Village. Here you can see the silversmiths at work. Can you resist the temptation?
