Cambodia Temples & Mountains Multi-Adventure Tour
Hiking & Cycling from Angkor Wat to Phnom Penh
- Available: January, February, March, October, November
- Activity: Level 2
- Accommodations: Luxury Hotels
Highlights
- Explore Angkor Archaeological Park with an expert local guide, immersing in Khmer history
- Dine at thoughtfully chosen restaurants and attend a dance performance that highlights local Cambodian culture
- Cycle on charming Koh Dach Island and kayak through ecologically vital mangrove forest outside of Kep
Itinerary
Arrive in Siem Reap
Day 1
Arrive at Siem Reap airport, where you will meet your driver and local guide. Together, you'll travel by private vehicle to your elegant hotel in the Old French Quarter amidst colonial buildings near the river. Enjoy some time to settle in before a welcome dinner at the hotel.Accommodation: Treeline Urban Resort
Accommodation: Shinta Mani AngkorTransportation: 60-minute private van transfer
Meals: Dinner
Sunrise at Angkor Wat & Explore Angkor Archaeological Park
Day 2
Begin your day early, capturing the stunning sunrise at Angkor Wat, where the sun paints the sky in vibrant hues. Explore the intricate corridors of this Khmer masterpiece, marveling at its five majestic towers and fine stone details that change with the light. Return to the hotel for breakfast before continuing your journey to Angkor Thom. Pass through the grand stone doors of the fortified city, once the capital of the Khmer Empire, and discover the mesmerizing Bayon Temple with its iconic smiling faces. Explore the ancient Baphoun Temple, Terrace of the Elephants, and Terrace of the Leper King adorned with magnificent carvings. Enjoy a private lunch in a charming Khmer timber house overlooking the water. In the afternoon, visit the exquisite Banteay Srei Temple, renowned for its intricate pink sandstone carvings. End your day with dinner at a local restaurant followed by a captivating performance at Phare Ponleu Selpak, offering insights into Cambodian history and culture through storytelling.Accommodation: Treeline Urban Resort
Accommodation: Shinta Mani AngkorActivity: 5-hour walking tour
Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover the Hidden Treasures of Jayavarman VII
Day 3
Start the day with an early morning adventure to explore the hidden gems of Jayavarman VII's reign. Follow a jungle trail to Phreah Khan, an imposing monastery dedicated to the king's father, and marvel at Jayatataka Baray's views before going deeper into the Angkor forest. Pause at the Nursery Tree to discover Cambodia's rich flora and fauna, then continue to the temple of Ta Nei, where an atmospheric picnic lunch awaits. Refueled, continue to Takeo and Ta Prohm Temples. Draped in gigantic tree roots, Ta Prohm is well-known as the “Tomb Raider temple” and is incredible up close. Conclude at Banteay Kdei before a lakeside refreshment break at Srah Srang, the “Royal Bath”. Savor appetizers, cocktails, and a short foot massage as you witness a mesmerizing sunset, just a stone's throw from Angkor Wat and Siem Reap. Return to the hotel for an evening of leisure, reminiscing on the day's discoveries over dinner.Accommodation: Treeline Urban Resort
Accommodation: Shinta Mani AngkorActivity: 3 hours/7 miles walking with 100' elevation gain
Transportation: 40-minute private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey to Kampot
Day 4
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your guide and driver for a private transfer to the Siem Reap airport for your flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival, visit the fascinating and inspiring TONTOTON's Material Recovery Facility to explore the significance of practicing responsible plastic waste management, observe firsthand community efforts in collecting, sorting, processing, and upcycling from plastic waste to useful products, and learn about dealing with challenging-to-recycle plastics. After your visit, have a late lunch at Sandan Restaurant (which trains vulnerable youth in the food service and restaurant trade) in Sihanoukville before heading on to Kampot. On arrival, embark on a sunset cruise along the serene riverside, departing from a quaint pier at the hotel. Sip a welcome drink as you glide past mangroves, traditional boats, and local communities, witnessing the sun setting over Kampot's rolling hills. Dinner is on your own tonight. You might want to take the hotel boat shuttle across the river to the town of Kampot with many restaurant options.Accommodation: Amber Kampot
Transportation: 1-hour flight; 2-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Explore the Countryside of Kep and Kampot
Day 5
Venture into the picturesque countryside of Kep and Kampot, indulging in the slower pace of village life and learning about regional culinary products along the way. Explore serene fishing villages and take in stunning coastline vistas. Your knowledgeable tuk-tuk driver will guide you to hidden gems such as salt fields where evaporated sea water produces fluffy white crystals, a secret lake, and more. Discover the region's renowned pepper plantations, have lunch at a plantation restaurant, and perhaps bring some of the prized pepper home as a souvenir. Return to your riverside hotel after your Kep and Kampot adventure. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.Accommodation: Amber Kampot
Activity: 2 hours/2 miles walking
Transportation: 4-hour tuk-tuk transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kayak the Mangroves of Coastal Kep
Day 6
