Cambodia Calling - Small Group

Land in Phnom Penh, where tuk tuks weave past golden rooftops and the Mekong meets the Tonlé Sap. Settle in, get your bearings and take in the capital’s lively riverfront before meeting your Travel Director and fellow small group travellers. Swap first impressions, hear what’s ahead and get ready for Cambodia to properly begin.

Phnom Penh has plenty to say today. Start with the sweep of the Olympic Stadium before going full royal at the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Then hit Street 240 for cafes, independent shops and a little local buzz. Pull up a chair for lunch and get stuck into lort cha, Cambodia’s stir-fried rice noodles served hot from the wok. Afterwards, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek, two sobering sites that share the reality of Cambodia’s recent history. This evening is yours, or add a Choice Experience and bar-hop through the capital by tuk tuk.

• Visit the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center

Today trades Phnom Penh for Battambang, with Koh Chen adding a little shine to the journey. Leave the capital and stop in this riverside village, known for its silver and copper craft. See local makers hammer, shape and engrave everything from bowls to keepsakes, with time to browse the finished pieces. Then continue to Battambang, check in and get your first look at its French-era shopfronts, riverside streets and creative side.

Battambang has plenty up its sleeve, starting at Phnom Banan, a hilltop temple reached by a serious set of steps. Fancy the climb? Head up for countryside views and a closer look at the temple. Back on level ground, see Battambang’s Bamboo Train before visiting Wat Kor Village and Mrs Bun Roeung’s Ancient House for traditional Khmer architecture and family stories. At Battambang Provincial Museum, get the bigger picture on the province’s past before heading to Phnom Sampeau, a temple-topped limestone hill with caves and sweeping views. As dusk falls, you may spot bats leaving the caves. This evening, why not add a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Jaan Bai for Khmer cuisine?

The road to Siem Reap comes with a clever stop in Puok District, where the National Silk Centre puts Cambodia’s silk-making skills in the spotlight. Get the lowdown on the care, patience and craft behind every finished piece before carrying on to Siem Reap. Once you’re settled, the evening is yours. Browse Psar Chas market for souvenirs, grab dinner near Pub Street or take an easy wander beside the river. Fancy finishing on the water? Add a Choice Experience and cruise Tonle Sap as the sun clocks off for the day.

Set the alarm early because Angkor Wat at sunrise is worth the wake-up call. With your Local Guide, continue to Srah Srang and Ta Prohm, where tree roots have well and truly claimed the ruins. Then step inside Angkor Thom, the former royal city, and size up the carvings along the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. By the time you’re done, you’ll have kings, jungle temples and a few thousand years of history under your belt. This evening, Siem Reap is yours for dinner or the Night Market. Or add a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Choice Experience at Phare Circus, where local acrobatics, theatre and live music tell uniquely Cambodian stories.

• Visit Angkor Wat

Your Angkor pass still has work to do, so head back to Angkor Wat for another look or take Siem Reap at your own pace. Ready to add more? A Choice Experience swaps temples for silkworms, rice fields and a water buffalo cart ride, with local farmers, tea and snacks along the way. Another brings together Artisans Angkor, a monk’s blessing at Wat Damnak and souvenir hunting through the old and new markets. Come evening, the choice gets even better. Go bar hopping by tuk tuk with Cambodian tipples, food-stall favourites and local craft beers, or settle in at Kanell Restaurant for dinner and an Apsara dance performance packed with centuries of Cambodian style and storytelling.

Your Cambodian adventure wraps up in Siem Reap today. Swap final photos and a few last laughs with your Travel Director and fellow small group travellers before making your way onwards. After temples at sunrise, tuk tuk nights, silk workshops and street food, your suitcase may be heavier and your camera roll definitely is.