Today take to the water with sit-on-top kayaks, paddling down the serene river and on through magnificent mangrove forest, part of a local restoration project. Meet fishermen from a community dedicated to preserving its ecology and traditional lifestyle through eco-tourism. Kayak to the ocean and circle back through small inlets. Share a delicious local lunch at an open house on stilts over the sea, followed by a motorboat back to the pier and transfer to your hotel. Freshen up for a late afternoon trip to Kep to explore the crab market, then enjoy the sunset and a seafood BBQ dinner at Chankiri Restaurant at Samanea Beach Resort. Return to your hotel.Accommodation: Amber Kampot
Activity: 3 hours kayaking
Transportation: 2-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Phnom Penh & Visit the Killing Fields
Day 7
Check out in the morning and depart Kampot for Phnom Penh, Cambodia's historic capital located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac, Tonle Sap, and Chaktomuk Rivers. Upon arrival, have lunch, then settle into your hotel before embarking on a poignant visit to the Killing Fields, a somber reminder of Cambodia's tragic history under the Khmer Rouge regime. Peaceful now, the serene grounds were once a site of unspeakable atrocities where thousands lost their lives and is one of hundreds of similar sites throughout the country. Reflect on the country's turbulent past as you pay homage to the victims. After your visit, return to the hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.Accommodation: Raffles Le Royal
Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour Phnom Penh
Day 8
Today, discover different facets of Phnom Penh. Explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and marvel at treasures including a solid-gold Buddha encrusted with diamonds. See Khmer arts at the National Museum, showcasing artifacts from the Pre-Angkor and Angkor periods, and visit the ancient hilltop pagoda of Wat Phnom. As evening falls, join a private cultural and foodie tour led by local experts. First, seek out the city's vibrant murals, while your guide unravels their cultural significance and how they express social commentary. Next, begin sampling traditional Khmer delicacies at Kandal market. Indulge in street desserts and immerse yourself in the buzzing market atmosphere. Savor cold beer and snacks while enjoying local Khmer music at a renowned restaurant known for launching new jazz talents. This gastronomic adventure promises a flavorful and unforgettable evening, offering insights into Phnom Penh's culinary traditions and vibrant culture.Accommodation: Raffles Le Royal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycle Around Koh Dach Island
Day 9
After breakfast, transfer to the pier for your public ferry journey to Koh Dach Island. As you bike throughout this 4-mile-long island, notice how quickly the landscape and environment shift from an energetic city to a peaceful, rural vista of farms, wooden houses, and small, charming pagodas. Learn about local products, stopping at a silk farm to see the process from raising silkworms to weaving fabric, produce farms to see local crops, and a cottage soybean thread factory to watch the process. Take your time - feel free to stop whenever the mood strikes to take pictures or explore. After several easygoing miles without any elevation, you will reach a traditional house that serves as a small restaurant for a lunch break in a relaxed and jovial atmosphere. Rest for a while before continuing your journey back to the pier for the boat ride back to vibrant Phnom Penh. Enjoy leisure time for shopping or freshening up before your farewell dinner at the hotel's restaurant.Accommodation: Raffles Le Royal
Activity: 2-3 hours/7 miles cycling
Transportation: Roundtrip local boat transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Phnom Penh
Day 10
Enjoy your final leisure time in Phnom Penh before checking out and meeting your guide for a transfer to Phnom Penh airport.Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
- MT Sobek has been exploring Asia for more than 50 years and has refined its Cambodia itineraries to pair cultural exploration with opportunities for genuine, personal encounters with local people.
- Compare the value! We offer the most inclusive Cambodia trips, with all your travel arrangements, transportation, and lodging, carefully orchestrated for a worry-free vacation.
- We work with local, seasoned guides who know your destination best and can scout out off-the-beaten-path experiences away from the typical tourist crowds.
Dates & Prices
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Dong Vong S.
Setha studied English literature at Build Bright University and has been working as a guide for over 20 years. His expertise is in Khmer culture and photography. During his free time, he conducts research to learn more about new discoveries found at the temples by archaeologists and the National Apsara Authority.
Kong E.
Eak’s passion for travel and learning is what led him to becoming a guide. He has led tours in Thailand and Myanmar but it is a privilege for him to be sharing his home country with travelers.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. You will be walking on flat terrain for several hours most days of the trip, you will also be cycling for approximately 7 miles, kayaking for 3 hours and hiking 5 - 6 miles through temples on a dirt path on different days.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
5-hour walking tour
Day 3
3 hours/7 miles walking with 100' elevation gain
Day 5
2 hours/2 miles walking
Day 6
3 hours kayaking
Day 9
2-3 hours/7 miles cycling
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Stay at perfectly located boutique properties that provide all the comforts of 4- to 5-star equivalent accommodations.
Weather
Cambodia experiences clear, blue skies and little rain between November and April. High temperatures are in the high 80's to low 90's°F and lows in the low 70's°F during this period.